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Stop The Mindfucking: The Difference Between Committing To Your Dream And Just Stringing It Along

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commitment to your dreams

Love me into submission, and I will love you into conquering the world.-Your Dream

We’ve all had that one person. That one person that we thought was the person of our dreams, but we let them slip away. Why did we let them slip away? Because we were too afraid to commit.

We wanted a little more time to be single. We didn’t want to give up our flirtations with others. Or, we were just too plain scared. We were scared of how our life would change. Scared that things would be different.

And, so that person moved on.  That person found someone who would commit to them, that wasn’t too afraid to be in a relationship, that wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable. They moved on from someone who only wanted to live on the edge of things and found someone who was willing to stand in the center of it all.

The same thing can happen to your dream. Your dream has been tapping you on the shoulder your entire life.  It’s tried everything to get your attention. It’s beckoned you in a soft whisper voice and a gentle caress that you could feel softening your mind. It’s played a tune that’s not just tugged at your heartstrings, but unraveled them one by one until all you could hear was your beating heart.

It’s chased you down those dark alleys when you tried running away. It’s come to you in those quick-hot-fuck-against-the-wall moments of your life. You know the ones. Where you knew it was now or never. It insisted upon your exploration. It knew you were the one it was meant to bond with. This was your moment, and then it was gone.  It tried to crack the shell of your closure, to make a believer out of you. It even begged you for your protection. All it wanted was to be released.

commit to your dreams

photo credit: kaniths via photopin cc

But you, my dear one, just can’t decide.  You’ve kept that dream strung along so tight that’s it about to break. So, I give you this warning. Your dream doesn’t accept halfheartedness. It requires ALL OF YOU. Are you numb? Have you lost all feeling in your soul? Your dream doesn’t accept compromise. It requires a full commitment, a total surrendering, and nothing less than all of you.

Gamble everything for love, if you are a true human being.
If not, leave this gathering.

Half-heartedness doesn’t reach into majesty.
You set out to find God,
but then you keep stopping for long periods
at mean-spirited roadhouses.
Don’t wait any longer…-Mevlana Rumi

If this seems like a high price to pay, let me remind you, there is always a price.  Your dream will take everything you’ve got (and then some).  But, once you move from dabbling with your dream into a full commitment, heaven and earth will move to assist you.  Your dream wants to be made real, and the entire Universe wants to show up for the party.  It all hinges on you.

Here’s how to commit to your dream:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”― William Hutchison Murray

1.  You Must Give All Of Yourself To Your Dream

If you are only dedicating time to your dream when it’s convenient, you aren’t giving all of yourself. Yes, there will be a cost to giving all of yourself. I had a dream to write a book. In order to do so, I quit my job, sold everything I owned, and moved to a quiet Mexican town where the cost of living was low and where I knew there would be no distractions. Even though, I didn’t HAVE to be up at a certain time, I still set my alarm for 6 AM every morning. Everything I did, revolved around writing the book. Once DreamCatcher: The Magic Of Living Your Dream Life was finished, I didn’t just stop there. I realized I had a bigger dream. I went on to create three websites this past year, and my vision evolved to become Your Own Life.

Now, are you going to have to do something as drastic as I did to create your dream? You might, if you want to get it done. But, there are ways to still keep your day job and work on your dream. It may mean giving up other things, though. You may have to sleep less, or spend less time with your friends, or less time on Facebook to make it happen. You may have to cut down on your work hours and take less money. This guy launched twelve start-ups in twelve months. Guess what? He has the same amount of hours in a day that you do. He’s just learned how to use them wisely.

2. Tear Down The Walls

The thing that seems so overwhelming to people when it comes to committing to their dream are the steps it takes to get there. That’s the thing about dreams. They don’t just happen. It will take hard work to get there.

But, we often use excuses, and those excuses are the ball breakers of the dream world. “But, I’m in debt.” (Sell your crap. Get rid of your debt. Take a second job. Start small.)  Don’t use the excuse of thinking your dream isn’t practical, or that you don’t have the money. The question is can you afford not to follow your dream?  When we base our dream on current circumstances, we limit the vision of our entire life. Right now there all walls that are preventing you from following your dream. Your job is to figure out how to tear them down.

3. Learn To Say No

A mysterious thing happened when I started following my dream. A lot of people started asking for my time (for free).  They wanted me to help them using the skills I had. They wanted me to build their websites. They wanted my advice. I wanted to say yes because I love helping people. But I realized that while I was in the process of creating my dream, I needed to focus on doing just that. (Have you ever noticed how the minute you think about committing to someone in a relationship, your attractiveness level seems to go up? All of a sudden people are showing an interest in you that didn’t before.) It’s almost like the Universe likes to test us. Are you really going to see this dream through to the end? Decide now, and say no to anything else that isn’t related to making your dream come true.

4.  Get Rid Of Fear

The real reason we have so many excuses about why we can’t follow our dream is that we are scared to death. We let fear sweet talk us into believing that our relationship with our dream won’t work. (Fear hates competition!) So,once again, we decide to sit this one out. And, once again, we create more disconnect between ourselves and our dream. Ask yourself what you are really scared of. Ask yourself if that thing happens, then what will happen. And, if that happens, then what will happen. Then what? You will see that fear tries to seduce us into believing that it will keep us safe, but the only thing fear will do is act as a barrier to that which you want most.

5.  Find A Mentor

There are many people who have been exactly where you are today. Ready to take the next step, but not exactly sure how. Do you know people who are doing what you want to do or who have taken big risks to get where they are? Offer to take them to lunch and get their advice. Surround yourself with others who are making commitments to their dreams. Hire a coach to help give you the motivation it takes to follow your dream. There are plenty of people in this world following their dream. Shouldn’t you be one of them?  This is your moment. Do it now!

I want you to follow your dreams and find your life purpose, so I’m offering a free 15-minute Skype session to help you get started. Email Valen for your free session. (One per person)

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How To Be Outrageously Open

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outrageously open

Keep your hands open, and all the sands of the desert can pass through them. Close them, and all you can feel is a bit of grit.’~Taisen Deshimaru

I have a confession to make. I lived the early part of my life closed off.  After many experiences starting in childhood where I felt like my true self was rejected, I closed myself off from others. I could crack a joke like nobody’s business, and discovered I could use humor to put a distance between myself and other people.  I learned how to draw people out, how to get them to tell their stories, so I didn’t have to tell my own. I moved around from place to place when people started getting to know the real me. I was scared. I was scared to let anyone else hold my heart. It was easier to dance in the mask of the adventurer, the lone wolf. In the end, I ran away.

But, then one day, I had an awakening. I felt the grit of the sand burning my hands, and I felt lonely, like no one understood me, and I knew I only had myself to blame. I knew that it was time. It was time to poke my head out of the cocoon I had created around myself.  I was tired of closing myself off to others. I was tired of closing myself off to life.  It was time to take my own tender heart and to set her free. She was ready to feel again.

Step by step, I learned to be outrageously open. I didn’t just become open with others. I became open to life itself. I learned that intimacy with others is what it’s all about. I started finding my tribe because I was letting others know the real me. And, yeah, I started crying a whole lot more. Now, I cry at sunsets, and ocean waves, and homeless kittens. Sometimes, I even cry at flowers. But, I’m feeling again, and my heart erupts in waves of delight every day.

how to be openphoto credit: h.koppdelaney via photopin cc

How To Be Outrageously Open:

1. Learn That Other’s Opinions Of You Don’t Determine Your Worth

I grew up in an atmosphere where I was constantly criticized, and, as a child, I grew up with the false impression that I had to win people over. So, I soon learned to use my charm, my wit, and the things that I accomplished to try and be accepted by others. I tried to conform (ahem, something I’ve never been good at), and I lost myself somewhere along the way.

True freedom came when I started realizing my own worth. I realized it had nothing to do with how others saw me. I realized that it was OK if other’s didn’t get me or even understand me. The day I decided to live my own life and not worry about what others thought was the day I became more open to myself. I started learning who I really was instead of who I was compared to others.  Don’t be afraid to fully express yourself and show who you really are.

2.  Be Fully In The Moment

We actually close ourselves off from the moments of our lives when we aren’t fully present. If we watch a sunset while longing for the past or while thinking of all the things that we are going to do later or while entangled with worry, anxiety, frustration, or anger, while having this beautiful experience, we miss the beauty of the moment. If you fully let go moment to moment, the experiences themselves can heal your emotions, and bring a richness to your world you would otherwise miss.

When you become fully absorbed in a moment, you feel everything about that moment. It bursts your heart wide open. A good example of this was when I saw this murmuration of bronze cowbirds in Mexico. I was so caught up in the moment, I didn’t realize that I was being so vocal with my ecstatic reaction to see them until I watched the video later! When you become outrageously open, every moment in life touches you deeply in a way that it doesn’t when you are closed.

 3.  Treat Your Time With Others As Sacred

If you spend your time with others engaged on your phone or other distractions instead of being fully present with them, you miss the beauty of connecting with others on a deep level. You send a message that their presence isn’t valuable to you and you miss out on being deeply known yourself. View your time with others as sacred. Turn off your phone and let yourself deeply connect with the person in front of you.

4. Let Yourself Screw Up

I used to be very fearful in life. Fearful to do screw up. To not get it right.  Guess what? You are going to screw up. And you know what’s beautiful about that? You are going to screw up your way. Allow yourself to do it. When you screw up, you get the chance to practice self-love. And, if your screw-ups affect others, you get the chance to see who accepts you for being human, rather than for their idealized projection of you.

5.  Accept Others For Who They Are

When we judge others, we distance ourselves from who they really are. We try to fit themselves in a box of our making.  Are you trying to get to know someone who they are, or are you trying to know them for who they are through your filter? Let others show up. Exactly for who they are. When you do this, you will attract others who let you do the same.  You will also open your mind which is needed if you want to live openly.

how to be openImage from http://favimages.net/image/99858/

 6.  Embrace The Things That Life Offers You

Two years ago, I didn’t know that I would be selling everything I owned to begin an adventure around the world. When I began that adventure, I didn’t know that the real thing I was seeking was myself. One year ago, I had no idea that I would be drawing in people from all over the world to share what I have learned at a spiritual retreat in Bali.

The thing is many times, life often throws itself at our feet, but we don’t accept the things it offers us because it doesn’t show up in the package we thought it would, or it doesn’t feel comfortable or safe, or we are afraid of what others will think.

The thing is you don’t know where these opportunities will lead. Choose what shows up. Hell, don’t just choose it, welcome it with tears of gratitude, giant bear hugs, and slow, deep kisses. Savor it, groove with it, and feast on it. Let yourself become unleashed!

We claim that our lives are boring, but then we are afraid of spontaneity when things get shaken up. Do yourself a favor, and don’t sit this one out. After too many rejected invitations, life may just find a new dance partner.

7.  Be Willing To Receive

When we are open, something happens. We don’t just give. We learn how to receive. And then a healthy flow can begin in our hearts and our lives. Part of being open isn’t just putting our vulnerable selves out into the world. It’s allowing other’s vulnerability to come in. It’s allowing the gifts of the Universe to come shining through. It’s allowing ourselves to be touched on a deeper level and accepting things that are meant for us.

8.  Let Yourself Heal

Closing yourself off to others or to life is a form of self-defense. In order to be more open, it’s important to let yourself heal the pain of the past. Amy and Valen both offer healing sessions to help you become more open, let go of fear, and embrace life more fully. You can find out more about them here. Letting go of old pain is the best way to live a full life of openness and joy.

Want to know more about how to become more open or more authentic? Email Valen for a free 15-minute Skype session. (1 per person)

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Why You Should Break Up With Self-Esteem

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break up with self esteem

Self-esteem is something we all struggle with. We all have false beliefs about ourselves, and that’s just what they are-FALSE. So, why is it so hard to feel self-esteem? Why are so many people trying to work on it? The problem is that the entire concept of self-esteem is wrong.

Self-esteem is the idea that you should measure yourself against society’s measuring stick. Our entertainment industries, our teachers, families, and culture have given us impossible standards they expect us to meet. We start measuring ourselves by the expectations of others, and we lose the true essence of who we are.

The video below shows an interview in which adults and kids were asked what they would change about themselves. The adults all felt like they had flaws. The flaws they perceived were all things they felt made them different from “everyone else.” But, the kids actually wanted to be unusual. They wanted things like a mermaid’s tail or a shark’s mouth.

The children in this video haven’t yet had other’s project their standards on them. They don’t have self-esteem. What they have is self-belief. They get their value from simply believing in themselves. They believe that the world is theirs, and there’s nothing that needs changing about themselves. It’s a precious thing that we allow the concept of self-esteem strip away from us.

We do the same thing with our dreams. We water them down to fit into what society wants us to do. We don’t even stop to think if the things we automatically do are the things our soul is really calling us to do.

i am

Break Up With Self-Esteem

We need to dump self-esteem and invite in self-belief. Have faith in yourself. Know that you are enough. You are enough because you are. Say it, “I AM.” Self-esteem is based on how you think and feel about yourself (thoughts and feelings are often flawed), but self-belief is based on acceptance of yourself. Self esteem is based on how we compare to others, but self-belief is following the call of our deepest heart. Self-esteem is based on judgement. Allow your entire gritty, daring, reckless true self to emerge. She has secrets to tell you, but your mind has been jabbering too loudly for you to hear.

Self-belief is based on unconditional love and limitless possibilities. We all search for someone who will give us unconditional love, who will accept us just as we are. Don’t you think it’s time to do that for yourself? You my darling, are so very worthy. Now, get out there and show the world, swishing your mermaid tail boldly along the way.

Featured photo credit: theglobalpanorama via photopin cc

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Do You Actually Live How You Say You Want To Live?

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girl in suitcase

“Begin at once to live and count each separate day as a separate life.” ~Seneca

How are you feeling about your life today? Are you excited about it? Do you wake up each day in anticipation? Are you thrilled to see what’s coming next?

Stop for a moment and think of your ideal day. There are no limits. Even better, write it down. Write down every moment from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep.  What are you doing? Who are you spending time with? What is happening? Make sure you write this in the present tense, as if it were happening now. There are no limits. Write down anything and everything that comes to mind.

Now, that you are finished, do you recognize your life? Are you actually living how you say you want to live?

If you aren’t, why not? Many of us want our life to be different in some way. But, we are letting fear stop us from making the changes we need to in order to create the life we want. You are a creator, and you have the ability to create your life exactly the way you want to.

follow your dreamsphoto credit: Nhoj Leunamme == Jhon Emmanuel via photopincc

Yes, it will cause changes. And, yes, there will be a cost. Every lifestyle has a cost. The person who quits their job to travel has to leave their family and friends behind to do so. The person who decides to dedicate themselves to climbing the corporate ladder may not have the time for a relationship or to dedicate to their passion for writing or art. The person who decides to follow their heart and start a new business may have to work long hours to make it happen. The person who decides to go after their dream job may have to get used to having less money for a while.

The thing is that most of the things we are afraid of losing are just attachments that aren’t the real things in life that make us truly happy. We have been led to believe by society and the media that status, fame, wealth, and material possessions will make us happy. These things will all disappear one day when you die. Focus on the things in your life that do matter instead. Life is short, and should be spent on doing the things you love. The cost of not following your soul’s calling will always be greater than the material attachments you are giving up to create the life you want.

The question is are you willing to pay the price to follow your heart? Yes, it may mean giving up a few expensive dinners and the latest version of an iPhone, so you can follow the life that is meant to be yours. It may mean moving to a smaller house or selling some of your stuff on Ebay so you can fund your trip around the world.  It may mean going to school after your day job, so you can take theater or art classes.

You may be in a hard situation at the moment with nothing but debt and bills, and it may mean going through some difficult years while you work three jobs to climb out of that situation, but start taking the steps right now to do so. The steps can be small. You won’t create your ideal life overnight, but you can start creating something new right now.

creating dreams

We all have choices in our life, and the choices that you are making right now are creating your future. They are creating your day, whether it be an ideal one or an exact replication of the day you had yesterday which wasn’t much, and is worlds away from the one you wish to be living.

Maybe, you already know the ways that you want your life to change, but you are spending the majority of your time doing things that don’t really matter. Once you know what direction you want your life to flow in, then that’s also where you need to spend the majority of your time. Spend the majority of your time creating that life, not on the life you already have.

It’s going to take a full commitment on your part to make it come true. The Universe listens to how committed you are, and will always give all that it takes to meet you in the middle. Notice, I said meet you in the middle. You see, part of creating is also action. We are creators who are meant to create. It’s not just thoughts that create your reality. Your action creates worlds of energy into making something happen.  The Universe is in partnership with you, and needs you to do your part, too.

What small step can you take today to start creating the life that you want to be living? Create a life that you don’t want to get away from.  Start now.

Featured photo credit: Nhoj Leunamme == Jhon Emmanuel via photopin

 

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Unfrazzle Your Life: How To Make Your Home Feel Sacred (And Why You Should)

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how to create sacred space in your home

How do you feel when you enter your home? Does it feel like a haven, a place to retreat to? Making your home into a sacred space can be the difference between feeling calm or feeling even more stressed out and frazzled. Studies show that creating a sacred living space even lowers your cortisol which is the stress hormone. Too much cortisol causes imbalanced sleep, abnormal blood sugar levels, and even weight gain.

sacred spacephoto credit: Adam Nowek via photopin cc

 Here are 5 ways to make your home feel sacred:

1. Bring elements of nature into your house.

Nature is alive with soul and intelligence. When you connect with nature, you connect with all of life. When you bring nature into your house, you bond with life itself. Being in nature makes us feel happier and is good for our well-being. Go on a nature walk and collect interesting twigs, leaves, sea shells, stones, feathers, and pine cones to bring into your house. Also, don’t forget to open those blinds and  let the light from outside stream in.

2. Create an altar in your home to honor everything you love.

You don’t have to be a spiritual person to create an altar, although if you are, this is a good way to honor your spiritual beliefs. It’s good to have a place to retreat to when you are in your home, and creating an altar creates this space. This space should be filled with energy and aliveness.  Fill it with your favorite items that have meaning to you, flowers, crystals, some of the elements you collected from nature, candles, and incense. Use spiritual objects to invite spiritual energy in. Surround the space with comfortable cushions and scarves or a favorite chair. Keep a journal and pens in the space, and use it to offer up gratitude, blessings, and to reconnect with yourself.

3. Get rid of stuff you don’t need.

When is the last time you had a major clean out of your home? Chances are, it’s been a while. It’s so easy to collect stuff that we don’t need which fills our house and our head space with cluttered energy. One of my favorite blogs, Becoming Minimalist, has a great list of “101 Physical Things That Can Be Reduced In Your Home”.  Getting rid of old stuff is a great way of clearing space for new things and changes to arrive. Do this on a regular basis.

4.  Smudge your house.

Smudging is a powerful cleansing ritual from the Native Americans. Our homes are filled with energy, and smudging is a wonderful way to clear out old, stagnant, and negative energy. You just need a smudge stick (a bundle of herbs, usually sage, cedar, or sweet grass), matches, and a ceramic bowl or saucer. Crack a window in each room of your house. Start by lighting the smudge stick. Hold it inside the bowl or saucer and walk around each room of your house. While you are smudging, hold the intention that all negative energies and spirits are leaving your home.

5. Create a spa-like environment in your home.

Have you noticed how entering a luxury hotel room makes you feel? You can easily create this sacred atmosphere in your own home. Trust me, you are worth it! Indulge in the fluffiest towels you can find (and don’t wait five years to replace them). Buy fragrant soaps and luxurious linens for your bed.  Buy a fluffy bath robe. Put candles everywhere. Get an essential oil diffuser and let it fill your home with the scent of grapefruit and basil. If you are in such a rush that you can’t take the time to luxuriate in ordinary experiences every day, is this really the life you want to be living? Something as simple as taking a few extra minutes to light candles during your morning routine or for your breakfast (please, tell me you take the time to eat breakfast) can set a better tone for your entire day.

Featured photo credit: terriem via photopin cc

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How To Receive (For Givers)

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how to receive

Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished. — Og Mandino

Our world gives constant messages that it is better to give than receive, and while giving is a wonderful thing, many givers have a hard time being on the receiver end of energy.  Usually, it’s a lot harder to receive than to give.  There are many reasons why someone can have a difficult time receiving. Some of them are:

how to receive

Photo Credit: Shandi-lee via Compfight cc

1. We Don’t Feel Worthy

Sometimes, we don’t feel worthy of a gift. We don’t feel like we did anything to earn it, so we don’t deserve it. We can learn to receive by realizing, we are worthy, and we don’t need to “do” anything to be worthy of receiving a gift. When we feel worthy, we are accepting our own gifts. When we learn to accept our own gifts, we can learn to accept gifts from others.

2.  Receiving Makes Us Feel Vulnerable

It’s easier to feel like the one in control when we are giving. When we receive, it brings out our vulnerability.  We are forced to let down our defenses. We look at vulnerability as something that should be repressed, when, really, it’s something that should be embraced.  Receiving can be a good practice to honoring our own vulnerability and letting it flourish.

3.  Society Teaches Us We Have To Strive For What We Want

Our society teaches us from the time that we are children that we have to strive for what we want. We are taught that we have to be the ones who make things happen, and that we must be taking constant action to get the things we need.

Actually, this isn’t true at all.  The law of attraction states that we receive the things we put our attention on. But, if you are holding the thought that you must strive to get what you need, that you can’t just simply receive them, then this is what the Universe will bring to you.

If you learn to open to receiving, you will be amazed at all of the good things you will start to receive.

4.  We Are Afraid Of Owing Someone

Often we are afraid of receiving because we are afraid of what that person expects in return. While some people do give expecting something in return, think of the times that you give. Do you give expecting something in return? Most people give for the joy of giving not because they are hoping to get something from you.

If someone is giving to you with strings attached, it is not your obligation to meet that expectation. Learn to freely accept what is given.  Just the act of your receiving is a gift to the giver.

5.  We Have Shut Off Parts Of Ourselves That Need To Be Nurtured

Do you have a hard time receiving compliments? Or, do you have a hard time accepting the gift of being cared for? Often, we push away other’s giving when it’s speaking to a part of ourselves that needs to be nurtured and cared for.

Allow yourself to be listened to, to be deeply held, and taken care of. Learn to allow others to show you these tender spots and open to the gift of healing that can come by letting someone else’s care in.

Photo Credit: Βethan via Compfight cc

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How To Date The World

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date the world

This universe is not outside of you.
Look inside yourself;
everything that you want,
you are already that.”
― Rumi

It is so easy to rush through our days without really seeing the beauty they contain. We find ourselves waiting for Friday, wishing the day were over, completely stressed, tired, and worn out. We stop seeing the magic in the moment, and this makes it easier for fear and worry to tiptoe into our minds without us even noticing.

So many of us have visions of travel to faraway lands because we want to escape our own lives. We want that child-like feeling of everything we are experiencing to be brand-new. We crave the aliveness that comes from the enchantment of seeing the world though new eyes.

But, it’s possible to have that feeling without buying a plane ticket. We can bring this joy into our everyday lives.

How can we get that feeling? How can we make every moment come alive with wonder and see the sacred in the ordinary?

Just like we make a date with a friend or a partner to reconnect with them, I think it’s important to make a date with the world to remember the beauty of everyday life.

date the worldPhoto Credit: violetz_85 via Compfight cc

On Your Date With The World

My suggestion for your date with the world is to turn off your phone and let intuition and the world guide you. Ask your body what it wants to do. Do you feel like being in nature? Do you feel like walking or being around people?  Do you feel like sitting in a park and watching the world dance by?

Let the world lead you. If you are driving somewhere and feel an urge to pull over in a field of flowers, then do just that.  On your date with the world, pay attention to where the world is pulling you.

The world is creativity itself, so make sure you add some creative activity on some of your dates. Dance (naked), or paint (with your fingers), bake something (with no recipe), sing (loudly). Have a conversation with a stranger. (Offer them candy.) Accept their invitation to tea. Give yourself to wild abandon and let your spirit soar.

We get so busy planning every minute of our days, that our days take control of us, instead of us taking control of them. We don’t take the time to let our bodies and minds tell us what they want to do. And we miss so many moments of spontaneity in the process.

We miss the moonrise in our backyard because we are sitting in front of the computer doing one last thing for the office.  We miss our friend’s silent cry for help because we are thinking about all the things we have to do later. We miss the poem that was waiting to be written by us because we didn’t stay still long enough for pen to meet paper.

We miss our very own lives because we forget to connect with the world itself. So meander, get lost, let the world speak to you, and follow her where she goes. (hint: she prefers skipping!) She has messages for you, if you will only answer her call.

Featured photo by Martinak15/Flickr CC

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Practicing Mindfulness: How To Be In The Moment

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mindfulness how to be in the moment

“I’ll tell you a secret. Something they don’t teach you in your temple. The Gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.”~ Achilles

 

 

Do you get it?

This moment could be your last.

This could be the last sunset you see, her many colors lighting your sky.

This could be the last honey you taste. The sticky sweetness drenching your tongue.

This could be the last time you see her smile. The edge of her mouth reaching into the crinkle of her nose, illuminating her dark eyes.

This could be it.

But you, my dear, are missing it in a million ways.

You are letting your fears become louder than the sound of the birds that are singing to you.

Your worries are controlling your mind, so that you are missing the kind words being said to you.

Your longing for yesterday is clouding the hope that is in her eyes when she looks at you.

Your thoughts of tomorrow have missed the breeze that has come to cool your skin, the light that has come to warm your heart, the clouds that have come to bring your soul shade.

“Where are you?”, the moment cries. “I’ve missed you. I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”

Be in the moment. It is only this way that we can really get a glimpse of who you really are. When you are fully present, you get to fully enjoy life. The moment is presenting so much to you, but it is so easy to miss.

We let our thoughts and worries get in the way, and we miss the deep conversation the world is trying to have with us. So, how can we get there? How can we be in the moment? How can we practice mindfulness and make our lives a constant meditation to the present?

mindfulness be in the moment
Photo Credit: Georgie Pauwels via Compfight cc

 How To Be In The Moment

1.  Pay more attention to your physical body

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in our inner thoughts, that we completely forget that we have a physical body. I find that when I tune in to how my physical body feels, it brings me back to the present. Do you feel a breeze or sunlight on your face? Are you feeling warm or cold? Hungry or tired?

Pay attention to the motion of your body as you walk.  Breathe deeply, and pay attention to that breath. Try doing your next workout or yoga practice by paying attention to how each muscle moves in your body. Give someone a massage and instead of worrying about doing it right, just feel the contact of your hands on their skin. Try being only present with what your physical body is feeling without letting your thoughts get in the way.

2.  Take time to savor.

Do you rush out of the door in the morning, cup of coffee in hand, frantic and in a rush to get to work? What if you woke up fifteen minutes earlier and gave yourself time to savor the morning? Savor the cup of coffee or tea you are drinking. Pay attention to the way it warms you and wakes you up. Pay attention to the feel of your favorite cup in your hand.

Put on soft music, and let the music move through your body. Eat fresh fruit, and appreciate the vibrant colors and the health it is bringing to your body. Reflect on its sweetness in your mouth. Try to bring the act of savoring to your whole day. Show appreciation for each moment you have. This is a way to take control of your days rather than letting your days take control of you.

3.  Be present when you are with others.

The reason people often feel lonely is that they don’t really connect with others when they are with them. When I traveled to both Bali and Mexico, I noticed something about the way people interacted with each other in these countries. They often just sit in silence together. They aren’t checking their phones or scrolling through Facebook while together. They are giving each other the gift of one another’s presence.

When you are fully present with another person, you stop projecting your stories onto them, and you truly see the other person. When you completely listen to someone else, or just practice being with someone, you are relating to that person more deeply, and this leads to more intimate and fulfilling relationships.

4.  Let Go

How many times have you been afraid to sing at the top of your lungs, cut loose on the dance floor, or make a total fool of yourself because of who was watching? Have you held yourself back from saying what you really thought because you were afraid of how others would respond?

If you really want to be in the moment, let your body express the feelings you are having. Unleash your joy. Release your passion. Express your true feelings. You just might inspire others to do the same.

5.  Surrender Open to the moment.

A lot of people will tell you to surrender to the moment, but to me, surrender sounds like defeat. I prefer the term open. Yes, there are moments we don’t enjoy being in. But if we open to these moments, we can ask what they are here to teach us. We can feel them fully, and before you know it, these moments, too, will pass.

However, if we remain closed to what the moment is trying to teach us, chances are, that moment will appear again and again until we get the lesson. Thoughts and feelings show up because they want to be heard. To be in the moment, acknowledge your thoughts, let them be heard, and then watch them transform.

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How To Use The Law Of Attraction To Make More Money

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law of attraction make more money

I had an interesting thing happen on Twitter today. Someone responded to my question, “Do you want to live an authentic life?” with “It takes money to live an authentic life.”

Well, yes, it also takes money to live an inauthentic life.  Saying we need money to live an authentic life is like saying we need oxygen or food.

Money is nothing but energy, yet most of us let money control how we live our lives. We don’t follow our dreams or live our purpose because we let thoughts of scarcity and fear of not having enough money stand in the way.  We give up our entire lives and the precious moments that make them up to a few numbers that we see on the screen of a computer. In fact, many of us even let these numbers determine how we feel about ourselves.

When you fear not having enough money, you surround the energy of  money with negative thoughts.  When you feel disappointed or upset about money, you actually wind up pushing money away from you. The Law of Attraction states that our thoughts create our reality. A lot of people don’t like that because they don’t want to be responsible for their thoughts. But, changing our thoughts about money is the key to making more money. So, how can you change your thoughts and use the law of attraction to manifest more money?

1.  Feel Good About Letting Go Of Your Money

Do you feel good when you are writing the check for your rent or your house payment? How about when you buy that new iPhone? It’s funny how we can often resent the money we spend for the necessities, yet give money away freely or without even thinking when it comes to treats like electronic gadgets or an afternoon coffee. Start surrounding all of the money you give with positive thoughts. Don’t be afraid to spend money and let it go.

If we surround our money with hoarding energy, we will be sure to create lack, for we are telling the Universe that there isn’t enough. Also, give your money more freely. If you don’t have money to give right now, give your time or something you do have to the world around you. Surround the energy you give to the world with gratefulness for having that gift to give.

2. Stop Thinking Negatively About People With Money

Are you having negative thoughts about people that do have money? Having a lot of money is not a sign of greed, but we often put this mentality out into the Universe and it limits us. The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like. If you put out negative thoughts, you will bring in negative results.

When you have negative thoughts about those with money, you are surrounding yourself with resistance to bringing in money. You are telling the Universe that you don’t think making a lot of money is a positive thing, and, guess what? The Universe will always bring you what you asked for.  If you want to make more money, you will have to change your attitude surrounding it.

3.  Use The Law Of Attraction To Visualize Yourself Having More Money

How many times have you visualized yourself not having enough money for the things that you want to do? What if you turned those thoughts around and imagined yourself having all of the money that you need. But, don’t just visualize that money. Why do you want to have the money? What is it that you want the money for? We get so caught up with the balance in the bank account, that we lose track of the other ways our needs can be met.

Perhaps, you are afraid to buy a plane ticket for that vacation because you won’t have a place to stay. The Universe may provide you with a free place to stay while you house sit instead of actual money, so don’t forget to visualize the things you are hoping to accomplish or have with the money that you need.

4.  Remember That Money Won’t Solve All Your Problems

Many of us use the lack of money as an excuse. We use it as an excuse not to follow our dreams and live the life we have always wanted. I met someone who decided she wanted to travel around the world, and decided to do it with only $700 to her name. The Universe has provided her with ways to make more money and places to stay along the way of her journey.

Money isn’t going to make you happy. If it’s happiness that you want, start by thinking thoughts of joy. It isn’t going to bring more meaning to your life. You have to be the one to create that. Realize that while money definitely makes life easier, it won’t solve everything.  Start now by looking at all the reasons that you want more money, and work on creating the things you want to have on all levels, not just the financial one.

5.  Be Grateful For The Money And Things That You Do Have

When you remember to tell the Universe, “Thank you”, you are saying, “Thank you, I would like more.” But, if you are always telling the Universe there isn’t enough, then you are putting out a vibration of lack rather than abundance. Appreciate not just the money that you have in your life but all the gifts you have in your life. Appreciate all of the wealth that you have in your relationships, your family, and the gifts that come to you each day. When you show gratitude, you are also raising your vibration which attracts positive energy which includes money.

Photo Credit: Toban B. via Compfight cc

Do you want help manifesting or budgeting your money? Valen offers Skype sessions to help you do just that. Find out more information by clicking here. 

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How To Stop Putting Others (And Yourself) On A Pedestal

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stop putting others on a pedestal

We like to put people on a pedestal, give them one character trait, and if they step outside of that shrinelike area that we blocked out for them, then we will punish them.-Madonna Ciccone

I happen to be writing this from Nepal.  There are a lot of gods and goddesses on pedestals here. As I have been learning about them, I have come to realize something. Not a single one of these beings was perfect. They showed just as much anger, pettiness, violence, greed, and selfishness as any human being.  Yet, they are adored for being exactly who they were. Both their light and shadow sides taught us lessons that we can learn and grow from.

In Nepal, they also greet one another with the phrase, “Namaste”.  My highest deepest self meets your highest, deepest self.  So, maybe this is why they can cut their gods and goddesses some slack. It is a place where you really do feel seen by each person for the all that you really are, and a place where you see the shining light in each person you greet.

But, it’s all too easy with romantic partnerships and even friendships, to put each other on a pedestal. We think this person can do no wrong, and we glorify the traits we imagine in them, until one day, “Boom”, our illusions (and our ego) are shattered.

Why do we do this? I believe it is our own lack of self-worth. We know our own imperfections, and we judge ourselves so harshly, and we start to imagine we are the only people who have these flaws. Our judgement stops seeing our own light, and we start projecting that light upon someone else. This is why it can hurt us so deeply, when those projections are shattered.

But, it goes deeper than this. We judge ourselves so deeply for not measuring up to our own standards that it becomes easier to ignore our own issues. We don’t want to delve into our shadow sides, so we pretend they don’t exist.  We put our own selves on a pedestal, so we can feel superior, so we can be right, so we can tell ourselves that we are worthy.

But, you see. You are worthy. You are worthy just as you are with all of your fears, all of your anger and sorrow, and need, and runaway emotions. You are worthy just as you are. The light in you is so bright that it doesn’t need a pedestal to shine from.

What happens when you put yourself on a pedestal is you feel you can’t show anyone your imperfections, and you wind up distancing yourself from true love. True love is unconditional and accepts you just as you are. But, you don’t give yourself the chance to be fully known when you disguise your weaknesses. You don’t give people the chance to truly love you fully. And, you miss the chance to fully love yourself.  While not everyone will be able to accept you stepping off the pedestal, you will find that most people will not only welcome you, but embrace you for it. The way to healing is acceptance of one another just as we are. We can help each other find the way to worthiness and wholeness.

How To Have Deeper Connections

You do the same thing when you put others on a pedestal. You miss the chance of full intimacy, and you miss the chance of loving unconditionally.  When someone shatters your illusions of them, that is the time they need you the most. That is the time their soul is crying out for love and acceptance. Show your love and let them know you still see their light. When we learn to forgive others (and ourselves) their shortcomings, we can truly see the light that they are and have a relationship on a deeper level. Instead of judging another person, we can see each other for the mirrors that we all are.  We can gently love one another and gently love ourselves.

I dare you to truly meet people on a soul level.  Allow yourself and others to be vulnerable. Don’t be afraid to disappoint yourself now and then. And when you do? Show yourself the same forgiveness that you practice with others.  After all, you can’t see someone else’s divine light, until you can see your own.

Namaste.

 

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How To Detox Fear From Your Life

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fear

“There are millions of Americans who are clever and fearless, but the trouble is they are only four years old.”~ Author Unknown

Fear is an emotion that we all have, but we have been taught to fear it so much that we even wind up fearing fear itself. So we stuff it down, pretend we don’t have it. We pretend we don’t have it by distracting ourselves with reading about other people’s lives on Facebook, by having another glass of wine, or another piece of chocolate to distance ourselves from what we are really feeling inside.

When we put all of our energy towards pushing away fear instead of allowing it to just be what it is, we miss the real moment that is happening now. The best way to overcome your fears is to dive into fear itself. Let her shake you. Let her teach you something about yourself. Release judgement. We criticize ourselves for having fear because we are attempting to control ourselves. We feel like we can’t control the world itself, so we turn our control inward. Guess what?

Criticizing yourself and your fears won’t control anything. It’s only by feeling fear fully and embracing her that you can offer her love and see her for the messenger she really is. Fear is usually just a messenger that you are moving out of your comfort zone. You are growing, and changes are coming. If you truly dive into your fears, you can watch her change and expand into adventure and excitement instead of a constricted resisting.

Your heart wants you to detox the layers of fear you have built up, that you have avoided. The best way to do this is to put your attention on it. Allow it to be. Breathe deeply and sit with it. Pay attention to the emotions that arise in your body. Yes, there may be tears. There may be anger or grief. In the end, you will feel a lightness come over your being as you move into a space of unlimited potential and trust. The more you do this, the less you will fear in the first place. Your intuition will become stronger as you become more aware of what truly needs to be feared.

You will feel a new lightness in your being and you will have more energy to create your dreams, energy that you didn’t use to block your feelings in the first place.  So go ahead, don’t be afraid of the dark night of the soul. The birds will still be waiting to sing for you come morning.

Eating Fear by Valen Dawson

she swallowed
her fear
whole
exhaled ecstasy
at the thought of it banished forever
but the fear was deep into the bottom of her
still whole
became heaviness
It taunted
howled
tried to seduce her
she saw
fear isn’t for
swallowing
whole
must be tasted all
she burned a candle down
let the hot wax sear into her fingers
and she invited fear
to the table
And she sucked
and she savored
with ravenous hunger
she tasted
its juices on her quivering tongue.
She gnawed its bones
then slurped the marrow from the center
She listened to fear moan
and sang along to pain
allowed fear to burn her lips
surrendered to fear awakening her
to the taste of all things
she had tried to avoid
She licked the edges
and the crumbs
and the last
she let the flavors melt on her tongue
fears howls became her howls
Her tongue brushed her own lips gently
the fear expressed fully was spent
and dissolved
undone

Photo Credit: AlicePopkorn via Compfight cc

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8 Self-Love Rituals To Change Your Life (#8 May Surprise You)

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self love rituals

“You can be the most beautiful person in the world and everybody sees light and rainbows when they look at you, but if you yourself don’t know it, all of that doesn’t even matter. Every second that you spend on doubting your worth, every moment that you use to criticize yourself; is a second of your life wasted, is a moment of your life thrown away. It’s not like you have forever, so don’t waste any of your seconds, don’t throw even one of your moments away.”
― C. JoyBell C.

Beginning a journey to self-love will be the most important journey in your life. Loving yourself, learning that you are worthy, and accepting yourself will affect every other aspect of your life.

Loving yourself is a lot like loving a partner. It’s not a one-time event. It requires constant commitment to yourself, consciousness of your thoughts, and a moment-by-moment surrender to seeing your own light, being in your own power, and embracing your shadow side with love and acceptance.

So, how can we do this? Just like we have rituals to show our significant others that we care about them, I believe it’s just as important to create rituals of self-love for ourselves. When you show actions of love toward yourself, you will soon change your thoughts. Here are my recommended rituals that will bring you closer to showing love for yourself each day.

8 Self-Love Rituals To Change Your Life

1.  Start Each Day By Loving You

What do you do when you first wake up? Do you rush to get online and check to see what everyone else is doing?   Do you immediately start attending to everyone else’s needs? What if you chose to start tomorrow morning differently? Take 5 minutes to visualize yourself breathing in love for yourself. Breathe out any feelings of unworthiness. Surround yourself in sparkling light and smile at the being of light that you are. If you want to go deeper, spend 15 minutes meditating on the things you are grateful for in yourself and in your life.

2.  Give Yourself A Massage

Sure, it’s easy to book a massage with a therapist, but when was the last time you gave yourself a massage? This isn’t something to do half-heartedly. Take the time to really feel your glorious body and use slow strokes on your skin. Slather on your favorite massage oil or body butter. (My favorite is Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter.)  Give special attention to the parts of your body you have criticized. Thank your body and send it love as you give yourself this massage.

3.  Clear Out The Clutter

Just like meditation unclutters the mind, getting rid of the physical items you no longer need can also help with clearing the thoughts toward yourself. Did you know that the items you own also carry an energy vibration? We often don’t realize that we are surrounded by items that carry negative vibrations from difficult times in our lives.  Sometimes it’s most self-loving to get rid of items. If there are items like pieces of jewelry that you don’t want to part with, use salt or essential oils to clear negative energy from your items.

4.  Buy A Self-Love Ring Or Bracelet

Buy yourself a piece of self-love jewelry to remind yourself to have loving thoughts toward yourself. If you catch yourself having negative thoughts about yourself, move the piece of jewelry to your other wrist or finger. This will get so annoying after a while, that you will catch yourself immediately when you start to have those defeating thoughts. When you catch yourself having these thoughts, immediately follow up with a positive affirmation about yourself such as, “I deserve all that is good. I am worthy”

self love

Photo Credit: Daniel E Lee via Compfight cc

5.  Nourish Your Body With A Healthy Treat

Appreciating our bodies with the food we eat is a wonderful way to show ourselves self-love. I like to make nutritious afternoon smoothies to give myself energy for the rest of the day. One of my favorites is Julie Morris’ Mint Chip Green Superfood Smoothie. As part of my afternoon smoothie ritual, I use the time to visualize and manifest the things I want to see occur in my life.

6.  Move Your Body

Moving your body is one of the greatest ways to show appreciation for it. My favorite ways are through dance or hiking. But there are so many ways you can make movement a part of your daily life from walks in the park, yoga, tai chi, pilates, and swimming. If you are having trouble fitting exercise into your schedule, insist that your friends meet your for a hike rather than the usual cocktails or coffee.

7.  Try Something New (Especially If You Don’t Think You Will Be Any Good At It)

A lot of times we avoid new activities because we don’t think we will be good at them. So what?! Pick your activities because they bring you joy. I once talked a bunch of friends into trying curling even though none of us had ever heard of it before. I was the absolute worst at it and pretty much lost the game for our team, but I never laughed so hard in my life.  That alone was worth it.

You may be the worst dancer in the class or always be a beginner when it comes to yoga, but learning to accept yourself even though you aren’t good at something is a great way to practice self-love. Realize that you don’t have to do things perfectly to enjoy them and learn to laugh at yourself in the process!

8.  Marry Yourself

Yes, that’s right. Marry yourself. You are stuck with lucky to be with yourself for the rest of your life, so you may as well make a celebration out of it. I first read about this concept in Rob Brezsny’s blissful book, Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia, and it changed my entire relationship with myself. 

I later stumbled upon a camp at Burning Man right at the minute where a group ceremony to marry yourself was beginning complete with wedding music, rings, and wedding veils. I joined in, and we used Rob’s vows for the ceremony. It was a reminder to continue to say these vows to myself on a regular basis. This is the most important ritual I have ever done to remind myself to practice self-love. 

In the words of Rob Brezsny:

I pledge to wake myself up, never hold back, have nothing to lose, go all the way, kiss the stormy sky, be the hero of my own story, ask for everything I need and give everything I have, take myself to the river when it’s time to go to the river, and take myself to the mountaintop when it’s time to go to the mountaintop.

You may kiss yourself on your own lips.

Featured Photo Credit: Juliana Coutinho via Compfight cc

I give Skype Coaching sessions to help people who are struggling with self-love. Loving one’s self first causes everything else to flow in life. Email me at [email protected] for more details. 

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What You And Your Problems Have In Common

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problems

What’s stopping you from living the life you truly want to live?

Are you blaming it on your problems? Are you blaming it on your income, your family, or things that have happened to you in the past? Are you blaming the problems in your relationship on the other person?

I set out to travel the world a year ago. A lot of people envied me. They all thought I was living the perfect life. It seemed like that would be the magic answer to solving all of my problems.  But you know what? My problems didn’t go away. Oh sure, I was getting to see magical things and amazing places. But, if nothing else, my problems only became amplified. You see, I was the only one there watching the sunset drop into the ocean.  I was the only one listening to my thoughts of loneliness or exhaustion or sadness.  I was the only one there to face my fears, and really feel my own worries and insecurities without there being anyone to blame them on.

It was then that I realized that all of my problems were really caused by own fear.  Yes, I was the one causing my problems by the way I decided to view the world.  The thing that me and all my problems had in common was me.  I feared loss of what I had. I feared failure. I feared that I wasn’t “good enough.” I had spent my whole life trying to put my trust in myself rather than putting it in the Universe.  I realized that my beliefs about who I was and what I had the ability to accomplish were holding me back from being all that I could be.

I realized that it was my reactions to what happened to me that caused my problems.  Do you ever notice that there are some people who have the worst things happen to them and they don’t let those things take away their inner joy?  I noticed a lot of those people living in other countries. I met people who have hard lives, and yet they have an inner joy  that just shines through. I decided to live my life that way.

It’s a whole lot easier to create new things and new possibilities in your life when you aren’t letting your energy get carried away by stress, or worries, or anxiety. Sometimes, I still let emotion carry me away, but I try to be more conscious of it when it arises and stop it in its tracks.

I have found that things like meditation, dance, yoga, gratitude, chakra balancing, visualizing and reprogramming my mind with binaural beats have all helped to change the way that I think and live.

A problem won’t go away until you find the cause. I invite you to recognize that the only person you can control is you.  Yes, sometimes people may do things to us that may bring up anger or fear. But, choose instead to see what it is they are mirroring back to you. Are you denying something in yourself that you see in that other person? How can you respond with peace and love rather than anger or judgement?

Is something holding you back from doing everything you want in life? Is it fear? Work on letting those fears go, so you can create the life you deserve.  Every single thing about you is worthy of that. 

Do you want help releasing your fears? Amy and Valen provide counseling and healing sessions to help you create a better life.

 

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Why You Should Stop Chasing Love

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stop chasing love

Spend less time chasing people and more time chasing your dreams. -Unknown

We’ve all done it. We let our egos convince us that we were meant to be with someone even though all of the signs pointed otherwise.

The sooner we come to realize that love is an opportunity and not an obligation, the closer we will be to discovering what true love really is.

The problem is that many of us become so attached to the idea of being with a particular person that we lose site of what it is we are looking for in a particular relationship.

What we really all want is true intimacy, to be known, to feel secure, and most of all, to be ourselves. We want to feel a bond. We want to be with someone who makes it feel safe to share our feelings and who feels just as safe to share theirs.  We want someone who is emotionally open and honest. We want to feel understood, respected, and admired. We want someone who encourages us to grow as a person and who also wants to improve themselves.

Chances are, if you are chasing after someone, you aren’t feeling any of those things. A lot of people like to play the push/pull game in relationships. They only give us attention when we pull back, and if we give love or attention back, then they pull back. Is this the kind of relationship you truly want?

Yes, sometimes it will be hard to give up a person you have developed feelings for, but if a loving relationship is what you are looking for, start looking at how that person relates.  Look at their actions. Start noticing how you feel when you are around them.

Do you feel safe enough to fully be yourself?  If you aren’t feeling good, it’s a lot kinder and more self-respecting to realize you aren’t getting what you need and to step away and stop chasing love.

How To Stop Chasing Love

The best way to do this is to heal ourselves from our own pain from the past.  When we do inner work on ourselves, we will also see people for who they really our rather than our projections on them.

We can also bring the same qualities we would bring to a love relationship to all of our relationships. So many people long for that one person to understand them, or to really get to know them, or to grow with.

You don’t have to wait for a relationship to share these qualities with someone. The next time you have dinner with your friends, put away your phone and really get to know them. Don’t just talk about superficial events. Talk about the events of each other’s hearts.

If you bring intimacy to your everyday relationships, you won’t be so quick to latch on to the first person who comes along and gives you a little attention. When you do meet someone you are attracted to, you can be a better observer of their actions and not just an observer of the crush you have on them. You can take the time to see if they are someone who shows up not just for you, but also in life.

And the last thing you can do is trust. The love you want will show up. This is love’s promise to us. But, you very well could be missing it by chasing after the very thing that isn’t love at all.

Featured Photo Credit: bored-now via Compfight cc

For more information on healing sessions provided by Valen, click here.

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The Best Spiritual Books To Inspire You Right Now

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best spiritual books

People often ask us what our favorite spiritual books are. These are just some of the books that have inspired us, and we hope they will inspire you, too. Let us know what you consider to be the best spiritual books by commenting at the bottom of the post!

The Best Spiritual Books To Inspire You Right Now

1.  Dream Catcher: The Magic Of Living Your Dream Life by Valen Dawson

This book is written by Valen, and it shows you how to be in touch with yourself and your dreams. It gives you the steps to face your fears and to follow your dreams to reality.  If you are ready to create the life that you want to be living, then this book is for you.

2.  Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It by Kamal Ravikant

The most transformative experience has been the simple act of loving myself.-Kamal Ravikant, Author

This book takes you through different ideas that can help you change your relationship with yourself. It’s a great read with a powerful message and has changed many people’s lives.

3. Ramtha – The White Book by Ramtha

There really is no other book like The White Book. The White Book is a book for seekers and gives answers to the questions:

Who are we?

Where did we come from?

What are we supposed to be doing here?

Where are we going?

It will change the way you see this world and lead you to a deeper spiritual experience. This book really is one of the best spiritual books out there.

4.The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz

The four agreements are these: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best.  Don Miguel Ruiz talks about the self-limiting beliefs that hold us back. If you are looking to live life more consciously, this is a great book.

5. Falling In Love With Where You Are by Jeff Foster

Jeff’s book teaches you how to love your shadow side and the place where you are which is essential for healing. Jeff mixes poetry and prose which speaks to the soul and will provide you encouragement and inspiration to accept your life exactly as it is. Jeff Foster is a favorite author of both of ours, and we recommend all of his books.

6.  Love It Forward by Jeff Brown

Jeff’s beautiful words in this book will bring you back to love. His book is a reminder that we are the love we seek. He has been called the Rumi of the 21st Century, and I’m sure you will agree.  If you are a fan of uplifting books that you can flip to any page to read, then this book is for you.

7.  What You Are For: Inciting A Revolution In Your Soul by Melissa La Flamme

Melissa’s raw poetic words will change your life. This book is about finding your authentic soul, and not shying away. You will hungrily read her words over and over again. You will find yourself breathing deeply and going inward. This book will cause you to retrieve and free yourself in unexpected ways.

8. The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Chances are, you’ve read the poem, The Invitation, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. If you haven’t, you should read it now. Her book delves fully into the wisdom shared in this poem. It is a book which shows you how to be more intimate with yourself and others. It is a great doorway into learning to live a more meaningful life.

9. Becoming Yourself: The Journey from Head to Heart by Jan Engels-Smith

Becoming Yourself is about finding the divine self by getting rid of that which isn’t yourself. Jan uses her extensive experience with the ancient wisdom of Native American culture, shamanism, mysticism and psychology to guide you on the journey.

10.  Awakening Shakti: The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga by Sally Kempton

This book is one of the best books out there on awakening the divine feminine and bringing that energy into your life. It centers around the major female deities of Hinduism – Durga, Lakshmi, Kali, Parvati, Saraswati, Sita, Dhumavati, Radha, Chinnamasta, Lalita, and Bhuvanehswari. It shows ways of working with them as archetypes or representations of energies within ourselves that can be brought forth and experienced.

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