Maria Duval - Increasing Prosperity With Positive Thinking

Increasing Prosperity With Positive Thinking
Increasing prosperity in our lives can be accomplished by having the right frame of mind. The truth is, our thoughts are very powerful. They are capable of influencing every aspect of our daily lives, from our physical health to our social behaviors. I'm sure you've heard the adage, "As you think, so shall you be."

If we want to improve our lives, we must first improve our thoughts. Harnessing the power of thought in a positive way has the ability to create great change in our lives, including our financial well-being and prosperity. But how? How do we take something as intangible as thoughts, and manifest them into a physical reality?

We must first understand that being prosperous is more than having a lot of money. Prosperity is a mindset, a way of interacting in our lives, and a way of thinking. Mastering this train of thought is not easy, but it is simple enough if we keep working on it consistently.

Following are some ideas to help you improve your thoughts, and ultimately attract more prosperity into your life:

Be grateful for the blessings in your life right now. Take a few minutes each day to express heartfelt gratitude for the good things in your life. Even more powerful, write a few of these blessings down each day. This helps to put your focus in the right direction -- on abundance, not lack.

Use positive affirmations to begin training yourself to think positively. Use "I am" statements such as "I am worthy of all that is good." Write the statements down and repeat them nightly before bed. Over time, this will implant these thoughts into your subconscious mind, and you will begin to naturally believe them.

Creative visualization can help you achieve prosperity by determining what it is you wish to achieve, and then thoroughly creating that image in your mind. This works in the same way affirmations do. Our subconscious will fill with images of prosperity, and eventually these subconscious "truths" will manifest in the physical. "See" yourself as being prosperous, and you will become so.

Encourage yourself with the belief that you can achieve great things. This could also be one of your affirmations, but expand on it. If you know you can earn a certain salary, tell yourself you can earn more. Allow yourself to believe all things are possible, and you will gain the confidence needed to reach higher than you ever imagined you could. If you believe you can do it, you are more likely to take the risks associated with people who are highly successful. Prosperity and success go hand in hand, so take risks and aim higher.

Start a savings account. As strange as it sounds, think about this: Like Attracts Like. Even if you can only afford to put a few dollars into your account every month, it will begin to build up and attract more money.

Finally, believe you are already wealthy. The creative ability of our thoughts is such that we lend more power and energy to whatever we consistently focus on. Focusing on lack will create more lack. Focusing on wealth and prosperity will create . . . guess what?

Remember that this is a process. You likely won't change your circumstances in one day. But over time, with consistent focus, your thoughts will begin to attract what you want. Once you master this power of thought, there are truly no limits to what you can create!

Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.

What a Manifestation & Meditation Retreat is Like
Hundreds gather from around the country and abroad to the vortexes and natural beauty of Sedona, Arizona, to learn The Exact Science of Manifesting from some of world's leading experts. One of the highlights of this weekend retreat was when leading clinical psychologist and best-selling author Dr. David Hawkins provided us an overview of "The Scale of Consciousness" (see Power Verses Force) and explained the various levels of consciousness and the means of objectively determining truth from falsehood. From his insights we learned of our ability to consciously raise our own level of consciousness and we inspired to enlighten.

Humor abounds as national speaker Matthew Ferry, Director of the Academy of Influence and personal trainer to millionaires, shares his secrets of manifesting whatever you want, financially, personally and spiritually, through his "8 Steps to Manifesting" process and causes us to nearly split our spleen from laughing so hard during the "Drunk Monkey" talk. The conference room was filled with inspirational art, sacred objects, special air cleansing devices were brought in create the optimal environment, and nutritional experts showed us how to cleanse our bodies through super-foods like Isagenix.

I led a half a dozen powerful meditations designed to: (1) Clear away limiting beliefs and fears, (2) connect with the source of inner knowing, (3) amplify your attractor field to manifest more powerfully, (4) raise your calibrated level of consciousness, and (5) get high as a kite through Shaktipat. By the end of the retreat almost everyone had tears of joy in their eyes and had made major breakthroughs. Dr. Sally St. John showed us how to use applied kinesiology to determine our calibrated level of consciousness and tests of the group showed that as a whole they had moved all the way into the 500's (a state of higher consciousness).

Most of the time we hung out with our friends, made new friends and hiked the famous "energy vortexes" of Sedona. Almost half the people at the retreat had never meditated before, but by the time we left everyone had experienced samadhi and each had made a deeper connection with their spirit. We all learned that "what we think we create, and we create what we think" and by Monday the magic of manifesting has already begun. People are finding greater prosperity, happiness and peace by realizing they can, through self-realization. We are planning to do another retreat in Santa Fe this summer; hope you can join us.

From the heart, Steven S. Sadleir

Steven S. Sadleir is the Director of the Self Awareness Institute and is recognized as a Shaktipat Master in two lineages. He has developed powerful distance learning programs for people of all cultures and faiths, trained thousands of people from all over the world, and welcomes all of you who are ready for full Self-Realization. Visit http://www.SelfAwareness.com for FREE guided meditation mp3s and ebook!

The Advantages Of Self-Confidence
Self-confident people are able to meet work deadlines

Self-confidence has the ability to make employees perform more effectively at their jobs. Confident employees are able to take on multifaceted tasks with a greater level of commitment and concentration. Self-confidence breeds enthusiasm and lets a person inspire their co-workers. Individuals like these are valuable to an employer because they can get the job done. Self-confident people have the ability to succeed at whatever they put their minds to.

Self-confident people have a positive outlook

A self-confident person is often organized and able to stick to a schedule. Being organized helps a person stay on top of things in every arena of their life. Being able to finish a job on time and well is very encouraging. You can often tell a self-confident person by his smile and cheerful demeanor.

Self-confident people are often healthier

Self-confident people are better equipped to deal with stressful situations with a level head. They are confident that they can make it through any situation and solve any problem. This aids in avoiding such health problems as high blood pressure, hypertension, and even anger. Self-confident people are likely to live a healthier life.

Self-confident people can spend more quality time at home

A good day spent at work often dictates how a person will be at home after work. A sense of accomplishment on the job helps a person be more agreeable with family, and more upbeat. He or she will want to spend more time with family, which is beneficial for everyone.

Self-confident people are better friends and partners

It is easier to invest time in a relationship when you are up on yourself and organized in your life. Self-confident people are often better able to draw the line between work and family, allowing for more balance and harmonious relationships with family and friends. Self-confident people seem to be able to bind relationships through time and care.

Self-confident people have a higher income

Self-confidence helps employees work well independently or as part of a team. They can take the lead, or follow someone else?s instructions without problems or conflict. They are not afraid to acknowledge that they deserve a promotion or raise, and ask for it.

People look up to self-confident people

Self-confident people are more likely to achieve personal and professional successes than someone who looks down on him or herself. Self-confident people have energy and magnetism that draws people in. They believe in themselves and have the courage to solve problems and deal with anything that is thrown their way. People like to be around a self-confident person.

Discover more about self confidence by visiting http://www.self-confidence-help.info

Raise Your Vibration!
Raise Your Vibration! By Ana Lovejoy


Seeking to make your life easier, more productive and lots more interesting? Raise your vibration. I am offering a simple lesson here that anyone can follow.

Every object on earth vibrates at certain frequencies. After all, the trees in your yard, your beloved dog, your living room couch and your neighbor are all made of energy. And they all vibrate or hum along with the universe.

If you've ever walked under power lines, you've hear the humming. What about when you were last caught outside as a thunderstorm approached? Did the hair stand up on your arms and on the back of your neck?

How about those "unexplainable" reactions to people you've just met? Everyone has met one person that was so "attractive" she or he drew you like a magnet. Your reactions are explainable. And that attraction isn't one of looks or even personality. You are being drawn by their energy, so if you run into a very positive person, who is vibrating at a higher frequency than anyone else around you, you will be drawn to that great, feel-good energy. The opposite applies as well. If you run into a negative person or someone in a bad mood, they are going to be sending out lower vibrations. While you may not be attracted to them, if you pick up on the vibrations, you may just feel your mood slipping downward.

If all this sounds too woo-woo to you, don't worry. Whether it's too much to rationalize or accept, you will no longer care once you've spent a day or two at a higher vibration.

Benefits include: - Flowing out energy at a higher frequency will attract other people and situations that are positive. - Forget that mid-morning espresso; practice raising yourself up one "step" and you will feel refreshed and re-energized. - Have chronic pain or fatigue? While raising your vibration will not cure all ills.yet, you will feel relief and find yourself able to do more each day. - Raising your vibration will help you to feel more connected with the universe and is the first step to exploring the metaphysical, healing with energy and connecting with angels or spirits.

Practice raising your vibration; follow these simple steps. To get started, an active imagination helps, but if you find this difficult, practice it once a day until you can raise your vibration with ease.

Start with this grounding exercise. Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Close your eyes. Imagine your legs are the roots of a strong tree. Visualize those "roots" going deep into the ground.

Next take three or more deep breaths. Breathe in.count to 6..exhale. Repeat at least two more times.

Close your eyes. In your mind's eye, see a beautiful stairway in front of you. Before you start up, do a small hum at the vibration you are now. Take one step and FEEL yourself going up. If it helps, sit up straighter each time you take an imaginary step to help you feel your head, neck, and chest raise up. Imagine your humming raises a note each step. If you feel dizzy, you are moving too fast, but you have the idea. Stop when you feel dizzy or have too much buzzing in your ears or head.

If you feel nothing, just try the exercise later or on another day. Practicing it will make it an easy exercise to do anywhere: at work, in the car, at home.

Work days pass more quickly, and driving in stop and go traffic will no longer raise your blood pressure once you learn to raise your vibration.

Ana Lovejoy is the publisher of SpiritConnection, a free ezine on spiritual and paranormal matters. Visit her website at www.tarotbyana.com . Subscribe to the bi-weekly online newsletter by sending a blank email to SpiritConnection-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .

The Kingdom of Heaven
After years of studying and writing about world religions and spiritual paths a common message appears in each of the world's major teachings, whether it be an eastern or western religion, spiritual group or master, and that is that one day we humans will all live together in happiness and peace in a divine relationship with God right here on earth. We will transcend our lower nature and live in divine communion in paradise: a kingdom of heaven on earth. Many believe this age is upon us. We have come to a point where we are realizing that God never left; the presence of the Divine lies within us, and around us, as spirit. It is spirit that animates our existence. When we realize our true nature as spirit, and recognize this spirit in each other, and in everything, at all times, in all places, then we enter into this heavenly state, for the kingdom of heaven lies within. While doing research for my next book I came upon a powerful description in the Gospel of Thomas by Jesus' brother, this Gospel was very popular among Christians in the first and second century but for various political reasons was not included in the New Testament, and whether you are a Christian or not it provides powerful insight into the nature of our existence. In the third paragraph of this gospel, Jesus tells his disciples: ":the kingdom is inside you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will come to be known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father." Then in paragraph 113, his disciples said to him: "When will the kingdom come?" And Jesus said: "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying �here it is' or �there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it." This is completely consistent with the concept of Self-Realization and God-Realization, for when you enlighten you come to know your own nature and realize the living presence God here on earth. You enter into a state of consciousness where you realize God's presence within you and around you. So, those who have eyes let them see. God never left, that which created us is sustaining us even now and we have never been separate from Him. Connect with that life force, innate intelligence, or spirit that you are and allow your mind to realize that it is you. You are entering a revelation in consciousness. You have evolved your conscious awareness to the point that you have realized that there is something to be realized or you wouldn't be reading this. You are being guided by spirit to awaken from the dream and drama that your mind has created and are remembering who you are and why you were born so that you may fulfill the purpose of your existence. You are invited to God-Realization and to enter the kingdom of heaven on earth. From the heart, Steven S. Sadleir

Steven S. Sadleir is the Director of the Self Awareness Institute and is recognized as a Shaktipat Master in two lineages. He has developed powerful distance learning programs for people of all cultures and faiths, trained thousands of people from all over the world, and welcomes all of you who are ready for full Self-Realization. Visit http://www.SelfAwareness.com for FREE guided meditation mp3s and ebook!

Simple Steps to Developing a Positive Attitude
Are you the 'glass is half full' type of person? Is it your nature to look on the bright side of things, or do you relate more with the "if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all" crowd? While some psychologists believe genetics largely determines whether or not we have a positive or negative outlook towards life, the reality is that we can to a large degree alter our outlook by changing our attitude. Realizing a few years back that my attitude left a lot to be desired, I decided to try and improve it by reading positive books and applying some of the techniques I came across. While the individual authors all had their own particular take on it, much of what I read came back to developing a sense of self worth and gratitude. I have used several of the exercises that follow to help me develop these qualities, and have also found them useful in creating a positive mental state at will.

How often to you take the time to give thanks for all the blessings you have? No matter how good or bad things may seem at the present time, we all have numerous things to be grateful for. Developing an attitude of gratefulness will help you to become a more positive person. A simple way to accomplish this is take a notebook, put it beside your bed, and one of the first things you do upon waking is to list a couple of things that you are grateful for today. This sense of appreciation doesn't have to be anything stupendous, but can be something as simple as gratitude for a great cup of coffee, expressing appreciation for people in your life past or present, good health, a walk in the park, good food, or anything else that comes to mind. The point is, make it personal, and allow yourself to experience the feeling of gratitude. You will soon find that starting the day with a spirit of gratitude helps to put you in a positive frame of mind for the rest of the day. After doing this for thirty days, take a look back at everything you've listed. You will be amazed at just how much you have to be grateful for!

Another technique that helps to build positive feelings about yourself is taking some time to list all of your accomplishments. Too often we focus on what we haven't yet accomplished and fail to take the time to give ourselves a little pat on the back regarding the many things we have already achieved. Again, it doesn't have to be earth shattering, but can be anything that you get a sense of accomplishment from. For example, a few of the accomplishments that I listed was; teaching myself how to play guitar, being the first in my family to graduate from high school and go to college, becoming an excellent athlete, overcoming a debilitating struggle with self esteem, overcoming my shyness, etc. Take a couple of minutes everyday to list one accomplishment in your life that makes you feel good about yourself. When you think about the accomplishment, spend a brief time lingering on the feeling that you experience when you think back to it. Experience it again as if it happened yesterday.

Finally, do you take some time everyday to laugh? I'm talking about a good old belly laugh, the kind that makes the back of your head hurt. One of the ways I've found to bring a little humor into my life everyday is to recall some of the funniest moments in it! We have all had funny and embarrassing things happen to us in life, and the process of thinking back to those moments is guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you recall humorous events from your past. Take a little time each day to recall one of those moments. For me, a lot of the funniest times go back to my childhood days and the pranks we pulled on each other. Sometimes I was the victim, and in others I was the one pulling the prank, but whatever the case, I can't help but smile when I think back to those times. A friendly warning to you; if you do this little exercise while out in public, like while riding the train to work, you may find that your sudden outburst of laughter will have others gazing at you with apprehensive stares. Be prepared.

In life, there are many things beyond our control. Fortunately, one of the things that we do have control over if we chose to exercise it, is our thoughts and consequently our attitude. Try using some of these techniques or some of your own to help bring moments of positive thought into your daily life. You'll be glad you did, and of that I am POSITIVE!

Bill Thomas is actively engaged in Internet Business pursuits. He contributes articles on this and other topics. His current website is..Create Lifetime Income from Home With Your Own.. Internet Business

Essence And Manifestation
Essence is the totality of who you are - the one - just as it is right here right now. Immutable; changeless; timeless; spaceless; depthless; completely independent of all arisings; block of rocklike solidity; infinite darkness; indescribable - none of these descriptions come anywhere near to what it is like - they fall abysmally short of the mark, and your interpretations of these descriptions does not even come close to these "pointers". There is no possibility whatsoever of being told of how exquisitely rich this one is, that who you are is. You are going to have to experience this for yourself. You are going to have to travel the "journey of self discovery" yourself. You can be this essence because who you are is this essence. It is the "motion of seeing" that is flowing through your very eyes right now. This "motion of aliveness" is the "central point" of itself - essence - writing itself out into its play of manifestation through the mindbody that you find yourself driving around through, day in and day out. Of course, this one is all things everywhere. Without it - who you are - there would not be any manifestation. It is the fullness of nothingness that gives life to all. There is no "gradual" about this essence. It is and it is right here right now. It is complete - changeless. It is not a growing thing. It is not unfolding. It is finished - it did not begin and nor will it end. It is - isness ising. There is no "one" in the driver's seat. You cannot compete for that position because it does not exist. Duality does not exist in this essence. Everything is this one. All creatures, great and small, are this one. All humans are this one. Not only it is who you are, it is also who everyone is. Manifestation is the ground of duality. It is where polar opposites play themselves out, where variance has such "scope," variation. Manifestation was born and it will die. Accordingly, all things within manifestation - all minds, all bodies, all sensations, all emotions, all "heavens and hells", all visions, all feelings, all "toys", all arisings, all subtleties, all grossness, all creations, all worlds, all celestial beings, all human beings, all "shmee" beings, - will die. They were born, they live for a time and they die. Your mindbody - this vehicle that you drive around through - is a part of manifestation. It is an arising that was born and will die. It is not who you are Until you come to realize who you already are you are going to believe yourself to be who you think you are which is just a part of manifestation - not who you are. Who you are is the essence that is flowing through and sustaining this manifest existence - this is who you are. You are not your mind even though you cannot conceive of how you could not be your mind. You may well believe that you are not your mind because of concepts that you have come across about how you are not your mind. But these concepts have not relieved you of the bondage, entrapment, estrangement and imprisonment of this mind that you take to be your "guiding light" in life. This mind is part of manifestation. Who you are is not. Concepts are of this mind - manifestation - and cannot deliver you of who you are, which is beyond not only of this mind but beyond all manifestation - beyond beyondness. Manifestation is the playground of love. Love coming to know itself from within its own dance.

Elysha is a self realized teacher of the heart. http://www.elysha.org Elysha is available for satsang in New Zealand for those who are ready for a change in spiritual consciousness. http://www.tran7.com/Elysha/elyshavids.html

Change
One thing in life is certain---change. Things never stay the same. If you are hoping for the status quo, then I?m afraid you will be disappointed. Just think back to how things were five years ago and you will realize that there is so very much that?s already different in a very short time.

I?m sure there are some of you who know people who refused to adapt to the computer age. I still know some ?old timers? who want to use word processors or even typewriters instead! Imagine. What is up with that?

Well, when change comes we have several options, some of which are more adaptive than others. Let?s take a look at them.

The first option is to refuse to change or adapt to any new circumstances, just like the person who still uses a word processor. These are generally people who are afraid of change. I also think that underlying that fear is the fear of being inadequate. When change requires new learning, as it often does, some people don?t think they will be able to master the new skills so it is easier to simply renounce the changes than adapt. The problem is that these are the people who are left in the dust.

The second possibility is the slow starter. These people usually start out in one of the first two mentioned roles---either refusing to change or anxiously running around trying to figure out what to do about it. They do not like change any more than the next person and they resist and resist until one day, they realize that the change may actually bring benefits. Once they see that there is a payoff for them, they fairly easily do the necessary things to adapt to the change.

A third possibility is what we see in the over anxious people in our midst. You know who they are. They are the ones who are always making mountains out of molehills and have a nervous energy about them whenever confronted with a novel situation. They imagine all the possible scenarios about what could occur and seem to just go around in circles. They don?t adapt to the change; they just worry themselves sick over it.

The final and most rewarding possibility are the people who understand that change is a part of everything. When we stop evolving, we start eroding. These people welcome change, in fact, they frequently generate it. They realize that change is what makes things happen. Change propels us forward. These people are quick to make the necessary adaptations and suffer the least from the inevitable.

Do you recognize your own character in any of the above descriptions? Have you read Spencer Johnson?s book, Who Moved My Cheese? This book is an excellent description of the four possible characters in the Change Game. In the book, the first character was a little person named Hem. Hem was afraid of change and believed it would make things worse. He avoided it at all costs. The second character was a mouse named, Scurry. Scurry ran around in circles, just attempting to do something, anything. Sometimes he was right, sometimes wrong but he was constantly in motion. The third character was a little person named Haw. Haw was slow to figure things out but eventually he adapted to the change and realized that the change could bring something better. However, the real winner was the mouse, Sniff. Sniff jumped into action early, sniffing out the terrain and making a choice on what to do next. He adapted the quickest.

Which character are you? Who would you like to be? What would you have to give up to be the character you really want to be? Would you like to make a plan right now to implement these changes into your life? It will require a commitment and a good plan.

This is where a coach can be helpful. When you identify an area in your life that requires some attention and you commit to making the necessary adjustments, it?s strange how life gets in the way sometime and we revert back to our previous ways. A coach is someone who can keep you on track and pointed in the direction of your goals. A coach will support your progress and hold you accountable for the goals you set.

Kim Olver has an undergraduate degree in psychology, a graduate degree in counseling, is a National Certified Counselor and is a licensed professional counselor. She helps others make positive changes and triumph through difficult periods of their lives. Visit her website at http://www.coachingforexcellence.biz

Finding Peace
No matter how stressed you get, no matter how life tests you or what challenges come up in your life, you can always find peace within. Everything you experience is teaching you something about yourself. You are being stretched to evolve your conscious awareness to its highest expression. Life is teaching you exactly what you need to know to learn and grow and realize your full potential:to self-realization. It's those times where your life seems chaotic, that you are too busy or too stressed, that you need to meditate the most. These are moments where you can breakthrough the mental patterns, limiting beliefs and fears and transcend. Each of us has an inner compass; an inner guidance mechanism that can help you through difficult times. As you gaze at the point between your eyebrows in meditation you align with the subtle currents of your own life force current, or spirit, that is always guiding you. Your "3rd Eye" is the place where you can dial in on the movement of energy that is guiding you, like a compass needle moving north your spirit can guide you within to gain clarity and insight. By meditating on this chakra you find greater happiness and peace. It has helped millions of people over thousands of years. But it only works if you use it. Each of us innately knows that the answers lie within us, each of us knows that the source of happiness and peace lies within too. This 3rd Eye Shaktipat meditation is the gateway to that inner knowing and inner strength. Through regular practice your ability to tune in gets stronger. The more you practice the easier it gets too, and the deeper you will go. But even though you know this, or sense it might be true, and have every intention to practice regularly, your mind is going to test you. Through the choices you make you pass through the gates of consciousness that brings you back home and to the promised land. Each time you override your mind's tendency to distract you and sit in meditation and tune in, you progress a little more on your path. The more you practice, the more powerful you become. The 3rd Eye meditation becomes even more powerful when you work with a teacher. The meditation in its pure form is not an exercise to get something or go somewhere, but rather a time to commune with the part of you that is already realized. It's a time when your body and mind can enjoy the presence of your own indwelling spirit and enjoy it. The practice is empowered by working with a teacher on the inner, were we join in spirit and merge in consciousness. My hand is reaching out to you. I invite you to join me and experience the sublime bliss that I had spent a lifetime looking for, and now I have found it I want to share it with you. Listen to our Internet radio station on Live365.com called Enlightenment Radio (www.live365.com/stations/sair), download some MP3's or get some CD's, take a class when you are ready but don't deny yourself the joy and peace that this meditation will provide. I will meet you there. From the heart, Steven S. Sadleir

Steven S. Sadleir is the Director of the Self Awareness Institute and is recognized as a Shaktipat Master in two lineages. He has developed powerful distance learning programs for people of all cultures and faiths, trained thousands of people from all over the world, and welcomes all of you who are ready for full Self-Realization. Visit http://www.SelfAwareness.com for FREE guided meditation mp3s and ebook!

Feelings and Emotions Part 2 No Feelings are Negative
I do not subscribe to certain "therapeutic" beliefs which appear to believe that some feelings and emotions are negative. None of them are "negative". They are all part of you. It is of course possible to express them negatively, the psychopath again being the most extreme example. We can express our emotions in other negative ways. We can bitch about people, talk about them behind their backs. We can hurt people we love and wonder why. If we find ourselves often acting in ways which we later regret it may be a good idea to seek out counselling or some other kind of support. Most of us will not become perfect. Things that are troubling us or ill health can result in anyone being unreasonable sometimes and usually those we love will forgive us if we apologise for our mood and let them know they are not to blame. Our feelings and emotions are there for a very good reason. Unfortunately during the process of growing up almost all of us will have found that we sometimes needed to hide who we are. In order to gain in self knowledge we do need to be in touch with our feelings and emotions, we need to be honest about our feelings and emotions and we need to both realise that a feeling or emotion is never "bad", and that our feelings and emotions are ours, so no one else is responsible for them…….We have the right to feel them but not to blame others for them. This may sound as if it is judgemental. If you blame someone for your feelings and emotions then you are in some way "bad" or wrong, but that is not what I am meaning. If we wish to gain our own autonomy, then we need our feelings and emotions and we need to own them as our own. They can be our very best friend, letting us know what we can trust and so on. It is fine to say "I got angry when Jen did whatever" but not to say to Jen "You made me angry when you...", the simple reason being that Jen did not make you angry, you made yourself angry. We need rather to look at our anger, or whatever other feeling or emotion it is and see why it is making us angry, what it is saying to us. In this way we can gain in self knowledge and become the directors of our own lives! All the methods at http://www.creative-personal-growth.com are helpful for dealing with feelings and emotions. Meditation helps you to get in touch with your genuine feeling self, our intrinsic being. Counselling can help to get things off your chest and give you support to move through difficult situations. Journal writing is another excellent way to stay in touch with yourself. Astrology can even help as a basic understanding of temperament. Assertion Training is an excellent skill to learn and can greatly increase confidence and provide skills which allow you to communicate effectively wherein you are neither treated as a doormat, nor do you feel the need to be aggressive. Rome was not built in a day but getting in touch with your feelings and emotions will allow you to feel very much more alive within each moment. Remember though, with feelings you need to take the whole package. I think that there are few feelings or emotions which are too difficult to bare (intense grief possibly being one). The thing that seems to make feelings uncomfortable is panicking when they arise. Most feelings and emotions when accepted, even sadness are quite comfortable. I imagine that this is because there is a warmth in feeling and if we accept even our sadness, we find there is warmth with it. There is a deep morality in being honest about your feelings and emotions. Some people believe that if they do not show they are angry no one will know. I don’t believe this. People who do not genuinely express themselves when they are angry tend either to find themselves from time to time exploding in a rage or quite often they indulge in a practice known as passive aggression, whereby they say things to another which can be deeply hurtful but are said in such a way that it is difficult for the person to know how to react. Working out feelings and emotions and getting in touch with your genuine felt self offers an inner richness which is totally independent to any material wealth. creative-personal-growth.com© 2006 all rights reserved

Moreen Scott lived for two years in a Buddhist community, has undergone depth therapy and worked as a counsellor. She has a BA Hons Degree and a PGCE. Visit her website at http://www.creative-personal-growth.com/ for articles on Self through the eyes of Freud, Jung, and Carl Rogers and the systems of Buddhism and Astrology and articles and resources for Empowering Personal Growth. She believes that any help that helps increases a person’s autonomy.