Transformation Magazine: Simplify

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3 INSPIRATIONAL STORIES 3 Finding Home 4 From Mindfulness to Mindlessness 6 Last Year’s Birds & This Year’s Nest 8 The Music of Allowing: A True Story 10 A Climb to the Top 12 Listen to the Wisdom of Your Inner Coach 13 Unleashing the Lioness 14 TOOLS & TIPS FOR EMPOWERMENT 14 Take It Off the Mat: Yoga Philosophies for Life and Business 16 How to Become an Opportunity Magnet 17 Let Go and Grow 18 How to Practice Mindful Eating 20 Decisions Made Simple: A Guide for All Situations 21 Spring Clean Your Inner House 22 No More Rat Race! 10 Tips for Simplifying Your Life 24 4 Steps to Create a Miracle in Your Life 26 Optimize Your Health with 6 Steps for Eating Clean 28 COACHING STRATEGIES 28 Stop Wasting Your Time 30 How to Leverage the Power of Social Media 34 ENLIGHTENMENT 34 Visionary Moments: Descent into Darkness... Finding the Light 36 Give Me the Simple Life 39 Enlightened Advice 40 Effortless Action

© Copyright 2017 Transformation Magazine. All rights reserved. www.TransformationMag.com

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Inspiration

By Mary Boutieller April is here and, at least for us Floridians, spring is in the air! Already I am feeling the need to clean out closets and clutter, to put away the signs of winter and to welcome new growth and opportunity. I love having the windows open and the fresh air moving through our house.

Recently, my husband and I helped a friend, who had lived in the same small apartment for 40 years, move. In the process of doing this, I became witness to the ways in which we become attached and accustomed to things—the items we find valuable, the habitual way we move through life, the way we always thought things would turn out. In the course of a few days, I saw this person become fearful, angry, grateful and acceptant. It wasn’t (and still isn’t) an easy move for him. Many of us know that, even when our situations aren’t “ideal,” still we find comfort in the routine of things—knowing what is in which aisle at the grocery store, where items are located in our homes, who is likely to wait on us at our favorite restaurant. And when those things are uprooted, it can be unsettling and scary, even when it may be better than before.

For me, looking in from the outside, I couldn’t understand why he had transported so much “useless” stuff—things he didn’t use, didn’t need, didn’t really even want. Yet as I watched him slowly work his way around his new home and place items just so, I realized that he was trying to find home again.

He was trying to find comfort and security and a sense of identity in this new place.

I have never been much of a “holder-on” of things. As a child, we moved so often that no place was home for very long. I learned early on that the stuff we had didn’t make a home. Home was my mom, my brothers and sisters, spaghetti and meatballs, Italian music (or rock-n-roll). Those were the signs of home, and, as long as my family was around, I knew that everything else would fall into place sooner or later. Now, as an adult, I think of what home

means to me. It still means family, and it means my husband, John.

Last month, we celebrated 27 years of marriage and the creation of “home” for each other. I am so grateful for that.

Margaret Fuller said, “A house is no home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as for the body.”

Author James Baldwin said, “Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition.”

And of course, there is also the old standby, “Home is where the heart is.” Often, I feel very much at home on my yoga mat—centered, calm, happy, and safe. How can it be that home has so little to do with a physical building?

Have you ever wondered what “home” means to you?

What (or who) inescapably makes you feel centered, calm, happy and safe? Is it a person, a pet, a location, a treasured keepsake or something else?

Maya Angelou said, “The ache for home lives in all of us.

The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”

In finding home, perhaps we can let our guard down and open ourselves to what is possible. Perhaps we can listen to the quiet voice of wisdom and realize that searching the world over to find ourselves will eventually bring us back to where we started.

Perhaps we can see our stuff as just stuff, and our relationships as the jewels they are—worth more than any item you could buy. As we explore what it means to be human, as we focus on where compassion resides and discover what is important in this lifetime, wouldn’t it be nice to know that you are already home.

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Mary Boutieller has lived in Florida since 1970 (almost a native), and is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching yoga since 2005. Her work experience includes 22 years as a firefighter/paramedic and 10 years as a Licensed Massage Therapist.

Mary’s knowledge and experience give her a well-rounded understanding of anatomy, alignment, health and movement in the body.

She is passionate about the benefits of yoga and the ability to heal at all levels through awareness, compassion, and a willingness to explore. She can be reached at: SimplyogaOm@gmail.com.

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Inspiration

By Victoria Hawkins

The journey to my intuition seemed like a thousand steps, and yet not a one.

One enchanted day I took an early morning run with my 9-year-old son. It was still dark, and the sky was filled with clouds.

A full moon morning, with the light from the super moon pushing through in spots, to shine a bit of brightness on our path. As we ran he mused, and his words sparked a spot in my heart. He said, “I love stopping and admiring nature when we run.” I agreed, and we slowed to notice the tiny pink and orange tinges of sunrise lighting the clouds as the new dawn pushed up to replace the moonlight. In the next moment he added, “Sometimes when I am playing Xbox and the screen freezes, I sit and try to notice every color and everything about the picture. I love that.”

In that moment I realized the beautiful wisdom he offered as a gift. He shared the key to being mindful. Notice, Be Still, Admire. Then in that space you touch your natural state of peace and receive joy. This is the process of moving from mindful, intentional observation into a place of stillness; and in that stillness you become mindless as you let go of the ego mind chatter and

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become aware of the Divine.

When I was in my teens and early twenties I experienced extreme anxiety. l appeared confident, but underneath I was constantly trying to calm myself and pull my thoughts away from worry. My mind raced most hours of the day, and even into the night. In the wee morning hours I would watch the glow of the digital clock as it clicked through each number counting the hours, then minutes, that I would be able to sleep. I ran on adrenaline, couldn’t sit down to watch a movie, and described myself as a “Type A Personality.”

One day at the peak of my anxiety I walked into a yoga class at the local gym. I cannot claim any noble reasons for trying yoga. I was a ballet dancer who was no longer dancing due to entering a career as a social worker and therapist. All I wanted was to keep my dancer’s flexibility. After a few weeks of this routine, I began to notice that I was having more moments of calm.

Situations that occupied my mind for days were letting go a little quicker, and I started to appreciate the art of shutting off my endless mind chatter. I connected this development to the meditation part of the yoga class, and I was intrigued.

I set off on an exploration to practice meditation. At first

I thought I would just sit down, breathe, and instantly connect with my Divine Voice but, alas, that did not go as planned. Instead, I would sit down and close my eyes and my mind would start listing my stressors, my “failures,” my grocery list, my 10-year plan.

With each attempt I failed to find a path back to that meditative state I experienced briefly on my yoga mat as I was guided in Savasana, the relaxation time at the end of the class.

As the Universe would have it, I stumbled upon Mindfulness Meditation, and things began to shift. When I discovered the world of mindfulness I knew I had hit the jackpot. Mindfulness was an obsessive thinker’s ticket to inner peace! The way I describe mindfulness to people now is to say, “Mindfulness is about putting your full mind on something.” What I realized back then was that I was putting my full mind and my full energy on my plans, my worries, my fears, my imagined shortcomings, my old wounds, my fresh wounds, and my mistakes.

When I began the practice of mindfulness, I went in full throttle.

I tried mindful eating, focusing on the experience of each bite that entered my mouth. I tried mindful walking and noticed each step I took, what I felt, and how my body moved. I tried mindful sitting and observed each sensation, emotion, and subtle movement as I sat in one space. Then I moved to mantras and mala beads, repeating statements as I lovingly touched each of the 108 beads around the garland of wood and stone.

And a change occurred. I found that I was replacing my old worries with new repetitive statements and observations. It dawned on me that when I placed my full mind on things that were simple and positive and lovely I would go into a state of gratitude and respect for the beauty in our world: how a spider’s web was intricate art; how a beetle glistened with greens and blues when the sun hit its back; how I am miraculously made of atoms and cells and molecules that function seamlessly together. When I came to this awareness I became still—completely still inside, even if outside I appeared to be moving. I connected in that moment to extreme gratitude and trust in Divine Provision and Purpose.

At this still point all becomes silent and I can hear. Not so much a hearing with my ears, but with my heart and soul. From this place of stillness and gratitude I know that I am always guided by the Voice within. And in that moment of stillness, gratitude, and trust, I am mindless. No longer controlled by the Ego mind of illu-

sion, but instead connected to my Intuitive Self, my Divine Mind. In that place of mindlessness there is no worry, there is no fear.

My greatest epiphanies and intuitive adventures have come from this still point, the transition from being mindful to letting go and finding myself mindless. Even so, I find that at times I still feel a tiny sense of worry or a washing over of fear. When I do I follow these steps: • Notice and observe my feelings and thoughts and call them interesting. “I notice I feel _______, that’s interesting.”

• Release and forgive the feeling, myself, and anyone else involved. “I now choose to release this feeling and forgive myself, and anyone I think caused this feeling.”

• Clap my hands loudly and say “Be Here Now”.

• Look for something tangible to be grateful for in this moment. “I am so grateful for this sketchbook and pen so I can write down my thoughts...”

• Be grateful for this moment and ask for my next best step from a place of gratitude and peace.

• Listen and expect a Divine Answer.

• Act on any guidance that I receive in my mindless Still Point Space.

One of my favorite quotes is from Swami Kripalvananda. He says, “to perform every action artfully is yoga.”

This is the practice of mindfulness that travels to the land of the mindless. Notice, Be Still, Admire in Gratitude, Become Mindless. In gratitude I receive my Divine Mind guidance that is always correct in my Now.

My greatest epiphanies and intuitive adventures have come from this still point, the transition from being mindful to letting go and finding myself mindless.

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Victoria Hawkins, LCSW, RYT has been enjoying being a voice in the world of health and wellness for many years. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, adult and child yoga and Bellydance instructor, Meditation Teacher, public speaker, intuitive artist and author/illustrator. She specializes in fusing art, movement, wisdom teachings, and yogic practice with intuitive guidance to create a unique way of connecting individuals and groups to their own inner voice. She attributes her insights and epiphanies to her commitment to deep listening to nature, the wisdom of children, unexpected teachers and her own Spirit Voice within. Visit http://victoriahawkins.com/

This article is a chapter from the book Transform Your Life! written by 60 real-life heroes and experts and available at Amazon.com, BN.com, www.Transformation-Publishing.com and all ebook formats.

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Inspiration

By Alan Cohen With the advent of the Internet and Facebook, I’ve had lots of people from my past find me and reach out to connect.

Some from as far back as elementary school, high school and college. Some of these people were my best friends at the time. It was exciting to hear from them again, and in most cases we had a lengthy phone talk or lunch date. Part of me thought we might rekindle our friendship.

But in all cases, after our initial meeting, we didn’t have much more to talk about. Most of our conversation was reminiscing. After that, the interaction ran out of gas. We hugged, wished each other well, said, “Let’s keep in touch,” and we went our separate ways, never or rarely to connect again.

Part of me felt sad that such friendships had no current life. Then I saw a quote by Miguel de Cervantes, author of the beloved classic novel Don Quixote: Do not look for this year’s birds in last year’s nest. What a fabulous, penetrating lesson! What is of the past belongs to the past.

What is of the present belongs to the present. Sometimes the two overlap; often they do not.

This brought me to discover a principle I call Golden In-

tersections. When we connect with someone, whether for a moment, a decade or a lifetime, there is a purpose to that meeting. A Course in Miracles tells us that there is no such thing as a random encounter; every person we meet is sent to us by Spirit for a purpose. Our job is to discover and extract the gift in that meeting and use it. No connection is outside our destiny of good.

All relationships exist for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Reason relationships might occur via a crossing of paths for a meaningful moment. A conversation in an elevator, a hearty laugh with a waitress, or one date with a person you do not see again are never an accident; they all have a purpose. Season relationships go on for months or years: a romantic relationship, a strong friendship or a close connection with a coworker belong to you for a length of time. Then, like all seasons, the interlude comes to an end and gives way to something new. Lifetime relationships are usually with family members or a dear friend. They run deep and run the gamut of activities and emotions.

No matter how long your relationship lasts, there is a gift in it. Sometime that gift comes through love, fun and joy. Some-

It had a delightful purpose when it existed, but when that purpose had been served, there was no reason for it to continue.

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times it comes through hardship and challenge. Do not write off difficult interactions as a mistake or a waste of time. In some cases the gifts they bestow are more transformational than easy relationships. A Course in Miracles tells us that it takes great spiritual maturity to recognize that all events, encounters and relationships are helpful.

I used to romanticize the past by wondering if I had made a mistake by not getting together with some past girlfriends when I had the chance to. I second-guessed myself for leaving or not cultivating relationships that could have turned out to be soulmate connections. Then something truly uncanny happened: In every case, some unexpected event showed up to demonstrate to me that there was a good reason those relationships did not endure. For example, my first love was my high school girlfriend Laurie in New Jersey. I was constantly high on love for months, until we had a stormy breakup when I went off to college, and I never saw Laurie again. Often I wondered if we might have continued our love affair and come together for life if I had handled the situation better.

Thirty-five years later a friend of mine in Maui invited me to an intimate dinner party at his home in a remote, tiny mountain town. “I want you to meet my friend Eddie,” he told me. I was shocked to discover that this Eddie was Laurie’s brother!

When our conversation came around to Laurie, I admitted I felt bad about our breakup. “No need,” Eddie told me. “If you saw the life Laurie has chosen, you would not miss her. Her lifestyle and the choices she has made are worlds away from what you are doing.” Then he told me about Laurie’s volatility and scarred relationships. Still, I gave him my email to pass along to his sister so I could at least say hello after all these years. Laurie never connected. Now I realize that ending the relationship, even for what seemed foolish or immature reasons, was the way it had to be. It had a delightful purpose when it existed, but when that purpose had been served, there was no reason for it to continue.

As we step into spring, the season of renewal, we have an opportunity to let the past go and allow new life to fill us. If you and I can just have faith that what belongs to us will stay with us, and if something served us in the past it does not necessarily belong to us in the present, we would forever shine in the now. Last year’s birds built their nests, and both the parents and the chicks have flown on to a new life. When we stay as light as birds in the glorious now, we too fly on to our highest destiny.

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Alan Cohen is the author the bestselling A Course in Miracles Made Easy: Mastering the Journey from Fear to Love. Join Alan in Hawaii this June 19-23 for a life-transforming retreat, Power, Passion, and Purpose: a Training to Live Your Vision. For more information about this program, Alan’s books and videos, free daily inspirational quotes, online courses, and weekly radio show, visit www.alancohen.com.

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Inspiration Love is Bigger* That still small voice that whispers Sometimes you hear it and sometimes you don’t But no matter—it lingers Keeps playing your song and calling you home So turn down the noises in your head And turn up the love instead Because love is bigger Than anything that could ever be in your way And love is stronger Than any temporary passing phase So let go then hold on To the only steady thing there is For love is bigger And will handle this!

by Terez Hartmann Listening for the Path of Least Resistance

Stuff is happening and life is changing. It’s no secret, and everyone is experiencing this shift in some multicolored form or fashion. In my own journey, I have found that the more I allow myself to chill, shift into neutral and reach for the path of least resistance (focus on whatever feels best to me at any given moment without judgement), the more life, ideas and well-being flow.

Recently, on a particularly intense day, I had managed to work myself into one monster of a meltdown. Yes, REAL stuff was happening around me and much of my current emotional response was based on not being able to change the unpleasant circumstances surrounding people I love. Once I finally allowed myself to surrender to the moment and let my feelings flow naturally, I found myself… …in front of my piano keyboard?

In only a matter of minutes, some impassioned words and a moving melody emerged that, for me, put my prayer out into the Universe in an incredibly powerful way. I cried, felt a sense of relief and then realized, as my sweet husband so very wisely said, “You’ve asked. Now it’s time to be quiet and listen for the answer.”

I then stepped away, sat down to a lovely meal and then got off the subject entirely via working on choreography for an upcoming dance class. As I focused on the music and movements, I started to get a flow of words dancing in my mind that absolutely commanded my attention. At that moment, I knew I had to stop to write them down. It truly felt as if I was taking dictation. I then felt compelled to step in front of my keyboard again and…voila! A second song also came together in a matter of minutes— and it was indeed an answer to my prayers.

Below is the “answer” I received that has since brought about a domino effect of all manner of beautiful changes. May these words also be a reminder to you that no matter where you are or what you are experiencing, you are never alone, and that love truly IS bigger.

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The world outside is running Seems like they’re running, running for their lives And everyone is just doing The best they can to survive But your life and your heart are your own Remember who you are and what you know!

Because love is bigger Than anything that could ever be in your way And love is stronger Than any temporary passing phase So let go then move on And step out of the way For love is bigger and can handle life today!

So open your arms And open your heart Because love still remembers who you really are!

Because love is bigger Than anything that could ever be in your way And love is stronger Than any temporary passing phase Yes love is so much bigger Than anything that could ever be

in your way And love is so much stronger Than any temporary passing phase So let go then move on And step out of the way For love is bigger Let love handle life today.

The Bottom Line: The Music of Allowing

Every one of us has a “song” in our heart that is looking to be expressed in any given moment. At times, it may be one of asking, and at other times a symphony of answered prayers and celebration. No song (a.k.a. emotional state) is right or wrong—it is simply a matter of what feels better and what does not. So here’s to allowing yourself to hear the music of “that still small voice,” and truly knowing that no matter where you are, it “keeps playing your song and calling you home.”

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Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann,“Your catalyst for all things Fab-YOUlous,” is the author of Allowing Your Success!, a proud contributing author of Transform Your Life! book one and two, a professional Keynote Speaker/Workshop Facilitator, Singer-Songwriter/Recording Artist, “Allowing Adventures!” & “Savor Vacation” Facilitator, and true Renaissance Woman, and Visionary. She keeps her fire lit by embracing and promoting a lifestyle of “Allowing,” and by using creative expression to elevate and ignite the human spirit, a passion that she shares with her husband, soul-mate and creative partner of over 15 years, John Victor Hartmann. Together they share “Allowing TRUE LOVE” workshops and experiences designed to help others attract, allow, and maintain extraordinary relationships, and create custom jingles and voice-overs in their studio, THE Creativity Express. Visit: www.TerezFirewoman.com

*Both “Love Is Bigger” and my “asking” song, “Show Me” will be available on my new CD, “Blaze” which will be available later in 2017. To be among the first to hear these songs (along with several additional uplifting pieces!), get event updates, allowing tools, and more, visit www.TerezFirewoman.com and click on “Subscribe.”

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Inspiration

By Lonny Reardon As a kid in Newfoundland, Canada, I grew up through some very hard times. My dad was an alcoholic, we were poor, and I saw many terrible things that a child should never see. As a result, I had a lot of shame in my life and, as I grew older, I tried to prove myself to others because I felt unworthy.

I focused on activities like weightlifting and wrestling in high school, and won many medals in wrestling.

Then, at the age of 18, I competed in a weightlifting sport called powerlifting and ranked first in Newfoundland at a professional level. However, in retrospect, I can now see that these accomplishments were more about compensating for my shame and insecurity than anything else.

Although my exterior was tough and physically fit, I have always had a very big heart filled with compassion and empathy. There is nothing I enjoy more than making people happy and seeing them smile. I can walk into a room and sense—very strongly—the emotions of others. However, I sometimes think my heart is too big. When I was young, I found myself embarrassed

at times because I would cry from watching something emotional on TV; it just wasn’t something that “guys” did.

All my life I had a huge sense of purpose—to help others—but I was never sure how to do it. As a teenager, people always came to me to talk and get advice. Some told me I would make a great motivational speaker, and I even considered becoming a psychologist. I just knew I wanted to do something to help others.

As I got older, however, life took me in a different direction. I ended up going to college for business administration. A few years later, I went back to school for computer technology.

There was a time when I was well-off financially, I guess you could say, with two houses and a couple of cars, basically everything I needed or wanted. I had great jobs: I was a supervisor and then I worked for another company where I served as a process training coordinator. The latter was a high-paying position where I oversaw the training of all the new process operators in my area.

I have lost most of my material possessions, yet I am finding my true Self.

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Despite my achievements, my life was a roller coaster ride. I got married, had two beautiful children and went through a long, drawn-out divorce. I later had another relationship, lived common law and had another beautiful child. Then we ended up going our separate ways, too. While going through the divorce, I lost everything and, as a result, I went through depression and anxiety for many years.

Fast-forward Now here I am, back in school for office administration, working to gain more knowledge, get my confidence back and surround myself with people—which is something I love. I am also pursuing my passion to help others as a Life Coach.

I have found that the key to moving past difficult times is to frame them as learning experiences rather than negative experiences.

I believe strongly that we are pushed to set new goals in life through our experiences. Right now, for example, I have lost most of my material possessions, yet I am finding my true Self. I am alone—something that I have been scared of my entire life— yet I find myself happy. Sure, I would like to meet someone new and fall in love, but know that I need to first love myself before I can share love with another. I kept attracting the wrong partners just to fill a void in my life because I did not have the confidence to realize that the only person who can fill the void in my own life is me. I needed to stop repeating the same cycle and focus inward.

Over the past 10 years, through many hard times, I have been doing a great deal of soul searching. I also have conducted a lot of research in psychology and neurology; read many books; taken several online courses in Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), hypnotherapy, self-esteem and confidence building and public speaking; and completed Life Coach training.

I am now at a place in my life where I see myself at the bottom of the mountain with a purpose in my life, happiness in my heart and the readiness to climb to the top—with nothing other than the knowledge and tools I have received. I am sure I will reach the summit, but I always remind myself and others I coach that a climb is the best part of any journey.

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Lonny Reardon is now following his passion and dreams as a Life Coach. A lifelong learner dedicated to improving the lives of others, he currently is working on offering services that combine both his fitness background and life coaching. He is determined to help people better their lives by having a balance of mind, body and spirit.

Contact him via email at lonnyreardon@gmail.com. Visit www. lonnyreardon.com.

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Inspiration but know that it is important that I do so, even though I am uncomfortable. My desire to practice consciousness-based healing both others and myself is coming to fruition, today. I successfully share the message.

As I am working out, an inner voice poses a question to me: “What are your thoughts while you are working out?” I am thinking how much I hate squats, how much I dread these workouts, this is too hard, maybe I won’t stay for the next session, maybe I can skip tomorrow…These are the same thoughts that I have had for the past 25 years that have kept me from reaching my weight loss goals, from experiencing the healthy lifestyle that I desire but can’t seem to commit to making a reality.

By Ann Darwicki The day started like so many others, with a general feeling of the “blahs.” It was a mild discontent that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Is this seasonal affective disorder? Is this “the change” from the beginning of menopause that women talk about? While I couldn’t quite define what was causing it, I was very familiar with how it felt. A sense of numbness and a lack of excitement, passion and purpose for my life that affected every part of my world: work, health, marriage, etc.

The same old things I used to do for fun, for pleasure, just didn’t excite me anymore.

I sit with the uncomfortable feelings and silently ask, “What is this about?”

Today is my day “off” but there is hardly anything “off” about it. My schedule is filled with all the tasks I need to tend to yet again: laundry, paperwork, dropping things at Goodwill, the taxes, a workout at the new gym I joined, etc. Yay me!

Then an idea comes to mind. I need to shift my thinking to change how I am feeling. I have spent far too many days feeling this way, and I am not eager to add another day to the growing pile of “blahs.” I recall how I used to walk my dogs every morning and listen to an empowering talk. Brené Brown, Napolean Hill, Tony Robbins, Mel Robbins. I would get a message for the day, to inspire and motivate me. When did I stop beginning my days this way? I can’t recall the last time I walked the dogs. Today, I decide to take a walk with Gregg Braden.

I come back feeling so much happier, more inspired and excited. I see new possibilities without having to wait to go to a conference or workshop. I will get to an event soon, but I can start today and each day with a video or talk, and then read some of the books I purchased but never read. (I bet you have a few sitting on the shelf, too.) Today is ripe with opportunities to experience excitement, joy and a life more aligned with a higher purpose.

Later, my son asks me if I will go out to lunch with him. My mind runs down the list of all the things that I need to do, but my inner coach reminds me of what is really important—quality time with the people I love. I choose lunch. I enjoy the time with my son, try food that is aligned with my goal of clean eating—something I have been putting off for far too long. We listen to music, get a cup of coffee, stop by the store. I complete a lot of the tasks on my things-to-do list—but from a much higher energy level the chores feel effortless.

The day continues to get better. Later at the gym, a healing message comes to me to relate to an acquaintance in my class. I feel hesitant to relay it,

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The inner coach continues, “How is this working for you?”

The truth is not so well. I am only a week into a new program, but I already am feeling the urge to quit. “What is another thought that you can think instead?” I decide to change my inner dialogue to I love squats! To my amazement they become easier, despite the fact that a part of me knows I don’t love squats.

I feel an inner strength that I didn’t feel a few moments ago, as my body complies with the positive thoughts I am now thinking. I continue my silent mantra each time the class does an exercise I find difficult—I love this! I complete the workout and then the next one. I feel stronger, fitter and happier as I heed the simple wisdom, “Change your thoughts to support what you desire, to bring you more of what you want.”

Now I feel excitement for the possibilities that tomorrow will bring!

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Ann Darwicki RN is a Certified Professional Life Coach who completed her training at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. She is the owner and founder of Whole Being Coaching, specializing in coaching others to live the life of their dreams. Prior to becoming a life coach, Ann obtained as Associates Degree in Nursing from Delaware Technical and Community College. She has 25 years of nursing experience caring for women and children, with a life long affinity for holistic medicine. She is a Reiki practitioner and Nurse Luminary. She is also a freelance writer. She can be reached at 302.750.0574 or by email at adarwicki@comcast.net.

Inspiration

By Jo Mooy In a dream on the new moon I saw her. In the blackness of the night sky, with the moon suspended like a pale sliver, she ambled slowly across the heavens. The stars dimmed to make way for her immense shadow. I watched in awe as she took each deliberate step. Then she turned her golden head toward me. Only a moment passed between us; however, in that moment, I knew she’d been awakened and her power was palpable.

The Lioness had been unleashed!

Out of the dream state I could still feel the presence of the Lioness. But what was the dream about? I began a day of research to investigate the outer interpretations of the dream symbolism. An image of the new moon holding the old moon in its arms was prophetic.

The darkness upon the earth was actually illumined by a phenomenon called “Earthshine,” where the earth’s light is reflected back onto the dark side of the moon. The new moon was opening an energetic doorway for new ideas to emerge in consciousness.

The numerology of the dream also indicated its significance. It occurred on January 23, 2017. January is a “1” month. It signifies a strong assertive leader, a pioneer. The fact that the number 1 occurred twice, in the month and the year (2 + 0 + 1 + 7), was doubly potent. The date was a “5” number (2 + 3). It’s the number associated with the Goddess through the pentagram, and relates to freedom for all people. When all the numbers were added together they totaled 7, which is the number for Spiritual Wisdom. These clearly were huge messages.

I thought about the Presidential Inauguration Meditation I did with a group in Sarasota, FL, where we opened the door for the values of the Divine Feminine to flood the earth. Women and men spoke eloquently of unity, of justice, of fairness, of right action, and of hope, love, peace and laughter. The altar was set with a tall white statue of Lady Liberty holding her torch aloft, reminding us in Emma Lazarus’ words that she is “A mighty woman with a torch whose flame is the imprisoned lightning…and from her beaconhand glows worldwide welcome.”

With these symbols in mind, I needed to better understand the world of the Lioness. She is the feminine aspect of solar power. She is the mother who provides for and protects the pride. She is fierce, righteous, benevolent and courageous. She is Sekhmet, the great hunter goddess of Egypt, whose very breath created the deserts. She is the Goddess of war and retribution, one who could ignite epidemics as well as cure them. Her myths say, “She would slay the disagreeable men on earth.” This was potent imagery! But it was not the whole story.

Behind every external presentation is the esoteric or inner meaning. The Lioness also had one. Stalking across the cosmos, she kindled a movement of women across the globe. It began small enough, then swelled to the millions in what has been called “the largest movement in history.” Women emerged from their comfort zones to make themselves visible. They marched with their mothers, daughters and granddaughters. Women in their 90s marched alongside toddlers on their fathers’ shoulders.

They came from all across the country traveling by buses, trains, planes and cars. Those who could not go to Washington, D.C., went to marches in their hometowns. Husbands joined in as one to say, “Stop talking and listen to what the women have to say.”

The march was peaceful and filled with hope, calling out the same values we did locally on Inauguration night.

The Lioness unleashed a new pattern of behavior. Her power is now awakened in every woman, whether they acknowledge it or not. It is a subtle power—though it burns intensely when needed.

The Lioness is the symbol of the Divine Feminine rising up and summoning others of like mind to right action. For when each woman rises, all women rise. When each woman lights a torch, all women see and embrace the flame. Hope is ignited with wisdom. When equality and justice are called out, all women benefit. That is the immense power of the Unleashed Lioness in all of us.

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Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training allows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guidance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.

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Tools & Tips

By Gary Loper Are you feeling more and more stress lately?

It seems that you cannot go anywhere without people talking about their stresses, or telling you how stressful “these times” are. It is as if we are becoming programmed to believe that life is stressful.

What if there was a way to alleviate the on-going stress, would you be interested?

First, let’s take a look at our outside world. Our daily events are coupled with financial pressures, relationship tensions, job changes, various relocations, and chronic illness, what appears to be an overbearing escalation of negative thoughts, emotions, and feelings. It is no wonder many of us are stressed to the max.

One of the first steps is to embrace a healthy way of viewing these challenges—one of acceptance, opportunities for growth, change, and freedom. History has shown repeatedly that change and innovation only happens in the midst of chaos and dark times. Is it dark enough for you yet?

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How do we migrate through these adversities?

How do we discover the positive lessons of these occurrences? There are specific ways of dealing with stress.

Rather than resorting to negative internalization and counterproductive responses and actions, such as binge eating, drugs, alcohol, excessive television, or working exorbitant overtime, there is a way to manage the stress.

It does not come in a bottle or a pill, and it is not pitched on an infomercial, but has been available for thousands of years and has been shared with us through nature.

The answer is yoga.

Customizable to fit into your lifestyle, yoga is the best solution I have found to alleviate on-going stress.

I have been practicing yoga since 1996 and have benefited in many ways— calmness, breath control, strength, connection of the body and mind, a moving meditation, body awareness, and toning. When I have slipped away from my daily practice, I feel my moods shift to places I would prefer they did not go.

At the beginning of 2010, I resolved to practice yoga daily and can very proudly say that I have practiced every day. The biggest benefit has been in stress relief.

In building a new business and taming gremlins, I was feeling very stressed. I truly believe that my yoga practice has helped me keep a reign on my emo-

tions and restored calmness in our home.

The most important aspect of yoga is breathing, keeping control of your breath while your body is in a difficult position.

When we notice the breath has become short or nonexistent, we honor the body and move to a place where we maintain breath control and still push the body.

Taking that philosophy off the mat and applying it to our everyday life has incredible benefits. When we get upset, we tend to hold our breath and, while still talking or perhaps yelling, we cut off the air supply to all of our organs and blood.

Breath is one of the essential fuels for our bodies to function. Without breath, it is like driving on two flat tires. The vehicle may be drivable for a while, but at what cost?

Starting your own yoga practice is very simple and cost effective.

The equipment needed is minimal, and yoga can be practiced anywhere. Although there are a number of incredible videos to practice on your own, I would strongly suggest finding a gifted yoga instructor and taking classes with that individual. The energy of the group class is wonderful, and your instructor will assist you in understanding what you are doing in the best way, to benefit you and your intention.

There are no perfect poses in yoga. Your teacher will show you the direction to go, and it is up to you to honor your body and ignore your ego. Accept the limits of your body. We are all different and have unique experiences that have led us to where we are now. Trying to do what another is doing while your body is telling you “no” will not help, but probably will hurt. You will feel great and alive, and wanting to come back for more, and perhaps in time your body will feel the need to be adjusted all of the time.

Yoga has been derived from observing nature. Watch the animals in or around your home. They are stretching themselves many times a day. How often are you following their lead?

For over 5,000 years, yoga has been the best way to bridge the gap between the body, mind, spirit, and emotions to create balance and embrace acceptance. Yoga can assist you to achieve this acceptance through an overall sense of well-being.

Yoga is more than what it appears to be. Some view it in simplicity, seeing it as another form of exercise. Yoga is far-reaching, the incorporation of breath work, expansion and retraction of the lungs, stretching, and elongating the muscles; it nourishes your entire being. The yoga techniques of breath work and meditation alleviate stress, allowing one to feel a sense of wholeness, well-being, and centering within the experience—one of acceptance no matter where you are in your life. Yoga teaches you to control your mind and body, and restrain the conscious state.

The benefits are immense. It is proven that yoga decreases stress, increases your stamina, improves muscle tone, impedes the aging process, and elevates a creative energy flow. Yoga is enlivening to your entire being! It is a way of life. So, when are you going to get started?

The most important aspect of yoga is breathing.

Gary Loper is a recognized Twitter expert, mindset/life/business coach, motivational speaker/trainer, former talk radio host, and respected entrepreneur “Helping People Master the Business of Life.”

He teaches strategies on how to become successful, to produce and maintain positive solutions, stay in a positive mindset, attract and manifest true wealth. Connect with Gary on Twitter @GaryLoper.

Are you stressed about Twitter? Receive your FREE Twitter Review: http://bit.ly/ReviewTwitter.

This article is a chapter from the book Transform Your Life! written by 60 real-life heroes and experts and available at Amazon.com, BN.com, www.Transformation-Publishing.com and all ebook formats.

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Tools & Tips

By Kristie Kennedy The reason many will NEVER experience the sweet nectar of manifested dreams is because they are comfortable with remaining handcuffed to the mundane. They are so fixated on what they don’t want, that what they do desire completely evades them.

I’ve been pondering something a dear friend said to me recently: “You are an opportunity magnet.” As I sat at my desk early this morning, I began to reflect on what internal transformations took place prior to experiencing this magnetic life.

Golden Nugget 1: Celebrate the everyday everyday.

For many years, I battled depression behind closed walls and, because of my effervescent personality, it went unnoticed. We must refuse to allow moments to impede our momentum. I understand now that joy is more powerful than happiness. The latter is contingent upon what is happening, whereas joy remains constant, especially in the face of adversity. There is not one day that passes for me without expressing gratitude for innumerable blessings received.

Golden Nugget 2: Become future focused. You will become an opportunity magnet the second you begin focusing more on your FUTURE rather than your fears, frustrations, failures and flaws. The fastest way to silence your inner critic is to fix your gaze on forward advancement. It is one of the reasons I have nine vision boards and two vision books. What I EXPECT is greater than what I currently SEE standing before me.

Golden Nugget 3: Do it now! In my youth, I was notorious for putting off a task that needed to be accomplished.

Perfectionism and procrastination will hinder progress, potential and purpose more than any other self-sabotaging behavior. I live fully present in the moment as if this could be my last. When I was single, I remember imagining meeting the love of my life. I am always preparing for what is to come. I purchased a sophisticated blue dress for our first date. It sat in the closet for years until I decided not to put it on hold for a day that may have never come. I recorded my debut music cd in 2005 and wore that dress

for the photo shoot. On the night of my anniversary dinner, I was wearing a Calvin Klein blue dress that my husband purchased for me. Ironic huh?

Golden Nugget 4: Ascend from within. I say this all the time. You must ascend from within and choose to WIN! I raise my consciousness with affirmations. Daily, I wake and say, “It’s a good day for a great day!” I refuse to allow my emotions to control me. I declare over my day, “All I see is open doors before me.” I have more opportunities that I can accept. This puts me in a great position because women LOVE options! There was a time when I was at my lowest emotionally, financially and spiritually.

Rock bottom! I had to muster up the last ounce of breath and on my knees still decree, “I FIGHT, NOT FAINT!” Your destiny is to precious to give up now. RISE above it all!

Golden Nugget 5: Amaze Yourself. Truth is, the opinions of others have been holding you back from living wild and free. I read once, “If you want to be great, stop asking for permission.”

I want to encourage you to give yourself the green light and pursue your goals with gusto! Amaze yourself with bodacious courage to do things you would never do. Amaze yourself and travel the globe to the most exotic places. Amaze yourself and ask for the promotion you know you deserve. Amaze yourself and tear down the walls that are keeping you from experiencing unconditional love. Amaze yourself and finish the book that has been sitting on your desktop for three years. Amaze yourself and lose the 30 pounds you’ve been carrying around. Amaze yourself and start the business with the last $100 in your bank account.

Amaze yourself right now and before you know it everywhere you go, life will be nothing short of AMAZING!

I want to encourage you to give yourself the green light and pursue your goals with gusto!

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Kristie Kennedy is a speaker, trainer and coach who believes we all were designed to powerfully reign in our divine domain and succeed beyond belief! In September 2010, she was crowned the American Image National Woman in Charleston, SC. For more about Kristie and her story, visit www.kristiekennedy.com.

Tools & Tips simple but it’s not always easy.

Broaden your perception of any situation and you’ll see new options, possibilities, and solutions. Watch your creativity expand.

Above all, let go of your opinion of yourself. You take your self-concept everywhere you go. Your life-long beliefs of who you are and what you can do are worn-out ideas that no longer need to define you.

I don’t suggest you put on a phony front. The Truth is you’re a living, breathing creator who shares the use of Divine Mind, the Source of all Creation. It’s wise. It’s allpowerful. It’s all-loving. It has all the answers. And It loves to have a good time!

Invite It in. Ask it for guidance. Ask it for ideas. Ask it to reveal the Truth about you. You may have to give up some old ideas. Maybe even

by Rev. Marla Sanderson some you treasure, but the reI first heard the term “consciousness growth” in a publication that came in the mail. Even ward is always worth it.

Is there some area of after I read the whole brochure, I had no idea what it meant. It might as well have been written in your life you’d like to be beta foreign language.

A short time later, the concept of “consciousness growth” came around again. Only this time, ter? What are you willing to let go in order to have it?

I’d already stepped through the door and didn’t know it.

I couldn’t get enough of it. I started to see things from a new vantage point. My mind opened to new possibilities, and many things I had seen as problems became steps to growth. I welcomed Rev. Marla Sanderson is a them (some more than others).

Soon my life began to feel small. I longed for more of the happiness I knew was possible. I skilled spiritual counselor, speaker, teacher, and workwanted adventure, and was eager to step out of my usual safe patterns to get it.

There’s a part of each of us that wants to grow—to reach out for new experiences, but at shop leader. She has studied and practiced the Science times something stops us. We lack follow-through. Is it fear of change? Fear of failure? Reluctance to of Happiness and Science of give up the old way?

Mind for over 40 years. Her Yes, it’s all that. And more. website, The New Thought One lesson that has been of great value to me is to let go, and it works in almost every area Global Network, showcasof life. You have to let go of what you have to make room for something better. Whether it’s a new es ideas from many New Thought disciplines. She is career, a better relationship or anything else; it’s simple, but it’s not always easy.

When you walk, one foot goes forward and the other follows. With each step, you leave be- ordained in the Centers for hind the spot you were on before. In order to go anywhere, you have to let go of where you’ve been. Spiritual Living. (Religious Science). Contact her at 727It’s obvious that you can’t get far if one foot or the other refuses to move.

This is so for almost every condition or situation in your life. If you want some part of your life 475-8991, or revmarla@ newthoughtglobal.org or visit to get better, you have to give up the way it is. Or at least the way you see it. www.newthoughtglobal.org.

Let go of your limited thinking. Be willing to trade in your attitudes, your opinions and your values for something that works better. It’s

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Tools & Tips

By Sophie Mabry Do you know someone who is a healthy eater yet is unsatisfied and struggles with weight? Maybe it’s you? We commonly try to accomplish too much in a single day, and oftentimes that means we are not mindful when we eat, thus contributing to our country’s ever-growing battle with the scale. It’s much more than what we put in our body; it also encompasses how and when we eat. Being mindful refers to being present “in the moment,” so let’s spend some time on practices we can adopt to become a mindful eater and the powerful effects they can have on our health and our waistline.

Genetics: Whether you believe your parents blessed or cursed you with their genes, the good news is that only one-third of your health is attributed to genetics. The truth is that the majority of your health is in your control and manageable through the choices you make regarding lifestyle, coping mechanisms, physical activity and food. You can control your destiny and health in ways that will benefit you long term. The time to begin is NOW!

Use your breakfast alarm clock: I bet your morning routine can be quite a chore, and it’s easy to overlook breakfast.

Many people skip breakfast because of time constraints or they simply are not hungry. However, skipping this most important meal can have a negative impact on the rest of your day because eating breakfast sets off your body’s metabolic alarm clock. The minute you eat, your metabolism wakes up and without any additional effort on your part you begins to burn calories. This is why people often say, “The minute I eat I am hungry for the rest of the day.” This is exactly what you want to happen. Being hungry is good if you make mindful, wholesome food choices such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Time meals every two to three hours: Your body is designed to eat every two to three hours, rather than once or twice a day. Eating small, frequent meals allows your body to expend more calories and resist the need to conserve in the form of fat storage. Each time you eat or graze, try to eat a variety of foods in combination, such as a piece of toast with pumpkin butter and

We commonly try to accomplish too much in a single day, and oftentimes that means we are not mindful when we eat.

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berries rather than just toast and coffee. Try slices of apples with whole grain crackers and raisins instead of an apple by itself. Combining foods allows more nutrients (vitamins and minerals) to be absorbed, and if you eat approximately 300 calories per meal, it will help maintain a fast metabolism!

Use the 20-minute rule: Being mindful when eating means taking your time to nourish your human machine. This is not a quick oil change with your car, so next time you eat pace yourself so that it takes 20 minutes. This is the time it takes your hypothalamus (hunger control center in your brain) to signal to the stomach that is it full and okay to stop eating. By taking longer to eat your meals, you will eat less calories and feel full and satisfied with the foods you are consuming.

Chew 10 to 20 times: You might wonder, “How can it possibly take 20 minutes to eat 300 calories?” The mindful answer is that each bite should take approximately 10 to 20 chews. By chewing and slowing down your pace, you will come to appreciate and enjoy the new textures, flavors and nutrients that you are eating. Healthy food tastes good if you take the time and savor it in the moment.

Eat the rainbow: A colorful plate is a healthy plate. Eating a rainbow means filling 50 percent of your plate with a variety of colorful veggies and fruit. Add in some whole grains, lentils, beans and plant protein and you have yourself a powerhouse meal to keep the busiest person on her toes with energy to spare.

Pay attention to the 80/20 rule: When eating you have options and one is to leave 20 percent of the food on your plate and consume only 80 percent at your meal. This is a wonderful

mindful strategy that can easily be used while dining out, even at fast food restaurants. Take your leftovers home and eat them as a small meal later.

Stop fasting: Those who have a tendency to eat one or two large meals per day have a tendency to be larger than those who eat frequently throughout the day. Eating only once or twice a day encourages the body to store fat. Take those calories and spread them out into small meals over the course of the day for a reenergized and more nourished you.

When eating, being mindful can have a significant impact on your health. Give it a try…

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Sophie Mabry has been passionate about living a healthy, active lifestyle since her teen years, and today she explores the great outdoors by cyclo-touring, hiking, backpacking and kayaking with her husband and huskies. After experiencing the challenges, fears and sense of loneliness that came after surviving a “Whipple Procedure,” Sophie became a certified Health and Wellness Coach who specializes in helping those who have chronic conditions and illnesses, including post-surgical patients, to minimize physical, emotional and psychological symptoms during uncertain and vulnerable times. Stacy has a B.S. in Physical Education K-12/Adult Fitness from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a M.A. in Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado, as well as several national certifications including an ACSM–Exercise Physiologist. Visit Health Coach Connect online at healthcoachconnect.com.

Free

19

Tools & Tips

By Gregg Sanderson When faced with a difficult decision:

1. List Your Alternatives 2. Ask yourself, “What Would Love Do?” 3. Do it.

The end.

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Gregg Sanderson is author of Spirit With A Smile, The World According To BOB. He is a licensed practitioner in the Centers for Spiritual Living, and a Certified Trainer for Infinite Possibilities. His earlier books were, What Ever Happened To Happily Ever After? and Split Happens—Easing The Pain Of Divorce. His latest project is the New Thought Global Network, where subscribers can enjoy the best in New Thought presentations from anywhere at any time. You can see it at www.newthoughtglobal.org.

Tools & Tips

By Arielle Giordano April is often associated with spring cleaning. This implies getting rid of the old, crusty things we have gathered up during the winter months. It also can refer to cleaning up and releasing the emotional and mental clutter within our being!

Have you ever looked at yourself as a house? Have you ever dreamed of a house and realized that the unconscious messages around it were actually referring to you as a person? I once woke up from a dream realizing that all the rooms I had been seeing in the “dream” house were holding messages about my inner issues.

The first step of self-housecleaning and clearing is to take a look at what is actually in your inner space or “rooms.” Be open and give yourself permission to see. Let it happen. Allow it.

You may have past clutter from experiences, relationships, career, family, etc. What is the first thing that comes up for you? Let your little, inner, quiet voice have the forum to speak to you. Listen with big ears.

What do you hear? Pay attention to what you are receiving from the depths of your being. What do you need to clear and clean up? Is it with a person? Are you having an issue with a personal or professional relationship? Is it an issue at work? Is it a problem between you and your family? What is holding you back from your past? What is in your present that no longer serves?

Here are some simple steps to help you with your spring cleanup: • Become aware. Awareness of an issue, conflict, hurt or unresolved problem is the first step of the self-cleaning process. Determine what is in your space that needs to go.

• Clear and clean it up. Clean your space to set yourself free to move forward. You have choices to speak directly or indirectly to a situation. Directly, it could mean an apology,

recognition of a mistake or working out an argument. Indirectly, the resolution of an issue may be to write a letter that you will later burn; engage in a creative activity; practice self-expression or a physical activity such as dancing, walk or workout; or gain insight and deeper understanding through meditation and prayer.

• Move forward. When we remove what is in our space, we have a clean, clear path to travel into new territory. We open ourselves to renew, renourish and grow in life.

Here’s to spring cleaning!

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Arielle Giordano’s new book, Dancing with Your Story from the Inside Out, will be released March 2017. With a Masters of Arts and Masters of Education, Arielle is an author, professional dancer, inspirational speaker, certified Essentrics/Aging Backwards instructor, and workshop facilitator. She enjoys sharing her gifts and talents with an authentic style rich in the grace of dance, psychology, philosophy and the expressive arts. Her career includes: provisional psychologist, guidance counselor and substance-abuse therapist. As a Lead Faculty Area Chairperson and Faculty Member for College of Humanities at the University of Phoenix, she inspired students with her creative gifts. She also writes for Tampa Bay Wellness, We Woman and Transformation Magazine.

Arielle offers classes and workshops on empowering women, creativity, and dance. She also offers consultations and private sessions, and she is a certified instructor in the Essentrics/Aging Backwards program. Arielle has been a guest speaker on radio and television, featured in newspapers and magazines across the United States and Canada. Visit www.dancingfromtheinsideout.com or email agbeautifuldance@gmail.com or call 813-545-7173.

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Tools & Tips

By Tracey Ashcraft Recently a friend posted a picture on Facebook of a large piece of Swiss cheese with a little mouse poking out of one of the holes. She said, “I think I’d like to crawl in a hole and hide.” This got me thinking. Does life really have to be so stressful? Is this why people call it a rat race? Can’t we just watch the race?

We are conditioned in our culture to want more. More clothes, more food, more furniture, more gadgets, more money to buy more things….What if less is more?

As someone who left the corporate world and my steady paycheck, I had to figure out new ways to make life enjoyable.

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While I was building my private practice, I found that I needed to simplify my life. It didn’t happen all at once; it was a gradual process. As I began clearing out the clutter, literally and figuratively, I noticed I felt more calm and happy. Here are some tips to help you start simplifying your life today.

1. Get clear about your priorities. For example, you may realize that the most important thing for you is to spend more time with your family. Or you may discover that you are stressed because you can’t find anything when you need it, and this is making you unhappy. Once you hone in on what you really want in life, write it down.

2. Assess what is getting in the way of achieving your priorities. You may want to have more family time, but see that everyone in the home is always running to meetings and prac-

tices. Days slip into weeks, and no one is spending more than a few minutes a day with each other. Make a plan to create time each week to be together. If dinners together don’t work, then get creative. Maybe you can have 15-minute “tell us about your day” time before TVs and computers go on.

3. Clean out the clutter little by little. Pick a section of your house to de-clutter each week. Remember the goal is to simplify your life, and this can be a simple process, too. Start with cleaning out something small like one junk drawer. Once you have it clean and organized, you will need to commit to keeping it clean. If it was a junk drawer, then you will need to designate it as something else. It could become the drawer for pens and small pads of paper for lists. Over time, you will notice that your house takes far less time to clean. You may also notice that you spend less time looking for things. All of this translates to less stress and a simpler life.

4. Only allow things into your home that are useful or bring you joy. We can easily get caught up into buying something because it was a great deal or we think we will use an item “someday.” Here is your chance to be mindful of what you bring into your home. Managing stuff takes work and complicates our lives. As you clear out the clutter little by little, you will notice more room in your home. Be sure not to fill it back in with new stuff. Before you bring something into your home, ask yourself, “Is this useful now? Will this bring me joy?” If you are unsure about the answer, then leave the item out there in the world for someone else.

5. Create systems that save time. I have found that many people hate the mail. It comes everyday, and it’s usually bad news. People that don’t like mail tend to avoid it. Avoiding the mail creates other problems and leads to complications. Here is a time saver for the mail. Open your mail as soon as you get it each day. Throw out junk mail immediately. Open bills and throw out everything but the payment coupon and the return envelop. Stick the payment coupon perpendicular inside the return envelope and stick it into a folder marked bills. Put cards, letters and magazines into a pretty basket. Go through the basket once a month and throw out anything you no longer need.

6. Empower your kids to help. Even small kids can help around the house. My sister thanked me for this idea just the other day. If mornings are hectic getting everyone ready and out the door, encourage kids to have clothes ready the night before.

For smaller kids, install a clothing stacker in their closet. Some are even labeled with the days of the week. You or your child, depending on their age, can fill the stacker once a week with outfits for each day. Be sure to include, socks and underwear. Your child can choose which outfit he or she wants to wear each day.

7. Learn to say no. This is an important tip if you are someone that easily gets overbooked. It can be hard to say no if you want to please others. If it is your priority to simplify your life, then it will be important to be able to turn down requests to

volunteer, go to an in-home shopping party, or talk to an energy vampire on the phone for hours. This also may mean limiting time with people that drain energy from you. It is ok and important to take care of yourself first. When you are rested and can notice space in your week, you will be in a better position to be there for your family.

8. Limit screen time. Technology is fun and can help make our lives more enjoyable. That being said, too much of a good thing is too much of a good thing. It is easy to have: a work and a personal voicemail box to check; several email accounts, each with their own junk folder to manage; a Facebook account; Twitter feed to follow; news apps to read; e-magazine subscriptions to read; favorite TV shows saved on a DVR to watch; and Netflix shows to binge. Try to set up specific times to check important accounts each day. Once you have the time established, only check them at that time. Limit the amount of time you actually stare at a screen, and get outside for a part of each day.

9. Appreciate the simple things. Instead of surfing on the Internet for your next purchase, take a look at the things you already have. Discover them all over again. Enjoy making a meal with your family. On a nice day, make a pitcher of Arnold Palmers (half unsweetened iced tea, half lemonade) and invite a friend over to sit outside and talk, or take a walk in nature with your kids. Gather pinecones, shells or whatever cool things you find and put them in a large Mason jar for display. These are the moments that make up our lives. Keeping it simple actually is less stressful and more enjoyable than most elaborately planned events.

10. Have gratitude. We tend to not feel satisfied.

This drive for “more” can complicate our lives. When you notice yourself wanting more, make a mental list of all that you are grateful for in your life. It is quite eye opening, and it can change your attitude.

Remember simplifying your life is a gentle process. You don’t want to take this all on at once or you will be complicating things more. Little by little, if you follow these steps, you will discover that—yes—your life can become simple. You don’t have to be a part of the rat race. You will be too busy enjoying your simple life.

Only allow things into your home that are useful or bring you joy.

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Tracey Ashcraft, MA, LPC, is an accomplished Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Life Purpose Coach and the Founder of Best Life Therapy, where she has been transforming lives since 2004. She specializes in helping adults, couples and college students cope with emotionally intense people. She brings her sense of humor and direct, down-to-earth style that helps clients get to the truth quickly.

For more information visit www.bestlifetherapy.com.

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Tools & Tips

by Rena Greenberg “It’s a miracle!” exclaimed Sharon, after losing 106 pounds through my weight loss hypnosis program at Tampa General Hospital. Sharon’s face was beaming with joy as I smiled back at her. I reminded her that it’s a miracle that she created because all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Consciously and subconsciously, Sharon made the decision to change her life. And you can, too! Here are four easy steps to help you spring into action this year: Step One: Make a Decision That’s right. The first step to achieving any lasting change is deciding to do so. Take an honest assessment of your life right now and make the choice to stop the suffering. End the madness.

Make the decision to move in a new direction.

Stop waiting for a miracle to happen. You have everything you need to create the miracle that you’ve been longing for.

Step Two: Suspend Disbelief (skepticism) The voice in your head will want to convince you that you can’t change. Don’t listen to it. Don’t fight with it either. That just makes it stronger. Instead, soften your stance. Smile at that insecure voice and say to it firmly, “Thank you for your opinion. I’m stronger than you know.”

Step Three: Connect to Your Heart The only way to overcome fear is to embody love. Put your hand on the center of your chest—your heart center. Bow your head to your heart and call on Love. The love you may have felt for a child or a pet or from a coach is inside of you now. Invoke that love by imagining/remembering it and breathing it into your body. If you can’t feel it, imagine what it would feel like if you were certain that such a Divine Love for you existed. Whisper into your heart: I am loved, loving and lovable.

Step Four: Choose New Behaviors Basking in Divine Love, connect to your Inner Wisdom. Ask your deeper knowing to show you and remind you how you can best accomplish your goal. Create an action plan. When it comes to weight loss, for example, remember all the simple steps that make it easier: Planning ahead, preparing healthy food, listening to hypnosis audios, getting your “Sugar Divorce,” exercising. Choose at least one new behavior daily to help you move toward your goals.

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Stop waiting for a miracle to happen. You have everything you need to create the miracle that you’ve been longing for. Your challenges are simply there to remind you that within yourself is a deeper love and strength than you can imagine. Don’t let the voice in your head stop you.

Know that when you have the courage to go past that chatter and connect to the voice of strength, wisdom and confidence in your deep heart—in the center of your brilliant, creative subconscious mind—there’s an amazing miracle waiting for you.

Breathe deeply and say, “Yes, it’s time. I gratefully release the past and accept this miracle, with all my love.”

Picture your success—your healthy body and lifestyle, perhaps with weight loss being the side benefit.

Imagine that your new life is real. Know that what you are imagining is the miracle that you are creating.

••••••

Rena Greenberg, a Hay House author, can be reached at EasyWillpower.com.

Her weight loss and gastric bypass hypnosis success has been featured in 150-plus news stories including USA Today, Woman’s World, The Doctor’s, CNN, Good Morning America and Nightline. PBS stations nationally aired Rena’s show, “Easy Willpower,” in August 2015. Her wellness program is sponsored in 75 hospitals and 100-plus corporations. She conducts hypnotherapy sessions with people all over the world on Skype and in Sarasota, FL.

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Tools & Tips

by Stacy Musial Eating clean is choosing the most natural food sources available, those that are closest to real food (and the ground) as possible. Nowadays, much of our food supply has been processed and gone through so much handling that, by the time you eat it, it is devoid of nutrients. Marketing and packaging may make you think differently, so it’s important to stay informed about what you are putting into you body.

1. Avoid processed foods.

Let’s discuss the definition of processed foods. According to foodinsight.org, processed foods are defined as “any deliberate change in a food that occurs before it’s available for us to eat. It can be as simple as freezing or drying food to preserve nutrients and freshness, or as complex as formulating a frozen meal with the right balance of nutrients and ingredients. You can find processed foods in a: bag, box, jar, can or any other container you can think of.

Basically, if it is not in its whole form it is processed. For example, a French fry is not a whole food (or a vegetable), but the potato is.

Processing foods began about 2 million years ago with the discovery of fire, and food technology has advanced with the innovation of fermentation, canning, jarring, freezing, preserving and dehydrating. Later came factories, and today many processed foods contain chemicals, dyes, preservatives and a whole slew of

other things that most of us can’t pronounce, which are unusable and unhealthy in our body. Eating processed foods has been linked to many diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and many others.

2. Eat whole foods.

Whole foods are those foods that are in their natural state, as close to coming out of the ground as possible. When we choose whole foods, we are getting the nutrients our body needs in order to be healthy. Whole foods mainly include plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains. A whole foods diet can provide you with all of the nutrients you need for optimal health.

A study in 2015 found that sugar was actually more addictive than cocaine.

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3. Avoid sugar.

A study in 2015 found that sugar was actually more addictive than cocaine and 94 percent of mice actually chose sugar over cocaine. According to Nancy Appleton, author of “Lick the Sugar Habit,” sugar can wreak havoc on the body, suppressing the immune system, causing mood shifts and hyperactivity, feeding cancer cells, causing obesity and more!

Sugar is in almost everything we eat, from the obvious sweets, to the not-so-obvious salad dressings, frozen meals, canned and dried fruit and even white wine. Packaged foods can be sneaky in their use of sugar, so read the labels. And know your numbers:

4.2 grams of sugar is equal to 1 teaspoon. One cup of cola has 44 grams of sugar, which is equal to 10 teaspoons of sugar!

4. Cook at home.

Cooking at home can give you more control over what you’re eating because you can read the labels, choose what goes into your meal and prepare it with love. Eating at home empowers you to eat less processed foods and refined sugar, know where your meals come from, spend quality time with family and save on your monthly budget.

Plan ahead each week and prepare a menu for a couple nights if you’re new to eating at home. You can even prepare your meals ahead of time. If you choose a rice dish, for example, prepare it on Sunday for Tuesday’s meal. If you tend to eat lunch on the go, get into the habit of packing your own lunch. Make your lunch the night before or eat leftovers for lunch. Once you get into the habit, it will become second nature.

5. Think differently about meat.

I want to invite you to begin looking at your meals in a new way. We are accustomed to planning our meals around meat. Now try planning your meals around your veggies. Include smaller portions of meat and make the rest of the plate a colorful rainbow.

We live in a time when much meat is farmed with unethical and improper practices. Animals are fed hormones to increase their growth and milk production. They are given antibiotics to prevent them from getting sick and to kill of the vast amounts of bacteria they encounter while being caged with thousands of other animals. Cattle also are fed grain, rather than grass, which their bodies cannot digest and lacks nutrients.

Is this the kind of meat you want to put in your body? If you choose to eat meat, choose animals that are organically grass fed with no hormones or antibiotics. Go one step further and try a meatless day of the week! You might be surprised how good you can feel with less meat in your life! Not only will it benefit you, it will also reduce your carbon footprint.

6. Eat fruits and vegetables, mostly organic.

Each meal should consist at least 50 percent colorful fruits and vegetable. You’ve heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” When we eat live foods, it gives us energy and aliveness. It fuels our cells with the nutrients we need for survival and optimal health. Live foods are rich in water that will hydrate you as well. When you consume a vast array of colorful fruits and veggies daily, you are providing your body with a wide range of specific vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Have fun with it and give your veggies new meaning!

What is the hype with organic? According to the USDA, “Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of

renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.

Why is this important? Choosing to eat organic will help keep the toxins out of the soil, the water, the air and your body. According to research, traditional farming practices result in heavy buildups of toxic chemicals that have been known to cause disease, including cancer, autism, asthma and more. You might be thinking that organic is more expensive, but in the long term it is less expensive than large medical bills.

If you can’t work it in the budget to go totally organic, use the “Dirty Dozen” list below to buy organic for the most heavily pesticide-laden fruits and vegetable: 1. Strawberries 2. Apples 3. Nectarines 4. Peaches 5. Celery 6. Grapes 7. Cherries 8. Spinach 9. Tomatoes 10. Sweet bell peppers 11. Cherry tomatoes 12. Cucumbers

Here’s to a cleaner, healthier you this spring.

•••••••••••••••

Stacy Musial is president of Health Coach Connect and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for whole-person wellness. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work at Colorado State University and has been providing mental health therapy to individuals in community mental health, private practice and online therapy venues. She began her journey into health when she realized her own was not optimal and it impacted the way she felt physically, emotionally and spiritually. Her journey led her to earn a certificate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.® She enjoys running, biking, yoga and fermenting yummy foods. Visit Health Coach Connect online at healthcoachconnect.com.

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Coaching Is this unimportant activity more important to me than this goal of mine?

By Natalie Rivera I’m going to be brutally honest here:

If you find yourself saying “I don’t have time” what you really mean is “it’s not a priority.”

How do I know this is true? Because if you got home today and your house had flooded due to a broken water pipe, you would end up spending upwards of 10 hours dealing with it this week. You’d jump to action, move furniture, call a plumber, arrange for a cleaning company, and arrange your schedule as necessary. Magically you’d pull 10 minutes out of a schedule that moments ago you had claimed didn’t leave you “enough time” to work toward your goal.

There are 2 ways you can FIND THE TIME to put it words what you want to create in your life: 1) Eliminate wasted time 2) Make what you want a priority The wasting of time comes in 2 varieties: • Time wasters are tasks you do that are not important or that could be eliminated.

• Time fillers are activities you do to “fill time” in between more important tasks.

Time Wasters Time wasters aren’t completely useless. They’re often more mundane, everyday tasks that you do because they have to be done. But, they qualify as being a “waste of time” because they’re either: • Something that isn’t very important, meaning you probably don’t HAVE to do it • Something someone ELSE could be doing, in which case you do not have to do it 1) The first step to eliminating time wasters is to literally eliminate unnecessary tasks.

How would you tell if something is unnecessary? The best way is to compare its level of importance to the THING you want to replace it with. Have a goal or dream? A hobby you’d like more time to pursue? A side business you want to start? More time to read or write or create art? More time with your kids? Whatever THIS THING is that you want more time for, simply ask yourself:

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If the answer is no, stop it. If you’re not sure what “time wasters” you may be currently doing, ask yourself: “is there is anything I do on a regular bases that if I STOPPED DOING IT nothing bad would happen?” Do you: • Watch TV? • Go on Social Media?

• Check your email more than 2-3 times a day?

Those are a good place to start. Is TV or time arguing with people about politics on Facebook actually more important than this goal of yours? Hopefully not. You only continue to waste that time because it’s easy. However, if you make a DECISION to take that hour and work on your goal instead, your life will transform.

Eliminating cable in my home was one of the most powerful decisions I’ve ever made.

A special note about mastering your email: Whether you have a job where email is used or run a business, you absolutely MUST stop checking your email all day long.

Studies show that people who check their email every five minutes lose 8.5 hours per week recovering their train of thought. In fact, many experts say that email is the #1 time waster. Look at your own life and see if this is true!

If you only make one change after reading this article, if it is THIS, your life will transform.

• Check only 2-3 times per day, ideally at set times (such as 10am, 1pm, 4pm).

• Turn off all notifications, so you’re not getting alerted (and distracted) every time an email comes in. Turn off or close the email program if you cannot resist temptation.

• Touch each email only once. When you go through them in batches (during your 2-3 sessions), click one email and then DEAL WITH IT. Reply, file, or DELETE. Done.

2) The second step to eliminating time wasters is to delegate your life. Ask yourself, what do you do on a daily or weekly basis that: • You don’t like to do.

• You aren’t good at.

• Someone else could easily do.

(Examples include cleaning, shopping, childcare, laundry, errands, etc)

Then ask yourself, who could you get to help you with these tasks? (Examples include family mem-

bers, spouse/partner, your kids, hiring a person or a service, etc. If you’d have to hire someone, could you pay someone less for an hour than it would cost you in your own time? How about in your own stress? Is it worth it?). Which of these changes would make the greatest impact? How would it change your life?

Time Fillers

• Love learning? You could enroll in an online course that teaches you something that will better your life and watch a short video during each of these gaps.

• Love laughing? You could watch youtube videos of funny cats. It doesn’t count as wasted time because laughing is good for you! Just don’t peruse YouTube videos when you have an hour to spare because you’ll get sucked in and use up that entire hour. Then it’s wasted time.

Induce an Emergency: Making It a Priority The final option you have if you want to find time for the things that matter to you is to MAKE IT. It’s quite simple: imagine your priorities are emergencies. Treat them the same way you would a plumbing flood.

• Take out a piece of paper and write If you only make one down what you are going to stop telling yourself you don’t have time for and change after reading start DOING. • Imagine you hear a siren going off in this article, if it is your head. mastering your emails, • Jump up, run to your calendar, planner or phone. your life will transform.

• Schedule in at least 3 hours to dedicate to this activity. Re-arrange errands.

Cancel meetings. Do it!

• Set alarms or notifications. Put stick notes around your house.

10 minutes can change your life!

Make your goals a priority like your life depends on it.

Oh, wait. It does!

Time fillers are actually the biggest source of possi- One last thought… ble time-savings and life transformation. In between certain When I was a teenager the following was my favorite activities during the day, you find yourself in no-man’s-land quote. Taking this advice may be even more important than masfor anywhere about 10 minutes. You can’t really “do” any- tering your emails! thing because you’re in limbo between one thing and another. For example, while you: “The definition of wasted time is worrying • • • • •

Wait for water to boil or dinner to be ready Go to the bathroom Drive (or ride) to work or elsewhere Wait in the pick-up line at your kids’ school Are on break at work What times do YOU have during a normal day when you have a gap between activities with nothing to do?

During these times you probably “fill the empty space” with something—for most people it’s something on their smartphone. And for almost everyone, it’s something useless.

What do YOU do during these gaps?

Replacements: If you’re going to have this empty space, why not fill it with something that inspires you! Sure, you won’t have the time to dive into your project, but you could still fill your brain with something useful instead of useless.

• Love reading? Download an audiobook and listen during these times.

• Love inspirational videos or personal development books?

You could listen to an audiobook or podcast.

about things you can’t control.”

•••••••••••••••

Natalie Rivera is a firestarter, speaker and entrepreneur. She is passionate about empowering others to GET REAL and live authentically. After a decade of living a life that wasn’t hers and developing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Natalie let go of everything and completely transformed. Through her journey to healing she rediscovered her true self and greater purpose—to inspire others to transform their lives. Natalie “retired” from the rat race at 24, put herself through school as a freelance designer, created a non-profit teen center, and later created Transformation Services, Inc., which offers motivational speaking, curriculum development, life coaching, event management, and publishing. She is also the Publisher of Transformation Magazine. Visit www.ignitelife.me.

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Coaching

By Lisa Cedrone If you are competing in today’s e-commerce world as a coach, practitioner or purveyor of products, simply offering “goods and services” is no longer enough to win market share.

To truly become a leading contender online, you need to build a vibrant, interactive business to attract website visitors and then convert them into customers—and you need to focus on creating engaging “experiences” as part of this process.1 One of the essential keys to creating a dynamic e-commerce business is leveraging the power of content and social media marketing, which “can help elevate your audience and customer base in a dramatic way,” explains Susan Gunelius in an Entrepreneur magazine article about social media marketing.

Whether you are using Facebook or Twitter, YouTube or LinkedIn, she defines 10 fundamental principles that you should abide by “to help build a foundation that will serve your customers, your brand and—perhaps most importantly—your bottom line:” 2 1. Listen. “Success with social media and content marketing requires more listening and less talking. Read your target audience’s online content and join discussions to learn what’s important to them. Only then can you create content and spark conversations that add value rather than clutter to their lives.”

2. Focus. “A highly-focused social media and content marketing strategy intended to build a strong brand has a better chance for success than a broad strategy that attempts to be all things to all people.”

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3. Offer Quality. “It’s better to have 1,000 online connections who read, share and talk about your content with their own audiences than 10,000 connections who disappear after connecting with you the first time.”

4. Have Patience. “Success doesn’t happen overnight.” Most likely, you’ll need to commit to the long haul to achieve results.

5. Understand Compounding. “If you publish amazing, quality content and work to build your online audience of quality followers, they’ll share it with their own audiences.” Others sharing and discussing your content increases entry points for search engines like Google to find it in keyword searches.

6. Seek Out Influencers. Focus on finding online influencers who have established audiences and are likely to be interested in your products and/or services and business. Work to build relationships with them.

7. Add Value. “If you spend all your time on the social web directly promoting your products and services, people will stop listening. You must add value to the conversation.”

8. Acknowledge People. “Building relationships is one of the most important parts of social media marketing success, so always acknowledge every person who reaches out to you.”

9. Be Accessible. “Consistently publish content and

participate in conversations. Followers online can be fickle and they won’t hesitate to replace you if you disappear for weeks or months.”

10. Practice Reciprocity. “A portion of the time you spend on social media should be focused on sharing and talking about content published by others.”

Plan for Success Once you understand the essentials of social media and content marketing and how to use them to create meaningful online experiences for customers, it’s important to take the time to plan out campaigns and pick the best platform(s) that will meet your objectives. According to small business expert Susan Solovic, there are three strategies you should employ in this regard:3 1. Establish Goals. “Common social-media campaign goals include attracting more followers, creating interest in a specific product or service, heightening brand awareness and increasing the amount of shared content.” As part of this process, identify the best social media platforms for the job and the best type of content to create.

2. Create a Schedule. “Sit down with a calendar and plan the year. It might make sense for you to launch some campaigns that center on holidays or seasons.”

3. Measure Results. Tools such as Google Analytics and the use of hashtags can help your business keep track of how a campaign is performing.

Leading Social Media Platforms Now let’s look at seven of the leading social media platforms and how they can be utilized for your marketing needs: Facebook: Facebook is the largest social media network in the world with more than 1.6 billion active users, 62 percent of whom log in on a daily basis. The platform offers free business pages for companies, organizations and public figures, and users can “Like” these pages, meaning they’ll automatically receive updates in their newsfeed. While personal profiles on Facebook require a mutual relationship between “friends,” business pages can be liked by anyone, without a requirement for the page creator to accept a fan. They also don’t have a restriction on the number of friends/fans they can have (unlike profiles, which are limited to 5,000 friends).4 Using the Facebook targeted advertising platform, you can create ads for specific geographic areas, ages, education levels and even the types of devices used for browsing. Ad campaigns can be run on a per-impression or per-click basis, and Facebook can show you bids for similar ads, so you know if your bid is in line with others in your field of expertise. It’s also possible to set daily limits so an ad budget can run over a scheduled time period without running out of funds. 4 To complement Facebook marketing, you also can use the Facebook Pixel, “a piece of code that you can place on your website to report conversions, build audiences and get rich insights about how people are using your website,” according to Facebook. Another feature of the platform, Facebook Live, allows you to stream live webinars, which are a great sales tool for marketers, according to Jon Loomer, a leading Facebook expert and

blogger. 5 It’s easy to use because no added software is needed for Facebook users to view events, and there is no maximum number of attendees.

Here are some additional tips for success with Facebook marketing from HubSpot.com:6 • Don’t post too often. Companies with less than 10,000 followers receive 60 percent fewer interactions per post when they post more than 60 times per month.

• Use multimedia and graphics. Content can generate up to 94 percent more views with compelling graphics.

• Post at strategic times. Posts between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. have the best clickthrough and share rates.

• Respond quickly. Forty-two percent of users who complain on social media expect a response in 60 minutes.

• Use a paid budget to boost successful organic posts. You will get a better return on investment when you know a post works before you spend money to share it.

Pintrest: The equivalent of an online bulletin board or vision board, Pintrest allows users to “pin” images to their account and create “boards” with different themes. Approximately three years ago, the platform added paid advertising and in fall 2016 it added video advertising options. According to a January 2017 interview with president Tim Kendall in Adweek, “I think people have crossed into a threshold where they’re really paying attention and seeing us as a platform where they need to invest in the same way that they have to invest on Google and Facebook.”9 However, cautions Justin Sachs, in a Huffington Post article on social media marketing, “Only use this channel if you have great images to share. Quality images are likely to go viral on this site due to its visual nature. If your image is pinned by a highly followed member, it has the potential to be viewed by millions. It’s also great for promoting products.”7 Instagram: Another popular image-oriented (photo and video) social media platform is Instagram, which is owned by and can be connected to Facebook and its advertising tools.

According to Wishpond.com, “There are more than 400 million active users on Instagram every month, and every day 3.5 billion photos are liked. Use Instagram for business purposes in the right way, and you could have an instant viral marketing success….You can use Instagram to tell a visual story about your brand, instantly engage with your followers wherever they are, and even get very real user-generated content through hashtag photo contests.” Overall, an Instagram business account offers the opportunity to focus “on your brand’s unique way of seeing the world.” 12 One of the key marketing tools on the Instragram platform is hashtags, which are the primary way that users find content and businesses through mobile searches. There are no character limits on Instagram, so it’s advisable to add several tags to each post to encourage connections. It’s also important to include you business name in hashtag posts and to create unique tags if

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you are running a photo or video contest. This strategy promotes the content and also allows other participants to check out the competition and build community. 12 Focusing on customers is another critical strategy for success marketing on Instagram. Here are some tips from Wishpond.com to help you succeed on this front: 12 • Make your followers famous. Show your customers you appreciate them by acknowledging their cool photos, and share them on your other social sites. NOTE: be sure to ask permission to use a photo first.

• Embed followers’ photos. Instagram now enables you to embed Instagram photos on your website and other sites. Make sure you tell someone you’re showcasing their image, to make them feel appreciated, and to get their permission.

• “Like” your followers’ photos. Acknowledge your customers by liking their photos—particularly if they include your product or emulate your brand.

• Comment on followers’ photos. Engage with your consumers by commenting on amazing productrelated photos they post.

• Respond to comments on all your posts. This is particularly true when then comment is a question, or even something negative about your brand.

• @mention your customers. By linking a reference to followers, you show appreciation for them, and you get to engage with your market. Do the same for celebrities and other related industry leaders.

• Focus on engaging your customer. Post images with your customer in mind, and make your business Instagram outreach about lifestyle and authentically connecting with your customers.

Twitter: Twitter broadcasts short messages (140 characters max), which are called “tweets” (also known as a microblog), and “this size cap promotes focused and clever use of language, which makes tweets very easy to scan, and also very challenging to write well,” notes Paul Gil in a Lifewire.com blog article. “This size restriction has really made Twitter a popular social tool.

“The modern internet-savvy user is tired of television advertisements,” adds Gil. “People today prefer advertising that is faster, less intrusive and can be turned on or off at will... and Twitter is exactly that. If you learn how the nuances of tweeting work, you can get good advertising results by using Twitter.”

“Twitter’s value lies in its ability for your posts to go viral: the more people share your posts and ‘retweet’ your content, the more followers you will attain,” says Justin Sachs, in a Huffington Post article on social media marketing. “Hashtags make a big difference in building momentum for your [Twitter] posts,” he adds, “so pay attention to what is trending today and include relevant hashtags.”7 YouTube: The second largest search engine on the Internet, YouTube is owned by Google, which makes its videos more likely to appear in search results than those created on other video platforms. When it comes to using YouTube as a marketing tool, the golden rule is “volume,” according to a Forbes article on

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YouTube marketing strategy by AJ Agrawal.10 “Ask any full-time YouTuber, social celebrity, successful vlogger or brand on YouTube and they will tell you that their viewership rose as soon as they started increasing their volume,” Agrawal notes. “Now, there is a tipping point, and you can’t simply be publishing rubbish content and expect it to perform well.

The perfect intersection is quality content but published on an extremely regular basis—but it’s the regularity that often gets glossed over…When you publish content on a regular basis, you create a cadence with your audience….YouTube marketing really comes down to picking a few key areas where you feel you can deliver true thought leadership, entertainment or some kind of value, and then mass producing content that falls within those larger buckets.”

Another tip for success on YouTube (and Facebook) is to add subtitles to videos. It’s because many people watch videos on their phones without sound when in public. “You want as many people as possible to watch your content—and removing one of the biggest barriers of entry (sound) by providing a secondary option is a big win,” says Agrawal.10 Blogs: Blogs, which comes from combining the words “web” and “log,” started in the 1990s as online diaries. In the late 1990s, LiveJournal and then Blogger developed turnkey platforms, and WordPress, now the market leader, was introduced in the early 2000s. Blogs moved websites from primarily static information sources to dynamic conversation hubs, where visitors can post comments on blog articles and start online conversations.

Blogs are ideal for marketing because they can provide a steady stream of new content to draw people back to a website and offer a way for consumers and businesses to interact. According to an article by Randy Duermyer at TheBalance.com, the benefits of a blog marketing strategy include:11 • Inexpensive to start and run. “For the cost of a domain and webhosting, you can have a customized blog marketing for you.”

• Easy to use. “If you can copy, paste, type, drag and drop, and upload, you can have a professional looking blog.”

• Effective way to create return traffic to your site.

“Offering tips, updates and other new content gives people a reason to return to your business website.”

• Improves search engine ranking. “Google, in particular, likes to find and rank new content, and many entrepreneurs use blogging specifically for search engine optimization (SEO).”

• Allows you to show off your expertise to gain trust and credibility with your market. “People like to now who they do business with. With a blog you can prove you’re an expert, provide helpful tips and other valuable information, all of which help consumers feel good about spending money on your product or service.”

• Connect with your market. “Blogs can allow you to have a conversation with your market. This al-

lows you to build trust and rapport, as well as get feedback and provide customer service.”

• It can make money beyond your product or service. “You can accept advertising, promote affiliate products and get sponsors, adding additional sources of revenue to your business.”

LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a relationship-building site for business professionals and an excellent platform for businessto-business marketing. According to statistics from the company, “Over 433 million professionals are on LinkedIn. These are the decision makers, influencers, the leaders of today and tomorrow…61 million senior-level influencers, 40 million decision makers, 6.8 million C-level execs, 6.3 million small business owners, and thousands of other combinations.” Paid business-to-business ad products on the platform include “Sponsored Content” and “Text Ads,” complemented with comprehensive targeting options to reach specific audiences.

Like Facebook, LinkedIn offers company pages that can be followed by others on the platform. They are designed to help businesses build online communities and share meaningful content that can help build brand awareness. In his Huffington Post article, Gil advises: “Don’t lead with a sales pitch; start by building a connection. One of the best features for businesses is LinkedIn Groups. Businesses should establish Groups in [their] target niche or industry and invite others in [that] target market to join.”

The LinkedIn website offers three tips to improve your chances of marketing success when engaging people with your business page: • Create a content stream. Use your company’s updates to showcase your expertise and establish your brand as a thought leader. Share a wide array of content with your followers, including insightful articles, company news, and more.

• Demonstrate value. To grow an engaged following, it’s important to lead with useful content. For every post promoting your company, make sure four posts focus on thought leadership or industry trends.

• Post frequently. On average, companies that post 20 times per month reach at least 60 percent of their audience. Stick to a regular posting schedule so followers can rely on you to keep them informed and up to date.

Author’s note: Next month, we’ll look at shopping cart programs and how to evaluate the best one for your product or service. Check out last month’s artile about e-Commerce.

es, with an emphasis on cost-effective, turnkey editorial and design projects for both print and web. Contact her at lisa@suncoasttransformation.com or visit DragonFlyNation.com.

References: 1. The Experience Economy: Work Is Theater & Every Business a Stage, B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore, 1999.

2. “10 Laws of Social Media Marketing,” by Susan Gunelius, Entrepreneur, online article at https://www.entrepreneur. com/article/218160 3. “3 Strategies to Nail Before You Launch Your SocialMedia Campaign,” by Susan Solovic, February 18, 2017, Entrepreneur, online article at https://www.entrepreneur.com/ article/288609 4. “Facebook Marketing: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners,” Kissmetrics blog, online post at https://blog.kissmetrics.com/facebook-marketing/ 5. “Facebook Live: How to Stream a Webinar,” by Jon Loomer, January 5, 2017, JonLoomer.com blog, online post at http://www.jonloomer.com/2017/01/05/facebook-livehow-to-stream-a-webinar/ 6. “The Do’s and Don’ts of How to Use Facebook for Business [Infographic],” by Ginny Mineo, November 16, 2015, HubSpot.com blog, online post at https://blog.hubspot.com/ marketing/dos-donts-facebook-business-infographic#sm.0 00016gquknyfcf97ywtlxk0esg9f 7. “The 7 Best Social Media Channels for Business Marketing,” By Justin Sachs, August 26, 2016, Huffington Post, online article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/young-entrepreneur-council/the-10-best-social-media_b_11654820.html 8. “What Exactly Is ‘Twitter’? What Is ‘Tweeting’?” by Paul Gil, December 23, 2016, Lifewire.com blog, online article at https://www.lifewire.com/what-exactly-is-twitter-2483331 9. “Here’s What Marketers Can Expect From Pinterest in 2017,” by Lauren Johnson, January 17, 2017, Adweek, online article at http://www.adweek.com/digital/heres-what-marketers-can-expect-pinterest-2017-175465/ 10. “5 Tips To Improve Your YouTube Marketing Strategy,” by AJ Agrawal, Forbes, online article at https://www.forbes. com/sites/ajagrawal/2017/01/12/5-tips-to-improve-youryoutube-marketing-strategy/#5789fb5494f6 11. “Blog Marketing: What It Is and How to Do It,” by Randy Duermyer, September 14, 2016, TheBalance.com, online article at https://www.thebalance.com/blog-marketing-1794404 12. “52 Tips: How to Market on Instagram,” Wishpond.com, online blog article at http://blog.wishpond.com/ post/59612395517/52-tips-how-to-market-on-instagram

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Lisa Cedrone is the editor of Transformation Magazine and a freelance editor, writer, and graphic designer working primarily in the spiritual and alternative healing communities. Prior to establishing her Sarasota, FL-based freelance business in 2008, Lisa spent 20 years as an editor/editor-in-chief for two of the Top 10 businessto-business publishers in the United States, serving the apparel manufacturing and residential construction/building markets. Her company, DragonFly Nation, offers a wide range of creative servic-

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Enlightenment

by Juliette Jones Growing up in the nuclear age has precipitated momentous internal glimpses into the dark side of the human psyche. An early experience in grade school planted a seed that awakened me to forces which, at the time, were beginning to cast a dark shadow on the planet and now threaten our entire future, causing a recent acceleration to the so-called “Doomsday Clock.”

You may remember an educational classroom publication known as The Weekly Reader, which covered news-based current events for younger grade levels. Each week, the teacher passed out these miniature newspapers, and we sat at our desks quietly reading. One such day, I happened upon a short article, written in an innocuous tone, that dealt with the subject of fallout shelters. Apparently, they had become popular enough to warrant mention in the context of a “normal” social phenomenon.

In one stunning moment, I realized that to bring such a phenomenon into being, the consciousness of this human race must suffer from a deep, dark distortion of perception. I was overcome by a thought that some collective disconnectedness had conceived and activated nuclear warfare, opening a Pandora’s Box from which terrible consequences would emerge.

This intuition came early in life and permanently shifted the axis of my sheltered worldview. At the time, it rocked me into

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a deeply depressed and fearful state, which I processed throughout my teen years, and laid the ground work for deep and continuous exploration of my personal psyche.

Not long ago, a program hosted by the C.G. Jung Society of Sarasota (cgjungsarasota.org) featured Dr. Richard Tarnas, an expert in depth psychology and acclaimed author the book Cosmos and Psyche. His impressive credits and connections are too numerous to list here, but he is one of the psycho-spiritual pioneers and prophets of our age. Much of the material that follows is reiterated from the wellspring of ideas that he graciously presented.

At present, humanity is undergoing an unparalleled evolutionary crisis, greater than anything our species has ever faced.

The tensions of opposites in society are proliferating through every aspect of living with great force, and have affected the cultural zeitgeist of peoples and nations, as well as the morphic field of our planetary psyche.

In the world of form, we are witnessing mass extinction of species, global warming, misuse of resources, burgeoning pollution, political and moral crises and overpopulation. At the same time, spiritual faith abides largely in darkness. Although the media makes every effort to suppress these truths, the majority of real science is shouting the alarm.

“Faith is something that can only grow in darkness.”––Bruno Barnhart

In light of the vast 15-billion-year evolutionary history of the cosmos, our time is what the ancient Greeks would identify as a Kairos moment––a moment of change intended for a special work, a time when heroes and heroic communities must act to transform worldview. This is a great turning when the dark forces of the unconscious are rising and may clear the way for manifestation of authentic spiritual realization. A tremendous shift can occur with potential for a healing crisis.

Psyche (soul) is the intermediary connection between spirit and matter.

small amount of food and water.

During this time, he faced frightening encounters with darkness, death and aloneness. Gradually, he experienced a transformative realization that granted him a larger, deeper perspective of the whole––a discovery of a vast horizon which he never knew existed. He found, in the depths, the voice of nature speaking in a motherly tone and granting him assurance there was absolutely nothing to fear from the universe. This realization was so powerful that he took his transformed view back to the general community to manifest his true purpose as a wise teacher and healer. This speaks to the universal nature of shamanic descent.

Rites of initiation reveal an undiscovered destruction and renewal principle. Perhaps, at this time, the human and planetary psyches are on the same trajectory. Perhaps we are under a grace and passing through an initiation rite that could lead to a better integration of our purpose on this planet.

The examination of consciousness––of our deepest wounds and the terrible suffering we have caused on this earth––is the soul’s most powerful remedy for the ills of civilization. Everything is at stake. We must change to survive, and the coming generation must take note if we are not to destroy ourselves with science and technology.

At present, humanity is undergoing an unparalleled evolutionary crisis, greater than anything our species has ever faced.

This moment was not of our conscious choosing, but has been brought about through expression of the human unconscious, which has been transforming. The primal, innermost human consciousness is not separate from the cosmos, but exists as one with the cosmos––linked to nature, trees, earth and sky. The planet itself has a psyche, and that psyche “ensouls” the entire natural world. Carl Jung named it the Anima Mundi.

In this dark hour, our Western culture has forgotten that we humans are not the only source of consciousness in the universe, and this forgetfulness is not just a psychic problem but a practical problem as well. In our material culture, humans have not just separated from their tribe, but from their intrinsic connection between all living things, the planet and the cosmos. All aspects of the current crisis reflect this same mistake.

Is the World Experiencing a Rite of Passage?

In the Western world, there are no initiatory rites. However, in a collective sense, our present condition bears a great resemblance to initiatory rites of passage that still take place on an individual level in cultures that understand the human connection to the Anima Mundi. These rites involve frightening confrontations with darkness, death and aloneness, initiating the individual psyche to the great mysteries of life, death and rebirth, and catalyzing immense transformation.

Dr. Tarnas related a story about the initiation of a Native American shaman who, as a boy, was taken by sled far out onto the ice and placed alone, crouched in a small hut, upon an animal skin. For 30 days, he was left by himself and twice given only a

“We need a life of meaning, purpose and a sense of joy in participating in a community of being.”––Dr. Richard Tarnas Find what you love to work on, be part of the collective action of a heroic spiritual community, and carry different values from the mainstream––open to the multiple meanings of the whole. Our personal journeys are embedded in life itself, as is the soul of this entire human journey. We are marvelous instruments of the whole, each an aspect of the universe becoming conscious.

Our deepest value is not in our separateness or superiority but in the sense that we are wonderful instruments of something greater than ourselves.

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Juliette Jones is a Venice, FL-based freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings. Email her at scribecafe@gmail.com.

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Enlightenment

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by Berenice Andrews Brave Old World It was the year 1946. Although the unspeakable carnage and destruction of World War II had recently ended, the Cold War in Eastern Europe had already begun. Meanwhile, the war-weary survivors in the world’s other devastated countries were trying to rebuild what was left of their families and homes and get on with their lives.

In the meantime, here in North America, the troops who had not been held back to protect and police the rest of the world had been brought home. The men were mainly resuming their pre-war jobs. The women were mainly resuming domesticity (if they were not war widows who had to compete with the men for employment). And we children (I was twelve years old) were mainly waiting to see what would happen next. Unlike the child survivors elsewhere, most of us believed that we were going to be safe and secure.

In 1946, Hollywood continued to entertain us with semimagical fare including a leftover war movie entitled “Wake Up and Dream.” The film featured a song, “Give Me the Simple Life,” the lyrics of which expressed a nostalgic yearning for simplicity...[“a cottage small is what I’m after, not one that’s spacious and wide”] for warm, uncomplicated, loving relationships and for a world [“free from the care and strife”]. That song became famous. For the next 50 years, it was sung and recorded by many great artists including Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby.

Yet, nothing in the lyrics was new. The allure was within them. They were actually expressing an ancient “memory.” It was a persistent feeling that somehow, somewhere, mankind had once lived in a Golden Age of peace, prosperity and well-being that could return.

But in 1946 our prewar world was already vanishing. By the 1970s it was mostly gone. In that decade, Betty Friedan (The Feminine Mystique) and Merlin Stone (When God Was a Woman) had helped to launch the feminist movement. It shook many of us (including me) out of the old paradigm and pushed us into what was awaiting. Like it or not, we were heading into a world that would become increasingly complicated and (for many of us) increasingly disturbing.

Brave New World But had a “Golden Age” of sweet simplicity ever existed?

In our Judaic and Christian western tradition, we have the story of the Garden of Eden to remind us that from very early in our development, we humans were a disobedient and fractious lot in continuous conflict with our Creator. Then there are the stories of the Israelites. Despite being the “Chosen People,” they

were constantly at loggerheads with Jehovah, with major punishments as the result.

Much later, there was the attempt by Paul the Apostle to create the ideal Christian communities of believers who pooled their resources and sustained each other in loving brother/sisterhood. It was an experience of ongoing frustration (sometimes even great anger) for Paul, who found himself constantly trying to persuade his recalcitrant followers to share his vision.

As Christianity expanded into a world religion, there were hundreds of attempts to create “intentional communities” of those who cherished what they regarded as the simple life.

One of the most famous and long-lasting communities was created by the Quakers. Beginning in England, it was later transplanted into a more-receptive North American environment.

There it flourished and became so politically influential that many of the ideas found in the Constitution echo those of the Quakers.

Modern replicas of this community or variations of it are still being attempted.

Their pattern has remained essentially unchanged since the ancient days. There is a charismatic leader whose consciousness is strong enough to keep the group together. And there is a rigorous resistance to practices that are regarded as antithetical to that unity. Even in this day and age, the community’s focus on a simple life (for example, the Mennonite) permits only the rudiments of modern technology (for example, farm implements but no automobiles). Clothing (especially for the women) carries no hint of sexuality and the children are carefully shielded from any “outside world” influences.

In some famous cases, the community became enslaved to its leaders and destructive of itself. Some of us can recall from the 1970s the “Moonies” and the tragedy of Jonestown.

Yet, despite the seeming evidence to the contrary, people have persistently harbored the felt-sense that the simple life had existed somewhere on earth before “the present” and could somehow return. It seems to be part of our “makeup.”

The Paradox After the late 1800s and the beginning of “New Thought,” that yearning has revealed itself among an increasing number of people as a different and, for most of us, new form of spirituality.

On the one hand, it has steadily fostered the idea that the Spirit could be regarded as a cosmic creative power much larger than an anthropomorphic rewarder/punisher. On the other hand, the different, new spirituality has steadily fostered the idea that people could be regarded as the evidence of creative evolution, i.e., of Spirit-in-Action.

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That different, new form of spirituality has slowly promoted a new awareness in at least four generations of people. Arriving at the 21st century, many of us are now carrying a nontraditional concept of what we are as the energies of consciousness, as microcosmic expressions of a creative macrocosmic power. We have also become receptive to other teachings more ancient than either Christianity or Judaism. In other words, the different, new form of spirituality has made possible an expanded capacity for knowing.

For many of us, the path of moving beyond tradition has not been easy. If we had been deeply dedicated to a particular set of beliefs, the new knowing often appeared to be spiritually dangerous. We had to choose to take those first steps into expanded awareness.

We often were able to do so by acknowledging that all the world’s religious teachings had probably also been inspired by the Spirit. Thus, they could safely be accepted as gifts we could (at the very least) open. When we did so, we discovered that those teachings were filled with the insights for which we had been hungering.

Here was Spirit-in-Action helping us along.

By acknowledging and accepting all the teachings Spirit had provided for us, we were actually taking our huge first steps of entering into our own expanded “beingness.” And we were discovering that we had plunged into an immense paradox.

We began to see ourselves as we really were—a multidimensional product of a creative force, a consciousness energy in which we lived, moved and had our being. And we could do so while we lived on this Earth plane. We joyfully began to realize that we were “already in heaven,” as Ernest Holmes had already pointed out.

Next came the wonderful “work” of allowing ourselves to grow into the paradox. It’s the paradox of being human. With Spirit making it happen, we discovered that we were in a dance. It has been called “the Dance of Shiva and Shakti”—the great dance of the cosmic Masculine and Feminine. While we surrendered into those energies, we expanded into an increasing complexity.

We became a whirling kaleidoscope of light and color. That complexity was and always would be beyond our capacity to describe and analyze. And we really didn’t have to do so. With Spirit in charge, the complexity was inherent in the paradox. We only had to be aware of an increasing degree of inner simplicity, while we let go of what no longer mattered to us.

With Spirit in charge, our cosmic dance continued and

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intensified. Yet, with each increasingly complex movement we were engaged in simplifying and at the same time purifying and unifying what we really were.

And in this amazing process, we could become increasingly aware of what we required as evolved beings. With Spirit in charge, we were being “in-formed” by an ever-expanding detachment, discernment and clarity. They were the indicators of how simplified, purified and unified we could and would become.

So, for those of us who have been spiritual journeyers, “give me the simple life” is really a statement about holding paradox and letting a spiritual process unfold.

In the Final Analysis And is any of this really new? Have the prophets, seers and other way-showers not been trying to describe this inside job for centuries? To answer those questions: although none of this is new and the more enlightened people have been trying to make it known since ancient times, there is a readiness that must be in place before the shift can really happen.

Now, perhaps, we’re ready.

Within the last half-century, when the world has shrunk to the size of a global village, there have been unmistakable signs that an accelerating undercurrent of change has been moving mankind. While some of it is disturbing, it’s also quite exciting to be part of such a shift. But what’s happening on the outside has only been a reflection of what has been steadily emerging on the inside. And here we are in the middle of a cosmic paradox. The more complicated our outer world gets, the simpler our inner world can be. As spiritual seekers, we can have both. With Spirit in charge, “give me the simple life” is more than an impossible yearning or the title of an old song.

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Berenice Andrews is a shamanic teacher/healer. For more details about the healing practices mentioned above, see her book Rebirthing Into Androgyny: Your Quest for Wholeness...And Afterward. See also her articles “Finding Your True Self: A (Sort of) Socratic Dialog,” September, 2014, and “Understanding the Human Energy Being,” June, July and August, 2015 in Transformation Magazine. If you are interested in reading more and/or becoming her student, see her web site: thestonecircleclassroom.com.

Dear Ms. Spiritual Matters, I am organized. I know where everything I own is. And, everything is in its place. I travel the world for my business, so I have many souvenirs around my apartment.

But, my sister complains that I never remember her birthday. She says if I can put the wooden giraffe in the same spot on the shelf all the time, why do I not have the knack for putting important dates in my mind.

She says something key is missing in me.

What can I do?

Ken Dear Ken, The giraffe probably has a lot of recent memories attached to it. You traveled far and met new and interesting people when you acquired it. You run matchless memories through your mind each time you set it in its place. The giraffe is one of a kind.

Some dates, such as birthdays, are more plentiful. There are so many possibilities...365. But, you can improve your organization so you remember the people who count on you to celebrate their special date with them.

At the first of each year, place a list of all the people whose birthdays or anniversaries you want to remember in the calendar section of one of your electronic devices. Or, if you prefer, write them in your Yoga Cats calendar. Keep a listing of occasions, adding and deleting as you wish. Then you will be able to refresh your

reminder system quickly each year. The joy of all this improved organization is that you can focus on other important things in life knowing you will be mindful of celebratory times and never hurt someone’s feelings by forgetting a day special to them.

To improve your organization, you may want to set your electronic device to alert you to the birthday one week ahead of time. This gives you opportunity to select a card or gift and make a plan to surprise the birthday person with your ability to focus on what—for many—is an important event, their birthday!

Good wishes, Susan Shoenbeck Susan Schoenbeck holds Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is an experienced educator and teaches nursing students at Walla Walla University -- Portland, Oregon campus. She is an oblate of a Benedictine Monastery where she learned centering and contemplative meditation practices. She is author of the book, Zen and the Art of Nursing, Good Grief: Daily Meditations, and Near-Death Experiences: Visits to the Other Side.

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Enlightenment natural flow of the moment and act within that flow. If the moment is not right for a certain type of action, then the attuned person delays the task. When they sense that the right moment has arrived, then they act and easily accomplish the task.

by Owen K Waters The Chinese philosopher, Lao Tse (“Lay-OTE-say”) gave teachings that were designed to confuse the conscious mind. The idea was that, when the conscious mind tires and gets out of the way, the seeker could discover the deeper truths within.

Lao Tse is credited with the 2,500 year-old work, the Tao Te Ching, which is full of apparent contradictions or paradoxes. He refers to the Tao (the “Dow”) as that which is everything and yet nothing. What he means is that the Tao—the Absolute—the Isness or Infinite Being— is the transcendent consciousness behind all manifestation. It is not the active manifestation of the created universe, but the original consciousness behind it. It is that which, in silence and unchanging perfection, always was and always will be. And yet, so the paradox goes, all of manifestation came from it and therefore is it.

Similarly, he uses paradox to promote the philosophy of Wu Wei (“Woo Way”) as the way of “action without action.” Sounds impossible? That’s the point. He wanted people to give up making logical sense of the idea and, instead, go within to find the truth behind the paradox.

The principle of Wu Wei really means effortless action. The secret to achieving effortless action is to realize that there is a natural flow of influences at work in all parts of the universe. You sense the

The principle of Wu Wei really means effortless action.

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It can also mean not forcing a situation to be what it isn’t. If a situation comes about which is beyond your control, then making the best of it is often the elegant solution.

The saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” is attributed to the 14th Century Scottish king, Robert the Bruce. According to legend, he once took refuge in a cave, where he watched a spider trying to spin a web. It failed several times to make a connection from one area of the cave’s roof to another, but each time it started all over again until it finally succeeded. People, today, take that saying to mean that if something doesn’t work, you need to be obstinate and keep trying harder until you overcome all obstacles and eventually make it happen by sheer force of will.

The Wu Wei approach to life is quite the opposite.

It suggests that, if at first you don’t succeed, there is a reason for it. It means that you are not acting with the natural flow of energy within that place and time and it may also mean that you need to discover a more suitable solution.

First, take a deep breath, relax and step back from the situation. After that, you’ll be able to judge it objectively and in a state of balance. Then: A) Decide if you’re trying to force something into existence that shouldn’t be, or B) Look for a better solution to achieve your objective, and/or C) Wait for your innate sense of timing to feel right.

One of the benefits of the spiritual consciousness which is emerging in the New Reality is the ability to sense the natural flow of universal influences and know when the time is right for certain types of action.

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Owen K Waters is a cofounder of the Spiritual Dynamics Academy, where a where a free spiritual growth newsletter awaits you at: www.SpiritualDynamics.net. He is an international spiritual teacher who has helped hundreds of thousands of spiritual seekers to understand better the nature of their spiritual potential. Owen’s life has been focused upon gaining spiritual insights through extensive research and the development of his inner vision. For the past 12 years, he has written a spiritual metaphysics newsletter which empowers people to discover their own new vistas of inspiration, love and creativity. Spiritual seekers enjoy his writings for their insight and clarity.