Self pity

One of our worst enemies as we are faced with challenges is to succumb to self pity. And even if you have been facing what seem to be insurmountable challenges self pity will only keep you stuck right where you are. Today begin to acknowledge that self pity is a sign of insecurity. You want to be pitied because you crave attention, and without pity, you may worry that nobody will care about you. There is something inherently alluring about having a victim mentality. If you believe yourself to be a victim, you surrender your personal responsibility, which essentially gives you “permission” to blame someone or something else for your negative situation. And blaming others is such a waste of time. It also means that you somehow believe that you “deserve” pity. So if something bad happens, your ego seeks out pity in order to reinforce a victim mentality, which then allows you to abdicate your personal responsibility to do something to change your circumstance—while receiving attention that you might associate with feeling important or loved. Today, begin to listen to the victim stories that you may have been telling yourself like the unfairness of it all and how you have it more difficult than others. When you notice yourself engaging in pity-seeking behaviors, short-circuit your conditioning by practicing gratitude and recognizing how good it feels. Instead of focusing on how you have been wronged or hurt, immediately think about something positive in your life. Repeatedly practicing gratitude will reverse the conditioning that caused your behaviors in the first place and help you create positive feelings without needing negative reinforcement. Over the long term, you need to build a sense of self-worth by accepting personal responsibility for your life and consciously choosing to change the situations that aren’t working for you. When you feel like you control your own fate, you stop being a victim and you feel far more valuable as a person. Today, substitute your sad, victim stories with tales of victories that you have in reality accomplished. Know that gaining self pity is not the road to self actualization or for that matter happiness. Today, know that you always have a choice to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life, or you can focus on what’s right. Today choose to see what's right in your life.

Just for today, I choose to feel good about myself. I remind myself each morning that I have the choice to feel good about myself. It is a new habit for me to cultivate. I release the need to blame anyone. I always have the power to change my life and my thoughts. I am safe. I am strong and out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

A noble truth about suffering

One of the four noble truths of Buddhism is that life always involves suffering in obvious and subtle forms. Even when things seem good, we, as human beings, always feel an undercurrent of anxiety and uncertainty inside. And yet, most of us spend our entire life trying to avoid suffering; are completely shocked by our suffering or that there is something wrong with us because we suffer. Today, it is time to stop viewing yourself as broken, damaged or in need of being "fixed". Today, begin to see that in truth there is nothing to fix in your life. There is nothing to do and that there is nothing to become. Coping with human challenges does not mean that you are less-than or that you are damaged; it only means that you are experiencing things all human beings experience even if your ego has some other idea about being perfect. The trick is not to bend life’s will to your personal desires-to try to make like what you "think" it should be. It is the other way around. You must find the flexibility to bend to Life. Today, accept what life is offering you now and stop focusing on your suffering and how you think your life should be different. Today be willing to unconditionally accept whatever life is at this exact moment. Today, just accept and know that you are healing which means to make whole not perfect And, that healing begins when your acceptance of your life and its lessons begins.

Just for today, I willingly release any need for struggle or suffering. I am willing to accept my life as it is. I deserve all that is good in life. I recognize that peace begins within me. The more peaceful I am inside the more peace I have to share with others. The inner creates the outer always. I now go beyond barriers to possibilities and everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Sensitive season

We are in the midst of Cancer season, which may be making your feel extra sensitive and unsure of yourself. Yet, universally you and I are all being asked to to make bigger, bolder and more expansive choices - to take risks. And, that means you need to let go of a lot of people, ideas, intentions, and circumstances, which are keeping you mired in struggle, suffering and basically stuck where you are at. And even if it is tempting to want to forge ahead, you need to process what you have been feeling and experiencing. You need time to grieve, to feel, to release, and ultimately plan for your fantastic future. Today, recognize that there is a lot going on inside of you that you need to process before moving forward even if you are tempted to ignore it all and force your way forward, no matter what. Today, recognize that you will get to where you want to be one step at a time, one day at a time.

Just for today, I listen to my feelings and I am gentle with myself. I know that all my feelings are my friends, not just the ones I like. I am safe when I express my feelings. I can remain serene under all circumstances. I am centered and focused. I feel more secure each day. I joyously let go of everything that no longer serves any purpose in my life. I am safe, divinely guided and loved. Life supports me in every possible way and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Your happiness is right here

Have you been waiting for the big moment when you can make that big change that will lead to happiness? Well, today it is time to wake up to the fact that you have been wasting your time waiting for whatever you think will make you happy. Today, it is time to recognize that your ability to feel happier comes from inside yourself, not from external circumstances. You don’t need to quit your job, move to an exotic location, lose weight, have more friends or more money to be happy. You can embody happiness right now. Today, no matter your situation, you can start right now to experience that happiness that you've been waiting for when something happens or when you get something that you have wanted for a very long time. Today, recognize that the key to happiness is appreciating what you have at this moment. Sure, we all want to make changes sometimes. But one change, no matter how big, is unlikely to transform your current misery into a state of elation. Today, begin to appreciate the small things in the world around you that do make you smile and laugh. Appreciating the small things in your life right now will add up to big changes in your mindset. Today, stop criticizing yourself for everything you aren’t, stop longing for that one thing that you think will make you happy, stop missing what is right in front of you and start appreciating your life for everything it is.

Just for today, I awaken appreciating everything in sight and I give thanks for it all. I recognize that the Universe totally supports every thought I think and choose to believe. I have unlimited choices about what I think. I choose balance, harmony and peace and I express it in my life. I am perfect exactly as I am right now and everything is always working out for my highest good, even if I don't know it right now. I am safe and all is truly well in my world. And so it is.

New Moon in Cancer

We have a New Moon in Cancer, the compassionate and nurturing crab . New Moons are always a potent time for setting intentions, for as the moon's light grows so do your intentions. And, since Cancer, the crab carries its home on its back, representing its desire to always feel safe and secure, you too may be looking for new ways to feel more secure and “at home” with wherever you are right now. Feeling at home is really about acceptance, accepting where you are right now, even if you do not want to be there any longer. It is about embracing the reality that where you are is where you need to be, even though you may feel challenged, fearful, or at odds with what lies before you. You may feel like you don't fit any longer where you are nor do you really know how to get to your next place-a place where you feel at home and that you fit in. Today, set your intentions to practice radical and unwavering self-care by being gentle with yourself, standing up for yourself, setting boundaries, and moving from a place of compassion. On this New Moon, set your intentions with the knowing that you are building a better life for yourself. You may feel uncertain on the journey. But, today have unwavering faith that you are always safe, divinely guided and protected. Just for today, I move through life, knowing that I am divinely guided and protected. I am safe. It is only change. I now cross all bridges with joy and ease. The old unfolds into wonderful new experiences. My life gets better all the time. And so it is.

Overwhelmed, then stop!

Juggling all the pieces of your ever evolving life, new and old, can be exhausting and overwhelming. And, you may feel like you can't stop to catch your breath or to evaluate whether what you are so busy doing is really serving any purpose in your current life. Today, if you are feeling overwhelmed by what is happening in your life, stop and try something else. It may seem counterintuitive to stop and do something else because you have so much to do and can't waste any time doing anything else, especially not stopping. However the amazing thing is that when you do stop doing what is causing you to feel overwhelmed and change your focus, you actually regain control over the shape of your life. You may not have control over all your life circumstances or even your emotions, but you do control how you react. When you choose to react in ways that nourish your sense of well-being, like stopping and giving yourself a break, you will be able to face challenges for what they are, not from the exaggerated place of overwhelm. While overwhelm is bound to happen in your life, you can choose to react in ways that enable you to feel confident and in control. It’s not the same as running away from your problems; it’s finding a new route to get around them which will have the immediate benefit of improving your sense of well-being and the long-term benefit of helping you take action and find solutions without so much suffering. Today, recognize that by taking charge of the content of your life and intentionally choosing to stop, you can find that even when overwhelm happens, you have the tools to work with it and the power to shape your life through your consciously choices and actions. Today, when you feel overwhelmed choose to stop and do something else. It will help you make it through this very messy period of reinvention of yourself with greater ease. Keeping going because you are making progress, just make it easier on yourself!

Just for today, my life is joyously balanced between work, place and rest. I nourish myself by saying no when I mean no and yes when I mean yes. I know what I want and I do not have to apologize for it. With the Universe as my partner, I move from success to success. I share my harvest of good with others and we are all blessed. I feel safe in the rhythm and flow of my ever changing life. And everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Gratitude for it all

We live in a world full of teachers—both people and experiences—that enable us to learn, grow, and continually evolve into the people we want to be.

We have many, if not all, of our basic needs met, allowing us, in truth, to comfortably enjoy life’s abundant simple pleasures and to stress about small inconveniences. We may not have it all, or the same things other people have, but we each have countless things, people, and opportunities to appreciate and enjoy. And, this moment will never come again, and there’s no guarantee the moments that follow will look anything like this. Knowing this somehow makes the present more precious—even if things aren’t perfect. Today, acknowledge and allow yourself to awaken to the fact that your Life is a gift. It isn’t always easy, or happy, but it’s one hell of a ride—and it wouldn’t be without the bumps, turns, twists, losses and gains. Today, know that it is okay to feel angry, despondent, and disappointed. It’s okay to wish things were different—that you were healthier, or happier, or generally less lost in the world. And, nothing is ever gained by ignoring reality or repressing your emotions. But there’s a difference between embracing your feelings and stewing in them. It might not be possible to be feel grateful all the time, but it is possible to be grateful more often than not. Today, set your intentions to find things to be grateful for. Today, remember, gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. Be grateful today! Just for today, I express gratitude for all the good in my life. Each day brings me wonderful new surprises. The more gratitude I feel the more I am aware that the supply is endless. I am grateful for every experience that I have ever had for they have shaped me into the person I am today and that is exactly who I am supposed to be right now. I love, approve and accept myself exactly as I am. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Self doubt

As you take steps out of your comfort zone and begin to change, you just may run into the self doubt monster that whispers to you that you can't do it; that you may fail and that you are not good enough to get what you want. Today, it is time to begin to conquer that self doubt monster. First begin to listen to yourself and eliminate the I can't statements that your self doubt keeps creating. Next, consciously let go of the fear of failing -if you fail, know that you will begin again, as you have done before -wiser and stronger. Next, stop comparing yourself to others and their life journey. Stop listening to those people who bring you down or who want you to stop changing. Today, instead of feeding the self doubt monster, recall your successes and how far you have come and consciously stay in the present moment. Self-doubt lies either in the past as memories or in the future as imaginary projections. It cannot exist in the now. In the now, there is only doing what is real. Today recognize that self-doubt never disappears. However, over time know that you can get better at dealing with it. Today, consciously acknowledge that even though self doubt will greet you every time you take steps out of your comfort zone, that you do not need to fear or allow the the self doubt monster to win any longer. Today, know that your doubts are only thoughts and can be changed. Sure, something may go wrong. But if you never try, you’re losing an opportunity to improve your life. If you never try, you will never achieve your true greatness in this life. Today, set your intentions to change your thoughts and to conquer the self doubt monster.

Just for today, I have the self esteem, power and confidence to move forward in life with ease. I am a capable person. I can handle anything that comes my way. As I change my thoughts the world around me changes. My self esteem is high because I honor who I am. I am safe. It is only change and out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Mistakes and overthinking

Good decisions come from experience and experience comes from bad decisions. And yet, none of us ever want to make a bad decision or a mistake. Today, it is time to stop overthinking your next step and act. It is time for us all to act and move forward, even if we don't know exactly what that next step is and even if we are afraid of making the wrong decision. Making a decision sometimes forces you to grow in areas where you’re not comfortable. When you second-guess yourself, it’s usually because of that discomfort. But it’s important to remember that change happens incrementally. So, be patient with yourself, trust and believe that you will be guided and protected, even if you make a mistake and need to re-direct. Today, get comfortable with the idea of making a mistake. Time gives us an opportunity to fix all sorts of things we think we may have screwed up. There is power in simply letting things go and deciding to re-evaluate and changing your mind at any moment. You are not who you were yesterday and you are not who you will be tomorrow. So, make peace with that. Today, acknowledge that Life is full of second chances and every wrong turn can be righted. Today, stop over thinking and second guessing yourself and take the first step. Just for today, I do not fix my problems. I fix my thinking and my problems fix themselves. I know that when I make a mistake it is all part of the learning process. I recognize that every decision I make is the right one for me. I am willing to move forward. I am safe, divinely protected and guided. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Free your mind and the rest will follow

Happy July 4th- the day we celebrate our freedom and a day that you recognize your true freedom doesn’t come in the future, from a situation, from achieving a goal or “from” anything at all, but is within you right now. And, you can find it today by stopping taking everything so personally. Only you can know what is true or not. By taking another person’s opinion of yourself to heart and choosing to believe it, you are doing yourself a huge injustice. Today, you can experience more freedom by consciously stopping yourself from assuming the victim role. Instead embrace each and every thing that happens to you, good and bad, as an opportunity to learn, to grow, to experience more freedom. Today you can experience your true freedom by being compassionate, kind and understanding of yourself. Today, focus on the good things and give yourself some credit for how far you have come and how much you have grown. Finally on this fourth of July, practice forgiveness for yourself and others. Forgiving is releasing the power that a certain event has over you. By not forgiving you are keeping your mind in the past, thinking and wishing that things could have been different. This traps you and makes you feel powerless and keeps you in the prison of your own thoughts. Forgiveness puts you back into the present—the only time that truly exists—where you have the power to live free and happy. Today consciously free your mind and the rest will follow.

Just for today, I give myself the gift of freedom from the past and move with joy into the now. I forgive everyone in my life. I release them with love. They are now free and I am now free to move one with love in my heart. I free myself from all destructive fears and doubts. I am free to be who I am. I am safe and everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

What if you had no fear? What would you do or be?

Happy July! June was an intensely challenging month due to the many Eclipses and planets that were retrograde. But, I am told that July will bring us some space and time to relax, have fun and just enjoy ourselves. And, we will feel more clarity, feel stronger, more supported, and more confident in our journey ahead. The energies of July can help us overcome our fear and our lack of self confidence. Today begin this new month by setting your intentions to face your fears and to put them in their place. Begin by monitoring your thoughts and being vigilant in keeping them positive. Fearful thoughts attract more fear. Positive thoughts attract success. Instead of expecting the worst, train your mind to expect the best. Make positive assumptions about your future. Next, stop focusing on scarcity and lack. Learn to think, speak, and live as an abundant person. Celebrate what you have and who you are right now. Focus your attention on being ready, willing, and prepared for the beauty, wonder, good luck and favorable circumstances that will be yours if you are willing to work and be open to change. Finally, plan this month to be great!! Step into your power and dream big. Follow it up with the willingness to take risks and deliberate action steps. This month set your intentions to have no doubt about your success. Have no doubt in yourself nor your abilities. You have the power to do what it takes to break through any obstacles that stand in the way of yourself, your dreams, and your happiness. Begin this month by asking yourself what if you had no fear what would you do, then face your fear and do it.

Just for today, I let go of all fear and doubt and Life becomes simple and easy for me. I recognize that it is my mind that creates my experiences and that I am unlimited in my ability to create the good in my life. I am safe, divinely guided and protected and everything is working out for my highest good.

Life is always fair!

Life isn't always fair which is something that we all know at a gut level and yet injustices done to yourself or others may still rile you up and make you angry. And each and every day, we have many opportunities to recognize injustices in our lives, sometimes on a big scale and sometimes on a small one. The bottom line is that Life isn’t always fair. And, for many reasons, you may find yourself routinely wanting to change the injustices in your life through dwelling on the injustices, arguing, fighting and generally being aggressive for a good cause-for righting a wrong. However, dwelling on unfairness doesn’t do anything to change it; it actually affects your ability to do that since obsessive thinking drains your energy, magnifies your emotions, and keeps you more focused on problems than solutions. Today, as we end another challenging month, set your intentions to stop dwelling on all the injustices in your life. Acknowledge that you can’t change mistreatment that happened in the past. But, you can address mistreatment that’s happening now. Acknowledge that you can’t change someone else’s decision or behavior if they aren’t willing to change. You can change how you respond to them Today, acknowledge that sometimes there will be unfair things that you simply need to accept, even if it might feel instinctive to fight it. You and I are only human, and we will sometimes give in to our emotional responses. What’s important is that you and I try to move beyond them so we don’t let the things we can’t control take control of us! Today, set your intentions to change the things you can and if you can't, change the way you think about them.

Just for today, it does not matter what other people say or do. What does matter is how I choose to react and what I choose to believe about myself. I recognize that if I dwell on what I do not want, that is exactly what I will get more of. I choose to believe that I have the power to change my life and Life supports me in every possible way. I am safe and in truth, everything is always working out for my highest good. And so it is

Wish-craft gets you nowhere

Sometimes hope is a beautiful thing. It can motivate, empower, and inspire you when you’re tempted to give up. But other times it just keeps you stuck. When you push through today for a better tomorrow, without doing anything to create that new possibility, your hope creates the illusion of change to come, when in truth you have done nothing to create anything new in your life. And, when you hold onto the past, hoping to revive a relationship, situation, or time that is clearly over with, your hope stops even better possibilities in the present. When you hope you’ll someday know happiness—when you get the right relationship, the right job, the right amount of money in your bank account—your hope allows you to avoid reality. And it makes it unlikely that you’ll ever know happiness since hope for something else is the only way you know to experience it. Today, consciously stop hoping and wishing your life away. Hope is comforting, but not always empowering. It is only through your beliefs that your good will come. Hope may give you possibilities in tomorrow, but belief gives you possibilities NOW.

When you believe you can be happy regardless of what you gain or achieve, you open your eyes and find reasons to feel and share joy. When you believe you can have something better, you take responsibility for creating it, starting in this moment. When you believe you’re complete, even if you don’t feel good in any given moment, you challenge yourself to think beyond your emotions, and remember the larger picture. Today, believe you can! Believe your way into the life you desire and create that tomorrow you want. It starts right now. It starts today!

Just for today, I recognize that Life is really simple. I create my experiences by my thinking and feeling patterns. What I believe a about myself and my life becomes true for me. I believe in my own power to create the life I desire. I am safe and Life supports me in every possible way. And so it is