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Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine

by Linda-Ann StewartSun Rays

As a child, I learned to avoid calling attention to myself. Whenever I excelled at anything positive, friends, classmates and some adults criticized and condemned me. Achievement meant being a target with no protection. Therefore, I tried to fit into the crowd and become invisible. I hid my talents, intelligence and abilities to avoid being hurt.

Growing up, I noticed that some people craved attention so much that they’d sacrifice everything for it. And then there were those who want the world to revolve around them. Everything was about them and they stole the credit from those who deserved it. I began to associate being noticed to these types of people and I didn’t want to be like them. Over and over again, I heard the same thing from clients and people I knew. Being visible was threatening and distasteful, and it was safer to hide in the shadows.

Many of them seek work in the background, where they’re the most comfortable. They feel their mission is to support others. Unfortunately, they’re uncomfortable to even receive compliments or acknowledgement. But to succeed, advance, or fulfill their purpose, they have to be able receive recognition, and that’s incredibly unpleasant for them.

A few years ago, I was amazed to discover that some people considered being the center of attention a good thing and something to pursue. I finally realized that there are some people who enjoy being in the limelight, who do so to help others. At last, I understood that if we want to be of service, in any way, we have to let others know what we have to offer.

In “Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow,” Marsha Sinetar says that creative and gifted people tend to shun attention. They do so to avoid being rejected, criticized, and having to deal with the hostility and jealousy of others. But in so doing, they can’t live up to their potential. The seek comfort and safety, preferring to be unfulfilled rather than deal with the challenge and distress that visibility brings.

An artist friend of mine has said that if she doesn’t paint and show it to the world, then she’s not honoring the gift that God gave her. This is true of us all. When we don’t use our God-given talents and abilities, and reveal them, then we’re not fulfilling our purpose. They were bestowed on us for a reason, to share with others. If we don’t express them, then we’re not living up to our potential. And if we don’t let others know what we have to offer, even when we work in supportive positions, then we’re trying to avoid our responsibility to ourselves and the Universe.

The true role of advertising and marketing is to let people know what’s available. If a person doesn’t know a solution exists to solve their problem, then it remains forever unsolved. Being visible and allowing people to know our capabilities isn’t bragging, but informing. We’re performing a service by letting others know. Some people won’t need what we offer, some won’t like it, but others will honor and value it. And it will meet their needs.

It still can be scary to be visible, but we have resources and knowledge as adults that we didn’t have when we first learned to hide. When someone is jealous, it’s helpful to realize that it’s their issue, and not about us. We shouldn’t try to “hide our light under a bushel,” but to let it shine into the world so that people see what we can offer and be an answer to their prayers. Only then will we begin to live up to our potential, be successful and experience a sense of fulfillment.

Affirmation

I have gifts that were bestowed upon me by the Universe, and it is my responsibility to express and share them. When others criticize, are jealous or hostile, it’s their issue, not mine. By expressing my talents and abilities, and allowing others to know about them, I’m fulfilling my potential. It’s now safe for me to be visible. I now gratefully accept compliments, acknowledgement and recognition. I let my light shine into the world.

Copyright 2007, 2015 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Trending Articles This Week

Trending Articles This Week

Here are some articles I found interesting and wanted to share.
Flagstaff Aspen Rainbow
How your brain can heal itself
Groundbreaking research offers new hope for people with chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and more. What they’ve discovered about the brain is remarkable. One of the subjects used imagery to retrain his brain and manage his pain. This is a technique I’ve used with pain management clients and it works. This and other treatments they cover give lots of hope for brain issues.

8 Toxic Personalities to Avoid
We all have been exposed to toxic people in our lives. I’ve encountered most of the personalities on this list and have let them leave my life. This article helps to identify them and what they’re doing so you can make rational decisions for your own well being.

Harvard Unveils MRI Study Proving Meditation Literally Rebuilds The Brain’s Gray Matter In 8 Weeks
If you needed anymore evidence that meditation is important, this article will convince you. For only an average of 27 minutes per day for 8 weeks, participants practiced mindfulness exercises. In that time, they experienced a major increase in gray matter density in the hippocampus. This is the part of the brain associated with self-awareness, compassion, and introspection. They also had reduced stress and anxiety.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Commit to Your Priority

Commit to Your Priority

When you want to achieve a goal, it has to be your priority for you to accomplish it. Your actions show what your priority is at that moment. Change isn’t easy. Committing yourself to your goal, vision or desire each day will ensure it become a reality in your life.


~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Officially Married

Officially Married

Bride on left, groom in middle, maid of honor on right.
Bride on left, groom in middle, maid of honor on right.

Jeff and I have been together almost 20 years. Since it seems we’re compatible, we decided it was time to make our union official. And since it was simply a formality for us, we wanted a small, informal type of wedding.

Last week, Jeff and I did the deed. We got married in an intimate, nontraditional ceremony in a Flagstaff park. Since we love all things Celtic, we used that as our theme.

Celtic music played in the background and we wore Renaissance inspired dress. Our minister is the president of a Celtic Heritage organization in Arizona and a friend of ours. Jeff wrote our vows. He’s amazing at writing from the heart. I treasure the sentiments he writes in the cards he gives me.

We had only 3 guests. My oldest and dearest friend, Linda, was my Maid of Honor. Yes, we’re both named Linda. It caused all sorts of confusion when we were young. We’ve known each other since we were 4 years old, and have been through a lot together. Jeff’s folks were the only other attendees.

We lucked out with the weather. Months ago, when we chose the date, we planned it to be after the main part of the monsoon season would be over. But Arizona has had a late monsoon this year, mainly in the month of September. We had major storms the week before and also a couple of days afterwards. Fortunately, the weather for our wedding was as perfect as it could get.

Now we embark on a new voyage, as married partners. I anticipate a smooth journey, but with more adventures to come.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart (I’m keeping my birth name)

Taking Multitasking To Task

Taking Multitasking To Task

In today’s frantic world, most of us multitask. We answer email while we’re talking on our phones, either juggling-multitaskingfor business or pleasure, while we’re also working on a project. All of this makes for a stressful existence.

When you’re stressed, you can’t be resourceful or creative. Which means you can’t escape the hamster cage of just doing what’s right in front of you to innovate and achieve your goals.

There are times when multitasking is necessary in our society and in business. Sometimes we have a lot of decisions and details that need to be addressed all at the same time. But multitasking isn’t a good habit to develop for the long term.

Don’t confuse productivity with busyness. Many people think that because they’re multitasking, they’re getting a lot done. Generally, that’s a false belief. Studies show that a person is 40% less productive with multitasking than when they focus on one thing at a time.

When someone is continually juggling a lot of balls, and handling a lot of tasks at once, they feel good and effective. Instead, they’re actually keeping themselves distracted from what they truly need to deal with. They may need to write this month’s newsletter, or call the troublesome person.

Multitasking is also addictive. Checking your email frequently causes you to want to check it even more because it activates the brain’s reward circuits. This feeling of reward then causes you to check it more. The behavior is repeated until it becomes a habit.

People who are deeply invested in multitasking will object strongly to being told it’s not effective. They’re attached to the rush and the myth that they’re being productive. Their self-image may also be connected to being one.

To have less stress, be more productive and have more creativity, reduce your multitasking. Work on one thing at a time. You can alternate projects, working on one for 30-60 minutes before moving on to another one. In this way, you’ll get more done and be calmer and more relaxed.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Linda-Ann Stewart helps business and professional women who feel stuck, overwhelmed and immobilized to focus, prioritize and break through so they generate more business and create a consistent income. To apply for a complimentary consultation, email LAS@Linda-AnnStewart.com with “Discovery” in the subject line, or call her at 928-600-0452.

Am I lying to subconscious with declarative affirmation?

Am I lying to subconscious with declarative affirmation?

Question: Shouldn’t a person say “I’m becoming/getting/…” at the beginning of an affirmation, rather than “I am/have…,” because the latter is actually lying to the subconscious?

Answer: An affirmation gives the subconscious instructions on where you want it to go. Like driving a car. When you have your attention down the road, you automatically steer the car in that direction. If you look over to the side and keep your attention there, you automatically begin to steer in the direction of your vision.

An affirmation doesn’t lie to the subconscious, it tells it the results that you expect from it. There’s a classic auto-suggestion that states, “Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better.” An affirmation can be stated in the present, “I am/have (your goal)” or “I am getting/becoming (your goal),” which tells the subconscious which direction to go.

Copyright 2005, 2014 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Free MP3 to get you unstuck

Free MP3 to get you unstuck

I’m excited to announce a free audio that I’ve created. If you’re stuck, stalled, immobilized, bogged down, or sabotaging keyyourself, this 35 minute audio gives you direction on how to blast out of your rut.

You can have the success and abundance in your personal and professional life that you want. You’re creating your life every day by the things that you think, say and do. When you begin to change them, your life reflects that change.

In this MP3 recording, I describe the 6 keys I developed to get my life on track again after a devastating relationship shattered me. They also helped me locate my first office and start my hypnotherapy, mentoring and coaching business 23 years ago. These are the ones I’ve used to help my clients achieve their goals. They can do the same for you.

In “Keys to Recreating Your Life: Shatter Your Barriers to Success and Abundance” MP3, you’ll also learn the 5 steps I took to break through and break free. You can use these 5 simple steps to propel yourself forward and get moving again.

Following these 5 steps will put you ahead of 95% of the population and greatly increase your chances of success. They also include a step that will greatly accelerate your progress.

To receive this FREE MP3 recording, go to “Keys to Recreating Your Life.”

Isn’t it time for you to open up to greater success and abundance? My wish for you is that you breakthrough, break free and live the life of your dreams.

Using self-hypnosis to eliminate specific thoughts

Using self-hypnosis to eliminate specific thoughts

Question: How do I use self-hypnosis to eliminate specific negative thoughts?

Answer: A person is always hypnotizing themselves with various beliefs and thoughts. For instance, “I’m a klutz” will be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Self-hypnosis helps to re-focus the attention onto something that you want.

To eliminate specific negative thoughts, I’d suggest that every time you have that particular thought, say ‘stop’ and imagine a stop sign, then substitute a pleasant thought or positive idea.

Practicing this in self-hypnosis will begin to make the changes, then reinforcing it during the day every time you have those thoughts will help to change them.

Hypnosis isn’t magic, but it can make positive changes fairly quickly, if you’re truly committed and persistent in following through.

Copyright 2004, 2014 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Guided Visualization or Affirmations?

Guided Visualization or Affirmations?

Question: What’s the main advantage of self hypnosis and guided visualization over affirmations?

Answer: Affirmations and suggestions are essentially the same thing. They’re both statements designed to change old mental patterns in your subconscious mind. The advantage of self-hypnosis is that you’re in a state that is more receptive to the positive statements you’re affirming.

When you add visualization to self-hypnosis and affirmations, it helps to give the subconscious more information on what you want and helps to make it real for you. The subconscious cannot tell the difference between a strong image and reality.

But the real power behind any re-programming is feeling. If you can FEEL it to be true, the subconscious mind accepts that and creates it. That also is the main reason for visualization. It’s a mental rehearsal that gives the subconscious a pattern to follow in those situations.

Copyright 2004, 2014 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Positive Thinking Myths

Positive Thinking Myths

There are so many myths about positive thinking and optimism. Pessimists attack it, saying it’s unrealistic, shallow, and even destructive. But they’re talking about an extreme that isn’t recommended. If you think positively, you still have to be aware of pitfalls. You just don’t fixate on them, as pessimists do.

A recent article, The 7 Biggest Myths About Positive Thinking, challenges seven of the most prevalent myths about positive thinking. He addresses myths such as “Positive thinking encourages unrealistic expectations,” ” Positive thinking is a bunch of sugary, have-a-nice-day nostrums,” and ” It’s absurd to believe that thoughts shape reality.”

He busts each one, even quoting from the very authors who encouraged optimism in the first place. Recent advances in cognitive psychology, clinical studies and even brain imaging are all supporting the fact that the way you think creates your experience.

The problem with people who deride positive thinking is that they refuse to let the facts affect their opinions. I guess they choose not to take responsibility for their thoughts and their lives. One author even said that positive thinking was too hard, and then went on to advise other exercises to change your thoughts. So even with his system, you had to work to feel better.

If you’re an optimist who gets attacked for your positive attitude, read the article. It’ll give you ammunition to respond to those who don’t understand because they’ve never explored it.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Linda-Ann Stewart empowers business women and entrepreneurs to break through their inner barriers and create the life they want with more success and abundance. Sign up for her FREE report “Imagine the Possibilities,” at www.Linda-AnnStewart.com.