Expand Your Awareness

Never before in the history of man has there been as much interest in understanding life beyond the physical. Science and religion have long agreed that what is beyond our five senses is far more powerful than that which we can see or touch. Yet, even with that understanding we still cannot explain what that powerful “something” is or how we can harness it. Scientists call it substance. Religion calls it God. It matters not what we call this unexplainable, indefinable force, the important factor is the knowledge that we have a relationships with it.

In our search for meaning, we have experienced glimpses of profound truths that at some level we seem to always have known. Intuitively we have pierced the veil between the physical and the metaphysical and we have felt the presence of a loving spirit ever available to answer our needs. In moments of high spiritual awareness, there is a knowing that transcends our earthly understanding. But have we applied these awareness’s to our daily lives? Often we do not until something happens to jolt us into a keener awareness.

We may encounter a life changing event, sometimes traumatic, sometimes joyful but always enlightening.  A moment in time when the presence of something bigger then self is felt like a bolt of lightning out of the blue or the soft whisper of the wind against our cheek. However the spirit of life enters our consciousness, we can never be the same again. In that holy instant we have transcended all previous understanding and have experienced a rebirth of our awareness. For one moment we have glimpsed our true identity, we have melded with the cosmic consciousness of the universe, we have known our unity with all of life and for that moment, nothing else matters, a wholly new life experience dawns for us. A door opens and with that opening comes en even deeper level of self-discovery.

These moments of heightened awareness may appear more infrequently then we would desire but perhaps we can create an internal environment that will allow for greater receptivity. An openness that calls forth our own true nature, where creative ideas abound, significant realizations are common and our sense of connectedness with the source of all life is the predominating fueling of our heart.

Perhaps this is the place to begin. To ‘act as if’ we feel spirit as a presence of love as well as power and strength. To feel free in the understanding that we live in something that is greater than we are, that gives us the courage to step out and take a chance on life for we know that we are protected. This type of thinking will surely move us from any stuck place or any place of uncertainty to a level of courage and peace. When we are on the ladder of life, we know that there is only one way to go…up…up…up to a higher awareness, to a greater experience of the fullness of life.

Affirmation: I am one with the source of all life. I am guided and protected always.

www.caroleoconnell.com

4 Steps to the Creative Process

 As I sit here on an unusually warm February day, I am reminded of the extraordinary process of rebirth that we are privileged to witness as the earth moves through its yearly ritual of resurrection. Even now, there is movement within the brown crusted earth, a surging of the life force through which each potential blade of grass, each flower that will fill our world with beauty in just a short time.

If we could realize that this birthing process is the same experience that we have each time we go through change in our life, always remembering, no matter how dark the day, the spirit of life is moving within us. There is a divine spark contained within each of life’s experiences, a seed of creation that awaits our attention. If we water that seed with our thoughts and feelings, we are invoking the power of the universe to guide and direct our path.

There are many techniques that can help us to move through these times of transition, none of them magical, but rather tools to keep us focused when our hearts and minds want to give up and succumb to the darkness. I would like to share one that has worked for me. It is simple and direct, a method that employs the principles of the creative process in a simplistic organized fashion.

There are 4 steps:

                                                DEFINE

                                                ACCEPT

                                                ACTION

                                                SURRENDER

Defining is always first for it forces us to make choices, to decide what it is we are choosing to create. Whether your desire concerns relationships, physical health, career, prosperity or peace of mind, you need to know what you want to replace your current experience with. In other words, if you don’t want what you have now, what do you want? What would it look like? How would it feel? In what way would it change your life? I highly recommend putting this step in writing and keep your statements in the affirmative model. For instance, instead of saying, “I don’t like my job.” Use words that affirm what you want like, “I am attracting a wonderful work into my life that is creative, rewarding, prospering and exciting.” Doesn’t that feel better?

Acceptance is important because we often don’t feel worthy of our good. This step is one of introspective examination, searching deep within ourselves to uncover any beliefs that would keep us from creating that which we have chosen.

Action is our next step in the creative process and one that many overlook. The divine spark that lives in each of us can do nothing “FOR” us but is the activity of life that expresses “THROUGH” us. Once we have defined what we want to achieve and accepted the desired outcome in our consciousness, it is imperative to follow the guidance we receive and move our feet.

Our final step is the all important and sometimes most difficult act of surrender. All of the effort that we have put into this creation so far does not begin to touch the depth of potential that awaits us if we let go of our expectations and allow the universe to bring us our good. What we have established in mind and strengthened with our feelings and actions is at work in the creative stream of intelligence from which we have come forth. The universe conspires to bring us our good when once we engage the creative process and get out of the way and allow life to come forth in all of its magnificence.

May the re-awakening of spring represent your personal rebirth from any transitional phase of darkness into the light of truth and life.

www.caroleoconnell.com

5 Steps for Overcoming Fear

                                       5 STEPS FOR OVERCOMING FEAR

Have you ever wondered how you were going to get through the day, resolve a conflict, pay the bills, get a job, or simply break through the fear that holds you back? Sometimes, life becomes such a struggle that it appears the easier path is to quit rather than push through and conquer the fear of “IT” whatever “IT” is! Although quitting is an option, the consequences of not moving through the fear rob us of the learning experience so valuable to out soul’s growth. Perhaps it is time to change our perception of fear and view it as a positive force, a motivating energy that encourages us to be more than we thought we could be.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do”.

What are you dealing with today that brings up your fear? Perhaps the fear of being lone if you move away from a relationship; the fear of making a mistake if you move into a relationship; the fear of loss of security if you change careers; the fear of retaliation if you tell the truth.

Use these 5 steps to overcome any fear that is holding you back from the life you want to live.

1.     Make a DECISION to face the fear and do it anyway, this thing you think you cannot do.

2.     Write down all that you think will happen if you do this thing that you fear. Write out the worst case scenario and read it carefully.

3.     Write out a description of the way you think life will be if you DON’T face this fear. Are you willing to live with this alternative?

4.     Now take a clean sheet of paper and title it “STEPPING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX”. Remember, life is not black or white; rather it is many shades of grey. Look for other options for the same goal and write them down. List the pro’s and con’s of each option as well as a preliminary game plan.

5.     Create a first step. Baby steps are easiest to accomplish. Take one step at a time and then create another next step. This way you won’t become too overwhelmed with too difficult a step. Evaluate all that you’ve written and see if there is a light at the end of the previously dark tunnel.

 Facing our fears and moving forward does indeed build courage, high self-esteem, an inner strength and trust so that the next fear we encounter will be much easier to move through. As long as we are growing, we are stepping outside of our comfort zones, plunging into the unknown, which does bring up some level of anxiety. However, we know we are vitally alive when the dynamics of our lifestyle create periods of positive stress, that high level activity of creative expression. Working through our fears opens life to creativity, joy and peace that we all deserve and want.

Happy Growing!

www.caroleoconnell.com

3 Ideas to Improve Your Marriage

            As we near Valentine’s Day, our thoughts go to the significant relationship in our life. Is it fulfilling, harmonious, loving and communicative? Do you enjoy each other? Do you laugh together? Most of us would probably say that our relationship could be better.

            Rather than wanting your partner to change so things would be better, perhaps it is time to see how you could show up differently and make the difference that you are seeking.

            Here are 3 ideas that may help you to see what you could bring to the marriage that would create a more loving, beautiful relationship.

                                    #1  GIVE UP THE BLAME GAME

a)     Blaming, criticizing or judging your mate will guarantee an unhappy marriage.

b)    Most judgment of another is actually a reflection of something we are not happy about our self. When we realize that and are willing to own it, we are free to create our relationships differently.

c)     So…..the relationship that is most important to work on, the one that transforms all others is the relationship we have with ourselves.

d)    I have discovered that when I accept myself just as I am, then and only then can I accept others unconditionally.

e)     All of the relationships that we use as our excuse for feeling bad are simply manifestations of our disconnect from our self, our higher self, our higher power, our inner being.

f)      Exercise: Make a list of all of your positive aspects. Be real! Dig deep if you have too! Perhaps you haven’t looked at what is good about you in many years. Now is the time!! Read your list every day for 21 days. Look into your eyes in a mirror and declare, “I AM A LOVING, KIND, WONDERFUL PERSON”!

#2 LET GO OF THE PAST

a)     Your history is not your destiny!

b)    Everyone has a story about their relationship that has been written over a period of years. Sometimes negativity that lives in that story can take on a detrimental life of its own.

c)     Write a new story on how you want to feel in your relationship. Think outside of the way it has been. For instance, you want to feel loved and accepted; you want kindness and respect. You get the idea. Be passionate in your story. Let it all out. What would feel so good????

d)    Exercise: Find things to praise and appreciate about your spouse, both mentally and verbally. Show that you respect them and that they make a difference in your life. Do this for 21 days.

e)     My guarantee is that if you don’t see a shift in your relationship after 21 days, you can have your old story back.

#3. LIVE IN GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION

a)     There are more good things about your life and your relationship then there are bad. We focus on what’s wrong until what’s wrong becomes dominant in your marriage.

b)    The idea here is to focus on what’s right until what’s right becomes the dominant thought.

c)     Wayne Dyer: “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change.”!

d)    You may have to prove this to yourself to believe how powerfully your thoughts affect your life and consequently all of your relationships.

e)     Exercise:  

1)    Write 5 things you truly appreciate about your life.

2)    Write 5 things you truly appreciate about your partner.

3)    Read these every day for 21 days remembering the good times in your life and in your marriage.

You are the architect of your life. You choose the thoughts that control your feelings and emotions that drive your life. There are no victims. You are at choice every day to think about yourself, your spouse and your life as you would like them to be. Don’t focus on what is, focus on what is possible.

Let me know how these exercises work for you.

Life is a Miracle

                                                        Life is a Miracle

When life seems too busy, when others upset us, when our dreams don’t come true, smile, take a deep breath and give thanks for the fullness of life.

The secret to a more peaceful life is to resist nothing!!

There is more than enough time to do what is before us. Slow down, turn within and declare perfect organization.

No one can upset us, we choose to be upset. CHOOSE PEACE!!

Dreams are unlimited. When one door closes, another always opens if we listen carefully to our heart.

Life is a MIRACLE being revealed through us. Every day is a gift to be cherished. Loved ones and friends are angels that teach us how to love.

APPRECIATE this moment and watch how the MIRACLES of life open for you.

Affirmation for the week:

I LOVE MY LIFE. I CHOOSE PEACE AND JOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY.