Your Life, Your Thinking: Serious Brain Hacking On Yourself

Thinking deeply about life when doing affirmations helps them get deep into you. Just doing affirmations without emotion, visualization or deep thought leads nowhere or to very few beneficial effects. Without puffing this article up, I am going to give you the reality of effective affirmations in the best way I know how.

Albert Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge. When considering the imagination and the law of reversed effect, and understanding reality as a fluid game instead of a rigid plan, all of this is real: Imagination when programming yourself to act certain ways in reality is very important. "Knowledge" about how it all works is really not important or relevant. Let me give an example: Walking across a balance beam ten inches off the floor to retrieve ten dollars. That would be easy being only about under a foot off the floor, would it not? Now put that same ten dollars about fifteen feet up off the ground and under a rock in case there is a breeze. Okay, that is a bit harder seemingly although ultimately it is the exact same task really.

The point to that anecdote is to show the power of the imagination to make anything easy or hard in life. After all, was it not John Milton the poet who said something like "the mind can make anything heaven or hell"? The point of that quote I understand was to show the genuine power of the imagination to make anything hard or easy really, not to say heaven or hell is all in the mind without basis in reality. So, reality is to an extent what we perceive it to be, not anything rigid or unchangeable.

So, start thinking here, what does this mean for us in reality when it comes to changing it for the better ultimately? It means affirmations work if we work them, that is what it means, and I am being somewhat cryptic to give you room to "think in" some of your own answers and understanding so I do not have to take all the credit for helping you out of the boredom of not being able to change yourself.

I remember the year 1979, when my Dad lost his foot to diabetes, and he had to be hypnotized by my Mother to ease the fear and suffering he was going through. Instead of viewing it as anything bad, that was my first inkling to how reality and imagination really works.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Life,-Your-Thinking:-Serious-Brain-Hacking-On-Yourself&id=9502321

The Most Significant Ways To Reclaim Your Life

How To Make Sense Of Chaos

You may believe your life is spinning out of control.

However, it's a misguided perception because you're invested in your circumstances and unable to see an alternative solution.

I'm drawn to the tale by Anthony de Mello which highlights our reaction to life:

Everyone was surprised by the Master's updated metaphor: "Life is like a motor car."

They waited in silence, knowing that an explanation would not be long in coming.

"Oh yes," he said at length. "A motor car can be used to travel to the heights."

Another silence.

"But most people lie in front of it and allow it to run over them and then blame it for the accident."

Our greatest challenge in life is overcoming our sense of helplessness. However, this too is an illusion and not what's taking place.

"Circumstances are powerless, too. Your perception of outside events is solely dependent on your thinking and mind-set. And since your thinking and mind-set ebb and flow, it makes little sense to take the content of your thoughts as written in stone and requiring action," affirms author and sports psychologist Garret Kramer in The Path of No Resistance: Why Overcoming is Simpler than You Think.

When we become invested in the drama around us, we cannot make sense of it and assume chaos is detrimental.

In fact, upheaval may be what we need to advance us to the next point in our life.

The most significant act we can undertake to reclaim our life, is to surrender. I realise this goes against every principle of setting your life on track. Nevertheless, what if this simple understanding propelled you to a new way of life?

Author Mary O'Malley states in What's in the Way Is the Way: A Practical Guide for Waking Up to Life, "Opening to Life brings you into full engagement with what is happening rather than keeping you caught in a conversation about Life. We could call it surrender, but this doesn't mean being defeated. It means finally giving up your war with what Life is bringing you."

The Process Called Life

Surrender does not mean apathy, yet something more significant. It entails yielding to the process called life, by allowing what needs to transpire, irrespective of your thoughts and preconceived ideas.

Your ideas and beliefs about the world give meaning to what is taking place around you.

To reclaim your life, requires finding your own path and following the journey wherever it leads. It's a rewarding adventure, given the many discoveries made along the way.

Thus, it pays to be vigilant and know what's important to you.

It's easy to be distracted by unimportant matters. Many people succumb to this way of living because they react to what happens before them, instead of focusing on what's essential.

"Saying yes to reality-to the things we cannot change-is like choosing to turn around and sit in the saddle in the direction the horse is going. Sitting that way is mindfulness, an honouring of the here and now without the distractions of fear or desire," avows author David Richo in The Five Things We Cannot Change: And the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them.

It's In Your Response

How you respond to life, reflects whether you're pulled by situations or people that don't relate with your deepest values.

Life proceeds with its own agenda, directed through you. Yet, it's derailed by trivial matters since we lose sight of what we value most.

I liken it to working on a computer and besieged with pop-up messages from a mail program.

If you're like most people, they respond to the messages, texts or incoming calls as they arise because they're habituated to do so, like Pavlovian Conditioning.

What if there's a better reaction instead of plunging ourselves into unimportant issues?

The choice is not to allow external events to disrupt your inner stability.

We must be mindful of the excuses that keep us trapped in our comfort zone. This safe harbour is where we avoid confronting life's pressing issues while delaying the inevitable.

Eventually, it overwhelms us because we've grown accustomed to running away from our problems instead of meeting them head-on.

"People automatically thrive when they stop making circumstantial excuses for their feelings. They find clarity, take judgment off the table, and then feel a connection with everything around them," states Garret Kramer.

Life needn't be a series of unfortunate events. You have the power to take affirmative action to reclaim your life. First, you must discover what's important to you and let go of any distractions that don't complete the picture.

I assure you, life will pull you in every direction not of your choosing. If you're not resolute, you'll find yourself in a place you care little for.

This is why many people are unhappy in intimate relationships because they're enticed by the initial spark that alights their interest. They respond like a child with new toys, believing the situation will stay the same. It seldom does and soon enough they find themselves stuck and unable to navigate life.

Life is not to blame for your circumstances. It results from your less than unwavering commitment to pursue what's important.

If you're in a position that does not benefit you, ask yourself, "What really matters?"

Continue to pose this question for thirty days until answers appear. What emerges will be insights giving you clues to what you value most.

Pursue it.

However, what arises, may go against your better judgement and force you out of your comfort zone - that's okay, go with it.

Listen, for something to be of value, you must let go of fixed ideas not in alignment with a greater vision for your life.

Tune In To Your Inner Wisdom

There's a place within you, a universal wisdom that knows your needs. You may not be aware of it as it's drowned out by the incessant chatter in your mind.

This radio mind distracts you of what's essential.

To live a spirited life, turn down the volume on your thoughts and tune in to the ever silent, infinite wisdom that lies deep within you.

I assure you it's there.

People claim not to hear it or that it doesn't exist because they can't get quiet enough to perceive it.

It may take months or years to drown out the incessant chatter and allow the silent voice to direct you to the life you're meant to live.

What's the rush, anyway?

Your Instagram and Facebook friends will still be there, so set aside your communication devices for now.

Don't go another minute living a complicated life, claiming it's a series of trials and tribulations.

Be vigilant in your response to life and trust there's a greater plan for you, beyond your understanding. You needn't know the plan in its entirety right now.

Follow the trail, via your emotions to reclaim your life. Take one step at a time.

Everyday, life will show you what needs to be completed, who you need to meet with, what books you need to read and the resources you require.

As the opening tale proposes, step out of the way of the motor car and into the passenger seat to assume your role as creator and navigator of your life.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Most-Significant-Ways-To-Reclaim-Your-Life&id=9509239

10 Power Questions To Get You Motivated

There are times in life when we need to motivate ourselves. We often have big ambitions we want to achieve. Sometimes, however, the motivation and clarity we need evade us, and the limited timeframes we have mean we need to get busy when we simply lack the zest to do so.

The following are a set of simple questions we can ask ourselves to begin to create the direction, the clarity and above all the motivation for ourselves to act:

1. What is the highest vision for my career, my life and myself?

This is really a reminder question for us. A key element of a balanced life is to have a clear vision of who you want to be and where you want to take your career and your life. This question is an opportunity for you to create that vision (preferably on paper), or if you already have it, to remind yourself of it.

2. What's the bigger picture here?

This question follows on from the first. When you have your vision, your subconscious mind will start to think creatively about how you can begin to make that vision happen. What's the bigger picture here, allows you to keep your thinking at a higher level, rather than bringing it down to the detail of life too quickly.

3. What are the key activities I need to be engaged in to get me to where I want to be?

This is a great all-encompassing question that takes you down a level in terms of your thinking. The focus of this question is the key activities. These are the 20% activities that will give you 80% of your results (according to the Pareto Principle). Again, this keeps your thinking at a level that allows you to focus on just those things that will get you to your outcome in the best way possible. You are not down at the micro or detail level yet. A good way to approach this is to come up with a list of just 2-4 key activities. These will become your projects from which your key tasks will flow.

4. How can I leverage my time, energy and money?

Leverage means investing a small amount of your resources in such a way that you get results that are many, many times greater than that investment. It could be, for example, that you invest a given amount of your time, energy and money to acquire the time, energy and money of many others. This is a form of leverage that is used to very powerful effect, for example, in the business world, and is how many businesses grow from sole-entrepreneurship to global status. Therefore asking yourself this key question constantly, permits you to engage fully in those activities that will give you the greatest return on your time, energy and money.

5. Do I need outside help?

This question flows on logically from the previous. It opens up your thinking, and allows you to consider the fact that others may be able to help you in your quest. This question prevents you from getting caught up in believing that you have to do everything yourself. Often when we are in this mode we can easily become overwhelmed, and this can sabotage our results. It is therefore useful to be asking yourself this question constantly so that external resources regularly show up for you.

6. What is stopping me from moving forward?

Sometimes we don't consider this question, and simply try to achieve our aspirations in life. By considering what may be stopping you, you are giving yourself the chance to acknowledge what is going on for you at a deeper level. This can reveal blockages that go way back, that may even have begun in childhood and could still be affecting you today. By using key techniques such as Energy Therapy to clear psychological and emotional barriers, you can begin to move forward and work more effectively towards your outcomes.

7. Given who I am, where I am in life, who I want to be and where I want to be in life, how can I use the time I have to the greatest effect?

This question may be detailed, but it acknowledges that you may have a limited amount of time in which to act, and therefore recognises that you need to use that time wisely. It also acknowledges who you are and where you are in your life right now whilst recognising that you have aspirations to improve. This is a powerful question that encourages you to look beyond those activities that may seem urgent but may not at this moment in time be in the best interests of your overall vision.

8. What can I do?

The is another all-encompassing question that begins to bring your thinking down to the task level whilst allowing your subconscious to consider all the options open to you. It also focuses your mind on what you can do rather than what you feel you can't.

9. How can I get started?

Getting started is one of the most difficult parts of any project or vision accomplishment. Asking yourself how you can get started brings your focus back to the current moment, and allows you to decide what your first step is going to be. This point alone can open up numerous doors in your mind, and can begin to make what may have seemed overwhelming or impossible, possible.

10. How can I work smarter?

Once we've started on our journey towards our vision, we can often get caught up in the detail of the work, and risk losing both our focus and direction. The upshot is that we can become derailed and distracted, and the effectiveness of our work can suffer. Asking yourself at every stage of your journey How can I work smarter will help you to find better, more useful and more intelligent ways of achieving your aims.

http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Power-Questions-To-Get-You-Motivated&id=9401870

Here Is 16 Empowering Actions That Can Change Your Life Today

Your experiences are shaped by your thinking. Even obstacles have a value when you can see it. You can develop convictions that will help you to feel happier and achieve more, regardless of the situation. Consider these empowering beliefs that you can start using today to transform your life through the power of positive thinking.

Empowering Actions That Will Make You Happy

1. Understand your potential. You can achieve amazing results when you put your mind to it. Feel excited about reaching your true potential.

2. Count your blessings. List each thing that you have to be grateful for. Remember to include the smaller items, like warm socks or tart cranberries. Expressing your appreciation reminds you of how rich you are.

3. Live to learn from your mistakes. You can make setbacks work for you by focusing on the lessons that they contain. Flubbing one job interview can teach you how to ace the next one.

4. Always find meaning in adversity. Tough times can be the most rewarding phase of one's life. Know that you can emerge from any challenge with greater wisdom and courage. Look back at the obstacles you've already overcome, and reassure yourself that you can handle what's ahead.

5. Embrace change and remain focused. Accept that life is a series of changes. Focus on the present moment, and prepare yourself to adapt to whatever circumstances that come your way.

6. Dream big and follow-up. Expand your wish list. Setting demanding but attainable goals gives you adventures to look forward to each day.

7. Practice forgiveness. Lighten your load by clearing away any resentment you're holding onto from the past. Set reasonable boundaries while you respond with compassion when others disappoint you. Forgive yourself of past mistakes.

8. Be kind and give generously. Sharing your blessings makes you more powerful and joyful. Volunteer in your community and speak kindly to each person you meet every day of your life. Take your co-workers for tea break or give your sub-ordinate a gift.

Empowering Actions That Will Make You Grow

1. Take responsibility for your actions. You are in charge of your life. Hold yourself accountable for the outcomes you create. Celebrate the fact that you have the power to determine your own future.

2. Apply effort and don't look back. Figure out your definition of success so you know what is worth working for. Give yourself credit when you're making progress rather than comparing yourself to others.

3. Leverage your strengths. You have your own individual strengths that you can draw on. Figure out what you're good at and what you want to do. And let that knowledge guide your choices.

4. Always listen to feedback. Learn to ask for feedback so you can enhance your performance and show others that you respect their point of view. You can grow faster when you gather solid input that you can translate into action.

5. Ask for help when need arises. Expand your capabilities by building a sturdy support network. Carpool with other parents. Divide up household chores with your spouse and children.

6. Network with others. Moral support counts too. Surround yourself with loving and encouraging family, co-workers and friends. Participate actively in your faith community. Join a club with members who share your interest in business or sport.

7. Recognize opportunities. Stay alert for promising openings. You may meet a new friend while you're standing in line to buy your morning coffee and that might be the turning point of your journey to success.

8. Try new things. Be open to experimentation. Go Skiing one weekend instead of playing tennis. Bake your own bread or knit a scarf. You may discover hidden talents. An upbeat attitude increases your happiness and productivity. Question your old assumptions so you can replace them with a new sense of certainty about yourself and your future. Adopt empowering actions that build up your confidence and prepare you for greater success.

Start today. You'll be glad you did! Good luck!!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Here-Is-16-Empowering-Actions-That-Can-Change-Your-Life-Today&id=9412389

Message From the Universe: Life Isn't As Difficult As You May Think!

"Let's pretend, just for today, all day long, throughout our every thought and decision, that life is easy, that everyone means well, and that time is on our side. Okay? And let's pretend that we are loved beyond belief, that magic conspires on our behalf, and that nothing can ever hurt us without our consent. All right?

And if we like this game, we'll play tomorrow as well, and the next day, and the next, and pretty soon, it won't be a game at all, because life, for us, will become those things. Just as it's become what it is today.

You're getting warmer,

The Universe"

Keeping the positive thoughts coming in and drowning your mind is what you should strive for. There is no reason why we shouldn't focus on what is easier and more simple. Why do we need to allow negativity to come into our life and let it linger for too long? It takes more energy and effort to think negative than positive? Why exert all this energy for no reasons? I understand that life can take its toll and that circumstances may happen that aren't too favorable to you. It is a part of life and this is the things we need to learn to accept. However, these unforeseen circumstances happened because you allowed them to happen, and you allowed negative thinking to plague your mind. Nothing happens for no specific reasons, it is the effect of your thinking. There is one ultimate solution to that. Yes, you know what it is. If you want to change your outcome, you need to change your thinking. It may be hard at first, because of the years of negativity that YOU allowed into your mind that will be hard to remove. However, with hard work, self-apprenticeship, education and lots of meditation, you will learn to reboot your mind and re-install a better functioning operation system with NO malware.

It is important to keep this process going day in and day out. You might not see the changes happening overnight, but do not despair. Everything great will come when you create a new habit and allow only the positive to come into your life. Focus on what you want to create for yourself. Do that everyday, and never change your path, unless if needed. Keep a journal of when you see darkness coming into your life and fix it as soon as you can. Create happiness triggers for yourself when this happen. Always look forward to doing the things you love doing. Allow yourself to FAIL at times, as this is the ONLY way you will ever learn and appreciate the things you already have. Be grateful for a great life G-d gave you and keep on moving forward, no matter what happens. You can always look back and feel accomplished for everything you've done so far. No many got to where you are today!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Message-From-the-Universe:-Life-Isnt-As-Difficult-As-You-May-Think!&id=9435478