lifestyle
Happiness Comes From Your Own Actions
People are too often stuck in a dark place in their lives, thinking that only a relationship, or financial gain, or a new job or house, is going to bring them happiness. The Dalai Lama says, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” Take a moment to reflect on this statement. It is the simple truth, yet so many of us have a difficult time relating to the simplicity of it.
We have been brought up in a world where it is often believed that happiness is only achieved through external or material sources. But you and I are each responsible for our own happiness. This is a difficult statement for many to comprehend. How can that be? I have nothing. I am alone. I do not have a job. I do not have money in my bank account. I do not have a soulmate to love me.
The answer is very simple. No one else is responsible for your life, or your happiness. You are the sole creator of your reality. Do you choose to be happy, or miserable? Continue reading
The Real Rewards Of Paying It Forward
What does it mean to ‘pay it forward’ from a spiritual perspective? On a simple level, paying it forward means we take a gift of kindness and pass it along to the next recipient, almost like a karma chain. We’ve all probably experienced such a gift, whether it was a cup of coffee, or a new car. But why do it in the first place? We’re all told that humanity is selfish, not selfless.
If we look at paying it forward beyond the superficial ‘it feels good,’ we see that it really does make us feel better on a physical and psychological level. Stress and depression rates are much lower for those who regularly volunteer, or perform acts of charity and kindness. Our brain experiences a ‘happiness boost’ almost immediately. Life expectancy is also higher for those who volunteer, compared to people who don’t. Doing selfless things simply does make us feel good. Continue reading
Connecting With Your Inner Bliss
I recently came across an article about spiritual seekers who travel to distant lands to achieve such a state of bliss and inner peace. But in my experience you really don’t have to go all the way to some exotic destination to achieve a higher state of consciousness.
When I am alone, I often find myself in a state of complete and utter bliss. When I am by myself, my energy is my own. I feel centered and complete, as if on my own little retreat. I have always felt this way and I savor the quiet moments of my day.
With a willing heart to carve out some time in your busy day, you can center yourself by being mindful and allowing your thoughts to simply come and go. Simply take a moment of solitude and go with the flow. Continue reading
How To Be Mindful On The Go!
To some individuals, being mindful while on the go might seem a contradiction in itself. However, the truth of the matter is that there are a plethora of ways to cultivate the art of mindfulness that do not involve simply sitting still.
People turn to mindfulness for many reasons. For example, they may have a medical condition that needs managing, work issues that require resolving, or just simply want to feel more present in their everyday lives. With the pace of modern life, it is clear to see why people become easily distracted and lead somewhat complicated lives as a result – all of which can be both emotionally and physically draining.
Whatever the reasons may be as to why a person turns to mindfulness, it should, indeed, help them to create a more balanced lifestyle. That said, mindfulness should not be seen as a magical cure-all, but more an efficient way of relating to personal issues differently. Continue reading
A Restlessness Of Spirit
“You really don’t seem to live in one place for more than five minutes,” said my cousin in her strong Liverpool accent. These words still echo in my mind from decades ago, when my parents and I spent a couple of years in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Soon after we were moving again! I have continued this way of life in my adulthood, moving to several different countries, and even other continents.
Perhaps I get my restless spirit from my father, typical Sagittarius that he was, just like I inherited his tendency toward alcohol addiction. A lot of moving around is not meant to be harmonious for a Cancerian female, like myself, but I recall a friend of mine compiling my Astrological chart a long time ago, saying that a strong Gemini influence in my chart was the cause of this. I am no specialist in Astrology, but find it fascinating nonetheless. Continue reading
My Life Would Be Great If Only…
My life would be great if only… I had more money… he would come back to me.. I can find a better job… I can reach my goal weight. How many times have you heard such statements? How many times have you told yourself something like this? Is it truly the answer to lasting happiness? What if there was a way to train your brain to accept life and live your best in the meantime?
As a hypnotherapist, my experience has been that when any suggestion is put into the mind, the subconscious will accept the information, whether it is true or false. Whatever a person chooses to tell themselves enough times becomes their truth. The information becomes a habit to believe the suggestion. Some habits are good and some not so good. A bad habit needs to be replaced with a good one. Continue reading
Life Contentment
Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) is recognized as the most documented psychic medium of 20th Century. Also known as “The Sleeping Prophet” he would enter a trance state of altered consciousness, to answer questions about diverse subjects, ranging from medical issues and holistic health, to past lives and philosophy. The majority of his channeled readings were recorded, numbered and archived.
Cayce’s life’s work is preserved and continued through the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E) founded circa 1931. My last visit there was 20 years ago and I recall being told by a curator, “Spirit is the life, mind is the builder, and the physical is the result.”