Life Is About Living

Why Don't Others See What I See?

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:15:00 +0000

The motivations which drive the people with whom I come into contact are so damn clear, even a baby could read them.

And I just do not understand why others do not see what I see!

When I was very young I shielded myself from it the only way I could be retreating into myself because I did not understand it and it was too much.

During puberty and adolescence that wasn't possible - there was way too much emotion on the boil so I was always "boiling over", and being raped by a man supposedly my stepfather did not help matters.

My first "real" knowing

I clearly remember meeting him when I was six or seven and when he disinterestedly patted me on the head like a dog, I remember "knowing" that I did not matter to him at all.

I disliked him from day on and that never changed until I decided to call him and tell him I forgave him for what he did to me; how it destroyed my life until I created one for myself in my forties. It was not not for him; I had to get rid of the weight on my shoulders.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia
And to be clear because even my psychologist asked me how I could have forgiven him for what he did.

It was easy because I had finally worked through that shit and my suicidal breakdown - for which she was treating me - was part of the process in order to reconstruct my psyche.

This corrupted creature has been weaned from my psyche. He is now a distant memory as if the event happened to someone else.

A lesson on desire and belief works

I have always puzzled over why others don't see what I see. I know I am not unique in my observations so where is everyone else.

I want digress here to show you how desire and belief attracts what you want - as it happened to me - despite the unhappiness in my life at the time.

A desire for my own house

With all that happened to me in that house, I desperately wanted my own house. With the help of an influential cousin in the government at the time, my first job at eighteen was a two-year temporary contract in a government office.

The Chaconia - Trinidad's national flower - Image via Wikipedia

That first job put me on track to start saving to buy my own home with a government-backed mortgage plan.

I submitted my first application at eighteen and repeated it every year for four years.

At the end of my two-year contract, I was offered a much better paying job in an Amoco Oil joint venture. Two years later, at twenty-one years of age, I moved into my very own home.

House allocation and payment

By the time I received the approval letter allocating me a house in a prime neighbourhood, I had saved exactly the amount of money required for the downpayment - $10,566 - give or take a few dollars left over, and my new salary covered the monthly mortgage.

My belief in action

Our garage and veranda were packed with all the second hand furniture, new appliances, linens, dishes etc. that I had purchased in preparation for my new home. The only thing I needed to buy was curtains, weed killer and a lawn mower.

I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, come what may, I intended to have my my own home. And despite the constant criticism from my siblings about my "junk" taking up too much space and usual sabotage, nothing threw me off course.

A trip back to the old home

Okay, back to 2010. I am currently residing in the family home in the most southerly Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. This was a very reluctant trip and I resisted like crazy being pushed in this direction.

Image via Wikipedia

But I also understood after touching base with one of my best friends that there must be a reason for it even though it was not in my plans at all. So I bit the bullet.

I am now as acclimatised as I am going to get after eight weeks here and St Martin (much less humid and my favourite island) is calling.

From my observation post, I still ask the question "why don't others see what I see" or maybe it should be why don't more people see what I see.

Motivations behind the actions

Here are some of my observations and by the way, my authenticity has always made my birth family uncomfortable, as well as my saying it as I see it, so this post is not going to make the slightest difference:

» People ingratiate themselves with my mother with glaringly obvious ulterior motives and she cannot see it. I tell her what they are but she does not accept it.

Manipulation and sabotage

» My sister deliberately monopolises her two-year old grandson's attention and sabotages his growing independence which forces him to cling to her. She uses him to avoid taking action on matters which require her attention.

When he is with her and his great-grand mother he only speaks "street", is screaming, tearful and wilful and she's in her best screaming mode. She sets him up you see and primes him every evening on his return from kindergarden. It is fascinating to watch.

A beach in Tobago courtesy Wikipedia

» She deliberately sabotages my efforts to discipline and teach manners to the wild child who returns home to Atlanta in April 2010.

He is her bulwark against the "storm" of responsibilities for which she signed up.

» Her grandchild is calm, chatty and courteous and speaks proper English when he is with me, and I usually put him to work playing football outside, drawing, counting cars, singing to music on my Ipod and so on.

I shared my observations with my sister (unasked) and she responded "I don't see that". Door shut; end of story.

Micro-management and consequence

» She micro-manages everything and everyone in her environment because she feels overwhelmed and cannot admit it, and feels unable to ask for help.

As a consequence, anger is usually just below the surface. And of course, she overeats as well.

» She worries needlessly about money and pinches pennies in the stupidest places, when the truth is she is financially very well-off by anyone's standard.

Facing the large instead of the shore

My sister's inability to communicate and express herself clearly without putting anyone down, her propensity for holding grudges and always wanting to be right, and her need for everything to be on her terms to make her feel justified in her actions, has her stalled in the water and facing the wide open sea instead of the shore.

Another "story" for the road

The boss' office

The Chaconia via Wikipedia

I applied for a national identification card and was called into the boss' office to respond to a query. The woman behind the desk started speaking in a very loud voice which I thought strange.

A bizarre reaction

Nevertheless, I immediately became attentive. I "checked in" with myself to see if it was me projecting. I was my usual reserved self and observant self.

I realised she was reacting to my persona. I listened to her attentively and answered questions with continuous eye contact.

Do we know each other?

She subsequently lowered her voice yet continued to speak in a contentious manner and she asked me twice in succession "do we know each other". I had just returned to the country after almost thirty years abroad and I had never met the lady before.

It was obvious that something about me was rubbing her the wrong way and it put her on the defensive. And with her being the boss, that was a bad combination.

Consequence

She called to inform me ten days later that my request was blocked unless I supplied another document. And that is after her office gave me the run-around.

I felt angry at the spurious reason she gave me. I therefore coldly informed her that she was free to trash my application because she was getting nothing more from me since the basis she used for the rejection was completely emotional and therefore had no merit.

Lessons learned so far

So what have I learned so far? I like being me and I am different every day. I can be myself and be loved. It is all about me. I have changed and grown immensely. I do not need others approval.

I can handle anything and anyone; I am on track when I thought I was off-track; and I am perfect as I am. Never doubt what I "know". And I had to return to my birthplace of Trinidad and Tobago to sum it all up.

And what do you think dear reader? Do you often ask "why don't others see what I see?" And what's your response? How do you deal with it? I would love to hear from you, as always.

All photos courtesy Wikipedia are in Trinidad and Tobago.

How To Be in Harmony with Who You Are and What You Want

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:27:00 +0000

Be in harmony with what you want

I want to be the best that I can be. I want to do and have and live in a way that is in harmony with my idea of the greatest goodness.

I want to harmonize physically here in this body with that which I believe to be the best, or the good way, of life.

If you will make those statements, and then do not take action unless you feel good, you will always be moving upon the path in harmony with your idea of that which is good. Hicks/Abraham

Excerpted from the book "Money and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Health, Wealth and Happiness" #371

Become an allower

World peace, means one mindset big enough to make the decisions about what everybody else wants, and the rest of the world conforming. That is the ultimate definition of world peace. You say, "Oh, let's get along!"

And what each of you mean is, "You do what I want." A peaceful world means, "Everybody wanting what I want. Going along with what I want." And the only problem with that is, there are more than one of you, and you have endless desires that are born within you.

The ultimate experience is, everyone having their experience and launching their individual rockets of desire, and the Universe yielding to all of them simultaneously. And everybody not worrying about what anybody else created, and so, then allowing what they are wanting.

What a world that is, when there are endless desirers, who are allowing the fulfillment of their own desires. Abraham/Hicks

One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one. Agatha Christie

Violet Flame Meditation - The Power Of Transmutation

Use the Violet-Flame meditation as a powerful tool to release negative karma, raise your vibration and consciousness.

The violet flame is a powerful tool anyone can use in meditation. It helps release negative karma, raise your consciousness awareness, the frequency of your vibration, and accelerate your spiritual growth.

Energy can’t be erased but it can be changed, transmuting negative into positive, darkness into light. This allows you to make the choices you feel negatively about become positive, while also changing your emotional experience. Physically, the violet flame releases emotions and energy pent up within that make you vulnerable to illness and disease.

The violet flame in meditation uses a combination of affirming thoughts and visualization. Once centered, begin by surrounding yourself with white-and-blue protective energy. You may even want to call on archangel Michael for his protection while you go into this powerful spiritual state.

Then repeat thoughts such as "I am cleansed and purified by the violet flame." Picture a huge bonfire before you, its immensity making you feel small beside it, and marvel as the colors flicker between purple, violet, and bright pink. Sense its warmth while noticing that it will not burn you.

Step into the flame, letting it surround you entirely while also filling the spaces in your body, your thoughts, even the cells and molecules within you. Once there, focus on the positive things you’d like to create in your life or your hopes for others.

Visualize the violet flame in the midst of the scenes as they unfold in your mind. You may want to ask that the power of the flame be multiplied to assist those in need.

When you have finished your meditation, be sure to close with gratitude. The violet flame is a powerful tool that should be used consciously and with intent. Forgetting to close with thanks keeps you connected and may lead to the unintentional misuse of this energy.

It is always a good idea when finished with any spiritual practice to give thanks as this creates closure. Saints and adepts throughout the ages have known how to use the violet flame, but it is available for all to use to raise our awareness and, eventually, that of all mankind.

This is taken from the fabulous DailyOM. If you want inspiration, insightful words to motivate you, this is the place to go.

For the regular meditation practitioners and those who are new to meditation i.e. who tend to ignore good advice, if you decide to practise the Violet Flame meditation, please, please follow the advice provided. This meditation is very powerful on an energetic level.

Final words

When you are in harmony with what is and you have stopped tripping over what others are doing or not doing - even in your family - you begin flowing in the well-being stream. It is at this moment that you focus on what you want.

The Law of Vibration will immediately start working to bring you what you want instead of what you don't want. Remember, you get what you vibrate!

I wish everyone a blessed day.

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How to Find Your True Self

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:38:00 +0000

How do find your true self? There are lots of books and tons of techniques and thousands upon thousands of coaches that tell you how to go about it.

I have found another one which is cute, simple and straightforward. You just have to have the guts to get started.

It's from James M. Lynch's The Hamlet Secret: A self-Directed (Shakespearean) Workbook and no, it's not about thee and thou and whatnot or quoting Shakespeare throughout.

Each chapter and exercise is based upon certain lines or acts om Hamlet. For instance, the first chapter talks about Unfolding Yourself. Don't you just love this title! It's about revealing who you are and that's the exercise - to describe yourself.

Then there's Few thy voice - put a sock in it and be present to listen to the other person: The Villain - who is really the villain in you life; it might not be who you think.

The title's are catchy and the self-analysis indepth. The exercises in the workbook are fascinating and geared to reveal to you who you truly are with all your quirks and foibles and still be a blessed person. It is all about acceptance.

And it is between you, the author and Hamlet. In other words, it is safe. The Workbook is more than worth the price. Get it and join James' network community Do It Yourself Life Coach.

Now, moving on to a sample exercise from the workbook - True Self Exercise.

1 - If you had to make a list of your "Perfect Self" what would those qualities and attributes be?

2 - List those qualities - yes, every one and don't be shy about it.

3- What activities would that "Perfect Self" - that's you - be doing on a regular basis i.e. daily, weekly, and yearly?

4- Write down those activities in detail as well.

5- Now, here's where it gets even more interesting. Choose any activity from the above list and do it.

Examples of how I went about it. Some items on my first list are being compassionate (instead of dismissive or critical), beautiful firm legs, butt and tummy.

And my list of activities includes a whole lot of pampering - weekly massages, sauna, manicure and pedicure, a personal trainer, facials and so on.

Now that I'm in the Caribbean I don't know anyone and I have to find out what's available and up to my standard.

So I chose exercise as the first activity from the list. I'm accustomed working out five days a week and I no longer have a personal trainer, so I bought a T-Tapp Basic Plus Workout DVD and work out with it every morning.

This is the most important item on my list because I feel fabulously sexy and really pumped when I exercise and I love my body even more then.

And with 33 to 36 degrees (90 to 100F) temperature every day, there is no incentive to move unless you have to.

I really hope this little glimpse into James M. Lynch's Hamlet Workbook whets your appetite to go out and get yours. I promise you will not regret it!

What do you think of this True Self Exercise and what have you discovered about yourself because of it? Let me know.

Keep On Dancing To The Beat Of Your Own Drum

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:06:00 +0000

Have you ever noticed that when you are not feeling in top form but still determined to make it, somehow, you find a message or see a sign along the road that tells you to keep holding on?

That is exactly what happened to me as I was wading through my 1000+ emails piled up from 7 days of no Internet connection.

I came across Keep on Dancing by Veronica Hay, courtesy Bob Proctor's Insight of the Day. It's just what I needed too. When the going gets tough, I need a pick-me-up!

Keep On Dancing

If you are feeling like you have gotten a little "off track" with your intentions this year, not to worry. Be gentle with yourself. Take a few minutes to read today's post, and just remember to "Keep On Dancing".

What I have noticed lately, is that things don't always seem to happen for the reasons we think, and that can be perfect for us. I started several projects in the last few weeks, that did not work out the way I thought they would, or the way I wanted them to, thank God.

Because they did not work out, space was created for something much better to come into my life. And so, I was able to better understand, that it is not always about the end result of a choice or a project, but how taking that step to go for it in the first place, makes you feel.

What is important, is that you take some inspired action, because your vibration while you are doing something that excites you, and you are passionate about, is what will bring you the essence of what you wanted in the first place.

It just may not come from where you thought it would. What is so freeing about all of this, is that it removes a lot of the fear around moving forward, fear that you may fail, be disappointed again, or even embarrassed. It gives you the courage to just step up to the plate and go for it, no matter what the outcome.

If you are feeling stuck, and afraid to take the next step, or any step for that matter, you will never achieve the life of your dreams. Life is not always about being comfortable. It is about moving forward, out of your comfort zone.

And the interesting thing about it is, that the more steps you take, the stronger and more confident you feel inside, where it really matters, and pretty soon you begin to realize that there truly is nothing that you cannot do, that anything is possible, just as long as you keep on dancing.

Veronica Hay

Veronica Hay is the author of In a Dream, You Can Do Anything. An extraordinary collection of writings that will uplift you, motivate you, inspire you, and gently guide you along the inner path of your life. Go to: http://www.insightsandinspirations.com/ or feel free to email your comments about Keep on Dancing to: veronicahay@telus.net

What more can I say except stay the course, pay attention to your own inner voice, read whatever inspires you each day to clear away the fog of doubt and brighten your vibration.

It could be affirmations, life goals, inspirational pick-me-ups from Les Brown's Success is a State of Mind, Tony Robbins' How to Create Outstanding Relationships in Every Area of Your Life, Bob Proctor's You Were Born Rich, Napoleon Hill's Golden Rules, Earl Nightingale's As Man Thinketh, Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth, Sean Stephenson's Get Off Your 'But' or any one else. Follow whatever makes you feel good and start now!

You are here to be the best that you can be and you already are, you know. You just need to reconnect to you.

So how do you keep dancing to beat of your own drum despite what people say? Do tell.

How To Give Yourself A Good Talking To

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:02:00 +0000

Here is a fabulous autosuggestive technique from the wonderful Bob Proctor's You Were Born Rich.

If you haven't read it yet and if you are truly interested in becoming the best you can be, then this book is a must read.

It should be kept on your bedside table for constant re-reading. Bet you can tell I am a fan, can't you!

I am currently on chapter six but chapter four Let Go and Let God is my absolute favourite. It is uplifting, insightful, informative and practical and lives up to it's title. It is in this chapter that the following self-suggestive statement can be found.

Here's what the great man says about it:

"So if you find your faith slipping or if you find yourself running low on this great motor power which accomplishes so many wonderful things, you can do something about it. The following exercise works for me - it has for years - and I know it will work for you too.

Note that when you are giving yourself this "mental treatment" , you should always go off by yourself and speak out loud to yourself in a firm, decided tone of voice."

Basically, you are giving yourself a good, bracing talk to take you out of your funky mood. Do this every morning, as I do; the effect is pretty damn amazing.

I will add though that the word "god" got to me at first but I'm working on it as a separate term from religion. However, you will get past that fast enough as I did.

Replace "your name" with your full name. I would also suggest that you take a copy with you in case you need a "talking to" during the day.

"PUT YOUR OWN NAME HERE", You are a child of God and the being God made was never intended for the sort of weak, negative life you are leading. God made you for success not failure. God never made anyone to be a failure. You are perverting the great object of your existence by giving way to these miserable doubts of yourself, of your ability to be what you desire with all your heart to be. You should be ashamed to go out amongst your associates with a long, sad, dejected face, as though you were a misfit, as though you lacked creative power within, as though you did not have the ability to do what your Creator sent you here to do. You were made to express what you long to express. Why not do this? Why not stand and walk like a conqueror, like a David who slew Goliath, instead of giving way to discouragement and doubt and carrying on like a failure? The image of Perfection, the Image of your Creator lies within you. You must bring it to the center of your conscious thought and express it to the world. Don't disgrace your Maker by violating that image, by being everything but the magnificent success God intended you to be.

It packs a wallop, doesn't it!

All the best Bob Proctor and I wish you a speedy recovery.

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A Hole In My Soul

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:32:00 +0000

This poem came to me as I was meditating this morning. No doubt born of the angst and frustration I'm putting myself through at the moment.

Here's to sharing... Please enjoy and may it bring comfort, succor and perhaps inspiration to those who find it.

I have a hole in my soul

It's as large as the world

I must fill it

With home grown spirit

I toil

It roils

And I boil

Trying to fill it

But there's no limit

What must I do

Am I a fool

Who doesn't ring true

Am I a song

Whose lines have not been sung

Is the melody wrong

A one-winged bird cannot fly

A blackbird cannot be white

A one-legged bird can still fly

That means I can still try

I can make do

But that would lead

To more poo

I refuse to make do

I intend to break through

To me and you

I intend to do what's right

For me to be true

I intend to live in truth and in love

And fill that hole in my soul

My birthright is gold

Enveloping the whole world

My energy is bright

Keeping the world alight

With my heartlight

I am

Alight in the world.

30 Tips To Inspire You To Become Prosperity Conscious

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:40:00 +0000

As of today, I intend to start posting on weekends instead of sticking to my five-day schedule or basically whenever I get wifi service since the automatic uploads are not working efficiently. Just a little whine.

I'm reading three books at the same time, chapter by delectable chapter from Napoleon Hill, Bob Proctor and James M. Lynch.

They're all about developing one's innate prosperity consciousness i.e. becoming who you already are and fulfilling your life's objectives.

The ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive. ~Malcolm X

When you're in your natural, prosperous state of well-being everything flows. You can handle any challenge because you are fixed and focussed on what you want: not what you don't want.

One is You Were Born Rich by Bob Proctor and I'll be covering the first three chapters in this post after one pleasurable month of re-reading.

I'm already sharing Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill with you as I progress, absorb the messages and implement the lessons in each chapter. Have a look at Desire, Faith, and Auto-Suggestion.

Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting. ~Edmund Burke

The third book is James M. Lynch's The Hamlet Secret: A Self-Directed Workbook - a very different and inviting format which encourages you to delve into the workbook.

He psychs you out actually because each exercise is based on a particular premise from Shakespeare's Hamlet which appears "simple and straightforward" but in actual fact that's not the case at all.

If you are honest and true, you will find yourself spontaneously spreading your wings as you progress through the exercises outlined between the covers of this Workbook.

He's the Chief Potential Officer - don't you LOVE that title - behind the Do-It-Yourself Life Coach site. Insights from James' Workbook will come later.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few are to be chewed and digested. ~Francis Bacon

I re-read each chapter in Bob Proctor's book You Were Born Rich over a one or two-week period; same for James' Hamlet Workbook and I perform the exercises; and I read a chapter a month in Think and Grow Rich.

The insight I've gained from these books is amazing and as I apply what I learn I gain something more. And I have lots more waiting in the wings!

Today, I thought I'd share with you what struck a chord in me from Bob Proctor's You Were Born Rich.

I'll start off by quoting part of the Foreword by Doug Wead which encapsulates what the book is all about.

Bob Proctor has done it again, taking you step by step to the surprising discovery that success is not always "reaching out" for something that you don't have but rather "reaching over" and rearranging the pieces already there... You can instantly apply the conclusions to your own life. It will begin to impact you long before you reach the last chapter.

The last sentence is absolutely correct and I'm only on chapter four. Enjoy my thirty tips which I hope will inspire you to become prosperity conscious!

1 - Quality is not expensive; it's priceless.

2 - Act like the person you want to become.

Before you can do something, you must first be something. ~Goethe

3 - Every human being has been born rich, it's just that most people are temporarily a little short of money!

4 - Those who know the truth learn to love it, those who love the truth learn to live it.

5 - Money can't talk but it can hear.

6 - Money is a servant. You should always love people and use money rather than the reverse!

7 - Money is an effect and it must always be earned.

Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work. ~Robert Orben

8 - Money is not meant to be hoarded. Rather, it is meant to be used, enjoyed and circulated.

9 - If you haven't decided to spend it, you don't need it.

10- People who are wealthy never feel uncomfortable when the subject of money is brought up.

11- People don't feel comfortable about money because they have it; they have it because they feel comfortable about it.

Money is neither my god nor my devil. It is a form of energy that tends to make us more of who we already are, whether it's greedy or loving. ~Dan Millman

12- If we wish to attract money to ourselves, we must begin to foster a prosperity consciousness.

13- If you want to have money, one thing you should never never do is worry about whether or not you will get the money you desire... if we habitually worry about losing the money we do have, then we are absolutely guaranteed not to worry in vain.

14- If you really want to significantly increase the amount of money you are presently earning, the first thing you must do is learn to pay substantially less attention to what others around you are saying and substantially more attention to what that "quiet voice" that speaks within you, is saying.

Opinions are the cheapest commodities on earth. ~Napoleon Hill

15- Everywhere we look in nature, our eyes come in contact with abundance; for nature knows no such thing as "failure". Therefore, there never has been and there never will be, a lack of anything, except conscious-awareness.

16- Consciousness is, and always has been, developed through thinking, and regardless of what your present situation in life may be, if you ever hope to improve it and truly become wealthy, you must begin thinking of prosperity in you mind, now.

17- Thinking is the highest function to which a human being is capable. Yet, unfortunately, very few people "think". They merely trick themselves into believing that because there is some mental activity taking place in their mind, they are "thinking".

But the truth is, most people are simply exercising the mental faculty called "memory". They are playing old movies, so old pictures just keep flashing back on the screen of their mind.

To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all; but to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing. ~Abe Lincoln

18- Lack and limitation can only exist when we make room for them in our minds. But prosperity consciousness knows no lack and no limitation...

19- Understand that the wealth you are seeking is - and always has been - seeking you in return.

20- It is an absolute law of your being that you must have something mentally before you will ever have it physically!

21- In truth, you will never see the greatest part of your being because it is nonphysical in nature.

22- God has given you the ability to build any idea which you desire. So be good to yourself, choose magnificent ideas, and cease permitting your physical world to control your thinking.

Most people think they want more money than they really do, and the settle for a lot less than they could get. ~Earl Nightingale

23- Remember though, money is the servant; you are the master - you love people and you use money.

24- There are only two ways to earn money; people at work, or money at work.

25- There is no way to replace your income and create a certain and instant estate other than life insurance. That is to say, when they die, most people leave behind only enough money to pay for their funeral and possibly enough money to cover their family's living expenses for one year!

For a relatively small sum of money, these people could have had their financial affairs set up in such a way that if something did happen to them, their financial goals would be reached by their families automatically.

Here's a heads up people: For those between forty and fifty years of age and depending on the company, a one to two million dollar life insurance policy costs between approximately forty and seventy dollars a month! It is that affordable any way you look at it.

26- You must consider your mortgage or house payment (probably one of your largest monthly payments) as an investment NOT a debt.

27- It is you who is in charge of your finances, not your creditors!

28- Wealthy individuals follow the advice of financial experts.

29- If a person is in a deficit financial position, it means they are in the "habit" of spending more money than they earn. Similarly, if they are in a break-even position, they are in the habit of spending everything they earn.

30- The only competition you'll ever have is with your own ignorance.

Here are the last four lines of It's Up to Me by James J. Metcalfe:

And I remind myself that I

Am capable and free

And my success and happiness

Are really up to me.

And I certainly hope that these tips inspire you to take the high road to become prosperity conscious as they have me. Bob Proctor's You Were Born Rich is absolutely delicious and soenjoyable!

It took me months to open it and obviously now's the time. Let me know what speaks to you and why. I love conversation!

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Feelings Pave the Way for What is to Come: Watch your Thoughts!

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:51:00 +0000

Feelings are so much are part of who we are as human beings and yet, we abuse our own nature by refusing to be authentic.

Far too often we refuse to acknowledge our own feelings, stifle them and take it out on others. All the while denying that we have issues. And who does that hurt in the end? Us!

Feelings pave the way for what is to come in your life so it's necessary to watch your thoughts and more importantly, honour those feelings and get them out of the way.

Feeling guilty because you believe that you should feel differently about a given issue is crap. It doesn't matter who it is that's pushing your buttons, get mad if that's how you feel and let it out.

Run your fingers through my soul. For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel, believe what I believe, perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once; just once, understand. ~Unknown

If you're feeling disrespected, say so. Don't swallow it; that's the path to dis-ease which eventually turns into disease when it goes on for a certain period of time.

Keep in mind that people are not mind-readers. No one would know how you feel unless you speak up. Own how you feel and release it. The other person's reaction and feelings are their problem. Don't buy into it. It is all about you.

Nobody on this planet can make you feel a certain way unless you allow yourself to be drawn into their emotional story. And it doesn't matter if it's your mate, lover, husband, children, boss, friend, co-worker or a stranger.

Tearing away the veil of illusion: A 24-hour perspective beautifully illustrates what I'm talking about.

Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action. ~Benjamin Disraeli

When that emotional dysfunction becomes a habit, it means that you are paving the way to a future full of pain and suffering and obstacles will become the norm in your life.

Nip that crap in the bud by bringing the issue into the light and dealing with it. Make the best decision that you can and stick with it. Ignoring these words means that you are setting yourself up for more abuse down the line.

Enough is enough already. Regardless of how icky the situation may be, voluntary, decisive action clears it off the table, out of your mind and out of your psyche.

When you stop thinking about it like a dog worrying a bone, you stop attracting more of the same. Once you've dealt with it, pat yourself on the back and say this is how much I love myself. And smile.

Change the way you react to an event and you change the outcome. ~Jack Canfield

Your ego will bring up the issue at times when you feel generally less confident. That's normal. When it happens, acknowledge it with something like "you again!" and as Wayne Dyer says move on to a better feeling thought.

Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself at all. ~William Temple

Here's some more food for thought to motivate you to "start thinking right".

You can never have a happy ending at the end of an unhappy journey; it just doesn't work out that way. The way you're feeling, along the way, is the way you're continuing to pre-pave your journey, and it's the way it's going to continue to turn out until you do something about the way you are feeling. ~Abraham-Hicks

Choose to be more conscious of the words you use in everyday life as words have power. There are many troubling phrases in our language that we use without considering their full meaning simply because they have been accepted into common knowledge. Even as our ideals progress, our language maintains some phrases from our past that no longer serve us, for example: Boys don’t cry; good child; boys will be boys; problem child; illegitimate child; and many more.

While these phrases may be used without harmful intent, they are inherently negative. Children can be especially sensitive to such phrases, which may stay with them their whole lives, adversely affecting their self-image and wounding their self-esteem.

We can create positive change by choosing not to use these words and phrases as we come across them in our vocabulary. Language is an area where we can exercise our free will, creating positive change in the world around us by simply choosing carefully the words we use. ~DailyOM

How well do you honor your own space? How much reverence do you hold for where you live, where you pray, meditate or worship, where you work, where you eat, the planet?

So often we forget that the sacredness of any place is more about how we relate to it than about the space itself. We have the ability to bring a sense of sacredness to anywhere we are, at any time. ~Mike Robbins

I wrote this post as a "heads up" sort of thing as I've been creating some of what I don't want because I've been pouring salt in a wound I didn't know was open.

It's a typical family dysfunction with which we're all familiar - button pushing exercises.

Instead of exercising your mind, exercise your voice instead with a peaceful intent and free your mind. That way you close the door on the old stuff and your good feelings pave the way for the bright and harmonious future you deserve.

A perfect way to do this is to ask yourself Is this useful where I'm going. I would love to give credit where it's due for this but I cannot remember the author's name and cannot find the link to his site. The answer to this simple question has helped me clear out tons of clutter. Empower yourself to let go.

Technorati Tags: feelings-pave-the-way

Fertilise The Garden of The Mind: Concentrate on Your Burning Obsession and Nourish It with Passion

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:02:00 +0000

This is part two in my three-part series on Fertilise the Garden of the Mind - Concentrate on your Burning Obsession and Nourish It with Passion.

It's on Chapter 4 of Napoleon Hill's Auto-Suggestions in Think and Grow Rich. Part one is Auto-suggestion is the key to your subconscious. I'll start as I ended the last post :

Your ability to use the principle of auto-suggestion will depend, very largely, upon your capacity to concentrate upon a given desire until that desire becomes a burning obsession.

It's not about the money

Think and Grow Rich teaches you, step by step, how to acquire the riches you want by tapping into your subconscious mind and allowing it to work for you. There are other very important messages in the book as well.

It is not about the money. It's about how you think about money and how those thoughts affect your life.
Riches do not necessarily mean money. The thirteen principles outlined in the book can be used to achieve any goal imaginable.
Money is an intangible. The coins and notes represent a medium of exchange. Focus your passion on what you love and the money will come. That's a given when you follow Hill's advice to the letter.

Focus on what you desire

You are already rich beyond imagining! When you tap into your inner wealth, you are tuned in, tapped in and turned on as Abraham/Hicks describe it.

You'll be in the vortex and flowing downstream all the way; nothing can withstand you. You become a force of nature.

From within your inner kingdom, focus on what you desire and with seemingly effortless effort - because your subconscious is doing most of the work - solid plans take shape which would allow you to produce tangible results if you follow them. Success is eighty percent thought and twenty percent action.

Our brains become magnetised with the dominating thoughts which we hold in our minds... these "magnets" attract to us the forces, the people, the circumstances of life which harmonise with the nature of our dominating thoughts.

In order to use auto-suggestion effectively (self-suggestion or affirmations), concentrate on what you want to the exclusion of all else. Concentrate on your burning obsession; it must be what you want above all else if you are to succeed.

How to concentrate more effectively

Follow the Six steps to become rich and prosperous from Chapter Two on Desire. If you want to achieve your life's goals, following these steps are essential. along with Hill's suggestions on how to concentrate more effectively.

1 - Concentrate on the exact amount of money you want with your eyes closed until you can actually see it. Do this at least once a day for twenty minutes. Call this time your creative workshop.

2 - My two posts Have faith and get what you desire and Faith is the key that unlocks the door called desire on Chapter 3, Faith, offers tips on how to trick your subconscious into making it believe you have faith.

My all-time favourite quote from Napoleon Hill says it all:

Faith is the eternal elixir which gives life, power and action to the impulse of thought.

How to talk to your subconscious

When you tell your subconscious to do something - it's a calm, clear, focussed and unambiguously forceful thought. There is no desperate need or mental shouting. It starts working immediately to bring you what you want.

You have to constantly repeat what you want in absolute faith before it is fully realised by the subconscious mind. Like everything else, it must manifest on the emotional plane first before taking shape in your physical reality.

Be on the lookout for the small successes; they are the precursors to what awaits you on the horizon. Write them down and celebrate them every day, no matter how small.

It has been my experience that the bigger the challenge, the clearer we must be because we feel what we want is too big.

As a consequence, both negative and positive thoughts on the subject are jostling for position in our minds. Start small to build up your confidence.

3 - The subconscious responds to commands because the power of your desire is behind it which is what gives it strength.

Demand that it provide you with the plans needed to acquire the money which is yours by right. You have to believe it! This is serious kick-ass stuff people and it works! I say "demand" because your subconscious is at your command. Never forget that.

Start a creative workshop

4 - Spend twenty minutes every day in your "creative workshop" imagining and visualising that lovely money you intend to acquire.

Observe how your mind reacts with images, thoughts, and possibilities when you give your imagination free reign. It's an exciting process and a sign that your subconscious mind is part of the game. Make it fun.

Do not waste time wondering "how"

5 - Do not waste time like "yours truly" trying to figure out how to start. And do not wait for a definite plan, start your creative workshop immediately.

Here's why - I finally got this from constant re-reading of this chapter - visualising and imagining what your want are an integral part of the planning process.

Live your passion mentally with your new-found wealth as if it has already happened in order to imprint it on your subconscious mind. It doesn't think, it reacts to thoughts and images.

The more powerful the thoughts, the faster the images would be recorded encouraging the formation of ideas and plans. This is where a mastermind group would be extremely beneficial. Two plus heads are always better than one.

Nothing happens in a vacuum and this is the part you have to play. You must flesh out what you want in exquisite detail. And you don't have to know. That's where your subconscious comes in.

Act at once when ideas and plans come to mind

6 - Be alert for plans when they appear and act at once. You may have a flash of insight through various means which would inspire you to act. Seize it and act immediately. Napoleon Hill says it's a "direct telegram" from Infinite Intelligence. I say it's the universe talking.

Failure to act will be fatal to your success. And I have had lots of experience here too. Sometimes:

Ideas seem too far-fetched or unconnected to your goal;
You wonder about "how". That's just the mind talking. It's trying to make sense of the plan based on you experiences, knowledge and habits. It's just trying to keep you safe by encouraging you to react in the same old way. Which I did many times.

Let me tell you right now, doubts are fatal and break you down before you get properly started. Logic has nothing to do with this process.

You cannot get something for nothing

Here is one final note which is extremely important; visualise yourself rendering the service or delivering the product you intend to provide during your creative workshop, in return for the money you want.

Getting something for nothing does not exist. Concentrate on your burning obsession and nourish it with passion and you will get there in the end.

Technorati Tags: Fertilise-The-Garden-of-The-Mind, Concentrate-on-Your-Burning-Obsession, Napoleon-Hill, Think-and-Grow-Rich

Go After Your Dream Now: Tomorrow May Never Arrive

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:34:00 +0000

This story deserves retelling. I received it as a subscriber to Shafin de Zane's RedefineYourReality two days ago. He's a Hypnotherapist, Author and Spiritual Coach.

The story struck me because of the following words from Bob Proctor's You Were Born Rich "whatever you are seeking is also seeking you". So go after your dream now, tomorrow may never arrive. I intend to take my own advice!

A man lay on his bed at the end of his life waiting to die...

His dream came to pay his last respects and bid farewell to the man who had never used it.

As it entered the room the man looked down in shame.

"Why did you not realise me ?" the dream asked.

"Because I was afraid," the man said.

"Afraid of what," said the dream.

"I was afraid I would fail."

"But haven't you failed by not attempting to use me?".

"Yes I did, but I always thought there would be tomorrow."

"You Fool!" said the dream "Did it never occur to you that there was only ever today? The moment that you are in right now? Do you think that now that death is here that you can put it off until tomorrow?"

"No" said the man, a tear gently rolling down his cheek.

The dream was softer now, because it knew that there were two types of pain, the pain of discipline and the pain of regret, and while discipline weighs ounces, regret weighs pounds.

Then the dream leant forward to gently wipe away the tear and said, "You need only have taken the first step and I would have taken one to meet you, for the only thing that ever separated us was the belief in your mind that you couldn't have me."

Then they said goodbye and they both died...

...found on the Internet by an unknown author.

So, before you put off living your dreams one more day, remember: there is no tomorrow, NOW is all you got. Take the step into the darkness of the unknown, out of your comfort zone, trust in your heart, follow your true guiding light, do whatever it takes, to live what your heart really really really yearns for.

Remember if you can dream it, if you can desire it, not only you are capable of having it, but you are destined for it. Take the first step. And allow God, Nature, Universe, Destiny whatever you call it to reach out and help you move forward.

If you haven't watched it already, here is an awakening video that should inspire...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozgX6XgBXqI

With you always...

Shafin

---
Shafin de Zane, CHT, MH, MNLP
Hypnotherapist, Author, Spiritual Coach

NOTE: If you want to have a private one on one session, you can now visit:
http://www.redefineyourreality.com/private-coaching-sessions.html

reBlog from huffingtonpost.com: Who's Minding Your Potential

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:47:00 +0000

I found this fascinating quote today in Dr Judith Rich's Who's Minding Your Potential on HuffPost:

1) Dare to be an original - Cooper advises "If everyone else is doing it, don't". Rosa Parks dared to stay seated on the bus when the custom was for blacks to give up their seats to whites and thus began the modern civil rights movement. Thomas Edison was pegged "unteachable" on his first day of kindergarten. By the time he died, he had over 6000 patents to his credit, including the electric light bulb. Do you follow the pack or do you dare to be your own leader?

2) Who are you when nobody else is looking? - What five words would you want others to come up when they think of you? These are your five core values. Write them down on a card and carry it with you. Every so often ask yourself, how well are you living your values? Are your choices and actions aligned with them? If not, time to reassess and make adjustments.huffingtonpost.com, this entry, Jan 2010

Read Dr Judith Rich's entire article on HuffPost about being your own Chief Potential Officer. It's challenging, exhilarating and so thought-provoking. She's one of my absolute favourite people!

You tell me if the two points don't make you think and reflect on your life and how it could be, AND make you want to read the rest of her article.

Fertilise The Garden of The Mind: Auto-Suggestion is the Key to Your Subconscious

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

I am still experiencing serious Internet connection problems - three weeks and counting - and I discovered that I'm not alone so that's some consolation.

My aim therefore is to get as many posts written as possible and set for automatic posting before the entire system goes down again!

I am back with the brilliant Napoleon Hill's teachings from Think and Grow Rich. This time it's on chapter 4 - Auto-Suggestion - the medium used to influence the subconscious mind. It's time to fertilise the garden of the mind people and auto-suggestion is how you go about it.

Auto-Suggestion and it's Implications

Whatever thoughts you hold in your mind which you feel strongly about and repeat incessantly to yourself is an auto-suggestion to yourself.

It doesn't matter whether the thoughts are constructive or destructive, the universe happily manifests what you asked for and brings it to you like a good puppy dog.

The more strongly you feel, the faster whatever you are thinking about manifests into your physical reality. Always remember that you are in charge of what you allow to enter your mind.

Auto-Suggestion is the agency of control through which an individual may voluntarily feed his subconscious mind on thoughts of a creative nature, or by neglect, permit thoughts of a destructive nature to find their way into this rich garden of the mind.

Although auto-suggestion is one of the shortest chapters in Think and Grow Rich, I will break it down into a three-part series to avoid it becoming too lengthy, seemingly boring and/or overwhelming. Now for some pearls of wisdom as I understand it:

Positive and destructive thoughts

1 - No thought, whether negative or positive can enter the subconscious mind without auto-suggestion, with the exception of thoughts picked up from the ether.

For example, we say things like "it just occurred to me out of the blue". That specific thought came from the ether.

2 - We are the ones who accept or reject what happens in our lives and decide whether to keep it or record it in our subconscious. I never thought about this in such terms before but that is so accurate. I got it!

There are certain experiences which individuals categorically refuse "to take on board" for various reasons based on culture, religion, experience, lifestyle, etc.

Here's a simple example: a new friend of mine told me that when she first heard of hot wine which is a typical winter drink in Europe, she thought it sounded disgusting and would not even entertain the idea of tasting it. It did not fit in with anything she knew.

Control what enters your mind

3 - The conscious mind is the gatekeeper to our subconscious. My goodness, what absolute power and control we have. Why do we not exercise it all the time?!

Hill says it's this lack of control which is responsible for people living in poverty i.e. they allow negative thoughts to take hold and control their minds and thus, their lives.

Repetition is key

4 - You have to tell yourself, repeatedly, that something is true for it to manifest and become real in your experience, even if it is only your perception which is usually based on fear.

Fertilise the garden of the subconscious mind

5 - The subconscious mind is like a fertile garden. If you don't cultivate it with seeds of desirable crops (positive thoughts), weeds (destructive thoughts) will take over.

6 - Review and re-read chapter 2 on Desire to understand that the six steps to become rich and prosperous are really auto-suggestions.

Follow the steps faithfully to anchor the message and change your thinking.

Your new thought habits formed through repetition would fire you up thereby opening a conduit to your subconscious, from which would flow solid plans leading to financial success.

Adding emotion to the mix is essential

7 - Simply reading a positive statement out loud will not have any effect unless you add emotion to the mix. If you don't feel it, work on it, visualise it, imagine it, create a vision board, fake it; do whatever it takes to smash through that blockage!

Your subconscious mind recognizes and acts upon only thoughts which have been well-mixed with emotion or feeling.

TThe majority of people who try to apply the principle of auto-suggestion do not get the desired results and believe it does not work. They simply do not understand that emotion is the key to their subconscious.

That ring any bells with you? Because that is exactly what is said these days about affirmations. And they are one and the same thing.

If you do not say the words with conviction then you cannot and will not influence the subconscious mind and that door will stay firmly shut. Adding emotion and belief into the mix is essential.

You have to feel it in order for your subconscious mind to believe it and transmit your desire to the ether. I talk about this in detail in the chapter on Faith - Have faith and get what you desire.

Persistence

8 - You must persist in your efforts to inject feelings and belief into your auto-suggestions which is why you are advised to repeat your statements every day for a minimum of twenty-one to thirty days.

The more you repeat the easier it gets, because it is difficult to inject emotion and feeling into the statements in the beginning. But one day, you suddenly discover that it all feels so good and right.

It's so easy and best of all, you get charged up when you read your auto-suggestion or affirmations. That is where you want to get to.

Abraham-Hicks say that we can all change our thinking immediately and twenty-one or thirty days are not necessary.

We can decide to change any time we like. I have done it on some issues so I know that what they say is true.

No free ride

9 - As I am sure you all know there is no free ride. Everything has a price and everyone must pay it. You cannot get something for nothing unless you are a thief and if that's the case, karma will eventually catch up with you.

The ability to reach and influence your subconscious mind has its price and you must pay it. The price of the ability to influence your subconscious is everlasting persistence in applying the principles of auto-suggestion.

Only you can decide if the prosperity consciousness for which you are striving is worth the effort. When an individual fails, it is not the method that is the problem; it's the lack of effort. Try again and again and again until you succeed. Never give up!

Your ability to use the principle of auto-suggestion will depend, very largely, upon your capacity to concentrate upon a given desire until that desire becomes a burning obsession.

Okay people, here ends part one on Auto-Suggestion - the key to your subconscious. Do write and let me know your thoughts.

Technorati Tags: fertilise-the-garden-of-the-mind, napoleon-hill, think-and-grow-rich

When You Stop Seeing the Forest for the Trees

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:28:00 +0000

As I said before, I'm in Trinidad and Tobago right now, the "home" of Carnival as they like to say down here. It's only two days long - 15 and 16 February 2010 - not the week-long Brazilian affair.

And all the fetes (parties) leading up to those two days from mid-January culminate in these two days of carnival on the streets.

Anyway, I was recently admiring a Carnival Queen costume from one of the carnival band leaders here and realised I couldn't seem to take it all in.

The costume was so large and imposing and it had so much detail that I just couldn't see it! It's only when I spontaneously decided to concentrate on one section at a time that I began to see the entire costume.

Has that ever happened to you, and more importantly, do you know what to do when it occurs? Because this is what happens when you stop seeing the forest for the trees!

For example, there's an issue that you have to deal with but people's emotions obscure the issue which means you can't get through to them.

Far too many people either shy away from the issue - to avoid confrontation - or let themselves get caught up in another's emotional story, then blame the other person afterwards. You're secretly blaming yourself, just so you know.

It is easy to get "caught up" in other people's stuff when you are blind to what is and by that I mean, not focussing on the issue at hand. Always remember, it takes two to argue, in the same way it takes two hands to clap.

I felt joyful, yes, that's the word, joyful, about this sudden clarity of understanding because this wonderful aha! moment applies to everything in life and I wanted to share it right away.

I hope I've contributed to your clarity of vision in a small way.

I would love to hear from you. Drop me a line and let me know what seemingly simple, everyday thing suddenly stopped you in your tracks and made you take notice of the reality as it is.

Don't Wear a Dead Man's Shoes: Get Your Own

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:41:00 +0000

The Shoes are not For You

"The shoes are not for you." That statement is the foundation of an old episode of The Dark Side which I saw recently, and I had to write about it.

It's about a master shoe maker with a clientele of the rich, famous and talented, an apprentice who lusts after the "good life" of others and the magical shoes which keep clients coming back to the modest shoe maker's shop.

Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own. Harold Coffin

The apprentice is in his twenties, and begs his master to make him a pair of his famous shoes and is told the shoes are not for you. He also advises him to focus on the fiance who loves him; it's the only thing the young man has going for him.

At no time does it occur to the apprentice to ask his master why the shoes are not for him. The answer to which is obvious; he lacks the prosperity consciousness essential for financial success.

He dies foolishly wearing a dead man's shoes because of his envy.

The Apprentice's Escapade

One day, the apprentice sneaks into the back room after his boss is gone and tries on a pair of shoes. He is amazed by his transformation. In the mirror he is dashing and handsome, very well-dressed and obviously a man of means.

Envy eats nothing but its own heart. German Proverb

So he goes out for a night on the town and loves rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. It's the life he always dreamed of.

He daydreams afterwards about the rich lifestyle and can't wait to do it again. That is how he really wants to live. He is discovered and warned off about wearing clients shoes.

Keep yourselves far from envy; it eateth up and taketh away good actions, like as fire eateth up and burneth wood. Muhammad

The young man doesn't see the harm in it though and does it again. My response would have been to fire his arse on the spot for his lack of professionalism!

Envy is a Poisoned Cup

Now I ask you, why would anyone moon about all day dreaming and envying the lifestyle of others? That makes no sense to me but it's what the apprentice does all day long.

The wealthy work for their money and they deserve to have it. That's what prosperity consciousness is all about. Some are born into such families and others have to overcome their mental programming of limitation to attain their current level of prosperity consciousness. Don't ever begrudge them.

Most people think they want more money than they really do. And the settle for a lot less than they could get. Earl Nightingale

The rich "know" they deserve their wealth and as Bob Proctor says in You Were Born Rich, they are comfortable with money which is why money is attracted to them.

When you know what you want in life, focus on it. The more attention you give it, the clearer the objective becomes. Goals, ideas and plans follow. When that happens, act immediately. There will never be a "right time"

Envy is an insult to oneself. Yevgeny Yevtushenko

The persistence with which you focus on what you want attracts the people, tools and resources you need to ensure your success. That is the way it works.

Envy is for stupid people; it destroys lives. Envy is a train wreck waiting to happen so get your mind right!

The Shoe Maker, the Final Nail and the Magic Words

Unbeknownst to the young apprentice, it's not the shoes which keep the rich coming back to the shoe maker's shop but the quality of the shoe maker.

You see, with every pair of shoes he creates, he imbues the final nail in the shoe heels with positive values based on the person's particular talent or success.

A really great talent finds its happiness in execution. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Not only do the shoes fit perfectly, they also enhance the person's image of themself in the mirror. What he or she sees is what they portray.

The Last Act of the Envious Apprentice

There was just one last pair Mr Envious wanted to try; it was the shoes of their richest client. He just had to try them on before the man's assistant collected them.

Unfortunately for the young man who had sneaked into the back room to try on the shoes - the owner had died the previous evening and the shoes were for his funeral.

The consequences of our actions are so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed. J.K. Rowling

Wearing the dead man's shoes was the apprentice's last act; he assumed the defunct's qualities which were non-existent and died instantly. And so ended the episode.

As I'm sure you know, the dead have no qualities - they are gone - only the living retain memories of the dead.

Moral of the Story

Don't wear a dead man's shoes; get your own. They could be too big, too small or just plain no good. Figure out what you want and focus on that.

Stoke that fire of burning desire with your imagination until the ideas start coming. Your passion will drive you forward to attain the success you want and deserve.

Pity the man who inherits a million and isn't a millionaire. Here's what would be pitiful, if your income grew and you didn't. Jim Rohn

Technorati Tags: prosperity-consciousness, don't-wear-a-dead-man's-shoes

When Change Is Being Forced Upon You, Accept It

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:44:00 +0000

He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson

The latest thing I've learned is when change is being forced upon you, accept it. It circumvents thoughts like "I feel alone", "I can't go any further", "why is it always to hard", "I don't have a life", etc. and the negative feelings which accompany such thoughts.

So what do you do when you have similar thoughts? Lots of us have had them in some form in weak moments and many people still do. It happens when you keep focussing on what you don't want in your life.

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit

An incident occurred recently which brought these questions to mind. It made me realise that's how I used to think and also, how easy it would be to fall back into that no-exit kind of thinking.

When stray thoughts like these surface, move on immediately to a better feeling thought, and another and another until you are flowing downstream and feeling good.

Change is a fact of life

You see, when life is pushing you in one direction and you fight it because you fear the unknown, you end up hurting yourself. Sure, life could knock you down so low that you don't believe you would ever rise up again - as I have cause to know. But you do rise again and stronger than before. That's the beauty of it.

Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure. But unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it. Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer. ~Shunryu Suzuki

And I reiterate here again, the pain occurs because you resist what is happening instead of accepting it. That makes a huge difference. When you cannot change what is happening, change the way you think about it.

Accept what is. Change is a fact of life and feeling afraid of the unknown future isn't going to change a damn thing!

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. ~Anatole France

Believe It or Not, Change happens when you are ready

When change happens it is always right because there is something waiting for you - something to be learned, to be gained no matter the circumstances. This is true in every situation, and believe it or not change happens when you are ready. True talk, no lie as they say here.

When you are through changing, you are through. ~Bruce Barton

Resist what is happening in your life and you'll get more of the same shit you don't want. In circumstances which seem dire, one option will be pressed upon you and you will be obliged to take it.

The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions. ~Ellen Glasgow

Why one? Because you allowed the other opportunities to slip through your fingers. At those times, nothing seems "right" however you're out of choices.

The result of your action turns out to be exactly what you need to take you to your destiny-nation. As Bob Proctor says in You Were Born Rich, what you seek is also seeking you.

My AHA! moment

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer

I had an aha! moment in the shower this week and by the way, have you ever noticed how insights occur when you're under running water... I hope to expand on this at a later date. My insight was this:

°°°When your back is to the wall and there seems to be no way out despite your dogged efforts, one choice will present itself. Take it.

The universe works in mysterious and convoluted ways at times. Under such circumstances though, grasping the seemingly distasteful usually turns out to be more palatable than you thought. That also is a choice.°°°

It is not the strongest of the species that survive nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. ~Author unknown

Take a meditative break and become still

How long has it been since someone touched part of you other than your body? ~Laurel Hoodwrit

To gain some clarity of thought and purpose, take a meditative break to centre yourself.

Listen to the wonderful voice of Jennifer McLean in her free downloadable MP3s - Soul Song for 2010 (5 minutes) and the two others (Soul Song and Ho'oponopono, 5 minutes, and Soul Song BodyTalk, 24 minutes). They're pretty damn wonderful and worth the time in the AM or PM.

Knock on the sky and listen to the sound. ~Zen Saying

Listen to one or all of the recordings every day for one month and come back and tell me if they made a difference in your life. Start a journal to track your thoughts and feelings.

Lesson learned: when change is being forced upon you, accept it. You can thank me for this advice later.

Technorati Tags: lessons-learned, change-happens-when-you-are-ready

Motivational Quotes for the Inspiration of You and I: It's gotta help, somehow...

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:38:00 +0000

I decided to send out these motivational quotes for the inspiration of you and I now that I seem to be reconnected once more (here's hoping).

Because after more than a week of being dropped off the Internet in my new, temporary abode in the Caribbean - in Trinidad and Tobago - and losing an excellent 1000+ word article plus a big blog post in the black hole of cyberspace, I need this pick-me-up.

And since everything happens for a reason, I'll just have to figure out the message the universe is sending me. Although, I suspect it's all connected to my anxiety of "what the heck am I doing here?"!

ON HOPE

H - Hands-touching-hands. There's significant research that indicates the good that comes from giving touches not only the recipient, but also, the giver. The surprising piece, however, is that those who witness good works are affected as well. They experience an increased feeling of well-being, a stronger immune function, and a healthier relationship to epinephrine.
ON LIFE'S DOUBTS AND FEARS

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored. Earl Nightingale

If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however, if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear.

Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today? Mary Manin Morrissey, Creator of The Miracle Mastery Conference

ON ADVERSITY, ACTION, SUCCESS

Whenever you're facing any form of resistance, gratitude has the power to quickly dissolve it. This is true whether the hindrance comes from inside of you or outside of you. Peggy McColl

Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, 'Make me feel important.' Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life. Mary Kay Ash

An unwritten want is a wish, a dream, a never-happen. The day you put your goal in writing is the day it becomes a commitment that will change your life. Are you ready? Tom Hopkins

When you have a purpose in life, a vision for what you want to achieve, and know why you want to achieve it, work becomes fun, and the time you spend working seems to just whizz by. Clayton J. Moore

The big secret in life is that there is no secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you are willing to work. It is called massive action. Action is the gas in the tank. Without it, the car will not run. Marcy Blochowiak, author of No Glass Ceiling

What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity. J. Sidlow Baxter

No one ever attains very eminent success by simply doing what is required of him; it is the amount and excellence of what is over and above the required that determines the greatness of ultimate distinction. Charles Kendall Adams

Success attracts success and failure attracts failure because of the law of harmonious attraction.

In physics, positives attract negatives and vice versa, but in human relationships the opposite is true. Negative people attract only other negative people, while positive thinkers attract like-minded individuals.

You will find that when you begin to achieve success more successes will follow. This is the law of harmonious attraction. When riches begin to come your way, you’ll be amazed how quickly they accumulate.

Train your mind to visualize yourself acquiring a specific amount of wealth or achieving a certain goal - whatever you most desire. Then use self-suggestion to persuade your subconscious mind that you can achieve your goal, and put your plan into action.

When you use the tools that you have at your disposal to prepare yourself for success and visualize yourself as having already reached your objective, you can achieve any reasonable goal that you set for yourself. Napoleon Hill Foundation

The one who tries to get something for nothing generally winds up getting nothing for something.

Those who think they can get by in life without providing the same amount of value for value received will eventually find themselves working harder than ever to deceive others and receiving very little in return. Life has a funny way of evening the score.

In the long run, you will get in the same measure you give. Spend your time on productive, positive efforts; give generously of your time and talents, and you will stand out from the great multitudes whose primary goal in life seems to be to get something for nothing. Napoleon Hill Foundation

There always remains an opportunity to make a new start.

Though it may not seem so when you first encounter a serious blow, you can never lose two of the most important assets you have. These are the power of your mind and your freedom to use it. Once you have turned them to understanding what laid you low, you can begin forming new plans.

You may not have the money you once had; you may lack the allies you had cultivated. But you still have the benefit of a universe that eventually rewards honest effort, as well as gaining the experience of mistakes you will never make again.

Remember, no matter where you are now, whatever you can conceive and believe, you can achieve. Napoleon Hill Foundation

Most failures could have been converted into successes if someone had held on another minute or made more effort.

When you have the potential for success within you, adversity and temporary defeat only help you prepare to reach great heights of success. Without adversity, you would never develop the qualities of reliability, loyalty, humility, and perseverance that are so essential to enduring success.

Many people have escaped the jaws of defeat and achieved great victories because they would not allow themselves to fail. When your escape routes are all closed, you will be surprised how quickly you will find the path to success. Napoleon Hill Foundation

AT THE END OF THE DAY, ASK YOURSELF...

Did I make someone giggle, smile or laugh today?

Did I take the time to really listen to someone today, with rapt attention, as if nothing else mattered in that precious moment but the words they spoke and the look in their eyes?

Did I allow myself to focus on all the blessings in my life today instead of contemplating the things I don't have?

Did I take a moment to imagine what I would like to experience in my life, if for no other reason than in the imagining, is the living, and in the living, comes the joy and delight?

Did I let go today, let go of resentments and unforgivingness that I have been holding onto, all the while realizing that another person may be wounded too and struggling with their own pain?

Did I keep my word today, no matter how simple a promise I may have made, knowing it meant a whole lot to someone else?

Did I make a conscious choice just to be happy today, no matter what is happening in my own life, just for the next moment, and the next moment and the next?

Did I stop caring about what other people think of me, and give myself permission to be who I am regardless of their good opinion of me or not? Did I set myself free today just by doing that?

Was I successful in noticing and appreciating the bounty before me wherever I went or was I just too busy or lost in my own thoughts to notice?

Did I contribute something beautiful to the world today? A new creation of some kind, a poem, a dinner, a dance?

Was I kind today to anyone or anything that crossed my path, no matter how trivial or how monumental? Did I give away my heart?

Is one person richer because of me today, because of my presence on the planet, my essence, my decision to keep on going no matter what?

Did I learn something new today, something about life, something about myself, something about another that I didn't know before?

Did I let go of my attachment to being right today, and open my mind to the possibility of another way, without judgement?

Will someone sleep better tonight because of me? Will they awaken in the morning believing in themselves again, and walk with their head held high?

Was I the answer to someone's prayers today?

If today was to be my last day on the planet, would I feel happy about how I lived it?

Veronica Hay, author of In a Dream, You Can Do Anything

I sincerely hope something on this page or even on my beautiful blog inspires you today. Do let me know.

O - Opportunity to expand our sense of joy. How might you expand yours today?

P - Possibility of new aliveness in the world. What choice could you make to foster new aliveness in your life?

E - Encourages the expression of our Greater Good. Disasters are cracks through which we can learn to better translate a Greater Good into our relations.

From the wonderful Dr Cara Barker's Hope From The Rubble

Message to Haiti of Love and Friendship

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:03:00 +0000

I grew up in the English-speaking Caribbean twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago. I learnt more about Haiti outside of the Caribbean than I ever did in it.

My First Haitians

The first Haitians I met were my colleagues in New York at the United Nations Development Programme. Those encounters opened my mind and spirit and made me want to know more about them.

They seemed so foreign and mysterious and it wasn't the language because I grew up speaking French and Spanish. It was something else.

I realised that I knew nothing about them at all. They were always very correct - Marie-Claude was so stylish and classy! - and friendly, yet I felt a distance between us.

It took me a long while to understand what it was and by then I had moved to Switzerland. They expected more from me as a Caribbean sister and I was unable to give it.

A Little Caribbean History

The Americans

To me, Haitians were just as foreign as the Americans with whom we have a strong and distrusting relationship.

I should add that when we Caribbean people criticise Americans we really mean the American government. However, the average Joe tends to get painted with the same brush.

The thing is we never know what shit they're going to pull next so we tend to be wary. Their lying arrogance well before George W. Bush's era has not made them any friends.

There's too much sordid history between us, the truth of which never makes it into the American news cycle.

Mixed Up Relationships in the Caribbean - A Bird's Eye View

The English-speaking Caribbean knows more about Martinique, Guadeloupe etc. from their Zouk music, Latin America in general and Venezuela and Cuba in particular.

Yet French and Spanish are mandatory in schools in Trinidad and Tobago (well, it was when I was of school age).

We know very little of our proud Haitian brothers and sisters except for the bigoted, ignorant "they say" nonsense about the native Haitian religion, Vaudou when in fact the official religion is Roman Catholic. And the island's undeniable poverty.

Most, if not all Caribbean states maintain a hands-off approach to Haiti as if they don't want to be contaminated by... the poverty, government sponsored murders, and the systematic degradation of its people.

All supported by the American government over the past umpteen decades right up to George W. Bush's administration, and its powerful World Bank and IMF arms which finished off the country completely.

Because they have always wanted a foothold in the Caribbean to fight the so-called Cuban menace after they lost their 99-year lease in Trinidad and Tobago in the seventies, if my memory serves me right.

A Little Haitian History

The Demand for Freedom

Haitians are descendants of the first African slaves in history - anyone's version - who liberated themselves from slavery with no outside help.

And in simplistic terms - since their fascinating history is not the subject of this post - that was the beginning of the end of the Pearl of the Antilles as it was called back then.

France demanded that Haiti pay reparations for all 'the cattle they had lost', humans and otherwise in order to be recognised as a legitimate country. The Haitians agreed.

And it took them 125 years to pay the false debt which equalled seventy percent (70%) of their GDP. That money today by general estimates is approximately 21 billion US dollars. Those payments which ended in the 1920s completely destroyed Haiti.

The French were ably supported by the Americans, and all other European countries. It was a sick and twisted affair. In return for assisting the French in destroying The Pearl of the Antilles, the French sold Louisiana and New Orleans to the Americans.

All because these 500,000 black Africans had the audacity to throw off the shackles of slavery by killing the mighty white soldiers and slave owners.

Sir Hillary Beckles, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus, University of the West Indies in Barbados recounts this ever so eloquently in his article The Hate and Quake.

Caribbean Ignorance and Western Disinformation

And you know what's awful in all of this, most of this information is not part of schools history classes in Trinidad and Tobago.

Like me, the average Trinbagonian and other citizens of the Caribbean Commonwealth (Caricom) learns about Haiti and it's peoples after they complete their formal education, and unfortunately much of it is misinformation.

If you wish to learn more about Haiti, read Reginal Dumas' well-written, An Encounter with Haiti. He is an extremely sharp ex-diplomat and Special Adviser on Haiti to Koffi Annan.

His words are succinct and his view piercing and hit the mark every time which is why the so-called leaders in Caricom keep him at arms length when in truth and in fact, they need his input. They are more comfortable with the western disinformation.

My Rising Pain Body

It wasn't my intention to write this article. I didn't even have a draft or an outline. My intention was to write the poem that was on my mind about Haiti this morning, but it is what it is.

I am very upset (as we say here) about this latest disaster and that anger has raised my hackles about the past injustices perpetrated on Haiti, and on the Caribbean region in general.

I know however that it's my emotional pain body which is always waiting for negative emotions to "play with my head". So it's time to talk about love instead.

Eckhart Tolle coined the term pain body in A New Earth. Even if you read this book five times as I have, you would still find something new the sixth time! It's wonderful...

Basically, the pain body is an accumulation of painful experiences developed from childhood onward which raises it's ugly head when you start thinking angry or painful thoughts. They are always triggered by something which takes you back to the original event.

Message to Haiti of love and friendship

Haiti

My heart goes out to you

Despite appearances

We are all here for you

Although the Caribbean is your home

You were all alone

Never truly at home

History made you lonesome

Your culture

Your vibrancy

The heart-aching poverty

And daily misery

Most rise above so beautifully

And spiritually

This destruction

Will lead this time

To your proper reconstruction

So long in coming

Your children

So young

Our children

So strong

We stand as one

Now is the time

To care

To share

To cherish all we hold dear

Our hearts as one

Haiti

Our child, our mother

Our sister and brother

Our forgotten one

Now you're coming home

Where you belong

Accepted with open arms

No longer forgotten

Now it's our turn

To make our peace

We are all one

And this quake has shown

We cannot let you down

This is the time

The turning point

To set things right

You have already done your part

Against the odds

Now it's up to us

To show compassion

And share your passion

Your love and vibrancy

So very special to we

Haiti we love you

And this time

We are here for you

Take this hand

Of love and friendship

We will never let it slip.

Technorati Tags: Message-to-Haiti-of-love-and-friendship

How to Calm Stomach Pains Caused By Stress: A Relaxation Technique

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:54:00 +0000

The Idea

I got the visualisation idea for my relaxation technique from a post on DailyOM - one of my favourite sites. I would reference it but I can't find it anymore.

Interestingly, it's only when I was doing my morning chakra exercises that it clicked - the solar plexus (the gut) is the home of the third chakra - a wonderful sunshine yellow colour. Now how's that for synchronicity!

And by the way, the gut is our second brain which is why it tightens up when we're anxious or afraid. And it becomes painfully hard when we back ourselves into a corner out of fear of expressing ourselves.

I provided this off-the-cuff technique about five months ago to a young lady on Yahoo Answers who wanted to know how to calm stomach pains caused by stress.

She liked it so it must have worked for her and I thought I'd share it here as well. It's a 15-minute technique but can be done for a long as you like. Try it and see.

The Technique

1 - Find yourself a quiet spot and sit down or lie down and close your eyes and relax.

2 - Start breathing in and out - in through your nose and out through your mouth. There's no rush so go at your own pace.

3 - When you're comfortable with that, imagine that you're pulling the air directly up through the soles of your feet and into your chest. Do this slowly. Breathe in through your nose - filling your stomach and chest like a balloon - then out through your mouth.

4 - When you feel comfortable with step 3, move on to step 5.

5 - This time imagine that there's a bright yellow sun in your tummy, warm, comfy and nurturing, just above your navel.

6 - Now, inhale through your nose and imagine that you are pulling this wonderful golden yellow light up through feet, legs and hips into your chest, and it's spreading into your arms and head.

7 - As you exhale, imagine this golden light is circulating in and out of your body constantly creating a golden bubble around you, keeping you calm and protected.

8 - Do this for as long as you like at home but 15 minutes is good enough. You can do it sitting anywhere. Afterwards, you'll feel very calm.

9 - Repeat the entire sequence every time you feel anxious. With practice, you'll be able to do it anywhere with your eyes open.

Most people don't breathe deeply, particularly women. When you're not accustomed breathing deeply, you will feel an ache under your breasts and in your upper back when your ribs expand as you breathe in. For men, the ache would be in their upper chest and back when they breathe in.

This ache is caused by unaccustomed movement of your lungs inflating and expanding your chest. It's not a problem so don't fuss unless you have medical issues. If that's the case, get advice from your doctor before-hand.

Do write and let me know how you get on with this relaxation technique on how to calm stomach pains caused by stress, and most importantly, tell me if it works for you. If you have other simple, relaxation techniques, please share them with us. It will contribute to the whole.

Technorati Tags: How-to-Calm-Stomach-Pains, calm-stomach-pains-caused-by-stress, a-relaxation-technique

Activating Your Intentions for 2010: Why Do They Matter?

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:04:00 +0000

Well, am now back to blogging and currently resident in the most southerly Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago for a bit.

Don't know where I'll be next. It's hot which is great, and heavily humid which bothers me a lot so my body had better acclimatise itself soon.

Activating your intentions for 2010

Now, let's talk about activating your intentions for 2010 and why they matter. I thought of posting mine earlier this week but didn't follow through. Then I read Cyndi's of Evolution Ezine Our Best Intentions for 2010, and thought again that maybe I should put it out there...

I blog to share after all and I have nothing to prove so what people think about them is irrelevant.

When you clearly and specifically state what you want, in writing, you flip the switch on the energy connection between you and the universe to attract what you want. And as Cyndi says in her post, if you don't know what you want how the hell are you going to get it.

I had rewritten mine several times in December 2009 but it didn't feel right even though I knew what I wanted.

I finally understood that it was because my mind wasn't clear, my emotions were negative and therefore, I wasn't feeling the connection that I do now. I feel great!

Everyday Spirituality

1 - I intend to achieve all goals that I set with effortless effort.

2 - I intend to become the best person I can be, staying authentic and true to who I am, and be compassionate with myself when I'm on a learning curve, and celebrate who I am.

3 - I intend to increase my meditation to twice daily and be aware of how I feel which tells me what I'm thinking, and learn to have fun; allowing my heart light to shine for the highest good of all.

4 - I intend to complete, absorb and share the lessons learned in The Hamlet Secret: A Self-Directed Workbook for Living a Passionate and Joy-Filled Life by James M. Lynch, and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, for the highest good of all.

5 - I intend to pay attention to that still, soft voice when it speaks to me.

Health

6 - I intend to lose my last six kilos to reach the 70 kilos my body requires, and continue to love and cherish the magnificent temple which is my body, and find new, effective and natural ways to maintain an optimum level of health and a rock solid immune system.

7 - I intend to continue Teresa Tapp's Fit and Fabulous and Boosting my energy with The Five Tibetans exercise routines to tighten, tone and reconnect with my core.

8 - I intend to listen to my body's needs, nourish it with delicious, healthy food; the nutrients of which are easily absorbed and the excess gently and efficiently eliminated.

Relationships

9 - I intend to attract the man that I want in my life who is loyal, faithful, virile, attentive, and prosperous. He comes to me free of all engagements by an act of providence which creates all new things.

He accepts who he is and loves what he does. He loves the presence in me as I love the presence in him. He supports me, he puts me first and he believes in marriage. He gives me my space. Between us there is love, freedom and mutual respect. I want that or better for the highest good of all.

10- I intend to allow my family and those around me to be, do or have whatever they want, secure in the knowledge that I don't have to buy into their story or take anything from their experience that I don't like, for the highest good of all.

11- I intend to associate only with people who are positive, who support me, who bring out the best in me, and who vibrate on the highest levels of abundance and prosperity for the highest good of all.

Business/Money/Work

12- I intend to attract the people, tools, free resources, and opportunities I need to quickly and effortlessly replenish my six-figure account, and create multiple streams of income to make me a millionaire by December 2010 or better, so that I can participate in the projects which interest me for the betterment of all concerned.

13- I intend to increase my blog readership ten-fold or better, create a funky newsletter of lightness and brightness, write consistently informative articles and blog posts for the greater good of all, and celebrate my passion for writing.

Dis-Identify yourself from your emotions

So, what does this have to do with activating your intentions for 2010? Basically, you have to clean up your emotional act in order to connect with and attract what you want in 2010.

Feeling dissatisfied with any area of your life calls up and fuels negative thoughts and emotions which will keep you stuck right where you left off in 2009. That can't be what you want!

Therefore, disconnecting from your thoughts of lack is essential to achieving your goals in 2010. Your thoughts are not who you are.

Ed Harkness Spina beautifully outlines this case in Dis-Identifying from your emotions. He also developed the Energy Center Clearing which offers 5 free lessons containing mystic techniques to:

Relieve Stress

Overcome Fear

Eliminate Anger

Dis-Identify from Your Emotion, and

Connect with Your True Self

I will give my verdict after I complete them.

Your choices in 2010

It's time to get on with the business of creating a beautiful, bountiful life for yourself in 2010. And hey, nobody said it would be easy but the truth is it's only difficult when you fight the changes occurring in your life.

In order to progress, you have two choices:

One - Fight what's happening to you and suffer miserably. Whining "why me, and why is it so hard", complaining, criticising, getting angry and frustrated and lashing out at others as I did in 2008 and 2009 doesn't cut it; or

Two - Accept that you can't stand the pain and misery anymore and give in to what is. I did not say "give up" - there is a world of difference between the two so pay attention.

I used to confuse the two as well in my self-pitying phases even when I knew it was total bullshit.

That was because I equated giving in with being weak. That's the brain-washing many of us grew up with - it has to be hard in order to feel a sense of accomplishment. What absolute crap!

It's now up to you to choose your path. And remember, as Eckhart Tolle says in A New Earth - YOU are life and it's wonderful...

So drop me a line peeps and share with me your best intentions for 2010. I would love to read them. From what I have observed and the stories I'm hearing, millions of us are riding this wave of glorious change and this is just the beginning. The future is bright!

Technorati Tags: activating-your-intentions-for-2010

Tap Into Wealth with EFT: EFT Tapping Into Life's Unlimited Abundance

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:27:00 +0000

This EFT wealth tapping script is Magnus' December 2009 Christmas gift to us. If you don't know EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique, learn about EFT.

In a nutshell, it's a finger-tapping acupressure technique used on the face and chest meridians to relieve emotional anxieties.

If you don't know EFT at all, this post will not enlighten you. Watch the learn EFT video, and follow some of the links there or on Magnus' website.

Now back to the wealth tapping script.

Repeat each phrase below once for each point, and tap each point about 7 times before going on to the next. Don't worry about whether or not the phrase is true for you - tap it anyway, all the phrases are positive so it can't do any harm.

Do this every day for 21 days. If you miss one day, count the next day as a new day one. You are training yourself to think differently.

1. "I Release That I Don't Have Any Money"

"I Release That I Don't Love Money"

"I Release That I Don't Want Money"

2. "I Release That There is Not Enough Money"

"I Release That the World is Limited"

"I Release That There is Not Enough in the World"

3. "I Am Abundant"

"I Have Abundance"

"I Want Abundance"

4. "I Release That I Need Money"

"I Release That I Can't Have Money"

"I Release That Money is Not for Me"

5. "I Release That I Don't See That I Have Wealth"

"I Release Not Seeing That I Have Wealth"

"I Release That I Don't Understand That I Have Wealth"

"I See That I Have Wealth"

"I Am Seeing My Wealth"

"I Understand My Wealth"

6. "I Understand That I Don't Need Money"

"I Understand When I Don't Have Enough Money"

"I Understand What it Means to Afford Something"

7. "I Release the Idea that to Love Money is to Desire it"

"I Release the Idea that to Love Money is to Want it"

"I Understand What it Means to Love Money"

(clue; it means to be naturally drawn to it, and let it into your life)

8. "I Release That I Don't Feel Rich"

"I Release That I Feel Poor"

"I Feel Rich"

"I Feel Money"

(If you have some coins, notes, credit cards, or even solid gold or silver available, hold it and feel it as you tap this. This often reduces people to tears.)

9. "I Release That I Want for Money"

"I Release That I Have A Lack of Money"

"I Release That I Have An Absence of Money"

(these are subtly different from #1)

10."I Understand That I Love Money"

"I Understand the Ways I Need Money"

"I Understand Why I Want Money"

11."I Understand Money"

"I Accept the Nature of Money"

"I Know Money"

12."I Am in Agreement With Having Money"

"I Am in Agreement With Money Itself"

"I Am in Agreement With the Nature of Money"

13."I Know the Nature of Money"

"I Accept My Understanding of Money"

"I Am Learning About Money"

14."Other People Know I Am Worth Money"

"Other People Know I Am Earning Money"

"Other People Know That Money is Good for Me"

15."God Knows I Am Worth Money"

"God Knows I Am Earning Money"

"God Knows That Money is Good for Me"

I hope you find this script helpful. Let me know if you get any major releases or insights from tapping it.

Magnus

Character Counts: Can You Forgive Without Condoning and Let Live in 2010?

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:57:00 +0000

I received this interesting article about forgiveness from Bob Proctor's Insight Quotes. Forgiving without condoning or forgetting by Michael Josephson from Character Counts. I thought it was a great way to start off my postings for 2010.

So, can you forgive without condoning and let live in 2010? Forgiveness does not mean condoning the wrong that was done to you. You understand that, don't you?

It is about releasing the hurt and pain inflicted upon you which you are still carrying around; and it is dragging you into the ground. And guess what, you aren't doing anything to the other person unless you go out of your way to make their life hell. Are you happy living like that?

When you forgive, I mean truly forgive those who hurt you - believe it or not - the hurt diminishes. Because you're no longer picking at the bloody, pus-filled wound.

Trite but true, time does heal. You don't forget because the hurt played a significant part in forming your character. Yet, at the same time, the memory fades like an old sepia photograph until you can barely see the faces. The trauma feels as if it had happened to someone else.

After forgiveness, you become a new person. You now have a life ahead of you; before that you were living on the flames of memory which you kept stoking.

Forgiving means you decided to say "this is how much I love myself. I honour myself by releasing this burden."

The act of forgiving erases guilt, shame and all other noxious potions which were floating around in your psyche which did not belong to you. You release the "other" as well; not from their innate, morale responsibility but from you.

Yes, you were keeping them attached to you at the hip with your constant stirring.

Why would you keep an adulterer, a rapist, a pedophile and other such foul creatures in your presence? See what I mean... Believe me, I've been there.

As we say in the Caribbean - time longer than twine and they will get theirs - your perpetrators will get their just desserts; you can count on it!

Now here's Forgiving Without Condoning or Forgetting

I suspect all of us have been hurt in deep and lasting ways by the words or acts of another. It’s normal in such situations to feel hostility toward the person who hurt us.

If we allow the offense to linger, we may carry the hurt and resentment in the form of a grudge. Usually this causes more unhappiness for us than the person we’re mad at.

Some religions speak of forgiveness as a moral duty, others as a worthy virtue, and still others impose preconditions on the wrongdoer before he or she is entitled to be forgiven. Whatever your religious views, psychologists say the ability to forgive is closely correlated to happiness and mental health.

Some people refuse to even entertain the idea of forgiveness because they don’t think the person they resent deserves to be forgiven. Others don’t want to appear to condone or excuse the conduct and certainly don’t want to reconcile with the person.

The essence of forgiveness is a voluntary decision to abandon continuing resentment, to let go of anger, and to move on. It doesn’t require or imply condoning, excusing, or forgetting. Nor does it require that the forgiver re-establish a relationship with the wrongdoer.

According to Dr. Ben Dean, the capacity to forgive is related to the character strength of empathy. People who can empathize with an offender and see things from that person’s perspective are much better able to forgive. He also says that the older we get, the more forgiving we’re likely to become.

Hmmm. We usually get wiser, too. So maybe it’s wise to forgive.

Michael Josephson
www.charactercounts.org

Technorati Tags: forgive-without-condoning

The Self-Confidence Formula for 2010: 5 Steps to Build Your Self-Confidence (If you're serious)

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:02:00 +0000

I mentioned in Awaken the sleeping genius in November 2009 that I would post Napoleon Hill's Self Confidence Formula but the timing didn't feel right. It is now though - to get 2010 off to a great start.

Hill says that after you take inventory of your mental assets and liabilities, you will discover that your greatest weakness is a lack of self-confidence and this is the raison d'être of his Formula.

Here are his 5 steps to build your self-confidence (if you're serious) in my English:

The Self-Confidence Formula

1 - I know that I have the ability to achieve what I want in life and I demand of myself persistent, continuous action to get it. And I now promise to take such action.

2 - I realise that the dominating thoughts in my mind will eventually reproduce themselves into physical action, and transform into physical reality. So, to make this happen, I will spend thirty minutes every day thinking of the person I intend to become. In this way, I create a clear mental image of my new reality.

3 - Because I know that any thought I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through practical means, I will devote ten minutes every day telling myself to develop my self-confidence.

4 - I have a clearly written life purpose and I will never stop trying until I develop the self-confidence which will enable me to attain my life purpose.

5 - (a) I understand that wealth and position based on lies and injustice cannot last. Therefore, I will not engage in any transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects.

5 - (b) I will succeed by attracting the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of others in my endeavour. It feels right and natural when it happens.

5 - (c) I will encourage others to serve me because of my willingness to serve others.

5 - (d) I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, cynicism, and all other negative traits from my thoughts, and therefore from my psyche by developing love for myself first.

Love for humanity flows from this. I will do this because I know that a negative attitude towards others only attracts failure. It can never bring me success.

5 - (e) I will make others believe in me because I believe in myself, and therefore I believe in them. We will be on the same vibrational wavelength.

5 - (f) I will sign my name to this Formula, memorise it, and repeat it out loud once a day with the absolute faith that it will influence, gradually, my thoughts and actions, so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.

* * *

A little Napoleon Hill refresher on how to think and grow rich. Although, as he says these principles can be applied to any area of life.

° Use your imagination

°Get an idea

°Develop faith that the idea will work

°Create a plan to bring the idea to fruition

°Act on the plan

°Persist with the plan until you succeed

°Revise the plan after setbacks

°Maintain the burning desire for success

°Stay focussed on your goal

°Persist, persist, persist!

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The Gift of Receiving: First Lesson Learned in 2010

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:06:00 +0000

I had such an amazing experience today that I have to share it. It's my first lesson learned in 2010 - the gift of receiving.

I don't like labels

This is a little glimpse into my psyche to explain the background behind my experience.

I don't like labels of any kind. Nothing puts my back up more than someone approaching me as if they know me; projecting the implicit message that I conform to their image of me as seen through the prism of their tiny mind.

I don't name things except for my emotions; for everything else, it's either I like it or I don't. People are the way they are unless "my blood doesn't take to them at all"; and I am the way I am. Sounds simple huh!

Not really but stick with me for a bit because nothing is black and white here. I am biased as the next person so don't get any strange ideas. That's just the way I am about half the time when my mind is "right".

More about me - An introverted character

I have a very serious demeanour; no masks anymore, and I fiercely protect my privacy. That's a legacy from growing up the hard way. In my younger days I rarely smiled or spoke outside the home except when I had to. Sometimes I laughed, and I didn't know what fun was.

My pleasures were almost always internal except for tomboy stunts and fights with boys my age. Fighting was a pleasure and it was the only thing for which I was never beaten.

As a child, I lived in my head and escaped into my imagination whenever I could. I created incredible works of art in my youth - I only recognise that now - and gave it all away.

Then in my late teens, I completely disconnected from my creative side and started "working hard" after I got my first proper job at eighteen. I wasn't allowed to go to university. Here ends the internal trip - that was the setup to show you the contrast!

My joy in giving

Anyway, I have always enjoyed giving things to people. I never have second thoughts; it's always impulsive and it's usually something I already own particularly when I think I have too much stuff.

What I paid for the original item is irrelevant. When I buy an item for someone, it must match the person. People's thanks are accepted but it's not a big deal, you know.

However, the effusive responses I receive always surprise me because in fact, I don't feel that I need thanks for doing something so natural.

Experiencing the gift of receiving

The event

On New Year's Day, I left a 24-year old bottle of Trinidad Old Oak Rum for my favourite café/restaurant owner. Even though he doesn't drink alcohol, I knew he would appreciate it and share it with close friends. No big deal.

I went to his place for brunch today, 3 January 2010, and his pleasure not only at seeing me but also at the gift I left him was so genuine and sincere, I felt overwhelmed.

I mean, he kept telling people who came by that it was a gift from me. He gave the impression that it was the most precious thing he had ever received.

And you know what, I didn't understand his reaction although it warmed my heart that he was pleased.

Something big just happened

I knew something big had just happened and I had to figure it out. It didn't take me long. It hit me that I always get this reaction from people when I offer something of myself.

Whether it's providing information to young seekers but not always, then it's pretty intense and I feel empty, energized and satisfied. Or things I give which I think others would appreciate; I get the same satisfaction.

So if the pleasure is so genuine, why the instinctive emotional reaction of pushing away. You know, like hey take it easy, it's not that big a deal... But it is you see, receiving is a mega-huge deal!

My aha! moment

I understood in that moment today, how contradictory my reaction was. On the one hand, I'm usually the first to touch or hug someone because I clearly see who the person is on the inside.

Yet I'm also the first to shy away from someone's pleasure at receiving something from me. I understood then that my reaction was linked to an old message "it's okay to give but not receive".

My instinctive reactions are right and the thinking (learned) reaction is wrong. It's time to release the old mental schema.

My first lesson learned in 2010

The lesson I learned here is that receiving is a gift; it is an act of giving back, and it is also an act of love.

I now know that I am so incredibly rich when I embrace this gift of receiving. I intend to acknowledge it fully from now on.

What a wonderful gift this man Eric and his wife have given me to start off 2010! I am so very grateful that my heart feels full to bursting. I could never thank them enough.

I accept the precious gift of love of receiving!

Do write to share your thoughts on giving and receiving. I would love to hear from you.

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A Letter To My Friends in 2009: Fear Not, The Future Is Bright!

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:00:00 +0000

My dear friends,

2009 seems to have been a terrible year for humanity. From the natural disasters - all created by man - from which flowed terrible suffering; to the man-made economic depression which is fueling and nurturing your fear and panic.

These emotions are terrible in and of themselves and inflict significant damage to your psyche. Know that this time was created by each one of you.

Yes, you signed up for the experience. It is now up to you to decide if you intend to continue living with suffering. You have a choice.

A Passage

I just want to say, fear not the future is bright. The havoc and upheaval you and the rest of the world are experiencing in different ways is simply a passage to something so much better.

The painful experiences are meant to make you to open your eyes; to change the way you think, and see what is, not what you think is. To make you more aware.

Mother Earth is evolving as well and has been for some years now. And that is the why of the natural so-called disasters.

Wake Up!

You are evolving as well, and at a rapid pace; hence the difficult situations which stir you up, so that you become more aware of life.

It is time for the sleeper to awake. Beautiful things are happening all around you. Love is alive and the future is bright!

Every day, look around with new eyes and see the heart-lights shining bright. Kindness and compassion, second thoughts before saying something hurtful is a new phenomena on a major scale. This of course, you cannot see. But you can see the results.

The economic crash was meant to wake you up. To shake you out of your stupor. To make you realise that wealth accumulation and suffering do not have the same vibration. They do not match. It therefore cannot work. True wealth is not about money.

True Wealth

You are wealthy and therefore happy because you are in good health; you have a wonderful family who loves you; you have friends who are positive and support you. And you are living your passion. Love is the thread that binds. This is great wealth indeed!

Financial wealth is easy to create, you know. Let go of the internal boundaries you are allowing to restrict you. Focus only on what you want, not on what others think, do, say, want or have.

Emulate those you admire and follow in their footsteps. Find a mentor. Everyone needs a teacher at some time in the lives. Build yourself up. When you take this action, you will become more attractive to those on similar paths. This is how synchronicity occurs.

Lessons in 2009

Accept nothing which does not feel right to you. Accept no environment which is not positive for you. People who do not build you up, who do not support you are not your friends. 2009 was meant to show you this. Were you paying attention?

2009 is the year of soul searching to find what truly matters to you. That is why breaking the chains of mental bondage is so painful, and necessary.

Fear Not The Future

My letter is to say, fear not. Do not despair. Hold fast to faith that all is working out for the best, and so much better than you could possibly imagine.

Stay strong. Nurture and build your strength by seeking the quiet within. Then look outwards and connect only with what's good and right for you.

2010 is the culmination of the intense emotional growth which many of you are experiencing. The future is very bright.

All my blessings to you.

Your dear friend,

Catherine

Technorati Tags: 2009-letter-fear-not-the-future-is-bright

Message to Betrayed Wives, Husbands and Lovers: Life Is Waiting

newlegshidal@hotmail.com (Catherine "Yours Truly" Hidalgo) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:53:00 +0000

We've heard about far too many public betrayals of wives, husbands and lovers in 2009. It's demeaning to all!

So here's my message to betrayed wives, husbands and lovers.

LIFE IS WAITING

how could you use me like this

how, how could you betray me like this

after all we had together

our lives meant forever

why, why would you use me

how could you abuse me

all our nightly whispers together

our hopes for the future

looking forward to forever

and now

now i howl

in pain and anger

tears, frustration and pressure

raging

hell-bent for leather

why aren't you here with me

where you're supposed to be

i was prepared to let be

for a lot of things honey

but not this

not this lack of integrity

you can see that surely

i don't know what got into you

but i have to leave you

go on without you

for you it's all about glory

but instead it's all gory

there's no more me

there's no more you

and there's no more us

all is dust

i wish I could wave away the pain

and say please, please, please

let's get back to us

but I can't

living with you

living like this

something's amiss

who are you

who am I

i rage and cry

my heart wrung dry

my guts in a coil

am sinking

sinking into the abyss

of loss and hope

now there's no light

where once all was bright

once upon-a-time

you were my light

you were my knight

what created this blight

i need light

i need bright in my life

we have to part

we're broken apart

darkness at the gate

depression pressing down

the rage, the loss, the hurt

it's making my head pound

pushing me into the ground

there's no sound around

i want to annhilate someone

i refuse to give you a pound

not of my flesh

am not Shylock you clown

i love you

i loved you for you

nobody but you

there was only you

but it's all turned now

like rancid milk

nothing more from this cow

am shattered

alone in our home

the children are home

but am alone

i need to move on

onwards and upwards

but i can't

it's so hard

i see only dark

i need help from somewhere

do you hear

is anybody there

please, please lend an ear

i have too many cares

child

the universe cares

source is here

god is in the air everywhere

open your heart

be still

that voice you hear

raging in your ear

whispering all you fear

it's your mind of fear

listen to what you really care

make a choice

it's your life

no one can live your choice

you have your own voice

do what's right for you

even if it feels unworthy

don't worry

that's just a schema

built by mother and father

this is just a passage

you will get to the other side

go ahead

cross the bridge when you're ready

it's called hope

and there's lots of rope

to hold on as you go

looks old i know

that's just age

like an old sage

careful how you go

one step at a time

bridge sturdy in time

hold your arms out

embrace courage and strength

how bout some wisdom too

it's good for you

listen my friend

this is not the end

keep your heart open wide

let the light inside

a glimmer at a time

then a spark

from time to time

i know it's rough

but you know what

you're made of strong stuff

believe it or not

peace is on the other side

sunshine just up a mile

go ahead child

lengthen that stride

life is waiting for your smile.

Links for 2009-12-18 [Digg]

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

Deepak Chopra: Holy Wars, Just Wars, and No Wars
There are three principles governing President Obama's foreign policy outlook: holy wars are always unjust, just wars exist, and peace is an ultimate goal.
7 New Ways to Be Happy - Oprah.com
According to Deepak Chopra, happiness should be based on seven new principles, all of which steer us away from finding joy in material goods and distraction and toward a purpose-driven life. Because material goods do not last, it's important to go within and build an inviolable fortress which protects one from the despair which is omnipresent.
Its Time to Overcome! - Don't fake it, FEEL IT.
Access the FEELING of LOVE and you have accessed the POWER of God. Often when faced with negative circumstances we think the circumstance or situation is harming or destroying our life. We are mistaken. It's not circumstances that cause us to fail, but how those circumstances make us feel. The FEELING of FEAR is what destroys us.

Links for 2009-12-17 [Digg]

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

How to Release the Need to Control: An Affirmation
A lot of people struggle with control issues, some more than most. The folks at Healing Codes have developed a way to identify what "ails" you and encourages a particular dysfunction; usually unsuspected. Control is just one of them. It's a free tool called "The Heart Issues Finder" and the results were made into an affirmation for daily reading.

Links for 2009-12-13 [Digg]

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

Just A Plain Old Feeling Good Affirmation
Just a plain old affirmation to get you feeling good that will raise your vibrations. Watch the youtube video first to get into the swing of things, the print out the text and take it with you. Read it often during the day when you need a pick-me-up and watch your energy change for the better. Nothing beats that!

Links for 2009-12-10 [Digg]

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

96 Life Lessons Learned in 2009 from My Private Hell
Learning is essential for growth and so are hard times. If we didn't have hard times, we would not gain the experience needed to change and want different things. That is what life lessons are all about. This article highlights lessons learned from a single woman's point of view when she discovered she was destitute.
The Heart Issues Finder - A Free Tool From The Healing Codes
The Healing Codes Heart Issues Finder is a tool to diagnose the issues of your spiritual and emotional heart from rejection which creates a lack of trust, to lack of control, and the whole gamut of emotions which hide beneath anger. It pinpoints the areas which need work and provides background explanations on the causes. It is incredibly accurate.

Links for 2009-11-27 [Digg]

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Giving Thanks is in the Air: 7 Thoughts to Ponder
Giving happens year-round. So go ahead and think about creating simple rituals at get-togethers, to unite and encourage reflections on things to be thankful for. The 7 posts listed are thought provoking like Give thanks to the one, Paying it forward, to "am I giving of myself?".