Message From the Universe: Appreciate Life a Bit More!

"Now! Go! Stake your claim! Hold out your hands. Move, get ready, give thanks. Imagine, and let go. Act, and have faith. Persist. Do what you can, when you can, all you can. Because never again, not in a million years, not over ten thousand lifetimes, will you ever again be as close as you are today.

Ungawwa,

The Universe"

This message is running up my spine as I am reading it and writing the interpretation. For everyone experiencing different challenges, this message can mean different thing. It is great because it covers such a wide area of possible concerns that many might experience daily, but yet, isn't specific when providing answers. The message is universal because it can apply to everything. The common denominator is appreciation and gratitude and belief. If you have all three, you can accomplish anything and reach all your goals and dreams. I agree that a bit of luck is needed to make it all happen quicker, but overall, with persistence and strong determination to succeed, you will accomplish everything you put your mind into. The key is to NEVER stop. It can be hard as you have no clue if what you are doing today will bring you anywhere, but just pay attention to the signs/signals, your environment, opportunities, and look for what is abnormal in your daily routine. If you find something being redundant, or boring for you, start looking for a change. Determine the best course of action and just take it. Do not hesitate as you will start questioning your every move, on every day. I am not saying to jump on anything without really thinking about it, but after looking at all the option, just take that leap, jump and let the rest unravel in front of you. No one ever succeeded in life without taking risks, putting everything down and going for whatever outcome. You need to understand that we all have some kind of mission, and despite all the challenges we face, we need to still search for our mission, and do whatever it takes to accomplish it. The rest is in the hand of God and his/her decision. This is ONE other thing you can't really control.

When you are having positive thoughts, let them run through your head, desire them to happen and always be grateful for what you already have. It is a very important components to making your thoughts a reality. You need to let the Universe know that you are OK even if your thoughts didn't come true. Learn to be happy with what was already handed to you and it is OK to aim for something better, but do it for the right reasons. Looking to be wealthier? Aren't we all? Well, work on a plan that will make this happen but also accept the way things are today. Are you starving? Are you on the streets? Are you out of a job? If you are reading this article, I can assume that it is none of the above. When reading this article, that means you have a computer with internet connection, or a laptop or whatever else, which mean you probably have a job to afford these items. Appreciate all of what you have and always look to change yourself first, before changing your overall situation. You might ask: "What's the difference between both?" Changing who you are is internal, but changing your situation is external. So focus on the internal first, such as your attitude, your approach to life, your personality, your anger problem, your self esteem issue if you have any. The external is your financial status, relationship or career which is definitely much less of a hassle to change. Start looking to change from within first, and the rest will follow.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Message-From-the-Universe:-Appreciate-Life-a-Bit-More!&id=9468740

Activating Your Gratitude For More Energy

Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Is it energizing? It is rewarding in many ways, ways you'll be glad to experience.

Wayne Dyer taught me a powerful lesson - after he died. He taught me about starting my day with gratitude in a way I'd never done before. It was much simpler than other approaches I'd practiced before. Consequently, it was more satisfying and energizing.

First, practicing gratitude opens you to more joy. When you appreciate all the big and little things in your life, you find there are more things to appreciate. Everyone receives many gifts through the day --- every day. If you are practicing your attitude of gratitude you see them. Seeing the bounty of good in your life lifts your energy. Seeing those gifts helps support you during times it doesn't feel you are getting good things in your life.

When you live with your head down, grumbling about all that's wrong in your life you are miserable, you miss the gifts, and your energy is in the pits. That's not a good way to live. And you aren't someone others want to be around either, adding to your misery. Ooh, what a sad downward spiral that is!

When your life is full of criticism of the things and people in your life you cast your dark shadow all around you. Most people tend to avoid critical and sour people. How are your friendships and work associations going for you lately?

Here's the tip I took to heart: as you wake up each morning, and put your feet on the floor, give thanks. Give thanks three times. Then start your day. There is always something to be thankful for, especially first thing in the morning, and your day will start better when you think of three things and express that gratitude.

One twist I've added to that gratitude start is to stretch before getting up and putting my feet on the floor. That stretch, learned from my cats, wakes your body up so you feel truly alive! That stretch loosens your muscles and gets your blood flowing. I'm grateful for that feeling - every day.

It doesn't take much time. It's powerful. It's uplifting. It's energizing, especially in combination with the cat stretch. Try this every morning for a week, then a month, and see how it changes your life.

Have you exercised your attitude of gratitude today?

http://ezinearticles.com/?Activating-Your-Gratitude-For-More-Energy&id=9498172

If You Are Often Unhappy, Here Are Ten Things Research Shows You Could Find Helpful

Some time ago, there was a report by the London School of Economics on happiness. It said, among other things, that people who are married or in long term relationships tend to be happier and live longer than other people. This will surprise anyone who has listened to too many old-fashioned jokes about "the wife" and "the mother-in-law". Who is laughing now? The Report also mentions depression and stress as major reasons why many people are not happy. I have written about my contribution to stress on one of my blogs.

I am aware of a lot of other research in the last decade or so, which began in the University of Mexico, into what makes us happy, which made a change from all the studies in the Twentieth Century into neuroses, psychoses, manias etc. In other words, they used to study only people who were far from happy.

Here are the ten principal elements:

A. Accumulation of wealth does not make you happier. Poverty makes people unhappy, but beyond a certain level happiness does not increase with material wellbeing, although some say they would rather be miserable in comfort. The love of money is the root of evil.

B. Be yourself. Don't be a square peg in a round hole. Do not blame yourself for not being someone else. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.

C. Count your blessings. Think about the plusses. It is easy to focus on the negative. Rejoice at all times.

D. Do good. Happiness grows as you give it away. Love thy neighbour.

E. Enjoy life. Consciously absorb the good things around you. God has given us all good things to enjoy.

F. Forgive people who hurt you. You do not have to condone their actions. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

G. Give thanks to people who help you. Write to a teacher, mentor or someone who helped you through a bad patch. It is good to give thanks.

H. Health - take reasonable care of it, without becoming obsessive (that leads to stress!). Avoid the worst pitfalls of smoking, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol, or lack of exercise or sleep. Moderation in all things.

I. Invest in relationships - don't be a recluse. This is the one item on which experts disagree. Some say introverts are happier if they do not force themselves to socialise. Whatever you think about this, make a positive decision, do not let life determine it for you. Do not neglect to meet together.

JK. Just Know how to deal with catastrophes, whether through religion, philosophy or something more down to earth. Bad things happen to almost everyone at times. We all need something to hold on to, otherwise one event can destroy your whole life. God is a very present help in troubles.

Is there a link?

In addition to all these things, it was generally found that people regularly involved in a church, mosque or other religious organisation were happier than average. This could be because of the links between religion and all the above factors. The feeling that life is not random but controlled by Someone, may also help some people. It has been observed that many of these points are similar to advice found in the Bible. None of them are contrary to its teaching, anyway. Perhaps it is to do with following the Maker's instructions. However, they are just as valid, whatever your religion or other philosophy.

Does anyone keep to all ten guidelines?

You might not be able to implement all these suggestions, whether you are in a longterm relationship or not, but see how many you can. I hope it will increase your happiness.

http://ezinearticles.com/?If-You-Are-Often-Unhappy,-Here-Are-Ten-Things-Research-Shows-You-Could-Find-Helpful&id=9792552

Stop Being Afraid by Changing Your Mental Game: Take Back Your Power Instead

I got some news today that made my belly hurt. It does not matter what it is, only that it was enough to evoke the terrible fear monster inside of me.

Once again, the beast of failures past groped its way up from the basement of my mind. All of the old mantras began to sound off like ominous bells of doom. "You are not good enough."

"You are not smart enough, powerful enough, fill-in-the blank enough," the voices in my head cried. Then it hit me. I asked for this.

Wait.

What? I asked to be kicked in the shins, pushed down in the playground and have my spiritual lunch money taken? I wanted an emotional wedgie?!

Yeppers.

You see, I have this nasty habit of asking to grow, to learn to explore and to become more than I am. You may have done that too.

If so, don't be surprised if the universe answers by sending a few curve balls your way. Road blocks are kind of the pop quizzes of spiritual development. (Dang it!)

When we get bowled over, it is life's way of letting us actually live what we all say we believe. Without these crisis moments to challenge us, we would never be able to learn the lesson, fight our inner demons or... well, grow.

The days that you wake up feeling like a truck hit you, when someone you love hurts you, when you have no money (and for some reason the electric company just won't accept your written-in-crayon I.O.U), when doom and gloom are playing a game of keep away with your inner peace, these days are your training days.

This is how you become an overcomer.

You are the hero of your own story and now, even as your knees go week and you want to just cry, if you can stand up, even for a minute, it will be okay.

You will get through this and if you are willing to trust and move forward, your victory is assured, not matter what the outcome.

It is oh so easy to smile, look wiser than we are and be happy when the road is easy and the sun is shining. But add a few clouds, a crooked cold wind that cuts you to the bone, or a dark night of the soul and it is easy to lose your way. When you skin your metaphysical knees it gets real in a hurry.

Just remember: those days are true gifts. You read that right. They may not be packaged with fun colors and puppy kisses, but ribbons aside, it is all a gift nonetheless.

Problems are just the mile markers of your change in trajectory. They are there to shake up your convictions and demand more of you. Every hard day is a chance to be brave, to face our fears, swallow hard and move forward in the darkness.

Yes.

Life can be scary. You really do have the power to do incredible things though. Half the battle is knowing that this, all of it, is a test. Give thanks for the gloomy days, the difficult moments and know that you are a rock star.

Here is a way to take back your power:

First, remember that life/time is to paraphrase Einstein, a very persistent illusion. Oh it feels real enough, but beneath all of it, everything and everyone is just connected strands of energy.

Secondly, allow yourself to feel, to grieve to get mad or whatever. It is okay to have emotions. Acknowledge your pain. Analyze it. And then release it. ( In a safe way.)

Now begin to bring in love. Send love to yourself. Send love to the situation or person that is causing you pain. Send forgiveness. (As much as you can. Just being willing is a start.) Remember, forgiveness does not excuse or cover over harm, it merely unhitches your emotional train engine from that nasty cargo you were hauling around.

See if you can recognize a pattern of these types of situations in your life. If so, then perhaps these events are lessons you need to learn. They will continue to appear, no matter where you are. Only the faces and locations will change. The underlying message will morph, but keep coming back until you grow past your need for it.

Lastly, give thanks for whatever just ate your lunch. After all, this made you stronger, wiser and more in tune with the greater Divine Source. Give thanks and breathe.

Rinse and repeat as needed. To rephrase an old proverb: once you have learned the painful lesson, the need for the terrible teacher will fade away and new (better, more joyous) lessons will have room to come in.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Stop-Being-Afraid-by-Changing-Your-Mental-Game:-Take-Back-Your-Power-Instead&id=9128661