personal growth – Page 19 – Empowering Your Mind

How to Cope with the Inevitability of Change

August 5, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

by Linda-Ann Stewart

The world is changing all the time. Sometimes, it sedately plods along, but other times, change explodes and disrupts the status quo in a major way. When this happens, it’s normal to resist change, especially because it’s imposed on you.

Whether your choice or not, change is threatening and scary. Nothing will ever be exactly the same as it was. You don’t know what you may lose, and no one likes to leave their comfort zone or feel out of control. But there are times when massive change happens whether you like it or not.

How Change Affects You

For instance, a deadly pandemic creates a major upheaval in everyone’s life. As a result, you could have to find another job, or you need to move to a new location, or a loved one may become chronically ill. Unwelcome and unexpected change brings uncertainty, which leads to stress and ultimately to anxiety.

The Universe often nudges you out of your comfort zone with unwelcome conditions. If you don’t take the hint, it pushes more forcefully. The Universe wants you to keep expanding and evolving, and you can’t do that by staying in your old habits. You’ll have to let go of what no longer serves you to flow with the Universe and adjust to the new situation.

When change is sudden and affects your personal life, your normal response is to go into shock. Shock gives you time to process the reality of what’s happened. When you begin to emerge from the numbness, you may get anxious because you don’t know what to do. Or you do know what to do, and it’s overwhelming.

How to Handle the Uncertainty

When you find ways to handle the uncertainty, you feel more in control. Here are four steps you can do to take charge of your life.

1. Accept the change. The more you resist or deny the change, the less energy, resourcefulness or time you have to adjust to it. If you can’t accept the change yet, acknowledge that it has affected you. This is your first step to coping with it and moving forward.

2. Grieve the loss. For every change, something has to be left behind. There can also be opportunities, but often they come later in the process. At this point, if you have a sense of loss of what you valued, allow yourself the space to mourn. Only after grieving can you seek how to extract some good from the situation.

3. Deal with the anxiety. What can you do in the moment to reduce your anxiety? Maybe it’s to learn a new skill, do some research, or go to a caregiving support group. Or maybe all you can do in the moment is take some deep breaths to ground yourself.

4. Make a plan. No matter how small the steps might be, or even one tiny step, make a plan. This will bring you a sense of control, lower your stress, and allow you to think more clearly. When you take one step, figure out what the next two might be, and take them. Keep doing this until you build up momentum.

When you become proactive, you take charge and begin to adjust to the change that’s affecting your life. As you chart your course through the troubled waters, you can find a way to survive and thrive with the changes that have happened.

Affirmation:

I acknowledge that change has altered the course of my life. The Universe will guide me in my direction and give me definite insight into what to do next. I take the actions I know to take, and the next step now appears. Everything is in Divine Order and works out in my best interests.

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Book Review: Bex Beltran’s Journals

August 4, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Bex Beltran’s Journals

I love journals that you write in. Research has shown that writing by hand is more effective than typewriting or using a keyboard. Using a pen or pencil engages the mind more, allows more inner communication, processes information better and remembers the material better.

Bex Beltran has created a line of journals to cover all sorts of issues, from intuition to lists, manifestation to a crystal journal. Some are for business and business development, like the networking followup, client record, or social media content creator. And others are for personal use, like one for goal setting, reviewing accomplishments, or self-care for a highly sensitive person.

I especially love that some have questions to inspire you, for insight or help you overcome blocks. In a way, some could also be called workbooks. At this writing, there are almost ninety of them, and she continues to add more. I’m sure there’s one that you’ll find valuable. I’ve linked to the page that lists them, so you can browse through these amazing, inexpensive journals.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

“Learn To Embrace Change”

August 2, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

by Linda-Ann Stewart

“There is nothing permanent except change,” said Heraclitus, the Greek philosoper. Nothing ever stays the same. If it did, you’d stagnate spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. Relationships would become boring, business would never grow, spiritual evolution would halt. Without some drive to progress, you’d still be getting around by horse and buggy.

When things are stable, you tend to get in a groove. It’s natural to want things to stay the same. However, if you don’t try new things, it’s the nature of Life to shake things up to get your to expand. You’d experience a difficult business climate (like now), economic upheaval, bumps in your relationships, challenges in your personal life. This is to make sure you don’t get into a rut, hoping you can just hang on to what you have.

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten. The Universe is like a river, with a strong current flowing, propelling you to advance. When you ride the current, cooperating with it, you can steer around the rocks and choose your destination. But, if you try to stay in one place, hanging onto a branch, eventually you’ll lose your grip and be dragged by the current. With no control, you’ll get banged up on the rocks and have to go wherever the river takes you.

I’ve heard many people say that, “I’m not going to participate in the recession,” which is a noble and optimistic attitude. However, economic transformations, as well as any other crisis, requires that you pay attention to their message. You need to recognize and acknowledge that your economy is changing, and decide how you’re going to adjust.

If you don’t, and keep on doing business the way you’ve always done, then you’re trying to stay in the same place while the rest of the world changes to meet the new needs. You have to discover fresh, new ways to stay ahead of the wave. Shakeups make you more creative. “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and when it’s necessary to make changes, you dig deep within and engage more resources.

To take advantage of the opportunity that lies in any difficult time:

1. Be willing to let go of your old patterns, beliefs, attitudes and ways of being. They no longer serve you. Start asking yourself, “What do I need to change to triumph over this?”

2. Be willing to think positively about the challenge. Not resisting the change will give you more energy, creativity and resources to create something better from it. Ask yourself, “What is the message or lesson in this for me?”

3. Be open to the idea that this change will somehow be beneficial. This engages the resourcefulness of your subconscious mind to manifest something wonderful. Affirm “Something good is going to come out of this for me, even though I don’t know right now what it could be.”

When you willingly participate with the Universe when It forces change upon you, you receive a bounty of good from it. Many people look back and state, “It was the best thing that could have happened to me.” It may not be easy, comfortable or even gentle, but change is the nature of the Universe. Embrace change to find the blessing that it brings.

Affirmation

The Universe is change and I am willing to embrace it when it comes into my life. Even though I may not be able to see the benefit or advantage in changing, I know that the Universe has my best interests at heart. Everything takes place in Divine Order for my Highest Good. Only good can come from it for me, and I am guided in my decisions, and the best direction to go.

If you’d like to use this article in your ezine, blog, forum or website, please include this information with it:

“A nationally known hypnotherapist, writer, speaker and life coach, Linda-Ann Stewart helps people rediscover their power and sense of self-worth. For a copy of her free book, “Secrets To The Law Of Attraction,” visit www.Cedarfire.com/secretstoloa.shtml “

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

What Is Your Purpose In Life?

July 14, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

by Linda-Ann Stewart

So many people seek their purpose in life. They ask themselves, “What am I supposed to be doing?” or “Why am I here?” They believe their purpose must be a job, work or calling that gives them joy, and their life meaning and fulfillment. They’re looking for some occupation which will make them feel satisfied. But to find their purpose, they’re looking in the wrong place – outside themselves.

Your purpose may not necessarily be a vocation. It’s possible that your purpose will find expression through your job, but not be the focus of it. For instance, if you want to be of service, you could fulfill that desire through being a waiter, shopkeeper, clerk or in customer service. Or you could want to express your caring, and be a nurse, CNA or hospice worker.

Each of these careers has the opportunity to impact others in a positive and transformative way. Someone in a service or caring profession could say or do something to lift the mood of someone who’s having a bad day or dramatically change the course of a customer’s life.

Finding Meaning in Life

Don’t fixate on your purpose being your job. Volunteering at an animal shelter or working with model trains might satisfy you at a deep level. You can find meaning in any job, if you seek a positive or useful way to express yourself. You may want to share more love with the world. Or your mission could be to wake people up to their greatness. You can do those in virtually any work environment.

Your value has nothing to do with the size of your impact on the world. Many people work with little recognition, with no one noticing that they keep the infrastructure of life together. For instance, the custodians, utility workers and mini-mart clerks are necessary to keep the world functioning. They keep the foundation of society running smoothly. And although they work mostly in obscurity, their contribution is vital.

Be the Change

Your purpose generally isn’t a task you’re to accomplish in the outer world or for others. It may be to expand your inner world. Learning new languages, or exploring philosophies may be your passion. Sometimes, people are persuaded by others that they have to share their knowledge or gifts with the world. You may not have the drive to go out and market your gift to others, but choose to use it to only improve your life, which is perfectly valid.

If you do want to make a living through your purpose, the best way to get there is to start sharing it where you are now. Incorporate your purpose more and more in your life. Find ways to weave it into the work you’re doing currently. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Only by fulfilling your purpose in the present, will you be able to expand it to the public.

Living Up to Your Potential

When you’re “on purpose,” you’re living up to your potential. You may seek to simply live your life more authentically or to explore your creativity. To find your purpose, look at what draws you, what you feel strongly about, when you feel most fulfilled, and remembering when you feel the most alive. Your primary mission in life is to discover and become more of who you are.

It’s a mistake to tie your purpose to your vocation. Living on purpose is more internal than it is external. Some people can merge the two, but most often, your purpose is how you want to live in your life. Your purpose is so much bigger than what you do for a living. It’s more about being true to yourself and nurturing your inner self. That is your true mission.

Affirmation:

I’m being Divinely guided and directed to my purpose in life. When I’m on purpose, I feel fulfilled, satisfied and at peace within myself. I realize I can fulfill my purpose through any job, work or vocation. I open my mind to new possibilities on how to do so. My inner being knows what my purpose is, and now aligns me with it in a joyful way.

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Act on Your Values to Improve Your Well Being

July 12, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Your values are ideas that are important to you and that you choose to live your life by. When you act on them, your well being, self-respect and self-esteem rises. Here are a couple of ways you can use them in your life to feel more fulfilled and satisfied.

Transcript:

Values are principles that are important to you. They’re ideas that determine your priorities and that you choose to live your life by. When you violate them, your self-respect plummets. However, when you do live by them, your self-esteem and self-worth soar.

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a vision strategist, and I’d like to share how you can use your values to enhance your life and your well being.

What are your values? With a little refection you can discover what they are. Once you know your values you can use them intentionally in your life.

For instance, if kindness is a core value for you, you can use it in being nice to grocery clerks, even when they’re being surly. And that sometimes happens, doesn’t it? If you’re dissatisfied at work, figure out how you can utilize your values there. It will make your work much more fulfilling for you.

It’s not always easy or convenient to live according to your values. There are going to be situations in which it would be easier to take the low road, such as responding in kind to difficult people. And we all bump into people like that in our lives, right? But when you take the high road, and act according to your values, you will be rewarded by a sense of good will and well being.

Thank you for watching. If you’d like to achieve your goals with confidence and ease in 4 powerful steps, watch my FREE training video, Set Your Course to Success. Register for the video and accompanying action planning guide at www.SetYourCourseGuide.com.

Take some time to uncover your values, and then consider how you can act on them in your day- to-day life. You’ll be glad you did.

Read the accompanying article, What Do You Stand For?

Sparks of Insight

June 30, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

You’ve heard that everyone you attract is a mirror for you? This is true, but not necessarily literally. People can show you both your positive and negative traits. On the one hand, they can be your shadow side, the part of you that you’re resisting. Or they could be reflecting positive traits that you have. But there’s a third possibility. There could be some negative people you attract into your world who are there simply because they’re attracted to your positive energy. And they can be there, not to reflect your traits to you, but to teach you what kind of person you want to associate with. They may be present for their needs, to absorb your energy. The lesson for you may simply be to release them and go on your way.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Will hypnosis be dangerous if I misuse it?

June 15, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Question: Will hypnosis be dangerous if I misuse it?

Answer: I get this question a lot. It’s based on a misunderstanding and misconception about hypnosis. If misused, anything in life is dangerous. Electricity powers our computers, lights, appliances, but if you put your finger in the electric socket, you run the danger of being killed.

In the case of hypnosis, it’s a normal state of mind that you’re in and out of everyday. Whenever you focus on anything, you’re in a state of hypnosis. The only way to misuse hypnosis is to give yourself negative suggestions that would decrease the quality of your life. But you do that whenever you make any kind of negative statement about yourself, put yourself down or say “I can’t.”

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Podcast Interview – Courage Rises

April 19, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Susan Jeffreys is a life coach I met through a networking group we both belong to. Oddly enough, we met because most outside contact has gone virtual in this past year because of COVID-19. If not for that, we probably would not have met, because she belongs to one chapter and I belong to another. But we were able to virtually visit each other’s group.

Susan’s coaching specialty is helping people recognize and nurture their courage so they can take their next step in their business or life. One day, as we were talking one-on-one about how change requires courage, Suki invited me onto her podcast, Courage Rises.

She’d been interviewing people about their personal stories of courage, but wanted to do something different. We decided to discuss how change takes courage, and some of the obstacles and stages that a person goes through as they’re changing. It’s a subject dear to my heart, as change is what I’ve helped people with for over thirty years.

We had a lively and interesting conversation about how courage affects the choices and changes we make in our lives. She commented later that, “You have a way of describing feelings and resultant actions that I really like.”

We chatted how change is a process, with several different components that people may not be prepared for. She had some great insights about the points we covered and talked about her experience letting go of a long-standing habit.

We discussed what happens when someone starts utilizing their courage and start changing. And I gave some suggestions on how a person can exercise their courage so they can stretch that ability. We ended with my personal story about courage, and how, as a young child, I had to cultivate that quality.

She is passionate about helping others understand that courage is within everyone. Her caring and compassion shines through her, and wraps people in warmth. I consider this a silver lining to the COVID-19 isolating, in that it gave me a chance to meet and get to know this awesome lady.

I hope you enjoy this interview on how change takes courage and find new ways to cultivate courage in your life.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Guided Meditation to Encourage Positive Actions

February 11, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Have you ever been caught between two decisions? It may be one in which that you habitually take the easy path, and that undermines your well being. What if you could, in the moment, receive encouragement to choose the more difficult road? This guided meditation will help you encourage and support yourself to take the actions that lead you towards your goals.

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Transcript:

Thank you for watching. Wouldn’t it be nice to stop procrastinating, to eat and drink in a way that’s good for your health, to encourage and motivate yourself in a positive way? When you turn away from the path of least resistance to the path that is best for you, you’re building self-respect and demonstrating self-love. Treating yourself kindly, and gently guiding yourself to decisions and actions that support you and your endeavors brings you a better life.

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, and would like to lead you through a short guided meditation to help you choose the best path that brings you long term benefits. In this meditation, you’ll be encouraging yourself to make positive choices.

If you feel like it, close your eyes. Imagine another version of yourself nearby. This version of yourself knows what your goals are, and knows the actions that can help or hinder your goals. This version of yourself also cares about your well being, is more objective and able to see things more clearly.

Now imagine that you are faced with a choice. It’s a choice between doing what’s familiar, what’s easiest, what will bring you immediate gratification, but will ultimately not be helpful for you… and acting in a more mature, intentional and reasoned way. A way that is better for you and for the outcomes you want.

Now imagine that version of yourself is encouraging you to make the more difficult, but more enriching choice. This part of you gives you reasons for for making those choices, and reminds you that you will ultimately feel better about yourself. This part’s guidance is reassuring and inspiring to you.

Imagine that you follow that version of yourself’s advice. That you make the choice it recommends. It could be to eat healthy foods, do the task you’ve been avoiding, or take action towards your goal. Imagine yourself acting on the decision and how you feel good about yourself once you’ve done so. Your choice leads to an outcome that benefits you in the long term.

Open your eyes. The version of yourself I mention can help by supporting you in making decisions that will improve your well being. In a way, you’re being your own cheerleader. When you take the time to check in with that more objective part of you, you’ll recognize the guidance that can keep you on course. Acting on that advice demonstrates your care for yourself.

If you’d to achieve a 90-day goal more easily, download my free comprehensive Strategic Vision Guide. You’ll receive the guide, as well as a training video that walks you through it with tips and directions to support you in accomplishing your goal.

Thank you for watching. What one thing can you do today that supports your well being?

Read the accompanying article, How to Demonstrate Self-Love.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Empowering Your Mind

Mindset, Motivation and Empowerment

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Tag: personal growth

How to Cope with the Inevitability of Change

August 5, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Book Review: Bex Beltran’s Journals

August 4, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

“Learn To Embrace Change”

August 2, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

What Is Your Purpose In Life?

July 14, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Act on Your Values to Improve Your Well Being

July 12, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Sparks of Insight

June 30, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Will hypnosis be dangerous if I misuse it?

June 15, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Podcast Interview – Courage Rises

April 19, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart

Guided Meditation to Encourage Positive Actions

February 11, 2021 Linda-Ann Stewart