Universal Truths

Yes, and…

 
"Keys to a Better Life"

The manner in which we communicate with our self and others is integral to experiencing beautiful relationships and pleasant interactions.

With practice, greater awareness, and becoming truly present with these internal and external conversations, it becomes more obvious just how much of our daily language is regressive (negative) instead of progressive (positive).

In the 5th Habit of Stephen Covey’s book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” we're reminded about the importance of being active listeners so we really, deeply understand human beings. In it he states, “most people listen with the intent to reply, not to understand.”

A common occurrence when we do this “loading up” is evidenced by the automated response of “No, …”. We unintentionally, often unconsciously, reject and shut down what the other person has said or suggested by the “No” and sometimes emphatic “No, no, no” reply that precedes our own perception or interpretation of the subject.

Another option, one that allows for far lovelier interactions and that changes the dynamic of our communication is to respond with, “Yes, and …”.

A simple example of this could be that Anthony makes a suggestion about how we might approach an activity or upcoming event. In the instance where I might have a different opinion, instead of saying, “No, we should … ”, a more progressive responsive would be, “Yes, and another consideration or approach could be …”. This often leads to a lovely discussion and complimentary representation of both of us.

I invite you to become an observer when others are interacting around you to witness just how often this occurs. It's a great active listening exercise. 

You may also wish to observe if you are listening actively or unintentionally shutting down and rejecting another's perspective in conversations.

Covey’s “7 Habits” are timeless and worthy of visiting and revisit time and again: 

https://www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits-habit5.php 


Until next time...
Live the Life you Love
J. x

You Are The Person You Are Waiting For

 
"Keys to a Better Life"

"I used to say, "I sure hope things will change." Then I learned that the
only way things are going to change for me is when I change." - Jim Rohn

Often in life, when the conditions around our relationships, health, wealth and so on are not as we desire, we place the power to heal them outside ourselves. We think, say and do things that indicate when that other something changes, e.g. that person realises what they’re doing, we get that job, we find a doctor who can treat us correctly etc., then our unwanted conditions will change and everything will be OK.

However, when we truly understand that there is not a single anyone or anything outside of ourselves that needs to change for us to Be, Do and Have all that we require and desire, the power to change is back in the hands of the one and only person co-creating their involvement in the first place – our self! And how are we doing this? By our thoughts of who we are and the value we place on our existence!

"Don’t wish it was easier; wish you were better.
Don’t wish for less problems; wish for more skills.
Don’t wish for less challenges; wish for more wisdom." - Jim Rohn

In this moment now we have all the talent, skills, intellect, ability, characteristics, resources, wisdom, and any other quality required to take the very next step towards Being the person, and living the ideal life, we imagine for our self.

The reason this is true, is because of our uniqueness. There is no other ‘you’ who is coming to take your place and be the person only you can be called to be, do the things only you desire to do, and have the things only you can desire and have.

We are here to Live a Life we Love and Love the Life we Live.

Until next time…
Live a Life you Love!
J. x

Beliefs Vs Ideas

 
"Keys to a Better Life"

Stick to your beliefs, if that serves you. Hold tight. Do not waiver.
For your ideas about "right" and "wrong" are your definitions of Who You Are.
Yet do not require that others define themselves according to your terms.
– Neale Donald Walsch

Recently Anthony and I were introduced to and watched a movie by director Kevin Smith called 'Dogma'.  In it, actor Chris Rock plays Rufus, the thirteenth apostle left out of the bible because he was black. In one of his appearances, he points out that 'beliefs' may not be most beneficial because they are very hard to change, unlike an 'idea', which is fairly easy.

When it comes to hearing, seeing or reading anything that I feel may take me toward my personal version of who I desire to be, I like to implement immediately and review results. Since watching the movie I replaced saying, “my belief about abc is xyz” with “my idea about abc is xyz”.

The result: greater feelings of freedom and liberty and ease of transitioning from where I was to where I now desire to be.

Try it and see for yourself. Perhaps start by having those conversations with yourself regarding your current ideas about health, relationships, wealth, work and so on and see if you find it easier to change those ideas that are no longer serving you.  After all, they're only ideas right... :)

Until next time…
Live a Life you Love!
J. x

Thought Power for New Conditions

 "Keys to a Better Life"

Seven Things to Remember in Using Your Thought Power
for the Production of New Conditions

from “Your Invisible Power” by Genevieve Behrend

 

1. Be sure to know exactly what conditions you wish to produce.  Then weigh carefully to what further results the accomplishment of your desire will lead.
   
   
2. By letting your thought dwell upon a mental picture, you are concentrating the Creative Action of Spirit in this centre, where its forces are equally balanced.
   
   
3. Visualising brings your objective mind into a state of equilibrium which enables you to consciously direct the flow of Spirit to a definitely recognised purpose, and to carefully guard your thoughts from including a flow in the opposite direction.
   
   
4. You must always bear in mind that you are dealing with wonderful potential energy, which is not yet differentiated into any particular form, and that by the action of your mind, you can differentiate it into any specific form that you will.  Your picture assists you to keep your mind fixed on the fact that the inflow of this Creative Energy is taking place.  Also by your mental picture, you are determining the direction you wish the sensitive Creative Power to take, and by doing this, you make the externalisation of your picture a certainty.
   
   
5. Remember when you are visualising properly that there is no strenuous effort to hold your thought-forms in place.  Strenuous effort defeats your purpose, and suggests the consciousness of an adverse force to be fought against, and this creates conditions adverse to your picture.
   
   
6. My holding your picture in a cheerful frame of mind, you shut out all thoughts that would disperse or dissipate the spiritual nucleus of your picture.  Because the law is Creation in its action, your pictured desire is certain of accomplishment.
   
   
7. The seventh and great thing to remember in visualising is that you are making a mental picture for the purpose of determining the quality you are giving to the previously undifferentiated substance and energy, rather than to arrange the specific circumstances for its manifestation.   That is the work of the Creative Power itself.  It will build its own forms of expression quite naturally, if you will allow it, and save you a great deal of needless anxiety.   What you really want is expansion in a certain direction, whether of health, wealth or what not, and so long as you get – as you surely will, if you confidently hold to your picture – what does it matter whether it reaches by some channel which you thought you could count upon, or through some other of whose existence you had no idea.  You are concentrating energy of a particular kind for a particular purpose.  Keep this in mind and let specific details take care of themselves, and never mention what you are doing to anyone.

Until next time...
Live the Life you Love
J. x

Specificity

 "Keys to a Better Life"

A Universal Truth regarding the Law of Attraction is to BE SPECIFIC.

Attracting that which we desire in life is much like focusing a camera.  If we are uncertain of the details of what we wish to capture on film and we shift the camera around from scene to scene, it matters not how many times we take a shot.  Chances are every outcome will be blurry.

On the other hand, if we take time out to contemplate the perfect shot, clearly defining the details of the desired end result, and hold our attention on the vision to be created along with the feelings this perfect shot will generate, we are certain to DEVELOP AN OUTSTANDING IMAGE.

Love the Life you Live
J. x