by Linda-Ann Stewart

Your life and relationships are a perfectly polished mirror for what is in your consciousness. One of the unpopular concepts having to do with this is, “When you don’t like something in someone else, it’s reflecting something within yourself that you don’t like.” You might have heard about this spiritual principle, and wondered about it, as I did. How could it be? I didn’t like people to be deceptive or cruel. Did that mean that somehow I was being that way? Try as I might, I couldn’t see that in myself. It took many years of observation and contemplation before I finally made some sense out of it.

Some years ago, I was involved with a couple of men who were deceptive and manipulative. These are two characteristics that immediately offend me. However, while I was in the relationships, I wasn’t aware that they were expressing these traits, even when they lied to me. After the second relationship, I decided it couldn’t be a coincidence that I’d attract the same type of man one right after another.

So I began to explore where I might be deceptive and manipulative. What I discovered was that I was deceiving the world about who I was. I was hiding great chunks of myself, afraid of being criticized or rejected. I wasn’t lying to others, the way these men had been. Instead, I was lying to myself.

That’s when I began to understand the principle. A person doesn’t have to be expressing the disliked attribute in the same way. For instance, two friends each have an issue with time. One of the friends is chronically late, and the other is obsessively early. The issue is the same, but they are presenting different facets of it. I know this to be true, as I’ve had friends who are always late, and I’m almost always early.

Copyright 2001, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

beliefs · empowerment · inspiration · intention · personal development · personal growth · self-help · self-improvement

Are your shoulders ever tense? Do you ever clench your teeth? When you’re entering an uncomfortable situation, do you ever have butterflies in your abdomen? All of these just show that your body is an efficient biofeedback tool. It shows you what you’re thinking and feeling, even if you aren’t aware of it.

Whenever you’re stressed, your back muscles will tighten up in preparation to handle the threat. You may not even know that you’re stressed until you check in with your body.

Mentally or verbally rehearsing an argument after the fact may cause an upset stomach. It may not be happening in real life, but that doesn’t mean that your body doesn’t respond as if it’s happening now.

When you’re worried about something, you may unconsciously frown and furrow your forehead. You may even get a headache from tense neck muscles.

Your body shows you what you’re thinking about. Start listening to what it’s telling you. Check in with your body, and ask yourself, “What am I thinking about?” “What’s going on?” This will give you an indication of where your focus has been driving you.

Next, ask yourself, “What needs to change?” Stress, upset, anxiety, worry just keeps you immobilized. It cuts you off from creativity, inner resources and your problem solving abilities.

As soon as you redirect your attention to what you can do improve things, you instruct your subconscious mind to begin accessing those resources. Your subconscious mind will change its direction and begin seeking a solution. You can help it along by taking time to consciously relax. That will give it more energy to do its work.

The next time you feel out of sorts, reconnect with your body. It’ll give you all the guidance you need.

~ Linda-Ann

mindfulness · problem solving · relaxation · self-help · self-improvement · self-talk · stress management

Open Your Mind To Receive
By Catherine Ponder

This is one of my favorite books by this author. It’s a small tome, but packed with great ideas. The whole premise is stated in the title. Most of us have closed ideas of the amount of good we can accept.

This book instructs the reader to open their mind to accept more of the goodness of the Universe. Though Ms. Ponder mainly addresses the issue of abundance or prosperity, these ideas can be used for other challenges as well.

It was in this book that she introduced me to the concept of of releasing a person as a way of forgiving them, since she states that the word “forgive” means to “give up.” This has helped me to let go of people that I haven’t been quite able to forgive.

She also addresses the idea of accepting “nothing but the best.” Most of us have settled for something less, so this concept is one that we need to envision for ourselves.

As is usual in her books, this one is filled with great affirmations and examples. It’s a wonderful, easy, interesting read, and I recommend it highly.

Copyright 2004, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

abundance · affirmation · attitude · beliefs · consciousness · Law of Attraction · positive thinking · prosperity

The only thing constant in the universe is change. The past doesn’t need to predict your future, because you have the power to change your beliefs and responses. Those thoughts can always be of something better. Learn about the natural process of change so you don’t get discouraged as you move forward.

Copyright 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

attitude · beliefs · change · empowerment · expectation · goals · motivation

I’ve heard some people assert that affirmations don’t work for them, or that they don’t believe in them. Unfortunately, this attitude comes from a misunderstanding about what affirmations are, what they do and how to use them.

Affirmations aren’t a magic wand that will make things change in the blink of an eye. They’re simply a deliberate, constructive use of a process that you’re already using. You talk to yourself all the time, either giving yourself positive feedback or putting yourself down. It’s called self-talk. Affirmations are a way of reprogramming your self-talk.

These statements to yourself are also considered to be autosuggestions. You’re giving yourself hypnotic directives all the time by your self-talk. Napoleon Hill wrote about this concept in his book, “Think And Grow Rich.”

No matter what you call your inner statements, you’re instructing your subconscious mind on what you want. You either do it consciously or unconsciously, deliberately or habitually. The only way to change those directives, and their results, is to change what you say to yourself.

That’s why using affirmations in a specific and regular way makes changes in your life. But you have to use them consistently because that’s the only way to change the way you’ve been thinking.

If you were on a freeway, you wouldn’t expect to go in the opposite direction without braking, stopping, crossing to the opposite lanes, and then accelerating to merge with traffic. Any other action could be disastrous.

You’ve built up momentum going in one direction. And you have to slow down before you can change course. Committing to your decision is vital. If you make a sharp turn on the freeway, while driving at 75 mph, you’re inviting an accident.

It’s the same with autosuggestion. You have to work to slow your old thinking down (braking), and then turn it around to believe something different. As with driving, you move in the direction of your attention.

No matter whether you call it affirmation, positive self-talk, or autosuggestion, the process of changing the quality of your attention is the same. Consistently focus your mind on what you want. That will change your life.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

affirmation · autosuggestion · change · empowerment · goals · intention · positive thinking · self-talk

Question: Why do I prosper for awhile, then relapse?

Answer: There could be many things getting in the way of your consistent prospering. If you’ve been using affirmations and getting results, see if you’ve eased up on their use.

It could be that you have some old idea about having to struggle or have challenges. Some idea you picked up in childhood could be responsible. Meditating on what old thought patterns are blocking you would be advisable.

I’ve done a lot of internal work myself on this issue. When I stay centered, and don’t get into fear, my prosperity flows. Also, remember to view the Universe as your Source of supply, not the channels it comes through. Considering the channels (such as your job) as the Source is a great way of blocking your prosperity.

I find that affirmations are a wonderful way of breaking through blocks. And affirmations are simply suggestions you give yourself while in a waking or meditative (hypnotic) state. Find some affirmations for prosperity that resonate with you, and repeat them aloud for fifteen minutes each and every day, even after you begin to see results.

Copyright 2003, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

abundance · affirmation · beliefs · goals · prosperity · self-talk

Jeff and visited the Grand Canyon again recently. The day was unpromising when we got there, overcast with a brisk, biting wind. Not a great forecast for photos or comfort. But within an hour, the clouds broke up, the sun came out and the wind dropped to a mild breeze. It became a perfect day for hiking and taking pictures.

We wandered around the rim trail for awhile. Then we took the shuttle to S. Kaibab trailhead, and later to Yaki Point for the sunset.

There is something so peaceful and serene about the Grand Canyon. I know this is over-used, but it’s awe-inspiring. Every moment, the light on the rocks changes, shadows lengthen, colors deepen, and you have a completely different view. It is truly magical.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

inspiration · peace of mind

by Linda Ann Stewart

Here are some tips on how to cut old ties, and start a new tomorrow.

1. Let go of the past. Discard negative associations and reminders that might drag you down. They’ve served their purpose and aren’t of value anymore. They belong to old decisions and experiences that you’ve already learned from. Take what you’ve learned that’s constructive and let the rest go.

2. Be open to change. You may have to let go of ideas, beliefs or situations that you value if you want to have a different future. Being a couch potato isn’t compatible with a goal of hiking in the Grand Canyon. You’d have to reduce your television viewing and commit to walking and training for that objective. Old attitudes and behaviors may not be able to exist in the same space as your goal. Something has to give. Ask yourself, “How badly do I want a brighter future?”

3. Create new thought habits. Your past was created by thoughts that you had when you were younger. They built up, like building blocks, one on top of another, until they formed a habitual way of thinking and acting. If you attend to your thoughts in the present, you will create a different future. Simply change the way you think and create new positive habits. Each moment is a new beginning that brings you this opportunity.

4. Focus on what you want. When you keep looking backwards, you go in the direction of your vision. It pulls at you, and you can’t imagine anything different. You’ll keep recreating it. Instead of focusing on what’s already happened, concentrate on what you want to create. Even if you don’t know how your goal could come about, place your attention on moving towards it. As you fill your vision with what you want, take action toward it and synchronicities will begin to happen. The Universe will support you by bringing you what you need.

5. Don’t limit how your desire could become real. It’s all too human to try to figure out how things could happen, but your only reference is your past. By using that as your guide, you risk muddying the waters of your subconscious mind and restricting what it can do. The Infinite is always pouring Its energy into the subconscious. Because of that, your subconscious can draw on many more resources than your conscious mind can even contemplate. So let your inner mind do its job, which is to figure out how to create the reality you want. So remind yourself, “I don’t know how it can happen, but the Universe and my subconscious knows how.”

Your past performance does not need to foretell your future. Life is in a constant state of flux. The past is over, the future is yet to be. In each present moment, you can make a new decision that steers you in a different direction. Take the lessons of the past and use them to build a better life.

Affirmation
My past does not need to affect my future. Each moment, by paying attention to my thoughts, I can create a new tomorrow. I release old ideas that no longer serve me. I learn the lessons from the past and move forward. The Universe completely supports my vision, bringing me everything I need for the fulfillment of my goal. Although I might not know how it can appear, the Infinite and my subconscious mind know exactly what to do.

Copyright 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

attitude · beliefs · change · focus · personal growth · self-improvement · subconscious

by Linda-Ann Stewart

I’m sure that somewhere you’ve read a financial disclosure statement which says, “Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.” It’s used by financial institutions, for investment products, etc. The statement makes sure that investors don’t assume their money is going to increase tomorrow as it has in the past. Also, this disclosure protects the financial institution if the investor loses money.

The same statement could be said about your life. Your past performance doesn’t necessarily indicate how your future is going to be. If a basketball player doesn’t practice, and suddenly plays a game, they’ll probably miss more baskets than they’re used to. Their skill has gotten rusty. A realtor who used to successfully close sales quickly may experience a longer time frame between writing contracts due to the economy.

On the other hand, if you’ve had trouble being successful, your past doesn’t have to foreshadow your future. You don’t have to be tied to what you’ve already experienced. The Universe gives you constant chance to improve. All it takes is a different decision and a change of belief. Your new attitude will create better opportunities.

Copyright 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

attitude · beliefs · change · personal growth

by Linda-Ann Stewart

When you listen to the critical things that you say to yourself, you can begin to deal with them. As with everything in the subconscious, they once had a reason and a purpose to protect you. Although they’ve been trying to help you, they’ve been doing it in a way that you have outgrown. Those messages were patterned on the authority figures in your childhood so that you could fit into the conditions at that time. But they are no longer necessary, and won’t realize it until you tell them so. Believe it or not, they’re waiting for you to assert your power over them and reclaim your authority.

If the old ideas are telling you that you don’t deserve good, or that you’re not worthy, realize that the Universe has much more authority than the people who implanted those beliefs in you. And the Infinite knows that you deserve all the good that Life has to offer. Spirit is stronger than any outdated attitude. A Divine truth is that the Universe wants you to accept and express the wholeness of your being.

You have the right to re-examine the standards by which you have lived your life. Those condemning internal messages have been trying to keep you living within the bounds of someone else’s values. With all the knowledge you now have, you can change the attitudes that no longer serve you. Using affirmations and Divine guidance, you can transform the outdated values into ones that are in alignment with love, harmony, joy, abundance, and all the good there is.

Affirmations I used during this period were, “I am the authority in my life” and “I own my authority.” I had to review all the standards I’d grown up with, reassess them and release the ones that no longer served me. When I began to do this, it was scary. The first few times that I stood up for myself, I felt the sky might fall. It didn’t. Instead, the Universe rushed in to support me and my world expanded. The same will be true for you.

Affirmation:

I know that the Universe supports me in the good that I desire. The only one that keeps my good from me is my own thoughts about it. I now release any old concepts that might have restricted my acceptance of all the good I desire. As I place my desire in my mind, knowing that I deserve it, then the All of the Universe rushes in to fulfill it in a perfect way.

Copyright 2000, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

affirmation · attitude · beliefs · change · empowerment · personal growth · self-esteem · self-worth