Note to Self

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

2013-02-26T13:24:00.000-08:00

By Deepak Chopra -- taken from: http://www.chopra.com/sslos

The Law of Pure Potentiality

Take time to be silent, to just BE. Meditate for 30 minutes twice a day. Silently witness the intelligence within every living thing. Practice non-judgment. We have unlimited pure potentiality all around us. We need to be open and ready. Do not lock you into one thing. The universe gives us the ability to manifest and do what we like, we just have to know how to get it. There is unlimited pure potential.

The Law of Giving and Receiving

Today bring whoever you encounter a gift: a compliment or flower. Gratefully receive gifts. Keeps wealth circulating by giving and receiving care, affection, appreciation and love. We have to have the ability to receive. When a person gives us something and we say no that is creating an imbalance. It is important to give every day: give thanks, gratitude, support, love freedom, what you can afford, time. All that you give you will receive back bigger and better than ever.

The Law of Karma

Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind. Choosing actions that bring happiness and success to others ensures the flow of happiness and success to you. Everything you do has choices and generates that energy that will be returned to you. Before you do something, you can check to see if it is the highest and good for you and all. You will know if it is good, if you feel good. If it feels like a knot in your belly after a choice that may not have been the highest and best. But each choice is a learning experience.

The Law of Least Effort
Accept people, situations, and events as they occur. Take responsibility for your situation and for all events seen as problems. Relinquish the need to defend your point of view. This one goes against what we have learned set a goal and work hard, spend a lot of time, you need work hard to get things...Wrong. The universe and nature finds the path of least resistance which is the least effort. We need to work smart and listen to the signs that the universe is giving us that are the path of least effort. When in a chaos, do not get caught up in it and let it get to you, take time and breath. Then just flow in the situation, the outcome will be turn out better than you can imagine.

The Law of Intention and Desire
Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment. Make a list of desires. Trust that when things don't seem to go your way, there is a reason. Set your intentions and desires and then let them be. You may really want one outcome and think that is the best but if it does not happen that is because there is something better for you. If you force it you may get it but you will not be happy or be what you thought it was. Set your intentions and desires for the highest and best for you.

The Law of Detachment
Allow yourself and others the freedom to be who they are. Do not force solutions -- allow solutions to spontaneously emerge. Uncertainty is essential, and your path to freedom. This is also in the same vain as the law of least effort where you set your intentions and desires and then let them be. Do not force it and keep working at it, you will be missing the real opportunities for that intention. Also as the law of intentions and desires, do not be attached to one outcome becomes that may not be in the highest and best for you. So you will get something better if you pay attention to the signs.

The Law of Dharma
Seek your higher Self. Discover your unique talents. Ask yourself how you are best suited to serve humanity. Using your unique talents and serving others brings unlimited bliss and abundance. When you live your life that everything you do is for the highest and best for you and all. You will be the happiest and all of the other laws are working for you. You know you are in this when you do little efforts and accomplish many things.

“Success in life could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals. Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease.“ - Deepak Chopra

I have gained so much wisdom through this book. I love these messages that were clearly defined in a simple way to manifest success in our daily lives.

Simple Truth

2013-01-28T00:25:00.002-08:00

“I think it's very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not defined by another person.”

~ Oscar Wilde

“Manifest Plainness
Embrace Simplicity
Reduce Selfishness
Have few Desires.”

~ Lao Tzu

For one minute, please stand in silence and look at the sky and contemplate how awesome life is. Find a quiet spot everyday and breathe.

The truth is we all want to have joy, creativity, energy, love and acceptance. Sometimes a meaningful silence is always better than meaningless words... Being open to the currents and waves takes stillness and quiet of mind. “To the quiet mind all things are possible. What is a quiet mind? A quiet mind is one which nothing weighs on, nothing worries, which, free from ties and from all self-seeking, is wholly merged into the will of God and dead to its own.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

It's interesting how we doubt our own ability based on what others may think of us. We have negative thoughts that consume our perception and somehow we seem to attract things that we don't want to see rather than seeing positive outcome in life. We need to remind ourselves again of action that needs to be taken. Find the time to be alone, slow down and focus on what truly matter the most. At the end of the day, the only thing we can do is live our truth, speak that truth, and be that truth. When we live from a place of deep honesty, first with ourselves, we can never be rejected.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I would tell my younger self these simple reminders:

WHO you are is what makes you special. Do not change for anyone.
WHAT lies ahead will always be a mystery. Do not be afraid to explore.
WHEN life pushes you over, you push back harder.
WHERE there are choices to make, make the one you won’t regret.
WHY things happen will never be certain. Take it in stride and move forward.

“Wouldn’t it be powerful if you fell in love with yourself so deeply that you would do just about anything if you knew it would make you happy? This is precisely how much life loves you and wants you to nurture yourself. The deeper you love yourself, the more the universe will affirm your worth. Then you can enjoy a lifelong love affair that brings you the richest fulfillment from inside out.” ~ Alan Cohen

I do the very best I can to look upon life with optimism and hope and looking forward to a better day. Here's to another decade of unlocking the pursuits of happiness, goodwill and true purpose.

You are the only one that creates your reality. That's the truth!

Gratitude in Action

2013-01-15T15:25:00.001-08:00

During holiday season, we often take a moment to recognize all of the blessings in our lives. We expressed gratitude on Thanksgiving, we shared joy and gifts on Christmas, and we renew our hopes and dreams for the New Year. We are all blessed in some way and even more blessed when we acknowledge all the goodness in our lives. It's a great reminder to always be grateful and keep our gratitude mode in action of all time.

Begin each day with a grateful heart. Gratitude is the gateway to abundance.
Starting out with a "daily gratitude list". What am I grateful for? I am grateful for the abundance in my life. I am grateful for love and support of family and friends. I am grateful for being healthy. I am grateful for everything that made my life so worth living. Begin by choosing a time you can devote to 'being grateful' each day, a time when you can write down something that makes you happy. Simply list down three to ten things that can lift up your spirit and fill your hearts with joy.

Example of a Daily Gratitude List

Sunshine.
Seeing my daughter's beautiful smile.
Taking picture of nature.
Having a cup of tea and butter cookies.
Awesome yoga practice.
Compliments from stranger.
Leftovers!
Reading my Facebook newsfeed.
No bills in the mail today.
Time to reflect on positives in my life.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” - Melody Beattie

Miracles always are happening around us, we just need to slow down our lives to notice them. Count your blessings one by one. To be happy doesn’t mean you don’t desire more, it means you’re thankful for what you have and patient for what’s yet to come. Find beauty in everything that contributes to your reality and be grateful. Celebrate all that life has to offer with the understanding that nothing that is not supposed to happen will happen...

“Sometimes we get so caught up in seeing what we don’t have, that we fail to notice the little things that give life its magic. The foolish person seeks happiness in the distance; the wise person grows it under her feet. Your life is filled with blessings and achievements, take the time to accept and appreciate these gifts.”- Positive Thoughts

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Living Gratefully..."My life is awesome. I am in gratitude every day for all my blessings."

Thankfulness

2012-12-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation. It is a mindful acknowledgment of all that we have been given. When we focus on the abundance in our lives, we discover a greater capacity for generosity, cheerfulness, and contentment.

Expressing gratitude is a rewarding habit that affirms the grace of the giver. Gratitude opens our hearts, encourages us to savor each gift that comes our way, and magically frees us from jealousy guarding our possessions. It let us celebrate today rather than waiting for the next level of accomplishment or wealth. It is a reminder that one can always find reason to be glad.

I hope that this may be instilled in my life and I learn to give thanks on a daily basis; even through the hardest of struggles.

Thankfulness acknowledge that God is our provider
Thankfulness connects our spirits to the Source of all joy.
Thankfulness creates positive outlook on life.

"Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel." ~ Unknown

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

~ Author Unknown ~ wonderful poem to live by!

Universal Saying

2012-12-06T00:00:00.003-08:00

I just love hearing these beautiful and inspiring quotes that resonated well in our daily lives. Universal sayings that can be understood by everyone just like music and smile. These are things that we already know but it's always good to be reminded again. I think these quotes are worth repeating and hopefully this will motivate us and inspire others to do better.

"Your life, Your path, Your choice"
Your life is your own creation... It is your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you but no one can walk it for you. Don't confuse your path with your destination. Just because it's stormy now doesn't mean you aren't headed for sunshine. The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. "If you can see yourself as an artist, and you can see that your life is your own creation, then why not create the most beautiful story for yourself?" ~ Don Miguel Ruiz

"Never allow yourself worth to be defined by someone else"
There's good benefit in taking some time to think about how we define our sense of self (and worth). We are not in charge of the process therefore what happens to you does not define you. Only YOU define you. Don't let the imaginary person in your head keep you from loving the real one right in front of you. Be your own kind beautiful and simply be YOU! "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Imperfection is beauty"
Accept everything about yourself. You are unique and perfect. Do not place restrictions on your beauty. You are beautiful ALL the time. "Your light is seen. Your heart is known. Your soul is cherished by more people than you might imagine. If you knew how many others have been touched in wonderful ways by you, you would be astonished. If you knew how many people feel so much for you, you would be shocked. You are far more wonderful than you think you are. Rest with that. Rest easy with that. Breathe again. You are doing fine. More than fine. Better than fine. You’re doing great. So relax. And love yourself today." ~ Neale Donald Walsch

"Believe in yourself"
Observe your thoughts, desires and inhibitions. Ask yourself this if you had the ability to manifest anything or do anything what would you choose to do? "Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused." ~ Alan Cohen

"The impossible is possible"
Time and time again, history shows us that what all previous generations told us could not be done, a new generation will go out and own. Human beings crave the familiarity and comfort of habit, and fear failure, ridicule and change. What have you been telling yourself that you cannot do, that you were destined to become? "Anything is possible" when you believe in yourself; keep reminding yourself that you can do anything if you put your mind into it and you can be anything you want to be.

"Happiness is contagious"
Fill your mind with happy thoughts. Be happy and spread joy to those around you so that people can feel the positive energy in you and they are happy too. The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up. "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts therefore guard accordingly." ~ Marcus Aurelius

"The possibilities are endless"
You have the power to live your life as fabulous and amazing as you can ever live. Only you can change your way of thinking. Your value is in the incredible person you were created to be. Your past mistakes do not change your value. "When you experience uncertainty, you are on the right path – so don’t give it up. You don’t need to have a complete and rigid idea of what you’ll be doing next week or next year, because if you have a very clear idea of what’s going to happen and you get rigidly attached to it, then you shut out the whole range of possibilities." ~ Unknown

"Live in the present"
Don't allow your past to be present in your future. Don't hold on tight to your past; leave it all behind. Let the past be the past. Today is a new start. New beginning. New opportunities. Start living in the present.

“Accept the present moment and find the perfection that is deeper than any form and untouched by time.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

“Stay true to yourself and listen to your inner voice. It will lead you to your dream.” ~ James Ross

Attracting Interest

2012-11-25T11:20:00.000-08:00

What are the things that I would possibly do to make life more enjoyable? What helps me to feel good? What is your passion?

I do have many passions -- I love photography, reading words of wisdom, inspirational story, taking pictures, decorating and so forth. Sometimes I find it a little hard to pick one a day. To attract happiness and interest in your life can be achieved by setting your intuition. Perhaps that’s just finding time you set aside to read, listen to music, take a brisk walk, get in shape, window shopping or even spending time alone to enjoy a cup of tea or simply being outside with nature – and it can be a few minutes every day.

“You create your future with the power of your intention. Intention is simply the conscious act of determining what you want now. Health, harmony in relationships, happiness, money, creativity, and love will come to you in the future, based on your powerful intention now. Intend every day the way you want it go, and you will deliberately create your future life”. ~ The Secret Daily Teachings

Here are some of my favorites to start off the day:

Meditation
What a better way to calm and clarify the mind... transform fatigue into energy... and even improve health. Study shows that meditation can actually unify mind, body and spirit and help you start enjoying the best health of your life. "Meditate. Life purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine". ~ Buddha

Yoga
It's been said that yoga has the power to change life for good. It's a matter of letting go and allowing my body to do what it felt was the most natural thing. According to ParaYoga founder and Tantra scholar, Rod Stryker: Yoga helps you remove the obstacles that obscure who you really are, that it helps you come into a fuller expression of your true nature. "We're not transforming into something we aspire to, we're transforming into the very thing that we are innately: our best Self". If practiced correctly, yoga asana breaks down the psychological, emotional, physical, energetic, and psychic obstacles that inhibit us from thriving, he says. I think yoga is the best way to a healthier lifestyle."Yoga is the practice of tolerating the consequences of being yourself". ~ Bhagavad Gita

Simple Pleasures
It can be the pleasure of sweets, the pleasure of love, or the pleasure of deep practice. Whether it is taking a risk or no risk at all -- having something to look forward to every day sometimes is the biggest dare of all. Being alone with yourself is also a good thing but try to find the time to meet people. You never know what you might discover in a day that can teach us a lesson -- get outside and explore. There's no excuse not to give a few minutes of your day for better future. Do the things that make you smile, laugh and do more of that!. "Make time to enjoy the simple things in life".

You deserve a day where worries don't get in the way of anything. A day where... even if some people are insensitive or unkind, you're not going to mind because the blessings you received are far greater than the burdens you experience. Remember always focus on positive energy. Intentions + Affirmative Action = Great Result!

LIVE positively in the present and CREATE a beautiful tomorrow TODAY, right here right now. Don't put your past in the future.

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle”. ~ Albert Einstein

“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity”. ~ Unknown

Life is full of beauty -- notice it and embrace it! Life is either daring adventure or nothing -- Live with good intention!!

Five Techniques to Relax and Focus Your Mind

2012-10-17T10:40:00.003-07:00

By Michaiel Patrick Bovenes (Author, Teacher and Creative Founder of 'Soul-utions')

Technique One: Breathe Slowly
Begin by inhaling a deep breath through your nose and as you slowly exhale through your mouth, mentally repeating the word “relax”. Repeat these three or four times. You can say the word, “relax” out loud at first, but has captured your attention. What are you thinking or worrying about? Is your mind in the past or the future? Are you thinking about someone in particular? Explore what has captured your attention and then repeat the breathing exercise above to practice silently repeating the word, like a mantra. Next focus your awareness on whatease it with your exhale.

Tip: You can visualize that as you exhale, you are breathing out the thoughts and feelings from your mind through your mouth, like bubbles floating off into the distance.

Technique Two: Write
This exercise will help you gain clarity and perspective. Find some paper and write down your thoughts. This will help you slow down your thinking and release what’s “on your mind”. As you write, remind yourself… “I have these thoughts… I am not my thoughts; I have these feelings… I am not my feelings.” Let the words flow out of you and write them down without editing or being concerned with grammar or spelling.

To clear your consciousness fast express in writing what’s on your mind. Then take these papers and destroy them. Tear them up and throw them away, flush them down the toilet or burn them. You want to destroy the writing with gusto and intensity. Mentally tell yourself, “I am letting go of these thoughts and feelings. I am freeing my mind.” This technique is great for insomnia, on restless nights, like I described above.

Tip: An important fact, you can not write as fast as you can think, so when you write down your thoughts you will slow down your thinking automatically. This is one of the benefits of journaling and why it is considered a meditative experience. It slows your mind down and focuses your attention quickly.

Technique Three: Hum
Take a few moments and hum the lyrics of a favorite song. Concentrate on remembering the lyrics and feel the vibration of humming in your throat, face and chest. This will benefit you two ways:

1. Concentration and remembering the song will focus your mind.

2. The vibration of humming will ground you into the sensation of your physical body.

It is a great technique and you can do it anywhere at anytime. After just a few minutes you’ll feel a difference.

Technique Four: Visualize
Follow this simple guided meditation. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply three times and mentally (silently) say the word “relax”. Imagine a “basketball size” sphere of white light hovering about twelve inches above your head. Focus your mind to visualize the minutest detail. Imagine that you see it and feel the warmth radiating down on the top of your head. Next imagine this sphere slowly lowering and touching the crown of your head.

Take another deep breath and bring the sphere down around your head, like a helmet. Imagine that your head is filled with white light. If you were to open your eyes, the light would stream out from inside of you. Imagine the light dissolving these scattered thoughts.

Focus on the light, feel its warmth and sense it filling your mind with peace and comfort. Breathe naturally for a few minutes. When you are ready, simply open your eyes and go back to your activities. This is great for a quick focus before an important meeting. You can do this in a parked car, at your desk or in a bathroom stall.

Technique Five: Be Sensual
Focus your attention on your five senses. This provides a mental boundary to contain your scattered mind. Being sensual simply means to be aware of your five senses. Smell the air, feel the temperature on your skin, listen to the sounds around you and taste the food that you eat. Being sensual brings you into the present fast and effectively.

You now have five easy ways to focus your mind and harness its power. Your mind will help you make more trustworthy decisions throughout your day and you’ll experience overall greater inner peace.

These techniques will offer fast and temporary relief of a scattered mind.

“Breathe in the FUTURE -- Breathe out the PAST.”

Stillness

2012-09-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

There is value in being mindful of the world and what it offers without comment or thought. According to Zen Master - Thich Nhat Hanh

“Silence is essential for deep transformation. It allows the practice of conscious breathing to become deep and effective. Like still water that reflects things as they are, the calming silence helps us to see things more clearly, and therefore, to be in deeper contact with ourselves and those around us.”

“When you contemplate the big, full sunrise, the more mindful and concentrated you are, the more the beauty of the sunrise is revealed to you.”

“Joy and happiness are possible right here and right now if you know the practice of mindfulness and concentration.”

Stillness connects us to our natural intelligence, a holistic wisdom that can only arise with reduced stimulation. Stimulation naturally puts our nervous system on alert, an unconscious action that disconnects us immediately from any sense of deep well-being. From stillness comes all action… are you connected to your source? Remember energy flows where attention goes.

“Silence is a great source of strength.” ~ Lao Tzu

“Sometimes, simply by sitting the Soul collects wisdom.” ~ Zen Proverb

“Silence is the great teacher and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it. There is no substitute for the creative inspiration, knowledge, and stability that comes from knowing how to contact your core of inner silence.” ~ Deepak Chopra

“The beauty of today is in all the things: feeling the gentle breeze on your skin, the sunlight filtering through the clouds, the sound of the birds, the silence of no wind. You notice the in-and-out flow of your breath, the feeling of aliveness inside your body. And then there is the beautiful stillness behind it all, which is deep within you. It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

This world is so full of beauty.
Open your mind and you will see.
Let your thoughts just drift away.
To a place you want to be.
(Poem by John F Connor)

Sometimes stillness is a better choice than any action.

Five Optimism Tips To Success

2012-09-13T13:45:00.001-07:00

We often set goals and make changes along the way. Myself included. I can't even stick with one goal. I make plans and keep changing it later in the process. Staying motivated is also hard when we don't have the right support. When people stray from their goals, it's tempting to give up altogether. Life has its ups and downs, hurts and disappointments. It's all part of the learning process self-discovery.

Here are the five tips that I learned:

1. Think Positive. I know it's easier said than done but it does help! Always think as if something wonderful is going to happen. Every day is a new day. New challenge and hope. Believe that things will work out, the long road has a purpose, the things that you desire may not happen today, but they will happen.
"The key to your happiness and contentment lies within you, within your own heart and mind. The way you start each day is very important; you can start off on the right foot or the wrong one. You can wake up with a song of joy and gratitude in your heart for the new day, for being alive, for the very wonder of living, and for being in tune and harmony with the rhythm of all life. You can expect the very best from the coming day and therefore draw it to you. Or you can start the day with a chip on your shoulder, disgruntled and out of rhythm. You are responsible for what today will bring, and knowing it gives you an even greater responsibility than those souls who are not aware of it and therefore know no better. You cannot blame your state of mind on anyone else. It all rests with you." ~ Eileen Caddy

2. Staying Motivated. I keep myself busy and doing stuff that I am suppose to be doing. Sometimes with a little competitive spirit inside and looking up to someone or something also helps to do better. It can be hard to stay motivated when you're doing it all alone but we can reach out to people for help. Goals can be achieved with persistent and perseverance.
"Don't let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was." ~ Richard L. Evans

3. Focus on Accomplishments, Not Failures. I often think about little things that makes me proud of what I have achieved. Think of something that makes you feel better rather than thinking about what you've done wrong. I feel better when I reward myself with compliments. Enjoy the things in life that make you smile and celebrate yourself!
"May we never let the things we can't have, or don't have, or shouldn't have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness, let us not forget it, for one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have". ~ Richard L. Evans

4. Make a Change. What would I be doing differently? I may not like the result but continue to make goals and changes that's attainable. It doesn't have to be a 'New Year' resolution to make life changing events. Sometimes we can be happy with how things are set at the moment and there's no reason to change a thing but if it's necessary to make a change then do it.
"When we get out of the way and start allowing ourselves to be who we really are, despite the good opinion of others, connect with the core of your being and know like you know that this is who I really am and this is what I really want...AMAZING things start to happen all around you. Everything you have dreamed of begins to line itself up right before your very own eyes!" ~ The Secret

5. Be Grateful and Hopeful. Everything will work out when it's suppose to. Recognize and enjoy small success in life often make people to feel happy again. Knowing when things don't turn out the way we hope, it sucks! But, it can also be a set back to see the world in a different way. Always believe that things will turn out for the best but prepare for the worst and move on. Life is too short to be miserable.

"If we see the exact same event from a different perspective we will see an entirely different event. We cannot control the wind... but we CAN control our sail as it catches the wind. Learn to set the sails of your perspective and use the winds to move you forward toward your goal." ~ Positively Positive

It’s a new day! A new opportunity to be grateful!