Choose your words with care

Your words are powerful.

They have the potential to hurt and destroy or to enhance and create. And you always have a choice on how you use your words. So, today set your intentions to become more mindful of the words you speak and the words you think. For instance, most of us use the word "trying", a lot, when we aren't sure of the outcome or the quality of our actions. Today, recognize that in reality you are either doing or not doing, not trying, trying is not an action! So today become aware of how much you use the word trying and change your words to "I am in the process" or whatever words that say that you are actually doing something. Next, become aware of how often you say you "have to do" something. In reality, you never have to do anything unless you are incarcerated or being held hostage. In reality, you are choosing to do whatever you do. Finally, perhaps the biggest change we can make is shifting our internal voice from a punisher to a cheerleader. Today, monitor the words that you speak to yourself, yourself, talk and cheer yourself on, instead of criticizing, judging, yelling and sometimes even swearing at yourself. As Louise said, you have been criticizing yourself for years. Try approving of yourself and see what happens. Today, recognize that no matter what age you are or where you are on your journey, that it is never too late to change your words—and to change your world-to change your Life.

Just for today, I recognize that every word I speak is an affirmation. My subconscious is always listening. I monitor my self talk making certain it is uplifting of myself and others. I recognize that every thought I think and speak are creating my future. I choose to think and speak positively. I am in the process of making positive changes in every area of my life. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Venus in Aquarius

During the month of February, there will be five planets in Aquarius, including Venus. Venus is the planet that governs the heart which is the "feeling" nature. Aquarius is an air sign, which is associated with thinking and fosters uniqueness and individuality. So, during Mercury Retrograde, which always helps us slow down and look inward, you and I will be re-thinking and re-feeling our relationships. We will be re-evaluating our self worth, so we can more freely be ourselves. Today, allow yourself to think back on your past relationships that have ended. You most likely gave too much of yourself or tried to be someone you are not in an effort to please other people. Then, allow Venus is Aquarius to offer you the objectivity to look at how you interact with others so you can attract more supportive relationships. The more honest and direct you are in your relationships, the healthier they will be. Today, remember that every relationship is a mirror of your self worth. And, since you have changed, it is time for you to let go of the relationships that no longer mirror who you are right now. Today, let the energies of the Universe help you to do just that so that you can make room for new relationships that reflect who you are right now.

Just for today, I recognize that I am worthy of love and respect. As I begin to love and value myself more, I attract new loving, balanced, reciprocal relationships into my life. I attract only loving relationships into my life for they are a mirror of who I am. I am willing to let go of all the relationships that no longer serve any purpose in my life. I am safe in all my relationships. I give and receive lots of love. I am willing to change and all my changes are easy to make. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Speak up for yourself

For many of us speaking up for ourselves or asking for what we need or want is not easy nor comfortable. We long to ask for what we want, to be heard and to be respected. However, as a result of suppressing our emotions, needs, and desires, we end up feeling resentful, helpless and angry! And, that anger and resentment make it almost impossible to ask for what we want or need in a way that other people can hear us. Today, it is time to consciously set your intentions to speak up for yourself and ask for what you want or need before you get angry and feel resentful. It is time to stop being the "good, agreeable person”, who puts everyone else's needs before your own or definitely doesn’t rock the boat. Today, acknowledge that just because you suppress your true feelings and needs, they don’t disappear or go away; they transform into something else. For some people, they transform into explosive anger. Other people’s suppressed emotions manifest into depression, anxiety, or some other physical illness. But, you can change that today. Today recognize that you are worth asking for what you need and want and that you deserve things to be right for you. Speaking up for your needs does not make you a difficult person. It means you respect yourself and know that you deserve better than what you are receiving. Today, ask for what you want when you become aware of your need. Do not wait for you to become resentment and angry to act or to ask for what you need or want. Today, know that speaking up for your needs does not make you a difficult person. It means you respect yourself and know that you deserve better than what you are receiving.

Just for today, I am free to speak up for myself. I appreciate all that I do. I am good enough just as I am. I speak up for myself. I ask for what I want. I reclaim my power now and create the life I desire. Life supports me in every possible way. And so it is.

Re-view, re-think, re-visit, and re-vise

Mercury Retrograde is something everyone likes to blame things on. But in reality, it is a time where we are forced to deal with the things that we have overlooked, ignored, rationalized away and thought we were done with. And, of course, Mercury Retrograde can show you otherwise by giving you opportunities to review, re-assess and rethink elements in your life. Today, instead of dreading what the next three weeks will bring you or fearing the snafus which you assume will ensue, recognize that Mercury Retrograde is your opportunity to play catch up and to re-visit things so you can be certain they are what you want before moving forward. Mercury Retrograde wants you to pause before making a change. And, since this Mercury Retrograde is Aquarius, we are intended to re-visit our higher purpose and to re-think all your relationships, to re-assess your values and your self worth. Today, instead of fighting to make thing happen, welcome the pause and know that in reality it is helping you to step forward into a more authentic future, rather than the one that is old, overdone, and not for your highest good any longer. Today, do not push anything for you could be thwarted. Pause and give yourself a chance to look, listen and learn.

Just for today, I trust in the perfection of Divine timing and allow my life to unfold as it should. I trust that I am always in the right place, at the right time for the unfolding of my plans, dreams and desires. Everything is occurring in the perfect timing. I surrender to and trust in the divine timing of my life. I am safe and out of this situation only good will come. And everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Groundhog's Day

Happy Groundhog's day! Sometimes life can feel like Groundhog's Day. Same routine, same issues, same sense of hopelessness. It seems that no matter how hard you try, you end up in the same spot, in the same position having to start all over again. And, then your inability to change your messed up emotional patterns starts taking an excruciating toll on your well-being. But just because you feel stuck that doesn’t mean you are. Today, accept that at any time you can change your mindset, your choices, and therefore change your life. Changing your mindset won’t guarantee that everything will be okay. But it will give you the insight and strength to believe that you will be okay and that you can handle what life dishes up. And it will also help you create a life that feels more fulfilling and less empty. The first step in any change is recognition. You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge. Today, start to notice when you have a negative pattern of thinking that keeps you stuck. Then, choose to start practicing mindfulness, which basically means you are aware of what you’re thinking, but you don’t get caught up in your thoughts. Today, recognize that you are not your thoughts and feelings. You experience thoughts and feelings, but they don’t need to own you. On this day you can choose to change your life. You can choose a new path and things can change. Remember, when you change the way you look at the things in your life, the things you look at will change.

Just for today, I am willing to change. I am willing to see my life in a whole new way. I choose to believe that I have the power to change my life and that all my changes will be easy. I am willing to let go of everything that keeps me stuck. I am safe and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Flexibility is your true strength

Real power and strength come from flexibility. And, flexibility in thinking and action is what will bring you true happiness. After all, the only constant in life is change. Today it is time to recognize that your true strength and ability to weather what life brings you is your flexibility, not in reality your "strength" or your ability to force things or your rigidity to stick with your old beliefs and actions, even if they are not working for you. It is your ability to be able to bend with the wind rather that staying rigid and stuck in the ways that you have convinced yourself that they should be. Goals are good, but trying to constantly force your will is not only exhausting, but excruciatingly futile. Today, instead surrender to the fact that you do not in reality control everything nor can you make things happen because you have convinced yourself that it is what your life "should" look like. Today remain flexible and open, and let the experiences in. Today, go with flow, stop fighting, suffering, wondering and worrying. Today remember, if you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results.

Just for today, I am flexible and flowing. I flow easily with new experiences, new challenges and new people that enter my life. I feel safe in the rhythm and flow of my ever changing life. I flow easily and lovingly with life and I know only good awaits me at every turn. I am safe. It is only change. Out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Letting go

One of the most challenging things in life is knowing when to let go—when to let go of a job, a relationship, a belief, a repeating thought, a situation or whatever you have chosen to remain attached to. And, most of us remain attached because it provides us with a sense of security and safety. However, although remaining attached helps us feel safe, we generally end up feeling stuck. While there’s nothing wrong with safety—it is, after all, one of our basic needs—we must learn to discern what is truly safe and what is safe for the sake of comfort and conformity. So, today it is time to really look within yourself, to be honest with yourself and to begin to discern what you need to let go of so that you can move on. Do not wait for life to force you and to make the decision for you!! That perhaps is the most painful thing to do-knowing that you must let go and change but choosing not to out of fear or perhaps out of your best thinking. Today, recognize that everything has a season—sometimes the season lasts a minute, sometimes it lasts years, but eventually there is a new season on the horizon. Today, allow yourself to be still and quiet and to listen to the nudges that your intuition is giving you and letting you know that it is time to let go. If you don’t listen to the voice that is asking you to let go, then you will never know what beautiful blessings await you on the other side—in the unknown. Your mind cannot possibly conceive what lies ahead. Today, no matter what excuses or rationalizations that your ego may be telling you why you need to stay attached, remember holding on is believing that there’s only a past; letting go is knowing that there’s a future.

Just for today, I am willing to let go. I give myself permission to let go. I lovingly forgive and release all of the past. I am safe. It is only change and I know that letting go will allow me to move forward. Life supports me in every possible way and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius

Today begins Mercury Retrograde in the sign of Aquarius until February 20th. Mercury governs communication, and Aquarius is associated with groups, friends, hopes and dreams. During any Mercury Retrograde, it is time to revise how you communicate and to reconnect with your intuitive insights. And this Mercury Retrograde because Aquarius is all about community, friendships and relationships will therefore shine a spotlight on your relationships. It may trigger things from your past, reignite heart wounds that you need to heal and it will make you examine who you have chosen to hang around with and what your relationships say about how you feel and think about yourself. It will show you what you need to change in those relationships and in some cases who you need to let go of. And, this retrograde will also offer a deeper understanding, new clarity, and awakening into how you can create positive change. On a deeper level, you will most likely will be given opportunities to revisit your Higher Purpose and your role in the world as it relates to the greater good. You will be given the opportunity to re-evaluate who you work with and for and whether that work is in alignment with your highest good. Today, as you reflect on your long-term plans, you might just want to rethink your relationships. You might want to see where they are out of balance and where in some cases it is long past time for you to let go. After all, everyone in your life is a reflection of who you are and what you think about yourself. And since we are all shedding old beliefs, old limitations and old habits, your relationships also need to change. Today, allow yourself to slow down and look inward because all the answers that you seek are right there.

Just for today, my consciousness is filled with healthy, positive loving thoughts that are reflected in all my experiences. I do not have to earn love. I am loveable because I exist. I recognize that everyone in my life is a mirror of who and what I am. I attract only loving people into my life for they are a reflection of who and what I am. I cannot change other people. They must do their own work and they will do it when they are ready. I am willing to let go of all relationships that no longer serve any purpose in my life. I am safe. It is only change and out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Slow down. There is no rush.

Some things just take time. This can apply to relationships, business, and in my experience, it especially applies to spiritual awakening. And many of us have been experiencing awakenings which are meant to propel us forward. And, once awakened we want to get out of where we are right now, in a hurry. We want to make change now and quickly! However, rushing your development, the changes that you need to make, can result in you taking one step forward and two steps back. Today, in the shadow of Mercury Retrograde the Universe wants us to slow down and stop pushing to make things happen now. Today, if you notice that you have a tendency to rush your process, to hurriedly make big decisions consciously slow yourself down. Once you realize that the timing of your expansion, or growth, or awareness is perfect, you will relax. Today, recognize that the journey is just as important as the destination and that change takes time and cannot be rushed. Life becomes easier and far more fulfilling when you slow down and let things happen instead of pushing yourself to make those things happen.

Just for today, I allow myself to slow down and stop rushing. I trust in the perfection of divine timing and allow my life to unfold as it should. I have plenty of time to do what I need to do. Time expands for me. I slowly breath in and out and I find myself relaxing with each breath. I am a beautiful flower blossoming more each day. I delight in my world and my world delights in me. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Full Moon in Leo

Today we have our first Full Moon of 2021 in the sign of Leo. And although it is our first Full Moon in this calendar year, in the astrological year, this Full Moon is one of the last, bringing any issues that you haven't dealt with to the surface so that you can deal with them and begin another new year. And, because this Full Moon is in the sign of Leo you can expect drama, passion and heartfelt healing. This is one of those Full Moons that may feel like a mixed bag of tricks and perhaps a bit chaotic. You may feel knocked off guard, surprised, awakened or perhaps confused or uncertain about something you were once so certain of. Information and feelings may come to the surface that challenge you, or you may notice the unraveling of hidden emotions and feelings that were once neatly tucked away in a nice neat compartment. All of this surfacing of old outdated beliefs, feelings, habits and relationships are being surface so that you can deal with them, let them go and begin anew. Today is also known as the Day of Miracles. This is a once-a-year conjunction between the Sun and lucky Jupiter. Jupiter aligning with the Sun is considered a fortunate energy, and a fantastic time for signing new deals, launching an event or business, or experiencing synchronistic opportunities from the Universe. However, today under the influence of this chaotic Full Moon energies, it may be a little harder to connect with that abundant energy, but it does not mean it’s not there. If you keep your mind open and your vision expanded, you may just be able to find the little jewels that the Universe has to offer you. Today, pay attention to the signs of the Universe, and keep your sights set on the bigger picture. Know that if things are confusing, they won’t be that way forever. Clarity will soon dawn, and in time, you may even be able to look back on these events as necessary for the next steps of your journey. Today recognize that there are always obstacles in your path, but the courage and determination that Leo energy brings can remind you and me that we always have the power to make the best of whatever situation we find ourselves in. Whenever we have strong energy, like we do with this Full Moon, it is easy to fall victim to our fears and to old, familiar habits, even if we know they are not the best for us. It takes courage to rise up from your fears and to remove yourself from your comfort zone. It takes an inner strength to face adversity and to look at the bigger picture. They are definitely no easy tasks, but under the bright Leo Full Moon, you will be guided as long as you have the courage to take the first step. Sometimes taking that first step is the hardest part, but also the most rewarding. Today, set your intentions to take that first step forward, it is time for profound change in your world. Allow it to happen and remember, suffering is always optional.

Just for today, I go within and connect with the parts of myself that already know how to heal. I am willing to take the first step in making profound change in my life. When I am willing to change it is amazing that the Universe brings me everything I need to make those changes. I recognize that awareness is the first step in healing and changing. I become more aware every day. I have the strength and courage to make changes in my life. I am safe and all Life loves and supports me. Everything is working out for my highest good and so it is.

Look for the good in your life

As humans, we seem to have a built-in bias to see what’s not working, what needs fixing, what doesn’t measure up to our standards. In fact, most of the times our eyes focus in on what’s wrong-on the negative. And, although it’s not bad to see the negative because it stops us from falling into pits by looking out for potholes. But, if all you focus on is "negative" then, you can bet that is exactly what you will find more of. Today, however, it is time to look for the good, instead of what's wrong and to widen your vision so that you can see the bigger picture. Seeing the good doesn’t mean you don’t see the bad, too. Instead, it means that you allow yourself to see it all, the big panoramic view that acknowledges that you are more than any mistake, flaw or misdeed. Today, begin to cultivate a new habit- a habit of looking for the good. Today, if you should catch yourself looking at the world—or at yourself—with a narrow, negative view. Step back mentally and spread out your awareness. Allow yourself to see with the eyes of your heart. Look for something that’s working, something sweet, something lovely, something that opens you up. Look for the good in people. Look for the good in the mirror. Let looking for the good become a new default for you, and give yourself credit when you’re able to hold whatever’s happening with a big perspective and big heart. Remember what you see depends mainly on what you look for.

Just for today, I choose to see clearly with eyes of love. I love what I see. When I choose to see the world through eyes of love and acceptance, I am able to see that all is truly well in my world. I recognize that it is my mind and my thoughts that create my experiences and that I am unlimited in my ability to create the good in my life. I know if I focus on what I do not want that is exactly what I will get more of. I am safe and life supports me in every possibly way. And so it is.

Self discovery

One of the benefits of last year and perhaps the beginning of this year too is that we have been forced to look within and begin to discover who we really are. And although it sounds counterintuitive to have to learn to know yourself, that is exactly what we are intended to be doing right now-exploring the unknown and unseen within ourselves so that we become in alignment with our soul's purpose. Today it is time to begin to discover what you are passionate about and what you want from your life moving forward. Sounds simple right? Not so much, since we spend so much time distracted, blinded and deafened by ego, fear, will and stubbornness. Today it is time to make space to explore what is in your heart, not your mind, but your heart. Your ego is steeped in old, dated, unexamined stories and beliefs that keep you fearful and suffering. It wants to defend your need to stay where you are right now and to suffer. Today, find the courage to get to know the conditioned parts of yourself that constrain you and keep you stuck. Be gentle. There’s no need to judge it or shame it; all those parts of yourself are welcome, and all is okay when held with compassion and patience. Today, recognize that you have access to knowing yourself. You just have to move through the layers of yourself under habits of thinking, avoiding, running, being busy, working, working working and keeping yourself distracted, instead of meeting what is—your beautiful, joyful true nature. Today, give yourself time to really listen to your inner self and begin to understand that knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

Just for today, I am willing to learn something new about myself. No matter how old I am, there is always something new to learn. I do so with joy. I am willing to see how and where I need to change. I know when I create harmony and peace in my mind and heart, I will find it in my life. The inner creates the outer, always. I trust my inner wisdom. It is always on my side. I am safe. I am willing to let go and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Everything is going to be okay

Almost every day I end my morning message with an affirmation that "everything is working out for my highest good"-that everything will be okay. And yet, understanding that concept is different from knowing it deep within your bones that you’ll be okay no matter what. And, when you know that everything will always be okay, you live and breathe it. Instead of seeking control, you seek clarity. Instead of certainty, you seek courage. It takes courage to walk into the future knowing that you don’t have all the details nailed down. Your next step may be right, it may be wrong, it may lead you nowhere, and people may think you’re crazy, but you have to take it at some point. Today, truly begin to accept that you are not really ever in control, no matter how much planning, thinking and ruminating that you do. The truth is, no one ever really knows how it’s all going to look, but you probably have a good idea of how you want to feel and what’s most important to you. And if you don’t, maybe that’s why the details and the things you keep trying to get remain so elusive, maybe it's time for you to stop controlling and to instead surrender. Today, accept that you don’t need to see the details to trust that you’ll figure them out when the time is right, and you don’t need to see your path to know what's in your heart . You don’t need to know exactly how every piece will play out to know what the most important pieces are. And, you don’t need absolute certainty to know that you’ll find a way to be okay no matter what happens. You keep learning, you keep growing, and you can be happy knowing that everything is okay, no matter how your journey turns out. Today accept that you can only control your own actions, and by doing that, you can rest easy, knowing that in the end, you will be just fine. In the end, you will be better off for your experiences. In the end, everything will be okay.

Just for today, I trust in the perfection of divine timing and allow my life to unfold as it should. I trust my intuition. I am willing to listen to the small still voice inside me and when I do I hear all the answers to all the questions I shall every ask. I am always safe, divinely guided, protected and loved. Everything is working out for my highest good and out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.