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What is a mantra, how do you use an affirmation?

What is a mantra, how do you use an affirmation?

Question: What is a mantra, how long is it used in meditation, and how many times do you say an affirmation?

Answer: A mantra is a word, phrase or sound that’s repeated during meditation to help a person focus their mind, and take their attention away from the outer world or their extraneous thoughts. How long you say it varies from spiritual system to system.

Some state you should say it for as long as you’re meditating, some state you repeat it until your mind is calm and serene, open to the Universe. If you’re using an affirmation as a mantra, I’d recommend that you repeat it to yourself until you feel it resonate with truth within you.

If you’re saying an affirmation out loud, it’s recommended that you repeat it for at least 15 minutes a day. But while doing so, concentrate on its meaning and on feeling its truth. The feeling connects it to the subconscious.

Copyright 2004, 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Drink In Motivation and Inspiration To Keep A Positive Attitude

Drink In Motivation and Inspiration To Keep A Positive Attitude

Making sure you get motivation and inspiration is as important as drinking enough water. If you get parched, and you inspiration runs dry, it may take some time to get your attitude back on track. Discover how to make sure you keep your mind hydrated with enough motivation and inspiration so you get better results.



Copyright 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Napoleon Hill “Think and Grow Rich” #4 Applied Faith

Napoleon Hill “Think and Grow Rich” #4 Applied Faith

In this rare video, Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich,” explains that you use faith two ways. The first is to dwell on those things you don’t want. Most people use it this way and it’s why they live in want. The other way is to direct faith in the direction of what they want. You were born with the control over your mind. Hill then gives the steps to cultivate faith, which will guide you to go after your desires.


~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Filling the Well of Your Mind, Part 2

Filling the Well of Your Mind, Part 2

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Healers, service providers, entrepreneurs or anyone who gives of themselves will get depleted if they don’t take time for self-care and replenishment. That’s why conferences and retreats are so important. Not only do they offer people new tools, but symposiums help attendees remember why they do their business, rededicate to their vision and get excited again. They’re able to network with people of like mind and get re-energized.

Those who get so busy that they can’t slow down will soon exhaust their stores of motivation. This is when burnout occurs. They drain their reserves and eventually have to stop and restock. It’s similar to a muscle that’s been over-exercised and over-exerted. That muscle will get weak and need to be rested before using it again.

The same principle applies to your mental state and optimism. If you don’t keep feeding your mind with positive ideas, you’ll soon consume your reserves. That’s why you need to always read uplifting books, watch motivating videos, and listen to inspirational audios. They continually pour enriching ideas into your mind, sparking more upbeat perspectives. Meditation or mindfulness will also get you back in contact with your enthusiasm and creativity.

Here are some suggestions to stay motivated if you have a particular goal you’re striving for:

  • Find articles about the benefits of that goal, like I did for my walking program, and read them daily.
  • Read inspiring stories about how other people have achieved the same goal you’re seeking.
  • Keep a daily journal about how you’re doing, what you’ve accomplished, and how you feel about it.
  • Write down why you’re doing it for yourself, and look at it daily.
  • Find someone who can encourage you and keep you on track.

By following these simple steps, you’ll notice you’re able to stay on track and accomplish your goal. You have to keep “filling the well” of your resources to keep your mindset positive and your passion alive. When you do, you’ll find a consistent source of energy you can use to achieve your dreams.

Affirmation

I realize that I need to keep myself motivated and inspired. Because I deserve to live my dreams, I commit to myself and make the effort to keep my attitude upbeat. I am Divinely guided to the right way of staying enthusiastic about my goal. When I nourish my inner self, I reap enormous benefits.

Copyright 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Filling the Well of Your Mind, Part 1

Filling the Well of Your Mind, Part 1

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Sometime in your past, you may have started to make a change in your life. You might have started to paint your house, lose weight, or work on a project. And like most people, you probably lost your passion for it pretty quickly. Although you launched your attempt with enthusiasm, the day-to-day reality of it eroded away the excitement, and it became a bullet point on your list of “good intentions.”

Zig Ziglar, legendary speaker, said, “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” For some reason, people believe that once you’ve been exposed to a concept, or a new belief, or begun a new process of change, it should just keep going like the Energizer Bunny. They think it should develop a life of its own, be self-sustaining and propel itself with its own momentum.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case. You have to keep refreshing your motives, and reminding yourself of the benefits of your goal. To continue to move forward, you have to keep your emotional fire stoked to provide it with energy. It’s like exercising, sleeping, or eating. They need to be done each day to keep your physical body strong and healthy. If you go without any of them for a day or more, you’re going to notice their absence by feeling weaker and confused.

The same is true of motivation and even optimism. They have to be nourished and nutured each day, too. If you go too long between jolts of inspiration, you tend to run out of steam. I’ve known people to burn out because they thought they could coast on their original motivation and desire. They soon ran out of juice and lost focus. You have to fill your inner well frequently and consistently to be able to continue to progress.

Years ago, I wanted to begin a walking program, but I couldn’t get myself motivated to get started. So I cut out articles about how walking was beneficial, and read those articles every day. Within a week, I was eager to begin my training. Whenever I felt like quitting, I just read those articles and remembered how much better I felt after a walk.

Copyright 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

So Far, A Good Year

So Far, A Good Year

It’s been a good year so far. Recently, I wrote an article about empowerment for the Association Executives of North Carolina. I was amazed and excited when it was accepted and immediately published in the March/April issue of their magazine, Success By Association. The article is entitled, “Empowering The Possibility Of Change,” and is in their “Leadership Strategy” column.

This happened shortly after having two articles published in the 2013 Winter issue of Ad Infinitum – Illinois Court Reporters Association newsletter. I’d connected with an Executive Assistant with an Association Management Company. We’d discussed the possibility of my speaking for one of the associations she manages. In our communication, I mentioned that my articles are available to be published in print or online magazines and newsletters. Within a few months, she let me know that not one, but two of my articles had been published.

I’m thrilled with the way this year is trending. New doors are opening and opportunities are appearing. I trust that the tendency continues to open greater avenues of success for us all.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons

Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons

By Linda-Ann Stewart

A month ago, I took my car into the dealership for some routine maintenance, as well as to address a recall for the automatic window switch. The closest dealer is 60 miles away in Prescott. I contacted a friend there, and mixed a chore with pleasure. While my car was being worked on, we had lunch and visited.

Two days later, when I rolled the car window down, I discovered that the whole mechanism was loose. I had to make another trip to the dealership to get it checked. Again, I was able to have something fun to do while I was there. Jeff and I had a picnic by one of their lakes.

Unfortunately, the part was broken and they had to order it, which would necessitate a third visit to the dealership. At the last minute, I was able to schedule a lunch with another friend the day it was finally repaired.

Although it was annoying that each visit took several hours out of my day, I did my best to create something good out of each of them. I got to visit with two friends I don’t get to see very often, and Jeff and I created the space for a picnic. That  doesn’t mean that I didn’t vent a bit about the inconvenience. But I decided I wanted to use my energy to make lemons into lemonade.

When you have something irritating happen, you can either waste your energy on being unhappy or you can find some way to have fun with it. It’s your choice and all in your perspective. I invite you to empower yourself. Engage your creativity and find a way to put your energy to constructive use.

How do I use self-hypnosis to change a habit?

How do I use self-hypnosis to change a habit?

Question: How do I use self-hypnosis to change a habit?

Answer: Congratulations on wanting to change your life. Self-hypnosis can help you change a habit or quit something, but it takes dedication and commitment on your part.

For instance, I’ve had many smokers come to see me, saying “I really don’t want to quit. I want to want to quit.” In this case, they don’t have the commitment to stop smoking. They want a magic pill that will make it go away. Self-hypnosis makes the process of changing or quitting easier, it doesn’t make the choices for you.

Whatever it is that you want to change, you could decide what it is that you want instead of it. You could use an abstract, like greater self-respect or pride, or you could substitute something more concrete, like a carrot stick or green tea.

Once a day, in self-hypnosis, you imagine the desire for ‘whatever’ transferred to what you really want, and imagine yourself satisfied and delighted with the new substitute or abstract. Then, during your waking hours, whenever you think of the ‘whatever,’ you say to yourself, “No, I don’t do that anymore. Instead, I’m choosing ….”

The change won’t happen overnight, and you will have to dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to letting go of the habit or making the change, no matter what happens. And you may have to practice your self-hypnosis up to three times a day in the beginning.

Copyright 2004, 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Napoleon Hill “Think and Grow Rich” #3 Going the Extra Mile

Napoleon Hill “Think and Grow Rich” #3 Going the Extra Mile

In this rare video, Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich,” explains about the benefits of going the extra mile. This a habit of leaders and has marked the turning point of successful people. He gives a formula for it and says that this is the habit you need must follow to advance in your life.




~ Linda-Ann Stewart

What Intentions Are You Signaling? Part 2

What Intentions Are You Signaling? Part 2

by Linda-Ann Stewart

To accomplish what you want in your life, you have to be clear on what your goal is. Your subconscious mind can only reason with the information that comes through your conscious mind. So if you’re signaling to go left, then to go right, then left again, it’s going to get confused. The Law of Attraction won’t know what to attract. Instead of trying to figure out what you really want, it’s simply going to continue on the path that it’s always taken.

In your personal life, are you working towards a goal, but not following through on the steps that would create it? Maybe you want to reduce weight, but you don’t adhere to the lifestyle adjustment that would bring about a permanent change. You eat in a healthy way for a few days, but when temptation comes along, you give in. When you’re offered cake, you don’t just eat one piece, but two. This gives conflicting messages to your subconscious mind. Instead of helping you along the way, it will fall back into the pattern that’s most familiar. Achieving your ideal weight will continue to elude you.

Do your intentions align with your current goals, or old comfortable habits? Many times, you might want something different in your life, such as a better position or improved health, but you don’t take the actions that are necessary to move in that direction. Instead, you take the well-worn path you’ve always taken, and keep your goal in the future. In a year, you’ll find yourself in the same situation that you’re in now.

You need to follow the vision of what you want in your life, just like when you’re driving. As you travel, you keep your eyes focused in the direction you want to go. If you look off to the side for any length of time, you’ll start to drift in that direction. Energy and attention propel you along the track of your vision.

To get the cooperation of your subconscious, you have to give it a clear message and act accordingly. Set your intention, give clear signals about how you want to proceed, and then move in the direction that you’ve established. When you put consistent energy into your goal, your subconscious will support you and steer you in the right way.

Affirmation

I recognize that I must have a clear goal and follow through on my intentions to be able to accomplish it. Although I notice distractions, I don’t focus my attention on them. Instead, I keep my thoughts and actions in alignment and follow the vision I have for my life. I signal my clear intentions and follow through on them.

Copyright 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved