Empowering Your Mind – Page 129 – Mindset, Motivation and Empowerment

“What does it mean, ‘Your actions are different from who you are?'”

April 20, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

Question: What does it mean that, “Your actions are different from who you are?”

Answer: There’s an old saying, “You’re a human BEING (a spiritual being who is experiencing life as a human), not a human DOING (not a person who is in constant motion and action and doing things to justify your existence).” Therefore, you, as a spiritual being, have thoughts and beliefs that result in certain actions. However, you are not the actions themselves.

Think of it this way. When you drink some water, that’s an action. However, it’s not who you are. It’s you making a decision to sip some liquid to take care of thirst. The action is separate from your being. It’s simply a choice, and the choice can be changed. You could choose not to drink and become dehydrated. Or you could decide to have some tea, coffee, soda or some other liquid. The action you take is a result of your choices, which is a result of your beliefs. And even your beliefs are separate from who you are, because they can be changed.

What cannot be changed is that you are a spiritual being. That is the core of who you are. Anything else, beliefs, attitudes, choices, actions, can all be changed. They are simply outer accouterments or accessories that you’ve chosen.

The Subconscious Works, Whether Or Not You Get The Results You Want

April 19, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

by Linda-Ann Stewart

On Saturday, I was talking with a woman at a meeting and mentioned Joseph Murphy and his best selling book, “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind.” She asked, “In his book, did he explain why the subconscious doesn’t work for most people?”

I was stunned. The subconscious always is working. You may not be getting the outcome that you want, but that’s not the fault of the subconscious. It’s only doing and giving you what you’ve programmed into it in the past or present.

The subconscious has rules, principles, and ways that it functions. And just as with federal law, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Just because you don’t know what those rules are or choose not to follow them doesn’t mean you’re excluded from their effect.

The subconscious can’t determine what you consciously want if you’re focused on its opposite. If you want more money, but are focused on a feeling of lack and fear that you don’t have enough for your bills, the subconscious absorbs the idea with the most energy or feeling. In this case, it would be a lack of money.

The subconscious isn’t responsible for deciding what to accept. That’s what the conscious mind is supposed to do. The conscious is the director, and the subconscious is the actor. The subconscious follows the directions of the conscious mind from the present or the past.

Working with the subconscious is simple. You focus exclusively on what you want, feel its reality, and take action towards it. But it’s not always easy to do this. You have to be disciplined, persistent, and get past old issues that may have blocked your goal.

I think that’s why people have the mistaken idea that the subconscious doesn’t work for them. They just aren’t able, or willing, to follow the principles. It may be simple, but it certainly isn’t easy.

self improvement, self help, personal growth, personal development, motivation

Mindfulness: Being In The Now

April 13, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

Multi-tasking isn’t as productive as it might seem. It actually promotes stress, waste and fatigue. However, science is recognizing that mindfulness, or being in the moment, actually is more efficient and increases problem-solving abilities. Learning to be mindful, or focused on the task at hand, even for a few minutes a day can contribute to increased serenity in all areas of your life.

self improvement, self help, personal growth, personal development, motivation, productivity, inspiration

“Why say an affirmation in the present tense?

April 8, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

Question: Why are we told to say an affirmation in the present tense instead of the future tense?

Answer: The subconscious is very literal. When you state an affirmation in the future tense, you’re telling the subconscious to keep it in the future. Therefore, you’ll never get to experience it in the here and now. I know it seems odd, because you know you don’t have your goal in the present.

You may feel like you’re fooling yourself when you state your affirmation as if you already have it. But that gives direction to your subconscious. Also, remember that you already have your desire in Mind, because you wouldn’t have been able to conceive of it if the Universe hadn’t already given it to you.

“Empower Yourself Through Mindfulness”

April 1, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Have you ever set the teakettle on to boil, gotten distracted checking your email, and had the kettle boil dry? I have. This is trying to do too many things at once, or multi-tasking. When you multi-task, you’re trying to juggle several balls or situations at one time.

Keeping more than one ball in the air at a time, splits your attention, causes you to miss other details, and wastes energy as you keep them moving. Studies have shown that multi-tasking actually is more stressful and less efficient than staying with one project and seeing it through.

You can really only focus on one thought at a time. The mind darts from one idea to the next so quickly that it only seems to be thinking of several things at once. It’s possible to do one thing which is automatic or has become a habit, while doing or thinking of another. You do this all the time, such as when you wash the dishes and plan the next meal. In this situation, you were only conscious of one thing, your meal planning, and you cleaned the dishes automatically. They didn’t take any of your attention.

Although you can switch from one thought or activity to another, it takes time and extra energy. If you’re talking on the cell phone while driving, there’s a good chance you could run a light because you get caught up in the conversation and your attention drifts from steering the car to the person on the other end of the call.

When you’re multi-tasking, you’re being pushed by inner pressures and outer demands. Rushing from one situation to another creates confusion that then takes mental energy to sort out. You’re actually being reactive, acting over and over in ways you’ve always done, rather than responsive, or consciously choosing how you want to act in the situation.

Mindfulness can relieve the pressure and help you handle your challenges more effectively. Learning to be mindful, or in the moment, has wide-ranging benefits, such as improved mood, better memory, enhanced problem solving, healthier immune system, increased optimism, and a greater sense of well-being.

Learning to be in the now, the present, or in the moment, takes practice. You can start by simply noticing your breath while you’re meditating. If your mind wanders, simply observe the fact without judgement and bring your attention back to your breathing.

Focus totally on a task, whether it’s doing the dishes, answering email, or working on a project. You can bring it to a point of completion, even if it’s not finished, and then go on to the next task. While you’re working, only think of what you’re doing at that time. Whenever you find your mind wandering, remind yourself to “Focus” or “Be in the moment.”

You can work towards a goal, in the future, while being in the present and dealing with what needs to be done now. Focusing on your current project narrows your attention so that you can aim all of your energy into the present activity. This allows you to get it done easier and faster. Being in the moment frees up your mental space to allow your subconscious to better process information, work out solutions and be creative.

Your future is based on your thoughts, feelings and beliefs of the present. When you stay in the present, you aren’t concerned about the future, which is yet to be, or the past, which is over and done with. Being in this moment, you can choose what you want to think, feel and believe and more powerfully create what you want.

Affirmation

I let go of concern about the future and stay focused in the present. When thoughts and feelings arise, I observe them, without judging or reacting to them. I become more and more conscious of when I’m distracted, and gently refocus my attention on the moment. By staying in the moment, I’m able to more fully utilize my power and direct it to create what I want.

A nationally known speaker, life coach, hypnotherapist, and writer, Linda-Ann Stewart helps people rediscover their power and sense of self-worth. Visit Secrets To The Law Of Attraction to download your copy of this free ebook.

Book Review – “How To Attract Money: The Law of Attraction”

April 1, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

“How To Attract Money: The Law Of Attraction”
by Joseph Murphy

I have many books by Joseph Murphy, as he’s one of my favorite spiritual and abundance authors. I recommend any of his books if you want more prosperity in your life.

This one is smaller and different that most of his books. generally, he has lots of stories that demonstrate spiritual principles along with an affirmation. This book still has some interesting stories, but it focuses mainly on changing the reader’s consciousness about money, riches and wealth. He addresses many of the blocks that people have, and explains why and how they need to change.

I’ve read many of the concepts that are in this book in his other works. But you’d have to read all of them to find the ideas that are present in this one treasure. The ideas to manifest greater riches are condensed and distilled here.

At the end, there are pointers to remember that are spread through the many stories of his other books. In this one, they’re set apart so that you can refer to them easily. For that alone, I love this book.

And of course, there are some affirmations. I have them marked with tabs, so that I can quickly turn to them. I’ve used a couple of them with some great results. For a great grounding in how to use the Law of Attraction, get this book.

Soldier’s Pass Hike to the Devil’s Kitchen

March 31, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

I’ve hiked to the Devil’s Kitchen, the sinkhole in Soldier’s Pass, Sedona, AZ, many times. But the last one was several years ago. Jeff and I tried it a few weeks ago, but the parking lot was full, so we went to Fay Canyon. This time, we lucked out and found a place to park. The photo below is taken of the east and south sides.

Devil's Kitchen - South

In the past, we’d walk a ways up the dirt road that the Jeep companies use to tour visitors around, and then follow a short trail to the sinkhole. But in the period since our last visit, the Forest Service has actually created a trail from the parking lot to the Devil’s Kitchen. That meant we didn’t have to dodge vehicles, though we did have to contend with mountain bikes.

Devil's Kitchen - West

That tiny figure in the photo above (arrow pointing at) is me on the west side of the sinkhole. Sinkholes are created when water dissolves rock underground, forming a cave. Eventually, the cavern gets large enough that the surface rock collapses into the cavity. It’s about 100 feet deep and over 100 feet wide. The photos below are taken of the north side.

Devil's Kitchen - North

This sinkhole, originally formed in the 1880’s, has expanded since I moved to Sedona in 1982. Part of the back wall fell in the late 80’s, in the early 90’s and again recently. And there are cracks (in the foreground of the photo below) where another part is falling away from the wall.

Devil's Kitchen - North

From the sinkhole, we followed the new trail a little way further to visit the 7 Sacred Pools. These are pockets eroded into the rock along a dry creek bed. When we have rain, water flows over them and leaves them filled. After a while, the water becomes brackish and evaporates. Where you see white bands, there’s a pool there. The first and highest pool is just beyond that outcrop.

Seven Sacred Pools, Soldier's Pass

Book Review – “The Eight Human Talents: Restore the Balance and Serenity Within You with Kundalini Yoga”

March 25, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

The Eight Human Talents: Restore the Balance and Serenity Within You with Kundalini Yoga
By Gurmukh

Many years ago, my first yoga class was a kundalini yoga class. This was before I even knew there were different styles of yoga. In the years since, I’d heard very little about kundalini yoga. Then a friend gave me this book, and I savored it.

Gurmukh is an internationally renowned kundalini yoga teacher. In this book, she writes about the different chakras, which contain our talents. Exploring each one’s strengths and weaknesses, she gives specific exercises to expand the talents, and heal the weaknesses.

She identifies the eight strengths as Acceptance, Creativity, Commitment, Compassion, Truth, Intuition, Boundlessness, and the eighth, our aura, as Radiance. Each of these talents has a “shadow” side, which can pull a person out of balance.

The book is well-written, easily read, and humorous. If you’re interested in yoga, this is a great book to have. I will treasure my copy of this book.

“Relaxation Eases Anxiety As Well As Massage”

March 23, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Several years ago, a client came to me for hypnotherapy for stress reduction. She’d already tried various ways to reduce her stress and anxiety, such as massage, biofeedback, exercise, and a few others I don’t remember. After a couple of sessions, she said that hypnosis gave her a deeper sense of relaxation, calm and comfort than any of the other modalities, and the effects lasted longer.

I’ve seen various studies over the years that have stated that hypnosis was as effective in relaxing people as massage was. Now a trial study has been published that states that after 10 massages in 3 months, people reported a 50% reduction in anxiety. Which is significant and hopeful for those who deal with this issue.

But it also found the same level of improvement from a group who practiced relaxation therapy, while listening to soothing music. And a third group of treatment, having the arms and legs wrapped in warm towels had the same response.

All of them seem to have triggered the relaxation response, which is the key to physiologically reducing stress. All three groups not only reported reduced anxiety, but also less worry and depression symptoms.

I also think that the mindfulness that each group experienced during their treatment contributed to their improvement. “Being in the moment” has been proven to reduce stress and improve mood. All of it can be linked back to the relaxation response, where the body lets go of tension. That signals the brain that “all is well,” and the systems that have been on alert for danger can stand down and quiet their signal.

So if you can’t go for a massage, or have someone to wrap you in warm towels, take the time to settle down in a darkened room, listen to soft music, and relax your body. The more you do so, according to my client (and many others), the more benefits you’ll receive.

To read the original trial study this article referenced, go to Massage Eases Anxiety, but No Better Than Simple Relaxation Does.

self improvement, self help, personal growth, personal development

“Why do the results fade after I do affirmations?”

March 23, 2010 Linda-Ann Stewart

Question: Although I’ve been getting results from affirmations, I don’t feel or act any differently, and the results fade away. What’s going on?

Answer: If you’ve been getting results, then something is going right. However, if you’re not feeling or acting any differently, maybe that’s where you should start focusing. Affirmations are powered by emotions and feelings. Affirmations help to reprogram the subconscious to accept the change.

However, if you’re not feeling any differently about the situation, then you are going to return to your original condition. The subconscious acts on the dominant thought. If you are, on average, fairly pessimistic or critical, then the subconscious is going to act on that, rather than the positive statement you’re using.

How can you begin to raise your overall state of consciousness? What can you do to act or feel differently that would be in alignment with your goal? You have to participate and ground the affirmation in your actions and willingness to change.

Also, once you begin to get results, you can’t stop your efforts and coast. It would be like rowing a boat. Once you stop rowing, the boat drifts in that direction for awhile, then is stationary.

I know it can be frustrating and discouraging sometimes. You may want to use an affirmation that asks for direction and the next step to be revealed. A question one teacher of prosperity suggests we ask, when things aren’t changing, is, “What or where do I need to change to manifest my goal?” And be open to any answer that comes.

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