Sunday, January 3, 2010
CHANGE
"Change is natural. It is safe to change. I want to change for the better now. I open myself to change. I am willing to leave my old ways of being behind and open myself to somethng new and better. Life is a process of change. I feel comfortable changing at the deepest level. As I change, I feel better and better. Change leads to happiness and fulfillment. It is safe to let go. It is safe to change. Change is positive. I am changing for the better, now and always. Change is an exciting adventure. As I change, my life improves in every way. As I let go of the past, I welcome the future. Change is easy and safe. As feelings arise, I welcome them as part of me. I welcome change because it leads to more happiness. I leave the past behind and seek a better future. Change feels good. I release the past, accept the present, and look forward to the future with happiness."
Sunday, October 18, 2009
"SEEING DIFFERENTLY"
"Changing Your Perspective"
"Some people have a knack for looking at a scene or stuation and perceiving things not only in terms of their own experiences, but also in terms of others'. They embrace changes in perspective and look at things from many vantage points. Other people, however, see what they see and may not be convinced that someone else might view things differently. A shift in perspective can be a valuable tool in interacting with others, remaining open to new ideas, and increasing creativity. Your point of view normally reflects a reality that is uniquely yours. But think of viewing a room from two different angles---you will see different items depending on your position. Or consider the difference between looking out over the rolling ocean versus seeing into its depths while snorkeling. Most peoople have at one time or another tried looking at a situation through someone elses's eyes. Changing your perspective can be applied to many different circumstances. For example, you might try seeing the disappointment of not having funds to travel as an opportunity to more deeply explore activities offered in your own neighborhood. When you are faced with a challenge, attempt to view the problem from all angles in order to solve it. You will be more likely to come up with a novel solution. Changing how you perceive enhances objectivity while refreshing creativity. In fact, it is said that the most creative people see what everyone else does but look at life in ways most do not. Try finding the angular beauty in a cityscape or the opportunities for fun on a wet, dreary day. They are there. The universe is a vast conglomeration of all perspectives. Changing or expanding yours is not about avoiding another viewpoint or ignoring the parts of life you find unpleasant. Everything that exists continues to do so whether you choose to focus on it or not. Rather, a shift in perception can help you understand that world in a different way---from a new angle--so that you can solve prolems, create things of beauty, and lead the life you truely desire."
By: Madisyn Taylor
"Some people have a knack for looking at a scene or stuation and perceiving things not only in terms of their own experiences, but also in terms of others'. They embrace changes in perspective and look at things from many vantage points. Other people, however, see what they see and may not be convinced that someone else might view things differently. A shift in perspective can be a valuable tool in interacting with others, remaining open to new ideas, and increasing creativity. Your point of view normally reflects a reality that is uniquely yours. But think of viewing a room from two different angles---you will see different items depending on your position. Or consider the difference between looking out over the rolling ocean versus seeing into its depths while snorkeling. Most peoople have at one time or another tried looking at a situation through someone elses's eyes. Changing your perspective can be applied to many different circumstances. For example, you might try seeing the disappointment of not having funds to travel as an opportunity to more deeply explore activities offered in your own neighborhood. When you are faced with a challenge, attempt to view the problem from all angles in order to solve it. You will be more likely to come up with a novel solution. Changing how you perceive enhances objectivity while refreshing creativity. In fact, it is said that the most creative people see what everyone else does but look at life in ways most do not. Try finding the angular beauty in a cityscape or the opportunities for fun on a wet, dreary day. They are there. The universe is a vast conglomeration of all perspectives. Changing or expanding yours is not about avoiding another viewpoint or ignoring the parts of life you find unpleasant. Everything that exists continues to do so whether you choose to focus on it or not. Rather, a shift in perception can help you understand that world in a different way---from a new angle--so that you can solve prolems, create things of beauty, and lead the life you truely desire."
By: Madisyn Taylor
"SPREADING YOUR LIGHT"
"How You Affect Others Daily"
"As the pace and fullness of modern life serve to isolate us from one another, the contact we do share becomes vasly more significant. We unconsciously absorb each other's energy, adopting the temperament of those with whom we share close quarters, and we find ourselves changed after the briefest encounters. Everything we do or say has the potential to affect not only the individuals we live, work, and play with, but also those we have just met. Although we may never know the impact we have had or the scope of our influence, accepting and understnding that our attitudes and choices will touch others can help us remember to conduct ourselves with grace at all times. When we seek always to be friendly, helpful, and responsive, we effortlessly create an atmosphere around ourslves that is both uplifting and inspiring. Most people rarely give thought to the effect they have had or will have on others. When we take a few moments to contemplate how our individual modes of being affect the people we spend time with each day, we come one step closer to seeing ourselves through the eyes of others. By asking ourselves whether those we encounter walk away feeling appreciated, respected, and liked, we can heighten our awareness of the effect we ultimately have. Something as simple as a smile given freely can temporarily brighten a person's entire world. Our value-driven conduct may inspire others to consider whether their own lives are reflective of their values. A word of advice can help people see everything in an entirely new fashion, and small gestures of kindness can even prove to those embittered by the world that goodness still exists. By simply being ourselves, we influence others in both subtle and life-altering ways. To ensure that the effect we have is positive, we must strive to stay true to ourselves while realizing that it is the demeanor we project and not the quality of our wondrous inner landscapes that people see. Thus, as we interact with others, how we behave can be as important as who we are. If we project our passion for life, our warmth, and our tolerance in our facial features, voice, and choice of words, all who enter our circle of influence will leave our presence feelng at peace with themselves and with us. You never know whose life you are affecting, in a big or small way. Try to remember this as you go into the world each day."
By: Madisyn Taylor
"As the pace and fullness of modern life serve to isolate us from one another, the contact we do share becomes vasly more significant. We unconsciously absorb each other's energy, adopting the temperament of those with whom we share close quarters, and we find ourselves changed after the briefest encounters. Everything we do or say has the potential to affect not only the individuals we live, work, and play with, but also those we have just met. Although we may never know the impact we have had or the scope of our influence, accepting and understnding that our attitudes and choices will touch others can help us remember to conduct ourselves with grace at all times. When we seek always to be friendly, helpful, and responsive, we effortlessly create an atmosphere around ourslves that is both uplifting and inspiring. Most people rarely give thought to the effect they have had or will have on others. When we take a few moments to contemplate how our individual modes of being affect the people we spend time with each day, we come one step closer to seeing ourselves through the eyes of others. By asking ourselves whether those we encounter walk away feeling appreciated, respected, and liked, we can heighten our awareness of the effect we ultimately have. Something as simple as a smile given freely can temporarily brighten a person's entire world. Our value-driven conduct may inspire others to consider whether their own lives are reflective of their values. A word of advice can help people see everything in an entirely new fashion, and small gestures of kindness can even prove to those embittered by the world that goodness still exists. By simply being ourselves, we influence others in both subtle and life-altering ways. To ensure that the effect we have is positive, we must strive to stay true to ourselves while realizing that it is the demeanor we project and not the quality of our wondrous inner landscapes that people see. Thus, as we interact with others, how we behave can be as important as who we are. If we project our passion for life, our warmth, and our tolerance in our facial features, voice, and choice of words, all who enter our circle of influence will leave our presence feelng at peace with themselves and with us. You never know whose life you are affecting, in a big or small way. Try to remember this as you go into the world each day."
By: Madisyn Taylor
Sunday, September 6, 2009
REINVENTING THE PAST
"Healing Your Inner Child"
As we tread our individual pathways in life, we can acquire what some refer to as emotional baggage. Much of it is easy to recognize, but that which was picked up when we were very young is often hidden deep within the subconscious. The inner child or child within can harbor decades of old hurt that can cause us to react to situations and people using childhood pain as a template. This means that sometimes your reactions have less to do with the situation at hand and more to do with things you experienced long ago but have not forgotten. The inner child is an important piece of your emotional makeup. It can be playful, spontaneous, intiuitive, and spiritual -- but it can also be fearful, distrustful, and critical. Painful childhood experiences can negatively affect adult ones. Healing the inner child addresses your child-self's wounds and frees your grown-up self to make decisions based on the present. There are steps you can take to gently begin healing your inner child. Working with this hidden part of you is very much like solving a mystery, and the first step to unlocking it is analyzing your own behavior:
1. Ask yourself why you are attracted to certain people; why you react the way you do in particular situations; and what makes you feel helpless, scared, angry, or lonely. As you do so , remember that there is nothing wrong with your feelings and no shame in being influenced by your inner child.
2. Inquire of yourself how those feelings have been shaped by past experiences. Then mentally revisit your childhood. Visualize yourself as you were when you were young. Feel what your child self is feeling.
3. Finally, approach him or her and offer comfort in the form of a hug infused with positive, loving energy. In doing so, you are both healing and letting go of the wounded childs' pain.
Attempting to discount the fact that the inner child has an effect on the adult denies the impact of old wounds and past experiences Acknowledging this part of you honors your former self and can help you recover painful memories that have been repressed. However, recalling specific ones is not vital to healing. It is enough to be aware that you can change the way you unconsciously learned to react in your youth by nurturing your inner child and, in doing so, foster a loving and wise present self."
By: Madisyn Taylor
As we tread our individual pathways in life, we can acquire what some refer to as emotional baggage. Much of it is easy to recognize, but that which was picked up when we were very young is often hidden deep within the subconscious. The inner child or child within can harbor decades of old hurt that can cause us to react to situations and people using childhood pain as a template. This means that sometimes your reactions have less to do with the situation at hand and more to do with things you experienced long ago but have not forgotten. The inner child is an important piece of your emotional makeup. It can be playful, spontaneous, intiuitive, and spiritual -- but it can also be fearful, distrustful, and critical. Painful childhood experiences can negatively affect adult ones. Healing the inner child addresses your child-self's wounds and frees your grown-up self to make decisions based on the present. There are steps you can take to gently begin healing your inner child. Working with this hidden part of you is very much like solving a mystery, and the first step to unlocking it is analyzing your own behavior:
1. Ask yourself why you are attracted to certain people; why you react the way you do in particular situations; and what makes you feel helpless, scared, angry, or lonely. As you do so , remember that there is nothing wrong with your feelings and no shame in being influenced by your inner child.
2. Inquire of yourself how those feelings have been shaped by past experiences. Then mentally revisit your childhood. Visualize yourself as you were when you were young. Feel what your child self is feeling.
3. Finally, approach him or her and offer comfort in the form of a hug infused with positive, loving energy. In doing so, you are both healing and letting go of the wounded childs' pain.
Attempting to discount the fact that the inner child has an effect on the adult denies the impact of old wounds and past experiences Acknowledging this part of you honors your former self and can help you recover painful memories that have been repressed. However, recalling specific ones is not vital to healing. It is enough to be aware that you can change the way you unconsciously learned to react in your youth by nurturing your inner child and, in doing so, foster a loving and wise present self."
By: Madisyn Taylor
YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE, NOT WHAT YOU DO
Becoming Your "Wrong" Decisions
"Our perception of the traits and characteristics that make us who we are is often tightly intertwined with how we live our life. We define ourselves in terms of the roles we adopt, our actions and inactions, our triumphs, and what we think are failures. As a result, it is easy to identify so strongly with a decision that has brought on unexpected negative consequences that we actually become that "wrong" decision. The disappointment and shame we feel when we commit what we perceive to be a mistake grows until it becomes a dominant part of our identities. We rationalize until it becomes a dominant part of our identities. We rationalize our "poor" choices by labeling ourselves incompetent decision makers. However, our true identity cannot be defined by your choices. Your essence -- what makes you a unique entity -- exists independently of your decision-making process. There are not true right or wrong decisions; all contribute to your development and are an integral part of your evolving existence, yet are still separate from the self. A decision that does not result in its intended outcome is in no way an illustration of character. Still, it can have dire effects on your self-esteem and ability to trust yourself. You can avoid becoming your decisions by affirming that a "bad" one was just an experience, and next time you can choose differently. Try to refrain from lingering in the past and mulling over the circumstances that led to your perceived error in judgment. Instead, adapt to the new circumstances you must face by considering how you can use your intelligence, inner strength, and intuition to aid you in moving forward more mindfully. Try not to entirely avoid thinking about the choices you have made, but reflect on their consequences from a rational rather than an emotional standpoint. Strive to understand why you made the decision you did, forgive yourself, and then move forward. A perceived mistake becomes a valuable learning experience and is, in essence, a gift of growth. You are not a bad person, and you are not your decisions; you are simply human."
By: Madisyn Taylor
"Our perception of the traits and characteristics that make us who we are is often tightly intertwined with how we live our life. We define ourselves in terms of the roles we adopt, our actions and inactions, our triumphs, and what we think are failures. As a result, it is easy to identify so strongly with a decision that has brought on unexpected negative consequences that we actually become that "wrong" decision. The disappointment and shame we feel when we commit what we perceive to be a mistake grows until it becomes a dominant part of our identities. We rationalize until it becomes a dominant part of our identities. We rationalize our "poor" choices by labeling ourselves incompetent decision makers. However, our true identity cannot be defined by your choices. Your essence -- what makes you a unique entity -- exists independently of your decision-making process. There are not true right or wrong decisions; all contribute to your development and are an integral part of your evolving existence, yet are still separate from the self. A decision that does not result in its intended outcome is in no way an illustration of character. Still, it can have dire effects on your self-esteem and ability to trust yourself. You can avoid becoming your decisions by affirming that a "bad" one was just an experience, and next time you can choose differently. Try to refrain from lingering in the past and mulling over the circumstances that led to your perceived error in judgment. Instead, adapt to the new circumstances you must face by considering how you can use your intelligence, inner strength, and intuition to aid you in moving forward more mindfully. Try not to entirely avoid thinking about the choices you have made, but reflect on their consequences from a rational rather than an emotional standpoint. Strive to understand why you made the decision you did, forgive yourself, and then move forward. A perceived mistake becomes a valuable learning experience and is, in essence, a gift of growth. You are not a bad person, and you are not your decisions; you are simply human."
By: Madisyn Taylor
Sunday, August 2, 2009
"WRITING WITH AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE"
"Keeping A "Grateful" Journal
"Some days it is easier to be appreciative of life than others, but if you really take note, there is always somthing to be grateful for. It is important to be grateful, and by acknowledging life's blessings, you actually invite more good things into your life. Keeping a gratitude journal can remind you of all the things you have to be thankful for. Find an attractive blank book, or make one yourself. You can even use an ordinary notebook. Make your journal colorful by writing with different-colored pens. Or pick one shade for each category of appreciation: pink for pretty sights, yellow for friends.....even green for prosperity. You can journal daily, weekly, or monthly, but it is best to be consistent. Mark the date and write down what you are grateful for, why, and the circumstances that created the gratitude. The journal will become a chronicle of your feelings and experiences. It is fun to read your own writing from the past, and journaling keeps you in appreciation mode, reminding you of all the things that make you happy. If you write on a daily basis, you can set a goal for yourself of recording a specific number of things to be thankful for each day. As you get into the habit of counting your blessings, you may soon find that you start being appreciative of so much more. You can set a new target number or just go wild and write as many things as you can think of. Most of us have myriad reasons to be grateful, and it is easy to find the obvious. However, after a few days, you begin to get past the mundane--such as food, shelter, and clothing--and begin to appreciate many other things in life. When you start to look for them, you will find that you are rewarded with countless gifts of gratitude. People will enter your life for just a moment and leave you with a gem of kindness or just a simple smile. Pass the gratitude attitude along by offering gifts of journals to your family and friends to record their thankfulness. You can start them off by sharing what you appreciate about them. describe what they have given you, what you have observed about them, and what you wish for them. Being appreciated is one of the best gifts you can bestow on someone. Write it down and it is lasting."
By:Madisyn Taylor
"Some days it is easier to be appreciative of life than others, but if you really take note, there is always somthing to be grateful for. It is important to be grateful, and by acknowledging life's blessings, you actually invite more good things into your life. Keeping a gratitude journal can remind you of all the things you have to be thankful for. Find an attractive blank book, or make one yourself. You can even use an ordinary notebook. Make your journal colorful by writing with different-colored pens. Or pick one shade for each category of appreciation: pink for pretty sights, yellow for friends.....even green for prosperity. You can journal daily, weekly, or monthly, but it is best to be consistent. Mark the date and write down what you are grateful for, why, and the circumstances that created the gratitude. The journal will become a chronicle of your feelings and experiences. It is fun to read your own writing from the past, and journaling keeps you in appreciation mode, reminding you of all the things that make you happy. If you write on a daily basis, you can set a goal for yourself of recording a specific number of things to be thankful for each day. As you get into the habit of counting your blessings, you may soon find that you start being appreciative of so much more. You can set a new target number or just go wild and write as many things as you can think of. Most of us have myriad reasons to be grateful, and it is easy to find the obvious. However, after a few days, you begin to get past the mundane--such as food, shelter, and clothing--and begin to appreciate many other things in life. When you start to look for them, you will find that you are rewarded with countless gifts of gratitude. People will enter your life for just a moment and leave you with a gem of kindness or just a simple smile. Pass the gratitude attitude along by offering gifts of journals to your family and friends to record their thankfulness. You can start them off by sharing what you appreciate about them. describe what they have given you, what you have observed about them, and what you wish for them. Being appreciated is one of the best gifts you can bestow on someone. Write it down and it is lasting."
By:Madisyn Taylor
"REMEMBERING WHO WE ARE"
"Brave Spirits"
"Most of us are familiar with the idea that we are not human beings having spiritual experiences; instead, we are spiritual beings having human experiences. We hear this, and even though we may experience a resounding Yes! in our bodies, we may not take the time to really acknowledge the truth of this statement. Integrating this idea into how we view ouselves can broaden our sense of who we are and help us appreciate ourselves as brave spirits on an important mission to learn and grow here on Earth. As spiritul beings, we are visitors in this physical realm. The fact that we came here and lost all memory of what happened to us before we were born is one of the many reasons why it takes so much courage for a soul to incarnate on Earth. This is why spiritual inquiry so often feels like a remembering---because it is. Recalling that we are spiritual beings is part of th work we are here on this planet to do. When we operate from a place of remembering, we tap into the wisdom that our spirit acumulated even before we stepped into this lifetime. Recollecting who we are can give us the patience to perservere when we become overwhelmed or frustrated. It can lend us the courage to work through the most daunting challenges and help us trust the ancient wisdom that we carry offered to us by our intuition. We have chosen to be on Earth because there is something we want to learn that can only happen by inhabiting a body. Some of us are here to repay a debt, gain knowledge of love, or teach forgiveness. Most of us are here for a combination of reasons. We carry this infrmation in our souls; all we have to do is remember. As you go through your journey, try not to forget how brave you are in being here now. Honor yourself."
By:Madisyn Taylor
"Most of us are familiar with the idea that we are not human beings having spiritual experiences; instead, we are spiritual beings having human experiences. We hear this, and even though we may experience a resounding Yes! in our bodies, we may not take the time to really acknowledge the truth of this statement. Integrating this idea into how we view ouselves can broaden our sense of who we are and help us appreciate ourselves as brave spirits on an important mission to learn and grow here on Earth. As spiritul beings, we are visitors in this physical realm. The fact that we came here and lost all memory of what happened to us before we were born is one of the many reasons why it takes so much courage for a soul to incarnate on Earth. This is why spiritual inquiry so often feels like a remembering---because it is. Recalling that we are spiritual beings is part of th work we are here on this planet to do. When we operate from a place of remembering, we tap into the wisdom that our spirit acumulated even before we stepped into this lifetime. Recollecting who we are can give us the patience to perservere when we become overwhelmed or frustrated. It can lend us the courage to work through the most daunting challenges and help us trust the ancient wisdom that we carry offered to us by our intuition. We have chosen to be on Earth because there is something we want to learn that can only happen by inhabiting a body. Some of us are here to repay a debt, gain knowledge of love, or teach forgiveness. Most of us are here for a combination of reasons. We carry this infrmation in our souls; all we have to do is remember. As you go through your journey, try not to forget how brave you are in being here now. Honor yourself."
By:Madisyn Taylor
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