Choosing wholesome food keeps your body and mind healthy

I am happier and more productive when I am healthier. For this reason, I make positive choices for the best of my body, mind, and spirit.

I start by eating right. Even though it takes longer and may cost a little more, my body deserves quality foods that will help me be healthier, feel better, and even live a more prosperous life. I am a part of nature and I choose to eat as close to nature as possible, choosing whole, fresh foods whenever I can.

I have let go of my craving for processed foods because I know cravings subside after a few short days of healthy eating.

I also choose to exercise regularly. It doesn’t have to be a formal program at the gym, but it can be something as simple as walking with my partner or children after dinner. I make a point of getting my body moving each day.

I exercise my mind. Although, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional television show, I feed my mind primarily with books, programs and discussion that allow me to learn and grow.

I also nourish my soul with regular communion with my Creator. No matter how busy I am, I take a few minutes each day for prayer and meditation. I meet regularly with other spiritually minded people because I know, together, we can help each other achieve greater depth and understanding.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1.    Am I taking the time to eat food that is good for my body?
2.    Have I fed my mind anything nutritious lately?
3.    Do I make time for prayer and meditation?

Imagine walking down stairs as you relax into your DIY past-life regression.

How does one actually do a DIY or do-it-yourself past life regression techniques? How does one feel when she is actually doing it already? Would you like someone to be with you when you enter into trance? Did you ever wonder what it is like to be in trance? Well, if you have, then here are a few tips on how to deal with past life regression and learn how to do it all by yourself. When you are all set and ready to go, simply take some deep breathing exercises and begin following the steps below:

1. Find a comfortable position, you may lie down or sit, as long as you feel you can stay in that position for a long period of time without having to strain your body. Have some paper and pens or your journal nearby to record your experiences. Then start invoking your Higher Self and seek the help of your angels, guardians or whatever ethereal elements you know will keep you safe.

2. Close your eyes and envision yourself being engulfed by a bright ball of light. Allow the warmth to consume your whole body from your arms, your legs, your torso, your face. Feel it enter your body completely and allow yourself to get lost in its presence.

3. Relax yourself completely. That light has warmed your entire being and you are in complete peace. Also, picture yourself walking, your steps still relaxed, your feet touching the ground softly, without a sound. And as though you are floating, notice a door from afar. Reach it by slowly moving down some stairs that separates you from it. See your self slowly and silently descending the steps one at a time – with each step your are going deeper and deeper into a trance state.

You might enter your past lives through an old wooden door - imagine it unlocking and opening before you.

4. Upon getting to the last step, you see a couch right next to the door that says: Your Past Lives. Stop for a moment and decide whether to open the door or sit on the couch. When you are ready to go inside, touch the knob lightly, grab hold of it, turn it slowly and push the door open. You may feel the heaviness of the wooden door as it slowly opens before you.

5. If you are not able to open the door, perhaps the universe is telling you it’s not time to revisit your past lives yet. Go back to the couch and rest lying down. If you know you can get in and choose to do so, push the door open and you will see a White Screen next to the Past Life Room and two other things: a Red Button on the right that closes the blinds to the white screen or the Green Button on the left that opens the blinds to show your past lives on the screen.

6. If you choose to push the green button, your past lives will be shown to you. Observe your surroundings and feel completely present in that time. If you cannot see yourself, Look down and ask to see your feet, then slowly turn your eyes up to see your entire body. Focus on yourself, how you look and when you’re ready say “Action!” The movie of your past life should play before you. When you feel you have seen enough or if the movie stops, push the red button to close the blinds to the screen. Move out of the room and close the door. Rest on the couch while you absorb what you have seen.

7. When you are ready to do so, walk back up the steps into your current reality. Feel yourself firmly in your body. Wiggle your fingers and toes. Take a few deep breaths, and maybe have a stretch. Write or draw in your journal what you have seen, felt, heard and intuitively understood – try to capture as much richness as you can.

8. Return to the door each time you want to perform a past life regression. With practice you should be able to do so more and more easily, and have increasing control over the whole processs.

9. If at any time you find it difficult, patience, practice and perseverance should see you move past any temporary blocks, helping you to unlock and use this wonderful tool for your highest good.

Do you push yourself to be all that you can be? In your drive for excellence, you may take on so many projects that life often seems chaotic. In the midst of doing it all, do you remember to take time for yourself?

Look after yourself - treat yourself to a nap!

Spending time on YOU is critical! It enables you to feel rested, calm, stress-free, and fulfilled. When you’ve had proper rest, you can accomplish more and maintain the stamina to continue.

On the other hand, if you neglect to make time for yourself, you’re more likely to become depressed, stressed, or unhappy.

Perhaps you feel that there’s just not enough time for you. Somewhere in the mix, you lost any time you ever had for yourself. However, the good news is that, with some creativity and perseverance, you can recapture some of that critical you-time!

Consider using these strategies to reap some rejuvenating time for yourself:

1.Pencil yourself in. Make time for yourself by adding it as a priority in your schedule. As you fill out your planner, include it along with your other important tasks and stick to the appointment!

2.Give yourself 15 minutes when you get home. Insist on at least 15 minutes of recoup and rejuvenation time when you get home from work. If you have to lock yourself away from stressors or even family members, than that’s what you must do! This time allows you to properly transition from your work life to your home life.

• Explain this new technique to your family so that they understand its importance. This way, no one feels like you’re just avoiding them!
• A simple strategy is to soak in the bath for 15 minutes. The water will relax you, and you’ll feel refreshed after a long day.

3. Take advantage of your lunch break. Your lunch break is there for you to do what you please. After you eat, make good use of your time by going for a walk, exercising, listening to inspiring music, or even get in a bit of shopping if that’s what relaxes you.

4. Enjoy a break while the kids nap. Here’s a good tip for stay at home moms. Give yourself some much needed “you” time whenever your children sleep. You might be tempted to get as much work done as you can while they’re asleep, but you’ll find you actually get more done if you give yourself a chance to rest and rejuvenate yourself.

• Explore new ways of accomplishing things like household tasks while your kids are up. For example, turn chores into learning games that you can all participate in.

5. Go to sleep earlier. Going to sleep earlier at night will enable you to get up in time to enjoy some morning “me” time. Just think how pleasant it would be to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning without having to look at your watch.

6. Take a vacation day. Take a vacation day to just relax and do whatever you like. You don’t have to take a trip to take a vacation! Time spent on your favorite hobbies will also rejuvenate you. When you return to work, your renewed energy may surprise you!

At first glance, these strategies may look difficult to implement into your busy routine. A good way to get started with them is to incorporate just one at a time. That way, you only have to adjust to one small change. As you become accustomed to that one strategy, you can add another, and then another, until one day you’ll find that making time for yourself is easy.

Once you learn to make time for you, you’ll have more energy and time to enjoy the good things life has to offer.

Time is my friend. I work with it, enjoy it, respect it, and make the best of it.

While I have an abundance of time in my life, I choose to both enjoy and respect this wonderful gift.

I have so much I want to accomplish and, by planning carefully, I can ensure that I have the time to do everything I desire.

Thinking of time as an hourglass is not representative of the way I view time.  Instead, I imagine all of the sands of time spread throughout an enormous desert.  I can see time extend in every direction.  I know that I have the time to accomplish everything I desire.

You CAN use your time effectively.

I place priorities on the goals in my life.  The things I most want to accomplish are given my attention first.  This allows me to make sure I have the time to do the things that are most dear to me.

Certain tasks in my life may need to be completed in a limited time frame and I accept that.  I give myself deadlines and I stick to them.  This ensures that I do not waste my valuable time.

When I work with time and respect it, I have the ability to balance my life.  Giving myself the time to pursue my personal desires, to fulfill my work responsibilities, and to devote attention to my family are important uses of my time.  Learning how to balance my time is important.

I am thankful to have found a friendship with time.  By making the most of the time I am given, I am able to make the best life for my loved ones and myself.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I prioritized the goals in my life so that I can make time for the things that are most important to me?
2.    How can I remove time wasters from my life?
3.    Do I respect and value the time I have been given?

The sleeping prophet Edgar Cayce circa 1910.

Part 3 of an occasional series on the Akashic Records.

The most extensive information on the Akashic records arguably comes from Edgar Cayce a Psychic (1877-1945) who would simply fall asleep or go into a trance to access information from the records. As a result he was called “The Sleeping Prophet”. It is said that he could access the akasha as easily as reading a book. The following is his description of accessing and entering the Akashic Records (I must say my experience is quite different, but that is a story for a different time).

As I move along this path of light I gradually become conscious of various levels upon which there is movement.

…..Passing on, there begin to appear on either side, misshapen forms of human beings with some part of the body magnified.

Again there is change and I become conscious of gray-hooded forms moving downward. Gradually, these become lighter in color.

Then the direction changes and these forms move upward and the color of the robes grows rapidly lighter.

Edgar Cayce saw the akashic records as an old book.

Next, there begin to appear on either side vague outlines of houses, walls, trees, etc., but everything is motionless.

As I pass on, there is more light and movement in what appear to be normal cities and towns.

With the growth of movement I become conscious of sounds, at first indistinct rumblings, then music, laughter, and singing of birds.

There is more and more light, the colors become very beautiful, and there is the sound of wonderful music.

The houses are left behind, ahead there is only a blending of sound and color.

Quite suddenly I come upon a hall of records.

It is a hall without walls, without ceiling, but I am conscious of seeing an old man who hands me a large book, a record of the individual for whom I seek information.

Whether you’re looking to manage a team or create better relationships between your friends and family, communication is something you have to give a lot of attention to.  When you sit down with someone and make sure you’re on the same page, you’ll be able to work well together and get more done.

Be open with your communication.

What Is Open Communication?

Open communication is exactly what it sounds like: tackling an issue head on and openly discussing ways to resolve it. Nothing is accomplished by letting an issue fester because neither party wants to discuss it.

You’d be surprised how many conflicts can be resolved simply by sitting down with someone and engaging in some open and friendly communication. The discussion shouldn’t be accusatory, threatening, or argumentative, rather, it should be an opportunity for all people involved to calmly voice their opinions and be heard.

Tips For Resolving Conflicts

* A face-to-face confrontation may not always be best. For instance, some people are most comfortable talking on the phone or chatting online.  Whichever method makes you feel most comfortable is how you should approach the conflict, so long as you are able to openly voice your concerns.

* Do not make the person involved feel cornered or nervous.  This is an extremely important thing to remember if you are in a position of authority over them. You want to make sure that you’re looking to fix the problem and not to attack them.

Remember to focus on the problem and not the person. Take a moment and really consider what you need to do to make sure that you’re not accusing the person or putting them down. That’ll only close them off to everything you’re saying, so make sure to focus on the behavior or the problem without raising your voice.

* Consider adopting an open door policy, both at home and at work. You’ll be able to effectively communicate with others if you show them that you’re willing to engage with them at any time.  This is an important conflict resolution strategy because it will give you a lot more face-to-face time with them in general.  The more you foster an open door policy, the fewer conflicts you will have.

* When mediating a conflict, remember that you need to be firm and fair. Listen to all sides and give each person a chance to speak uninterrupted.

Personal Relationships Can Benefit from Conflict Resolution Too!

These tips can also help resolve family conflicts. No family member should be made to feel like his or her feelings don’t matter. You’ll have a much closer-knit relationship with your children and spouse if you have a mutual understanding that you can discuss any topic at any time, without having to wait for “the right time” or for a commercial break on television.

If you want your family to hear and respect your opinions, then treat them with the same level of respect. This is an important life lesson for people of all ages to learn.

Being Patient With Change

Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s entirely possible that some people involved in the discussion will leave with hurt feelings. So long as everyone involved was treated respectfully and the issue is out in the open, you can now begin working toward a satisfactory resolution as a team.

The more frequently you use these conflict resolution approaches, the easier it will become. Rather than stepping around a sore subject, it will become second nature to have an open discussion and find a resolution. It’s worth the effort to take some time and really consider what you can bring to the table when it comes to open communication and conflict resolution.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Think outside the box?” Of course you have! It’s a saying that has been thrown around at work and in countless self-help books. Thinking outside the box usually creates unique solutions to the most unusual of problems, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.

We are all creative, but it can be difficult to tap into the creativity within us if our minds are constrained by pressures, time, or judgment. For this reason, some of us may have difficulty thinking outside the box since it involves going outside of our snug comfort zone.

Leaving the Familiar Path

Thinking outside the box means you’re leaving the realm of familiarity by going well beyond what you have established as your boundaries. When you do this, you’ll unlock new ways of thinking and unique solutions to nagging problems. Others may look at your ideas with skepticism or disbelief, but that’s because it’s outside of their comfort zones, too! And that’s okay because you are the trailblazer.

Succeed and be more creative by thinking outside the box.

So how do you leave that familiar path and think outside the box? You do it by expanding your comfort zone. Right now, you’re stuck in this maze of confined thinking. This is because we are all trained from a young age to think and act a certain way. In reality, there isn’t just one way to think. There really are countless ways of getting things done! This is exactly why we need to keep an open mind and remove all barriers.

You can learn how to develop the desire to be, think and act differently than everyone else, but it requires you to do things you may be uncomfortable doing. For example, speaking up in a crowd, going against common wisdom, or asking questions that no one else asks. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s the only way to expand your comfort zone and see things in a new way.

Do you think that Albert Einstein or Alexander Graham Bell stuck to conventional wisdom? Of course not! They took their thinking to entirely new levels in order to discover theories and inventions that have changed the course of the world today.

The key lesson here is that if something doesn’t work, you may have to think about it from another angle. Turn the page upside down if you have to! Always remember that you can test and tweak things until it’s just right. Don’t beat yourself up if you fail because failure is necessary for significant growth and improvement.

Characteristics of Thought

There are certain characteristics associated with thinking outside the box. These characteristics include:

* Listening to and evaluating new perspectives
* Thinking about and discussing topics with substance
* Envisioning the value of wacky ideas
* Always striving to create new, improved ways to get things done
* Respecting the opinions and ideas of others

It may be a challenge to see the world in a whole new way, but it’s not impossible. You may be required to recognize a good idea and be able to act upon it immediately. You also have to know that new ideas need to be nurtured and supported in order for them to flourish. By keeping these things in mind, you are well on your way to accepting the challenge to think and grow outside the box.

Part 2 of an occasional series on the Akashic Records.

Many people who want to access the Akashic Records wonder just what types of readings there are and what information can actually be drawn and accessed from the Akashic Records.

There are several deposits of records and they each have a distinct purpose and reason for existing.

Celestial Akashic Records are interweaved throughout the Cosmos.

First are the Earth Records. There is a location very near our Earth that contains the individual experiences of the souls that reside here.

These Records also contain the creative experiences of all the residents here. These two areas of records hold all the emotions that were used in gathering this information.

The Records are contained within the body of the soul force. This is very near the physical form.

The other set of Records is held in an energy band that circles around the planet. These are the Records for the Earth’s Solar System.

From this energy band there appear to be strings connected to the other records that are held within the solar system and beyond.

The first set of strings reach to a deposit of planetary experience that is considered the solar system. These records contain the planetary records for that system.

There are no records here for the individual souls that have inhabited the planets in the past or the present.

There is also a band of records for our galaxy, and the Universe. Each one has its own information stored there, but is connected to the others for access to those who are able to reach the Akashic Records.

A band of what has been described as angels guards the Universal Records. Though they are not the angels we have come to know. They are a level of Source that interacts with experience.

Expressing gratitude can be difficult for some people.  Often times, gratitude is mixed in with other feelings like jealousy, envy, embarrassment, or insecurity. Why? Because it can be humbling to admit that we need help from others.

It is important to realize that expressing gratitude does not mean you are weaker or inferior in any way. In fact it means just the opposite – that you feel good enough about yourself to show what some others would class as a “weakness”. Gratitude simply expresses your appreciation and shows the respect you have for others.

By focusing on an attitude of gratitude, you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to express how you feel. Plus, people will be far more willing to help someone who respects and appreciates them.

Here are Five Ways to Express Gratitude:

1.    Keep it simple. Instead of thinking about how best to express your thanks, just say it.  Tell the person “Thank you” or “I appreciate it” and let that be the end of it.  Gratitude is something that can be easily expressed just as long as it’s genuine.  Expressing gratitude is as important as anything else in your relationships because it builds trust and respect.

2.    Write a letter. Sometimes the best thing we can do is use the power of the written word to express our thanks.  Get a thank you card or a piece of stationary and write a letter. It’s one of the most personal ways of expressing gratitude nowadays, especially since few people take the time to write by hand.  Again, you can keep it simple by letting the person know that you appreciate them.  You can hand deliver the letter or drop it in the mail so it can be a nice surprise in between the stack of junk mail and bills.

3.    Give a gift. When someone does something nice for you, a nice way to express your appreciation is to give a small “thank you” present.  This doesn’t have to be anything costly or extravagant, just something that shows that you appreciate what they have done for you.  For instance, you might give a coffee lover a gift certificate to their favorite coffee shop, or buy a chocolate lover a gourmet piece of chocolate. It’s a simple gesture that can go a long way.

4.    Return the favor. If someone has done something nice for you, a simple way to show your appreciation is to return the favor by giving your time.  For instance, if someone has helped you during a time of need, tell them that you want to take them to lunch, dinner, or dessert for being such an instrumental person in your life.  This lets them know you appreciate them and it also gives you a chance to chat and grow closer.

5.    Tell others. In the presence of the person or people you wish to thank, share your gratitude with others.  Public forms of gratitude are important because it shows just how much you appreciate and care for others. This will also help you let go of any insecurities, jealousy, or anger because you are putting others first.

Gratitude is an important part of all relationships, so today, let go of your fears and simply say “Thanks!” to all those around you! Expressing how grateful and appreciative you are also opens up space for the Law of Attraction to work, attracting new things to you!

True wealth is having time to enjoy nature.

A life filled with physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial abundance is truly a gift. Everyone should have security, peace of mind, love, and overall joyfulness. But how can something that should be second nature be so difficult to attain?

Perhaps our hectic lives confuse or distract us from achieving a life of abundance. But the power of our thoughts can transform our lives for the better – if we know how to use it.

Wealth is Good!

That statement might seem strange, even repugnant to some – especially if you are on the spiritual path. What I would suggest is that, if you feel uncomfortable or even offended by the statement “wealth is good” then you need to examine your inner programming – your shoulds (for example “spiritual people shouldn’t be wealthy” or that “because money is the root of all evil I should stay poor”).

We all have to build wealth in our lives, but before we can build wealth, we have to understand that everyone’s definition of wealth is different. It doesn’t have to mean making millions of dollars and flying a private jet to one of your 10 estate homes.

Wealth can simply mean having a steady, full-time job where you earn enough money to give your family a safe place to sleep with quality food on the table and nice clothes to wear. It may also mean you are fulfilled spiritually and emotionally.

Don’t fool yourself by saying you don’t care about material things and, therefore, you don’t need to care too much about building wealth. Remember that wealth does not necessarily mean material wealth. Just because you desire wealth, it doesn’t mean you have to be attached to money like a Scrooge.

You can be emotionally wealthy because of the positive relationships you foster. You can be spiritually wealthy because of your faith. You can be physically wealthy because of your vibrant health. And you can be financially wealthy because of the money you have earned. Wealth simply isn’t a monetary figure!

Wealth is Not Just About Money

As mentioned, the term wealth doesn’t just describe how much money you have. You can also use the word to describe the people in your life and your satisfaction with your life in general.

* If you have a close relationship to your family, you are wealthy.

* If you love waking up in the morning and get satisfaction out of your job everyday, you are wealthy.

* If you have friends who love you as their own family, you are wealthy.

* If you have a fervent faith, you are wealthy.

Living an abundant life simply means being happy in all aspects of your life and having the resources to care for your family. Obviously you won’t be happy every minute of every day, but if you are usually well taken care of, then you already have an abundant life.

How to Build Wealth

Having cash gives you the resources to fully appreciate and explore life.

You need carry a positive mindset in life if you wish to build the wealth you want and deserve. You must believe that what you want can be attained, that you have the power to attain it, and that it will be delivered to you in your lifetime. Without this mindset, you’re more likely to give up when times get tough.

Loving yourself is also of great importance. You have to love yourself first if you want to receive love from others. If you don’t have love from others, you won’t lead the life you desire.

We can’t change the world unless we start by changing ourselves. But if we change ourselves, we can change the whole world. And if we change ourselves for the better, there’s no reason why we can’t or shouldn’t live an abundant life.