Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Goals are Obtainable with Determination

There are a lot of unsure, yet determined people described in the Bible. We can examine their behavior and develop a prototype for success.
Moses did not think he had the ability and intelligence to meet with the Egyptian Pharaoh to plead for the release of his people but he did it. He kept stating his case to the pharaoh and steadfastly held to the belief that he deserved what he requested. Whenever he doubted himself, an inner knowledge told him to press on. He persevered and eventually crossed the Red Sea with the Israelites.
Joshua was another example of determination. He walked through the desert for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land. There were many challenges, including running out of food. Yet he knew he could not stop until he arrived at his goal.
Then, of course, there was David, a mere boy who killed a giant with a sling-fired rock. He faced seemingly impossible odds and anyone would have said that he did not qualify for such a feat, (he was after all taking on a giant), yet he maintained his faith, commitment and courage -- and succeeded.
Often we find ourselves faced with overwhelming odds. By harnessing an over-riding courage and determination to win, you too can reach your objective. Moses, David and Joshua were men of vision and courage. They did not let seeming limitations stop them. Perhaps they knew something with which the rest of us struggle. Each had an awareness of personal divinity that spurred them forward during tough periods. Through your imagination and courage you can develop awareness of the same divinity.
Most of the time, the limitations we accept as insurmountable are nothing more than illusions born of fear. We mental conjure them up. Once we face our fears, they dissolve.
The ultimate success principle is stated in Genesis, Chapter 1:26, "Then God said: 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” This quality of creatorship can inspire you with vision during times of doubt. You were created with equality and dominion. It is up to you to grasp the vision and control what this edict implies. You can draw upon your natural divinity to expand your thinking and be all that you can be. When you restrict yourself with small thinking and fear, you are creating struggle. Yet you can push past self-imposed boundaries by challenging them. You will discover in yourself a person who is greater than the moment and can withstand temporary flare-ups of doubt.
With each thought and act of vision, others follow, as they did with the heroes of the Bible. Each addition causes yet greater change in the world and abundance follows -- for all mankind.
Make your decision to choose courage over fear, honesty over limitation and inspiration over laziness, and you will take your place among the great ones. Moses, Joshua and David completed their missions and you can too.
To get in touch with your goals and the determination to complete them, call Jean Walters at 314 991 8439 and set an appointment to work through your blocks. Check out her website at www.spiritualtransformation.com Thanks!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Thanksgiving - a time to feel GRATITUDE

One of the great laws of prosperity is “gratitude.” Gratitude sounds simple yet often it is not practiced. When most people gaze around and perceive all they have achieved and accomplished (tangible and intangible), instead of feeling awed and appreciative, they often think, “Is that all”, or “What’s next”. In other words, stopping to smell the roses is not part of the repertoire.
Stop and think, do you consciously appreciate your friends, family, home, job, your freedom, your health, the money you’ve earned? It is easy to take these things for granted and think that what you have isn’t good enough or there isn’t enough -- the car isn’t a Rolls Royce, it’s an old Chevrolet; “I’m not President of the company, I’m only ______“ (fill in the blank). “I don’t make enough money, have enough prestige, live in the ‘best’ part of town, know the ‘right’ people. Attention is not on what you have, but on what you do not have, on what’s missing, on what is bad rather than what is good in life. This is called “fear-based” thinking. You never win or feel good about yourself, when you focus on lack and live in fear.
Realize instead that the old car transports you wherever you want to go. Your current job is a stepping stone to wherever you go from here. The house you own represents the down- payment on the next one. All your past learning experiences graduate you to the next level and prepare you for greater expression and service. You will more easily move to a new car, job, home, elevated opportunities, by appreciating the ones you’ve already experienced. Value your present job position and the customers you now have and the new customers will more readily present themselves to you.
It is a law of nature. When we accept and are at peace with our current status, things begin to change naturally, easily. A deep, sincere gratitude sows the seeds that blossom in abundance. This is a principle of nature and it is magnetic. When people feel acknowledged and appreciated, they more readily acknowledge and appreciate you. When you are grateful for all you have and all you have experienced (event he seemingly bad stuff), your life expands.
Start your day with appreciation of all the opportunities at hand and end your day with gratitude for all you have experienced and all the ways you have given and received. Your energy will soar!
Oprah Winfrey keeps a gratitude journal where she daily acknowledges everyone and everything for which she is grateful. It works for her! Her life is abundant!
Hey, what a great world we live in! We have endless opportunities to express, experience, live freely, laugh, love, share and enjoy all sorts of abundance. I’m grateful; are you?
This article originally appeared in the St. Louis Suburban Journals in November,07
If you want to read more, check out The Game of Life or Yes You Can ebook. Both available at www.spiritualtransformation.com Thanks and have a great week!
Jean Walters

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Relieving Stress

We hear a lot about stress these days, and its negative effects on health. There is one thing about stress that we need to be clear about. Stress is created in the mind.
Living in a big city or any other place doesn’t have to connote to tension, if you condition yourself to be the master of stress. Actually, the universe does not possess stress of any type except the kind that is under control and produces beneficial results.
The argument might be that there is conflict in the world. That is true. However you can compare this to a storm at sea. You would not expect a vast body of water such as the ocean, to be ceaselessly calm like a small pond. There is vastness, strength, and magnificence about the ocean. It experiences storms which produce air currents which, in turn, provide water making the earth fruitful, abundant. This is natural, creative stress.
Despite this inherent tension of oceans, as most people venture to the sea they experience peace, relaxation and calmness. They are without stress.
The same might be said of forests. There is drama inherent in natural areas – animals opposing animals, trees competing for the light. Weak, diseased trees die and others push past them to take their place. And yet as we enter the forest, we relax into serenity. It is this unforced tranquility of nature that helps us forget our troubles, and resume our natural rhythm. We don’t identity nature with tension. That is a mental perspective.
The frenzied worry of everyday concerns dissolves as one listens to the multitudinous sounds of nature. There is continuous action in the natural world. It is organized, controlled, directed, harmonious and rhythmic. Perhaps we live too far removed from nature, amidst steel, concrete and the noises of a mechanical-technological civilization.
To say that we live in a tensed-up world cannot mean that the planet is full of stress, but that the people living in it suffer from stress. But it is a choice to live in stress. You can also choose to live in peace.
Here are some ideas to help you reduce stress:
1) Give yourself one hour of quiet time daily. (Contemplate, take a walk, meditate, read a book. Do something relaxing for you.)
2) Recognize when stress becomes distress. Then change activity; do something different, or take a break. If you are inside, go outside. If you are sitting down, stand up. Move!
3) Locate the vulnerable places in your work and private life. Get help, reduce expectations, change time requirements, delegate to someone else.
4) Simplify your process. Get rid of unnecessary steps and stuff. Clean out drawers, closets, storage areas, file cabinets. The less, the better.
As we incorporate stress-reduction techniques into our lives, we discover the ability to be in control – not of outside forces -- but of our minds, our beliefs, and the way we choose to look at things. We feel freer and more alive!
You can reach Jean Walters, Personal Growth Consultant and Life Coach at 314 991 8439 or email her through her website at www.spiritualtransformation.com

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Loving People and Using Things

Some people use things and love people and others love things and use people. The former have an abundance of friends, opportunities and experiences. The latter are difficult to know because of guarded attitudes and possessiveness.
When people place their highest value in the objects they own, they must protect them. They believe that what they own sets their personal value and their understanding is that ownership creates security. In other words, their security does not come from themselves, but from their 401K plan, their house, family, and status or professional position. (Of course, any of these things can disappear overnight.) These folks have not learned to build security through trusting themselves – their talents, creativity, resourcefulness, determination, etc. Therefore they experience a kind of lack in their lives. They busy themselves warding off vulturous people, as they hold tight to meager security taking form in things. Their small mindedness produces paranoia and interferes with personal growth and taking advantage of opportunities to expand themselves by loving and learning and even making mistakes. When these people near the conclusion of life, panic sets in because, by forsaking their search for peace, they have forgotten to love themselves.
Things are transient. They can be lost, stolen, destroyed in the twinkling of an eye (look at Hurricane Katrina or the Great Depression). Then security based on possessions disappears also.
If you are a lover of things and a user of people, consider your options. If your house burned down, you lost your business and your best friend moved away, would you have sufficient self-esteem and trust to start over or would you be hopelessly devastated? Those who have lived with nothing are not afraid of losing everything because they know they will survive regardless. There is security in knowing that. They have weathered the storm and found themselves whole and complete despite it. They know they can pick themselves up and begin anew.
Let your things serve you by offering comfort, convenience, and beauty. Enjoy them for what they offer and don’t let your identity or self worth depend on them to make you valuable. You have always been valuable; you will always be valuable whether you occupy a small room or a mansion. Once you understand this, you can open your heart to life's opportunities and the freedom to investigate and enjoy relationships. Each person offers you a chance to love and be loved. As you love, you expand. You grow greater! It is true, the more you give, the more you receive and the greater you become. In time your friends will out number your possessions and your value will no longer be threatened by changes occurring in the physical world. Loving self and others opens your heart to immutable peace that can never be lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Start today by extending yourself to others in the spirit of givingness and service. When you reach out unconditionally, people reach back. Both are enriched. Is there someone in your neighborhood or work that needs a friend? Is there some way that you can ease someone’s burdens? Are you ready to be loved?
www.spiritualtransformation.com

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Be Outrageous (Determination,courage can bring success!

Ideas that were once considered outrageous have become everyday events. The rule is that once a precedent has been set, strange though it may be, you have established a new norm.
Helen Keller couldn’t see, hear, and talk, yet she was one of the most fulfilled, positive, inspiring people of the 20th century. Steven Spielberg started out as a skinny, shy, unknown, mediocre student in high school and went on to become creatively involved with five of the top ten grossing movies of all time. Oprah Winfrey grew up poor in an area where being African-American posed tremendous odds for achievement. Yet she broke all records by becoming a popular talk-show host, TV and film producer, Magazine Publisher, and a billionaire to boot.
The same principle is relevant for each of us. Look back 10 years and consider the changes you have made in your life. Things you once considered outrageous are now part of your everyday existence. Big screen TVs, computers, cell phones, global positioning systems watching our “enemies” as well as tracking stolen vehicles, instant meals, instant messaging to friends and relatives around the globe, and a couple of years ago the stock market hit highs (and probably will again) that many thought to be incomprehensible.
The claim of running the four minute mile was once thought to be impossible. Many had attempted and all fell short. Yet Britain’s Roger Bannister finally broke the record in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds at Oxford University, Oxford England in May 1954. He later went on to win the “metric mile,” the 1500 mile at the European Championships in Berne on August 29, 2954 with a record of 3 minutes 43.8 seconds. He set a new norm. Within a short time of his performance, a parade of others broke the 4-minute mile record. A new norm had been set.
It is true, you can’t think too big. What was once considered a disabling flaw or handicap can be navigated with innovation and imagination. Take this principle to heart. What is it that you want that at one time you considered to be pure fantasy?
In 1994 George Rickles lost both hands and most of his forearms in an accident that brought his beloved carpentry career to a dramatic end. Rickles’ determination to return to carpentry led him to be fitted with prosthetic hooks. Then Volunteers for Medical Engineering designed tools and a special toolbox just for him. With patience Rickles’ proficiency with his beloved power tools proved to be promising.
There is a process involved in manifesting dreams. It involves taking one step at a time and accomplishing each with an air of optimism and determination. The first step you take is the one facing you right now. That one will lead you to the next one and so on. What is your dream? Are you ready to take the first step? Words 475

Jean Walters is a St. Louis based Personal Growth Consultant and Life Coach specializing in empowerment. You can reach her at 314 991 8439 or jean@spiritualtransformation.com. Check out her website at www.spiritualtransformation.com

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Add Enthusiasm to Your Life

Enthusiasm is one of the most important components of success, in any endeavor. Frank Bettger, a former second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals made that point in his book. He tells about playing for a minor league team in Pennsylvania where the manager told him, “Frank, I don’t like firing you because you’re a good baseball player, but you haven’t got any enthusiasm to play baseball. So, I’ve got to let you go.” After that he played for a Delaware team in an even lower league. Bettger played the same unenthusiastic baseball. One day one of the players asked him, “Frank, don’t you like to play baseball?”
“Oh, yes, I love it”, he responded.
“Then, play it like you love it. You’ve got to be enthusiastic. Go out there and act enthusiastic.”
“But, I don’t feel enthusiastic,” answered Frank.
“Act as though you do, and you’ll get it.”
Bettger next stop was with a New Haven team. The first day the temperature on the field soared to 90 degrees in the shade. But, Frank ran the bases like a man electrified. He threw the ball with such force that it seared the hands of the other players. He was like a man let loose. He hit at every ball, good ones, bad ones, all of them, resulting in several good hits. The following day the New Haven newspaper asked, “Where did our team get this human dynamo? This man is super enthusiastic.” They named him “Pep” Bettger. Before long a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals visited and hired him. Thus, in one season, he moved up from a class D team to the national league where he completed a distinguished career.
Frank Bettger always had ability and when enthusiasm was added to the mix, he became one of the greatest second basemen of all time. He said, “What is the use of living, if you don’t give it all you’ve got”.
Are you giving it all you’ve got? Where in your life do you need to add enthusiasm? What would your life be like if you became a human dynamo?

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Authenticity

Authenticity can be a matter of simplicity. When one is truly himself, the trappings of success can seem frivolous and unimportant. Will Rogers experienced great success from his newspaper columns and stage, radio and movie appearances. His celebrity status garnered him all the money he would ever need. Yet he never lost his signature simplicity. He continued to wear the same type clothing as always, a kind of rumpled general-store style.
At the height of his popularity, the furnishings in his dressing room reflected who he was. They consisted of two old straight-backed wooden chairs. His wife, Betty, wanted to surprise Rogers by redecorating his dressing room. She purchased two soft, comfortable armchairs, a chaise lounge, drapes, lamps and an Oriental rug. Everything a celebrity of his caliber might desire. Rogers seemed sincerely appreciative of her thoughtfulness.
Days later she returned to the dressing room thinking he might be relaxing in one of his new comfortable chairs. Instead, she found him sitting on the floor cross-legged. He commented that he couldn’t find anyplace to sit that suited him.
Betty understood. Within a few days Rogers’ dressing room was restored to its original state. His simple, functional chairs came back, for they were what matched Will Rogers’ character. He was not ostentatious and neither were they.
Will Rogers authenticity was his power and his influence. He stated it best when he said, “I use only one set method in my little gags and that is to try and keep to the truth.” Indeed he was a master of simple truth.
If and when there are times when you feel pulled this way and that and you’re not sure what you should do or who you should be, remember Will Rogers, for that might bring you back to your authentic self. Once you are centered in your realness, you will have a better sense of what direction is right for you.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Your Dreams Tell a Lot About You

And they never lie....   by Jean WaltersMany people consider dreams frivolous and crazy.  That is because they don't know the "dream" language.  Fortunately for Joseph of the technicolor coat genre the Egypian Pharoah believed dreams were important.  Thus he employed David to interpret his dreams which proved to have far reaching implications for these interpretations allowed him to prepare for a seven year famine.  Because of his foresight, he was able to save his people from disaster.  We may not be facing such a threat.  Yet we have our own dilemmas and dreams can be instrumental in preparing us to make necessary changes to transform our lives.  On my website: www.spiritualtransformation there is a place to register your dreams and receive a proper interpretation.  Feel free to go there for the insight you desire.The interesting thing about dreams is "they never lie."  Thus your dreams are a commentary on your thinking and your life and they say it like it is.  They are forthright, honest, objective and non-judgmental.  Below are a couple of examples of client or student dreams and how they might provide some practical insight. This is a very common dream.  Almost everyone has had a dream like it.  It is stated in the first person, from the dreamer's perspective:  "I am in a large school and I am lost.  I've lost my class schedule and I don't know where I'm supposted to be but I know that I am late for class.  I feel panicky and confused."  Does this sound familiar?  This dream is a commentary on the dreamer's conscious experience in that he is feeling confused and a bit panicky about the situation in which he finds himself.  He wasn't sure what he was to learn from it or why he was there and at the same time felt pressured to produce.  He needed time to process his situation and determine his purpose for being there.  (In the situation described, the dreamer's dilemma dealt with a work situation but the same type dream could occur in a relationship or any setting for that matter.)  Once the dreamer faced his own confusion, he was able to deal with his situation more appropriately and figure out ways to handle the pressure he was feeling.  He ultimately restructed things so that he had a sense of direction and greater clarity.  Again, the dream helped him prepare for needed changes in his life.Here is another dream that delivers a different message.  The dreamer is female and describes her dream.  "I am walking alone on a train track and hear the train approaching.  I feel fear and start to run along the track.  The train is bearing down on me.  It appears it will run me over.  Then I decide to turn and face the train fearlessly and stop the train with my arm outstretched.  I do this and the train stops.  I feel proud of myself."In the dream the feelings of fear and intimidation are prominent.  Given that the train is running on a track, the dream reflects that this one is dealing with a large organization (a train) and the path seems predetermined (the track).  It appears to be bearing down on her.  She could let it run her down or confront it.  She chose to bravely halt the train by outstretching her arm.  The result for her was a feeling of courage and pride.  The dreamer confirmed that she has been involved in a large organization that was demanding more and more of her (the train).  She was feeling mowed down with all the demands.  Then she bravely confronted the person in charge (stopped the train) and the pressure was relieved.  She was proud of her courage in making this confrontation.  The dream was reflecting and confirming her feelings about her situation.  It helped her to see herself objectively and recognize her courage and determination.  Being able to step back from life and see things clearly is a huge gift.  It is the way that we can recognize ourselves and our responses with lucidity and make corrections that not only save us probles down the road but produce more expansive, profitable results. If you have a dream that you would like to comprehend and receive its message, go to www.spiritualtransformation.com and click on dream interpretation.  It will walk you through the process of learning about your life through your dreams. 

Dreams Tell a Lot About Your Life

And they never lie.... by Jean Walters
Many people consider dreams frivolous and crazy. That is because they don't know the "dream" language. Fortunately for Joseph of the technicolor coat genre the Egypian Pharoah believed dreams were important. Thus he employed David to interpret his dreams which proved to have far reaching implications. For these interpretations allowed this ruler to prepare for a seven year famine. Therefore he was able to save his people from disaster.
We may not be facing such a great threat. Yet we have our own dilemmas and dreams can be instrumental in preparing us to make the necessary changes to transform our lives. On my website: www.spiritualtransformation there is a place to register your dreams and receive a proper interpretation.
The interesting thing about dreams is "they never lie." Thus your dreams are a commentary on your thinking and your life and they say it like it is. They are forthright, honest, objective and non-judgmental. Below are a couple of examples of client or student dreams and how they might provide some practical insight.
This is a very common dream. Almost everything has had a dream like it. It is stated in the first person, from the dreamer's perspective: "I am in a large school and I am lost. I've lost my class schedule and I don't know where I'm supposted to e but I know that I am late to class. I feel panicky and confused."
Does this sound familiar? This dream is a commentary on the dreamer's conscious experience in that he is feeling confused and a bit panicky about the situation he was in. He wasn't sure what he was to learn from it and why he was there, and at the same time felt pressured to produce. He needed time to process his situation and determine his own purpose for being there. (In the situation described, the dreamer's dilemma dealt with a work situation but the same type dream could occur in a relationship or any setting for that matter. Once the dreamer faced his own confusion, he could deal with his situation more appropriately and figure out ways to handle the pressure he was feeling. He ultimately restructed things so that he had a sense of direction and greater clarity. Again, the dream helped him prepare for needed changes in his life.

Here is another dream that delivers a different message. The dreamer is female and describes her dream. "I am walking alone on a train track and hear the train approaching. I feel fear and start to run along the track. The train is beaingdown on me. It appears it will run me down. Then I decide to turn and face the train fearlessly and stop the train with my arm outstretched. I do this and the train stops. I feel proud of myself."
In the dream the feelings of fear and intimidation are prominent. Given that the train is running on a track, the dream reflects that this one is dealing with a large organization (a train) and the path seems predetermined (running on a track). It appears to be bearing down on her. She could let it run her down or she chose bravely to halt the train by outstretching her arm. The result is that she has a feeling of courage and pride.
The dreamer confirmed that she has been involved in a large organization that was demanding more and more of her. She was feeling mowed down. Then she confronted the person in charge and the pressure was relieved. She was proud of her courage in making this confrontation.
The dream was confirming her feelings about he situation. It helped her to see herself objectively and recognize her courage and determination.
Being able to step back from life and see things objectively is a huge gift. It is the way that we can see ourselves and our responses more clearly and make corrections that can save us untold misery, plus make our efforts expansive and profitable.
If you have a dream that you would like to understand and draw forth its message for you, go to www.spiritualtransformation.com website and click on dream interpretation. It will walk you through the process of learning about your through your dreams.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Combatants for Peace

Heroes come in all shape and sizes and every philosophy and culture. This was proven at a meeting that was held a while back in the auditorium of Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis.
One would never suspect that Shimon Katz and Sulaiman Al Hamri would be working together for a common cause. On the surface, they appear to be natural enemies. Katz is a former officer in an elite Israeli Counterterrorism Unit and Al Hamri is a Palestinian who spent more than four years in Israeli prisons for organizing demonstrations against Israel’s military. Yet they met together in St. Louis, along with more than 200 others, to demonstrate their commitment and determination to create peace in their home land.
These men are part of a US speaking tour sponsored by Combatants for Peace, a group dedicated to the peaceful establishment of an independent Palestinian nation and an end to violence in the Mideast.
“We’re not stupid and we know things are not going to change automatically or very quickly,” Katz said when asked about the prospects for a peaceful solution to the region’s problems. “But we set ourselves simple goals.”
Al Hamri was inspired after stints in jail convinced him that the region’s conflict could be solved ONLY by sitting down with the Israelis. Thus the organization, Combatants for Peace, was formed and it includes members from the Israel Defense Forces, former fighters from the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization.
There is no surprise that there are a variety of opinions among the members. Yet, the organization’s basic message is consistent. “The solution is, let’s talk. Let’s talk to one another as human beings. We are talking about the small hope of co-existence, to have two states on this piece of land and to live peacefully side by side.” To these remarks, Al Hamri received a huge round of applause.
Indeed, even setting the goal to create peace in a troubled section of the world requires vision and courage. The willingness to hold to strong ideals was a topic about which Robert F. Kennedy was passionate. He said that “each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he send forth a tiny ripple of hope…and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
We have seen great changes in the world – the Berlin Wall came down, the Cold War ended, Russia rejected communism and moved to establish a democratic state. In our changing world, miracles do happen and now we have an opportunity to stand with Katz and Al Hamri for peace. Perhaps their willingness to stand bold in their conviction marks a time to move from hate to love and from separation to unity. Perhaps it is time for each of us to reach out heroically to our entire global family to assist in the mending and healing of our world.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Yes You Can, Authenticity

Authenticity can be a matter of simplicity.  When one is truly himself, the trappings of success can seem frivolous and unimportant.  Will Rogers experienced great success from his newspaper columns and stage, radio and movie appearances.  His celebrity status garnered him all the money he would ever need yet, he never lost his signature simplicity.  He continued to wear the same type clothing as always, a kind of rumpled general-store style.  At the height of his popularity, the furnishings in his dressing room reflected who he was.  They consisted of two old straight-backed wooden chairs.  His wife, Betty, wanted to surprise Rogers by redecorating his dressing room.  She purchased two soft, comfortable armchairs, a chaise lounge, drapes, lamps and an Oriental rug.  Everything a celebrity of his caliber might desire.  Rogers seemed sincerely appreciative of her thoughtfulness. Days later she returned to the dressing room thinking he might be relaxing in one of his new comfortable chairs.  Instead, she found him sitting on the floor cross-legged.  He commented that he couldn’t find anyplace to sit that suited him.  Betty understood. Within a few days Rogers’ dressing room was restored to its original state.  His simple, functional chairs came back, for they were what matched Will Rogers’ character.  He was not ostentatious and neither were they.  Will Rogers authenticity was his power and his influence.  He stated it best when he said, “I use only one set method in my little gags and that is to try and keep to the truth.”  Indeed he was a master of simple truth.  If and when there are times when you feel pulled this way and that and you’re not sure what you should do or who you should be, remember Will Rogers, for that might bring you back to your authentic self.  Once you are centered in your realness, you will have a better sense of what direction is right for you. 
Jean Walters is a St. Louis based Personal Growth Consultant and Coach.  You can reach her at jean@spiritualtransformation.com

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Going With the Flow

Ed Struchar, founder of InGenius Inc., has researched performance enhancement techniques. One of the elements he has studied relates to “flow.” We have all experienced and been in “the flow.” It happens when things seem to naturally come together. When you expend the least effort and get the greatest results. An example would be a sail boat riding with the wind. It moves with minimum effort. By being with the wind, it cruises effortlessly. Yet, when the same boat is against the wind, it has to accomplish a lot more with extreme effort to travel a short distance. Of course, when there is no wind, the sail boat is dead in the water.
The same is true of all of us. When you don’t have flow, things seem to disintegrate. Even if you were to expend tremendous effort, trying to force things together, they still fall apart. And then there are the times when you have felt dead in the water and could accomplish nothing.
Stuchar affirms that there is a way to move back into the flow. He suggests changing course. Try an experiment: hold a soda straw in the wind. There is flow – air flows through the straw. If the straw gets clogged (debris or compression), the flow is halted. We are like the straw. Life and energy are flowing through us, and we can also become clogged.
Yet, if you want to restore the flow there are ways to accomplish this. First examine how you might be damming your flow. You can do this by having too many ideas, projects or pursuits. You can also get clogged with too much clutter– either emotional (unfinished business) or the physical kind – too much stuff. You must clean out the clutter.
What haven’t you used or worn in the last year? With paperwork – file it or toss it. Barring tax or legal records, what paperwork haven’t you needed or used in the last 5 years? (Almost all information is available on the internet should you need it.) About magazines or books – if you haven’t read them in the last five years and don’t need them for research, pitch them. You will feel like a million bucks when you have cleared out all the stuff.
To release unresolved conflict, do what AA suggests. Forgive anyone who has offended you (real or imagined) or make amends if you have offended them. Included in this is paying back debts. Past guilt and grievances clog up your mental-emotional works.
Additionally unexpressed ideas suppress emotional joy. How do you need to express creatively? Don’t worry about publication or selling your stuff -- express for the joy of expressing.
Broken agreements block your flow. Why…because your brain does not believe you when you have not kept agreements. It creates doubt. Conversely, you become powerful when you make and keep commitments. Your will is strengthened and you are inspired.
If there are mental incompletions such as unfinished projects, get busy. Or if you have not held your vision to fruition, you have gotten in your way by not allowed the “how” to come in to you. If you feel stuck, find someone with a similar problem to yours and help them. Your problem will be resolved as well. There are solutions to all problems.
Einstein said, “Never solve a problem at the level of the problem.” You must bring your mind to a higher perspective to solve it. When you help others, you do this.
As you use your talents and gifts to help others, they get stronger. Not allowing others to help you blocks your flow. We are all here as a universal support system. I help you; you help me. We are all agents of One Great Mind working in concert.
Hey this can be fun!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

The Benefit of Hugs

Yes You Can by Jean Walters
The Benefit of Hugs

Perhaps you were not raised in an affectionate family and hugging may seem foreign. If so, it is time to reconsider the value of a hug. There is a story that makes this point perfectly.
It is about a set of premature twins who were parted after birth and placed in separate incubators. One twin was not doing well and wasn’t expected to live. Fortunately, a nurse in the pre-me nursery decided to break the hospital rules and reunited the two babies by placing them together in one incubator. Once they were together the healthier baby threw her arm around her sister. It seemed to be a heartwarming embrace. The result was the smaller, weaker twin’s heart rate got stronger and stabilized and her temperature rose to normal. These dramatic changes illustrated the power of a hug.
We’ve often heard, and possibly suspected, that babies need to be cuddled in order to survive. What we may not have considered is that all people require warmth, nurturing and compassion. All these qualities transfer through a hug.
To prove these results for yourself I suggest an experiment. Start your research by giving hugs. Let’s say you set an arbitrary limit of five hugs a day. Everyday give away at least five genuine, heartfelt hugs. If things go well, and you find yourself enjoying your research, you might want to raise the limit. Notice, for example, if your health and/or mood improves. Notice also if the recipient’s expression changes when they are hugged. If results warrant, you might incorporate hugging as a daily ritual or new behavior in your life. Hugging could be viewed as a proactive method to improve health and well-being.!! By Jove, this experiment could change your life.
Here is what Anonymous has to say about hugging. “Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy and give the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth.
A hug makes you feel good. As the skin is our largest organ, it requires a great deal of care. A hug covers lots of skin and gives the message that you care. The nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can’t give one without getting one.”
Jean Walters is a St. Louis based Personal Growth Consultant and Coach specializing in individual empowerment. You can reach her at 314 991 8439 or jean@spiritualtransformation.com

Monday, June 16, 2008

Yes You Can

Scientists in the sixties were monitoring monkeys on a remote Japanese island. The monkeys were cleaning sand off sweet potatoes by washing them in a stream. When the number of monkeys doing this particular activity reached critical mass, primates on another island began doing the same thing. the second group had never seen the first group of monkeys but they began washing their sweet potatoes in identical ways.

Ken Keys, Jr, author of Handbook for Higher Consciousness, took this study as a metaphor for an individual's personal responsibility to "think peace." "You never know if you might be th4 hundredth monkey exploding the common consciousness into mass understanding."

Along the same lines, Quantum Physicist, in their investigation of the Universe, have determined that there is energy in all things, including thought. On a personal level we know this because we can feel it. People who think negative thoughts and continually worry, feel heavy. While those who look on the bright side
and speak in positive terms and expectaions, emanate positive (lighter) energy.

You can experiment with this concept yourself. Notice how you feel when you complain, gossip, or ruminate on how bad things are in the world. Contrarily, observe your feelings when you give positive acknowledgement and genuine appreciation to someone. You willnotice huge differences in the way you feel and your emotional state.

Then expand this exercise and ocmmit to staying positive for a whole day. If the Universe operates from a cause-effect basis as scientist confirm, you have just altered the energy in your thinking and therefore in your life. You should be able to observe different outcomes as well, For instance, you might enjoy your work more or find the people in your life more amenable. It works like this: negative thinking, opinio, sna judgments = heavy, negative results. Postitive thinking and genuine appreciation = lighter, morejoyful results. Try it! Notice what happens!

Eckhart Tolle, author of The New Earth, states that all possibilities are present at every moment but we are only able to perceive the possibilities that match our energy (heavy or light, negative or positive.)

The other part of this is that we have a choice. With dedication and personal discipline, we can change the way we perceive circumstances. We can actually choose to see goodness.

Getting backto the monkeys on the island...essentially we are the monkeys. One person thinks about peace, becomes peaceful, refuses to engage in violence or watch it (TV, movies, games or the news), gives up gossip,yields the roadway to the hurried drivers, accepts people as theya re, and he starts a chain reaction. Thismoves to the next person, who chooses peace and then the next person. Pretty soon we reach critical mass and all the monkeys (people) on all the other islands (countries) desire and choose peace as well.

I know what you're thinking, it can't be that easy. Well,what if it is? Let's try it an dfind out. Are you ready?

Yes You Can

Yes You Can by Jean Walters

Scientists in the sicties were monitoring monkeys on a remote Japanese island. The monnkeys were cleaning sand off sweet potatoes by washin them in a stream. When thenumber ofmonkeys doing this particular activity reached critical mass, primates on another island began doing the same thing. The seocnd group had never seen the first group of monkeys but they began washing their sweet potatoes in identical ways.