Sunday, July 27, 2014

5 Tips To Make Ordinary Days Extraordinary

Written by: JULIE MOSMULLER 
Days come, days go. Some last an eternity, others fly by. Some are cheerful, others uneventful. Yet you can be sure that the sun and the moon will rise and set, that the birds will sing in the morning.
I used to have a busy corporate job in London. Once I learned to live my days mindfully, I noticed how I became much more relaxed. The days weren’t less stressful, but I wasn’t as stressed anymore. Instead, I was feeling grateful for my life.
I often help clients of my coaching practice improve their work-life balance. These five tips have helped them to anchor their days and have more fun. They gained time as they prioritized according to their values.
1. Wake up mindfully.
When your alarm rings, take a moment to notice the blank canvas of a new day. I always feel mornings are freshly quiet as the day is still unwritten. Don’t check your messages yet, and get present to this particular morning. Is the sky blue or gray? Are your dreams still with you? Are you feeling rested or restless?
Slowly turn your attention to the day ahead and set an intention. What matters most to you today? An example could be "I want a loving relationship," or "I want to deliver a flawless presentation." Repeat it a few times, write it down or pick an object like a bracelet or picture to remind you during the day. Once you’ve made your intention clear, you’ll be surprised how often it comes true, usually in an unexpected way.
2. Follow a morning practice.
Dedicate a part of your morning to a routine, such as yoga or meditation. If you prefer to putter around the house or go for a run, that’s fine too. Most importantly, create an oasis of calm so you can anchor yourself in your values, even if only for 10 minutes. If you have a family, carve out some time before everyone wakes up, or during your commute.
My own practice combines meditation and yoga. It normally lasts an hour, but I can shorten it to 30 minutes. Meditation stills my mind, and mindful breathing connects me to life’s flow. Yoga offers an opportunity to love my body. I add restorative or energizing poses according to my body's needs. Even after sleeping restlessly, 10 sun salutes will refresh me.
3. Love your food.
The food you take in makes a big difference to your day, but first make sure your food goes out! Rehydrating your body does wonders to kick start your digestion. I drink a liter and a half of lukewarm water and herbal tea every morning, ideally before starting my routine.
Then it's time to think about food! What are you craving? What does your body need? If you're fighting a cold, add turmeric or echinacea to your smoothie. If you're anticipating a demanding day, make a filling breakfast, like oatmeal. I mostly eat fruit and vegetables to complement the body’s nightly detox. Think of breakfast literally — better not to break your fast with a huge meal!
4. Keep it simple.
Now we're ready to move. Whatever comes your way, keep it simple. Flow with the day, observe what it brings, and play with it. Keep your mind cool, your heart open, and you'll make sharp, intuitive decisions.
It helps to set your priorities so that you’ll feel content about having written that article, or gone for a run. What is the one thing that you want to do today, if nothing else?
Combine being organized and flexible. I always leave free time so that on a beautiful day I can go out in nature. Do you allow yourself to do something spontaneous, like curling up in bed if you feel like it?
This is not selfish or self-indulgent. The more you do the things you love, the more fulfilled you’ll be. Consequently, you'll have more energy to grow and be available to the people you love.
5. Unwind.
Closing your day is as important as starting it. Some people list the things they’re grateful for. I always make sure to check out the night sky — watching the moon and stars connects me to the bigger picture of life.
At least 30 minutes before going to sleep, set your devices on airplane mode. Keep your bed for sleeping and only go there once you're ready to sleep. Set your alarm for the 7-9 hours of sleep you need plus a little extra to account for falling asleep. The more regular your sleeping, the easier your body will unwind and rejuvenate.
My body’s natural rhythm is to sleep early and wake up with the birds when a fresh new day is about to start!

Friday, July 25, 2014

35 Ways to Spread Positive Energy! (Use this!)

Written by:  DR. DANIELLE DOWLING  

Life, as you know, is incredibly busy these days.
Return emails, do laundry, pay bills, make dinner, buy an anniversary gift, call your mother and go to the gym.
And then lather, rinse and repeat tomorrow.
It's easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget to think of others. Small gestures of kindness can make someone else's entire day, make you feel good, and spread love near and far.
Here are 35 easy ways to radiate kindness:
1. Smile at people more! Start with your neighbor or your barista.
2. Let a car merge in front of you and do it with a smile. I’m looking at you, Los Angeles.
3 Buy an extra cup of coffee in the morning and give it to a co-worker.
4. Pay the toll for the car behind you.
5. Leave a nice note in the morning for your honey saying, “I know you’ll do a great job today!”
6. Forgive yourself for any mistakes you've made. Today’s a new day — let’s get on with it.
7. Drink from a reusable water bottle or cup to help the environment.
8. Give a generous tip to your waiter and leave a kind note on the bill!
9. Reach out to someone you haven't talked to in a while. (That’s why they invented Facebook!)
10. Plan a vacation for your parents or someone near and dear to you.
11. Eat and buy local.
12. Compliment a stranger. This is one of my absolute favorite things to do. I tell them I love their hair, or shoes, or the way they pulled themselves together. They usually light up with a smile and I’m so happy I helped to make their day a good one!
13. Pay for the coffee for the person behind you.
14. Donate clothes and shoes to the needy.
15. Pay for your friend's portion of the dinner tab without them knowing! They’ll be so surprised when the receipt comes for you to sign!
16. Hold the elevator door for others.
17. Offer to babysit your friend's kids for free.
18. Resist the urge to honk at other cars on the road.
19. Be kind to someone you dislike. (I know this is a tough one! I struggle with it, too.)
20. Make a donation to a charity you care about.
21. Send a care package to your friends or coworkers in your field. This is so much fun! I’ll put together small boxes of stationery, cards, pens, candles, lip gloss and send it off to someone special!)
22. Let someone with just a few items go ahead of you at the cashier.
23. Practice being truly proud of all your accomplishments. It helps to start a gratitude list!
24. Adopt an animal from the shelter.
25. Let someone take your parking spot.
26. Donate books to the local library or bookstore. Clears out clutter and gives your books a new and deserving home!
27. Tell your honey how particularly ravishing he or she looks today!
28. Leave extra time on a parking meter.
29. Fill the refrigerator with your roommate's or partner’s favorite foods.
30. Offer to cover a shift for a coworker who needs to leave early.
31. Open the door for someone.
32. Sit with someone who is eating alone.
33. Tell someone you had a disagreement with that you're sorry.
34. Offer to pick up your friend's children after school.
35. Write notes of appreciation and love to three people who have changed your life for the better.
So easy! Imagine how much better the world would be if we all took a little time to make it a sweeter, warmer place. I’m starting now — are you with me?

Sunday, July 13, 2014

14 ways to raise the vibration of your home!



14 WAYS TO RAISE THE VIBRATION OF YOUR HOME!




By Morgan Potts 

We cleanse our home energetically in order to welcome good, high vibration energy into your space, and clear away any negative vibes. This way, not only are our bodies vibin’ high and in total alignment with our dreams, but so is our home.
A home filled with good vibes brings on better conversation, meditation, cooking, working, creativity and so much more. There will be less fights, misunderstandings, arguments and sadness. The place you spend most of your time should be a space you want to spend time in, and create beautiful things.
Feel the energy, love your space, sink into its bliss!

1. Burn Sage

Burning smudge sticks made from sage, or any other purifying herb, like lavender, or sweet grass is energetically purifying to the home. Burning sage clears any unwanted energies out of the room, and welcomes high vibration, good energy in its place. After an argument or fight, it’s a great idea to burn sage to move that energy out, and move on. Go through each room of your home with a burning smudge stick, waving it in a clockwise motion with thoughts of cleansing and positivity.

2. Ask “do I really need this?”

Every few months it’s a great idea to go through your house and think about what things are truly necessary for you to keep. Figure out which of them you can donate, throw away or give to a friend.
As humans we tend to collect way too many items that we will never EVER use. Keeping these things in our homes is only making us cluttered, cramped and overwhelmed. It can be super therapeutic to get rid of the things that no longer serve us. Let go, allow the energetic release… go with it. The items we hold on to could be saying a lot more about us, and you may find a deep message about your self during this release.
Extra tip: you may find it easier to do this during a new moon, where our bodies and mind are releasing and able to let go more easily.

3. Pink Himalayan Salt Lamps

I absolutely love pink salt, and I use it for all my cooking. But there’s so much more it can do! Crystal lamps give off a sweet glowy vibe that makes you feel good just by looking at it. The pink/orange coloraffects us both physically and emotionally. It gives off a comforting feeling of safeness and security. It’s even said that this light is good for our nervous system, kidneys and bladder.
Salt lamps also give off negative ion particles. Negative ions cling to positive ion particles (which we don’t want) and weigh them down to the ground so that they aren’t floating through our air and putting us out of balance. This is a simple way of energetically cleansing and purifying the air. Good vibes!

4. Singing and Dancing

Moving your body with the rhythm of your emotions is healing to the mind and soul. And singing like no one can hear you, with fire and joy, can be such a release. Let the spirit move you!!!! As you swing and howl or scream with passion, you are filling each room with your uplifting, animating vibration.

5. Beeswax Candles

beeswax candlesAnother way to produce those lovely negative ions is by burning all natural 100% beeswax candles. Beeswax gives of a soothing deep yellow glow. This is stress reducing and puts us in a “feel good” mood. At the same time, negative ions are produced, cleaning the air, and also weighing down allergens and other irritating particles.
Plus, beeswax smells amazing. This is such an inviting aroma, the subtle sweetness of honey is oh so delicious. I could spend hours just gazing at a lit beeswax candle and breathing in its intoxicating aroma. This really soothes the soul.

6. Meditate

Having a clean energy in your home enhances meditation. And meditation enhances the energy in your home! So this is a win-win situation. There are countless benefits to this practice, and this inner work seeps into the space around us, too. I can definitely feel this good energy in the home of other meditators, too.
The meditation practice I do is Transcendental Meditation, which is done twice daily – and has quite honestly changed my life. If you think you’re ready to learn, reach out and I can get you in touch with a recommended teacher.

7. Diffuse Essential Oils

Essential oils are one of the best ways to vibe up your space with fresh fragrance and good energy. Each essential oil has its own qualities, and characteristics, and you can choose based on your mood. Sweet orange, lemon and grapefruit are very uplifting and cleansing. Lavender and frankincense will be calming, and good for stress relief and relaxation. You will need an essential oil burner to diffuse these aromas. This is also the secret to having the best smelling house on the block!!

8. Get Rid of Clutter

A clean space is a clear mind! Put the little things away, and keep everything in order. To do this the majority of the items in your home should have a designated space. Think about it. If you want to clean your house, but there’s no specific space for the items wandering around, they just end up getting piled up and moved around.

Less clutter means less overwhelm! We don’t want our minds to be any busier than they already are. Create a sense of calm in your home instead.
Extra tip: Take out the trash, and OFTEN! This keeps the air smelling and feeling fresh! If you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed and stagnant, taking out the trash can help bring some quick relief. 

9. Plants

Keeping live plants in the home makes it a livelier place! The more life we welcome into our space, the more enjoyable it is, and the more inviting it is to our guests. You want to see that the beings in this space are thriving and full of life, a bright and beautiful splash of green displays this perfectly. This brings me to another point. Be sure to remove those dead plants that are dried up and collecting dust. There’s no room for them in this high vibe and fresh space no mo’! Only fresh and vibrant energy! The oxygen is purifying too.

10. Crystals

Having an array of beautiful and charged crystals in your home ups the good vibes big time. You can charge your crystals to enhance their healing properties by placing them in the sunlight, moonlight or near a lit beeswax candle. They’re alluring to the eye, and each healing in their own ways. Just look at how gorgeous they are! Anything with such beauty and naturally intricate design is sure to bring good energy into the home.

11. Burn Natural Incense

Burning incense is another lovely way to purify your home, and fill it with a delicious scent to soothe the mind. I love to burn sandalwood, amber and frankincense. Always be sure to buy all natural, hand rolled incense. Never buy anything that smells “perfumey” or artificial, this will only pump chemicals and bad vibes into the home. Keep it pure and buy the good stuff. Prasad Celestial Incense is a brand I LOVE.

12. Fresh Flowers

flowersBringing fresh flowers home to fill the house is so lovely.  It adds a beautiful splash of color to brighten the room, and if they’re aromatic, you’ll be sniffing them in all day, too. Pretty flowers, fresh vibe, these make a welcoming home.

13. Open the Windows and Doors

Allow fresh air to fill your home for at least five minutes each day. Let the wind naturally exchange air that has been cooped up with some fresh and vibrant, oxygen filled breeze. Even during winter months this should be done!

14. Listen to Vedic Mantras

The vibrations of these ancient Vedic sounds will enhance the energy in your home and heart. Let these sounds fill your home with their energy of bliss, allow yourself to sink into it.  I will list a few mantras that I believe enhance mood, energy and vibrations. You can find audio or video recordings of these mantras online. You don’t have to know their words or understand their meanings, the vibrations do the work on their own.
The Mrityunjaya Mantra (which literally means victory over death) is very healing to the body, and promotes good health.
The Hrim seed mantra is purifying and cleansing to the home, body and spirit.
The Gayatri is one of my favorites. So sweet, gentle and calming. This mantra always makes me feel safe, protected and in good hands. The Gayatri gives us a good vibe of peacefulness and clarity.

Love Your Space

These vibrations live in the walls, in the plants and the breaths of each human living here. Good vibes remain, and can always be recharged, cleansed and powered up again. You can never do any of this too much. Keep it going, and keep it energized. Love your space.
Dwelling in a home of good vibrations connects us deeper to our inner divinity. It brings us closer to unlocking the potential we all have within. This lets our hearts move freely. You will FEEL this energy. Let it charge you up, and come alive! Open up, and welcome this love and abundance into your life.
I’ve put together a list of the products I talked about in this article all in one place to help. These are brands I approve of and use in my home — you can see them here:  here.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

21 TRAITS OF AN AWAKENING SOUL!

21 TRAITS OF AN AWAKENING SOUL

Borrowed fromhttp://thespiritscience.net/
Written by Christina Sarich of www.wakingtimes.com
You can say it’s because of a global shift in consciousness, a destiny we have arrived at due to spiritual evolution, or the outcome of strange times, but, many people all across the globe are going through intense personal changes and sensing an expansion of consciousness. Personal changes of this magnitude can be difficult to recognize and to understand, but here are 21 traits of an awakening soul, a ‘sensitive’, or an ‘empath.’
1.  Being in public places is sometimes overwhelming. Since our walls between self and other are dissolving, we haven’t really learned to distinguish between someone else’s energy and our own. If the general mood of the crowd is herd-like or negative, we can feel this acutely, and may feel like retreating into our own private space. When we have recharged our batteries with meditation, spending time in nature, far away from other people, or just sitting in quiet contemplation, we are ready to be with the masses again. In personal relationships, we often will feel someone else’s emotions as our own. It is important to have this higher sense of empathy, but we must learn to allow another person’s emotions while observing them and keeping our empathy, but, realizing that not all emotions belong to us. Social influence can dampen our own innate wisdom.
2.  We know things without having to intellectually figure them out. Often called intuitive awareness, we have ‘a-ha’ moments and insights that can explain some of the most complex theories or phenomenon in the world. Some of the most brilliant minds of our time just ‘know.’ Adepts and sages often were given downloads of information from higher states of consciousness after meditating or being in the presence of a more conscious individual; this is happening for more people with more frequency. As we trust our intuition more often, it grows stronger.  This is a time of ‘thinking’ with our hearts more than our heads. Our guts will no longer be ignored. Our dreams are becoming precognitive and eventually our conscious thoughts will be as well.
3.  Watching television or most of main stream media, including newspapers and many Hollywood movies is very distasteful to us. The mindset that creates much, but not all, of the programming on television and in cinema is abhorrent. It commodifies people and promotes violence. It reduces our intelligence and numbs our natural empathetic response to someone in pain.
4.  Lying to us is nearly impossible. We may not know exactly what truth you are withholding, but we can also tell (with our developing intuition and ESP skills) that something isn’t right. We also know when you have other emotions, pain, love, etc. that you aren’t expressing. You’re an open book to us. We aren’t trained in counter-intelligence, we are just observant and knowing. While we may pick up on physical cues, we can look into your eyes and know what you are feeling.
5.  We may pick up symptoms of your cold, just like men who get morning sickness when their wives are pregnant. Sympathy pains, whether emotional or physical, are something we experience often. We tend to absorb emotion through the solar plexus, considered the place we ‘stomach emotion’ so as we learn to strengthen this chakra center, we may sometimes develop digestive issues. Grounding to the earth can help to re-establish our emotional center. Walking barefoot is a great way to re-ground.
6.  We tend to root for the underdog, those without voices, those who have been beaten down by the matrix, etc. We are very compassionate people, and these marginalized individuals often need more love. People can sense our loving hearts, so complete strangers will often tell us their life stories or approach us with their problems. While we don’t want to be a dumping ground for everyone’s issues, we are also a good ear for those working through their stuff.
7.  If we don’t learn how to set proper boundaries, we can get tired easily from taking on other people’s emotions. Energy Vampires are drawn to us like flies to paper, so we need to be extra vigilant in protecting ourselves at times.
8.  Unfortunately, sensitives or empaths often turn to drug abuse or alcohol to block some of their emotions and to ‘protect’ themselves from feeling the pain of others.
9.  We are all becoming healers. We naturally gravitate toward healing fields, acupuncture, reiki, Qi-Gong, yoga, massage, midwivery, etc. are fields we often find ourselves in. We know that the collective needs to be healed, and so we try our best to offer healing in whatever form we are most drawn to. We also turn away from the ‘traditional’ forms of healing ourselves. Preferring natural foods, herbs, and holistic medicine as ways to cure every ailment.
10.  We see the possibilities before others do. Just like when the church told Copernicus he was wrong, and he stood by his heliocentric theory, we know what the masses refuse to believe. Our minds are light-years ahead.
11.  We are creative. We sing, dance, paint, invent, or write. We have amazing imaginations.
12.  We require more solitude than the average person.
13.  We might get bored easily, but we are really good at entertaining ourselves.
14.  We have a difficult time doing things we don’t want to do or don’t really enjoy. We really do believe life was meant to be an expression of joy. Why waste it doing something you hate? We aren’t lazy, we are discerning.
15.  We are obsessed with bringing the truth to light. Like little children who say, “that’s not fair” we want to right the wrongs of the world, and we believe it often just takes education. We endeavor to explain the unexplainable and find answers to the deep questions of life. We are seekers, in the Campbellian paradigm. ‘The Hero With a Thousand Faces.”
16.  We can’t keep track of time. Our imaginations often get away with us and a day can feel like a minute, a week, a day.
17.  We abhor routine.
18.  We often disagree with authority (for obvious reasons).
19.  We will often be kind, but if you are egotistical or rude, we won’t spend much time with you or find an excuse to not hang out with people who are obsessed with themselves. We don’t ‘get’ people who are insensitive to other people’s feelings or points of view.
20.  We may be vegan or vegetarian because we can sense a certain energy of the food we eat, like if an animal was slaughtered inhumanely. We don’t want to consume negative energy.
21.  We wear our own emotions on our sleeves and have a hard time ‘pretending’ to be happy if we aren’t. We avoid confrontation, But will quietly go about changing the world in ways you can’t even see.
These 21 traits of an awakening soul are a reminder of how important it is to maintain awareness, clarity and strength in these interesting times. If you are experiencing something that is not on this list, please add it to the comments section below.