Every day, we take in vast quantities of information. Most of it we’re not even aware of.

I’m writing this on my laptop, at the kitchen table. I can hear the sound of the furnace, the refrigerator, muffled hammering next door  as my neighbors finish their new deck, and the soft bell tones of windchimes on my own porch.

But there’s so much more in this moment that I am not totally conscious of — like information coming from my body as to its present state of being, or from my intuitive senses about the world around me and the things I want to do and create in my life.  Even if we put our full awareness on these things, we’re not likely to see and feel them all, because we’re only human.

And this plays out in every moment of every day for all of us.

We may not be able to pick up everything, but we can allow it to sink in a bit more.  Most of us are so busy all the time that we don’t give ourselves the time to be fully present and to integrate more of what we know, more of who we are, right here and now, where it can give us the most good.

Quiet moments, where you just breathe deeply, relax and let yourself be here now, are the times when we integrate best. We need these moments more than we know. They allow us to fully connect, to be true to ourselves, to be inspired.   These are the pauses where you let “aha’s” connect and be born.  Where you let go of stress. Where you let yourself heal and rejuvenate.

In our get-it-done world, we think quiet times aren’t important because we’re not DOING something.

We couldn’t be more wrong.

Giving yourself time for quiet meditation and reflection is one of the best things you can do for yourself – on every level. It helps you relax, recharge, be more aware and stress-free, find your inner balance, and develop wisdom on deep levels.

Namaste,

Jennifer

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“Before you do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it’s right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.” 
– Oprah Winfrey

Ever find yourself saying “yes” to everything, and ending up in overwhelm and overload?

Everything we take on adds a measure of stress to our lives, even when it’s something we enjoy. Because in the physical world, everything you do takes the place of something else that you could be doing. Add too many items to your “to do” list, and you won’t finish all of them, or do them as well as you would if your list were shorter.

Sometimes what to drop is a clear choice — other times it’s not so clear. But as Oprah suggests in this quotation, it’s a lot easier to ask within first and choose to decline a task than it is to take it on and then drop it.  First, of course, there’s the guilt factor of saying no to people you care about. And second, there’s a certain amount of stubbornness and pride within us all that makes it difficult to back away from things we’ve started. Even if we are merely holding on to the idea of doing something, when we are unable to actually get to it!  And that, too, creates a level of stress. How many unfinished projects and ideas do you have in your life that you have not yet released? Each one is attached to you with a thread of energy that creates stress because you’re not able to give it your full attention.

Recently, I was forced to slow down (hence my lack of posts for the past few weeks). Events transpired that made it impossible for me to keep up the pace I was trying to manage, and to juggle all of the “to do” items I had on my list.  I had to stop.

When you find yourself stopped at the pass like this, it actually can be a good thing in disguise, as I soon discovered. Because it gives you a fresh opportunity to re-evaluate your priorities. To consciously review everything on your “to do” list, meditate on them, and make some present-minded choices. Choices that can help you reduce stress by being even more true to yourself, by letting that “yes” resound within you.

Until next time…

Namaste!

Jennifer

Saturday was a day of firsts for me. I signed my first autographs…at the first annual Chandler Folk Festival. One little girl bought one of our first preview albums and wanted me to sign it. She’d been at the festival most of the day and told me confidently that she is going to be a superstar when she grows up. How cool is that?!

It got me thinking, of course. This is how our dreams are born…before we hit the bumps in life and forget how strong and powerful we really are. Before we forget how much our own choices influence what happens to us … more than anything else ever could.

A lot of people think stress happens when you get overwhelmed by the speed of life. I believe it happens when we forget how strong we really are.

We have the ability, in every moment, to choose how we direct our thoughts. We can choose to let external happenings upset us and influence our actions, or we can choose our own road. Attitude and action go hand in hand. When you take full responsibility for what happens in your life, you also take back your ability to create. You take back your ability to make empowering choices.

When we think, feel, and do things that don’t support our dreams, we create more internal stress. It takes a lot more effort and energy to hold yourself back than it does to let yourself move forward. In effect, it puts a stopper on what you’re trying to create.

We hold ourselves back in many ways. One of the biggest ones is not taking care of the body. Most athletes understand this and pay attention to diet and exercise, but for the rest of us, the connection isn’t always so clear. If you eat junk food that doesn’t nourish you, how will you have the extra stamina and mental energy to write that book?

The first step is asking yourself … what are your goals and dreams? And what actions can you take right now to support them and give them wings?

“You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and the stars; You have a right to be here.” (Max Erhmann, 1927) My young friend at the festival, like all of us, is a child of the Universe, and she still knows it.

Dear Reader, have you ever had a day when you never made it past #1 or #2 on your to-do list? Yes, I thought so.

That was yesterday for me. Now a weekend to-do list is kind of a sad thing to begin with, although my left brain thought it was an excellent idea. But my right hemisphere would have none of it. And try as I might, the to-do list never got off the ground.

So I decided to go with the flow, and let the right side have her way. Instead of planning things out, I allowed myself just be still for a bit in an impromptu meditation and get a feel for what I needed to do next. Turns out, it was a lovely walk out in the sun with my furkid. Of course, she was ecstatic.

What we need to do next for our wellbeing, for ourselves, is often quite different than what we’ve planned. Going with that flow helps to reduce stress, celebrate wellness, and make mental space to create some very cool things in your life.  So, while a to-do list can help keep you focused on what has to get done, it’s important to allow some creative, free-flowing time just to be, without an agenda, so you can dream, create, and just be.  And to let yourself have that free-flowing time without guilt, because it’s essential to wellness. We all know this, but sometimes, when you get caught up in the bustle of what “has to be done,” it’s easy to forget.

There’s a balance between the agenda and free space that we need … to reduce stress and to be whole and well, no matter what is going on around us. Finding a quiet space, going within, and asking what’s needed next can help restore that balance.

What creative space can you allow for yourself today?

Namaste!

So here we are in 2012. What will you create this year?

And what’s the best way to get there?

Setting intentions and goals is a great thing…knowing where you’re headed is important before you set out on the journey. In fact, setting your targets on a daily basis helps to keep your attention focused on them despite distractions.

But intention alone won’t get you there. The Law of Attraction is a wonderful thing, but it can’t operate alone.  It’s important to act, too, to move in the general direction of where you’re going, no matter what roadblocks come up along the way — even if it’s a bit out of your comfort zone.

We all know that it’s easy to dream a dream or set a goal…the tough part is persevering, no matter what.  Paul Evans, who manages several thriving businesses, including the very successful membership site Nicheology.com, always signs his blog posts “Success is NOT an accident!” His businesses weren’t always successes — in fact, he has made most mistakes in the book, including ugly websites, malfunctioning sales pages, trusting the wrong people, and more. But despite a long list of errors, he kept on going.

It’s natural to make some mistakes along the way — the important thing is to leave room for them, and let them teach rather than stop you.

Imperfect action validates your dreams and gets you started. We are always co-creating with the Universe, in our every thought, word, and deed. When we take action and get things started, it gives the Universe more room to give us a hand.

You could also call this “failing forward!” (Did I mention that having a sense of humor is a key part of achieving dreams?!)

So whatever you want to create in 2012, start now. And don’t get discouraged if you fall off the wagon or lose track of time. Just give yourself permission to take baby steps, to make mistakes, make it fun, and to keep going in the general direction of your goal.

Because as Paul says, success isn’t an accident!

Cheers,

Jennifer

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You are life’s prayer of becoming and its answer….To give beyond reason, to care beyond hope, to love without limit; to reach, stretch, and dream, in spite of your fears. These are the hallmarks of divinity – traits of the immortal…”

–Mike Dooley, Notes from the Universe

Christmas celebrates not only the birth of Jesus, but the divine spark within each of us.  It’s a celebration and a reminder that we are  immortal spirit in human form. A reminder that our inner light shines always, no matter how hard we sometimes work to put a shade over it!

Wishing you joy and light this holiday season!

Jennifer

Christmas can be fun … and incredibly stressful, too. Along with all the busy-ness, it carries a lot of expectations about what we should do, be, or buy.

So, instead of being in present time and enjoying each moment in the now, our energy gets pulled in a million different directions.

The more stressed we get, the more we eat, the less we sleep, the more we buy, and we stop our healthy habits like exercise and meditation. This seems like a recipe for those other staples of the holiday season: weight gain, depression, and winter illnesses.

So what can you do to help your energy stay sustained and balanced during the holidays? Here’s a favorite tip:

1) Pause and pay attention to how you are feeling a few times each day.

Notice your feelings and expectations and how you might be comparing this moment to others in the past, for better or worse.

2) Choose to be fully here now. Give this moment permission to be wonderful in and of itself, rather than a vehicle to get you somewhere else. You can reframe your thoughts about it, or do something to balance your energy, like a few minutes of meditation or gentle movement with awareness.

This simple but powerful practice can help you make different choices that support your energy and your wellness during the holiday season.

Warm wishes and blessings to you, your family and friends this holiday season!

So far, December has been phenomenally busy for me, as I’m sure it has been for you. So, instead of full articles, I’m going to share some “best of” ideas with you, from over 80 posts here at CreativeSpirit.  Things that won’t take much time for you to try, but will help you boost your intuition, and find more time, space, and energy for yourself as you navigate the holidays.

With love and light this holiday season,

Jennifer

P. S. We’re expecting snow tonight in Arizona’s high country. It usually doesn’t last long — that’s why little guys like this hummingbird hang out up here through the winter.

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Three Best Ideas to Boost Your Intuition

by Jennifer Baltz

1) Stop trying too hard when you’re stuck or overwhelmed. Give yourself a deep breath, and simply be for a few minutes. Application tip: Create some reminders to Breathe, and put them wherever you experience the most stress: at work (you can even schedule emails to yourself), at home, on your car keys, and so on.

2) Come as a little child … find your sense of wonder by exploring what’s around you in the moment and get curious. Ask intuitive questions about how things work: “I wonder what that’s about?”

3) Find your sense of humor. When you’re stuck and need to find your internal guidance, raise your energy vibration to a place where you can hear it, through laughter and play. Application tip: bookmark some funny websites, keep a joke book in your drawer, or save those funny emails your friends send you in a folder until you really need them!  When all else fails, smile. Your body actually starts producing endorphins when you do that!

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Book Your New Year Reading Now!

Space is always limited in December and January, so if you’d like a session, please email or call me right now to schedule!

Just a short post today…a couple of quotes from one of my favorite books, even if I do sometimes fall asleep while reading it!

“There is no order of difficulty in miracles. One is not ‘harder’ or ‘bigger’ than another. They are all the same.”

and…

“Miracles are a kind of exchange. Like all expressions of love, which are always miraculous in the true sense, the exchange reverses the physical laws. They bring more love both to the giver and the receiver.”

–A Course in Miracles, both on p. 3

Remember that big project or idea you were so passionate about? And then, before you knew it, Life intervened and you were doing other Important Things, your passion sitting on the shelf somewhere gathering dust?

I have a few projects like that, especially related to my music. But even though we’re all swamped with work and the holidays are coming, my bandmates and I decided to go ahead with recording two albums we’ve been thinking about forever. There will never be a “good time” to do it. And so, if not now, then when?

In a great blog post today, Marnie Pehrson writes “In our busy lives, we lose sight of our vision. When we do come around to having time to move forward on it, we are no longer clear about where we are going. It’s then that the vacuum law kicks in. Nature hates a void. It wants to fill it, and so our tendency is to become busy with unimportant tasks or let other people fill our time.”

All too true, isn’t it? The way around this, as Pehrson says, is to give yourself time to reconnect with your goals, and to ask clarifying questions that help you define your vision and take steps to create it, so you can fill the time void with what matters most. For instance:

Is this a goal I still want with all my heart?

Have I defined a clear path towards that goal?

What is my next logical step along that path?

As you ask these questions, don’t forget to allow your intuition room to play, particularly when it comes to the “how” part. You do that just by asking the question and giving yourself some quiet space to get the answer.

Then, when you clear space in your schedule, you can focus specifically on that next step. At first, it will take some effort, but the more you make time for what matters, the more progress you will make, and the easier it will get along the way.

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Need help manifesting your dreams? Contact Jennifer for a complimentary consultation!

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