A very important concept to understand in terms of healing and self imrovement is “emotional resonance.” This is the theory that the energy of our emotions has a frequency that behaves much like sound waves. In order to cancel out a negative you need to use the opposite frequency. If you want to cancel out sorrow, that means you have to evoke a joyous response until balance is achieved. If you want to cancel rage, you focus on calmness. If you want to cancel hate, you focus on love.

Quite simply this means that there is no need to just ride out a negative response until it is over. With practice you can learn to cancel out the negative with a few minutes of focus. Even better, when you spend time every day meditating, you can build up such a large amount of positive emotion that it sustains you through all the trials and stresses of the next day unphased.

There are a few very easy ways to build up a strong positive emotion. The first is simple affirmations. Tell yourself over and over again that you are happy, or that you are calm and it becomes true. Yet again, it takes practice to build up the mental muscles to make this happen quickly, but with time and practice it really is as easy as telling yourself that you feel what you want to feel.

Another simple way is a gratitude meditation. This is as simple as mentally going through and counting your blessings. Think of all the things that you love and bring them to mind. As you think about them, you build up a powerful feeling of gratitude that relaxes and calms you. With practice you can also do an unconditional love meditation and learn to love even unpleasant things, so that they no longer evoke such a strong negative response to begin with.

The vibrational healing cycle and heart song meditation will both evoke stong feelings of love and peace with practice, and are the methods that I personally use the most. As you evoke stronger and stronger positive emotions in yourself it will automatically start to cancel out and heal buried pain and frustrations. Frequently these will come to the surface so you can identify and dismiss them. Every time this happens it leaves you stronger and more positive on the whole.

The greatest benefit of all of this is when you recognize that your feelings affect others. Love and laughter are contagious. But, so is sorrow. Most of us have seen someone who is upset “suck all the energy out of the room” with their bad mood. Recognize that this too is an aspect of emotional resonance, and if you have enough positive energy in yourself, you can lift others up with you. When I say change yourself and you can change the world I mean it literally. Think of each person as a psychic broadcasting tower broadcasting their emotions into the world. With practice, not only can you make sure that you only broadcast positive, but you can do so with a much stronger signal.

Meditation is important. Learning to control your thoughts and emotions is important. Every one of us who learns to master our minds makes the world a better place. It’s not just that you can change the world, but that you can’t help but to change the world. Your thoughts and feelings matter, and they do make a difference. It’s up to you how much and what type of a difference you make.

A friend of mine bought his girlfriend a birthday present over two months ago. The present was to be a completed paint by numbers picture. Unfortunately, she has yet to receive the completed painting. Last I checked, the painting was about 25% done and the man swears his girlfriend will get the completed gift by Christmas. We’ll three months late is better than never. In all seriousness, aren’t there times in our lives when even the most straight forward projects get placed by the wayside in favor of the day-to-day tasks vying for our attention?

Along the lines of waiting for “things” – I myself have recently experienced a few delayed starts. For example, I recently bought a new computer bag which had to be immediately returned due to a malfunctioning handle. Cutting to the end of the story, I ended up saving an addition sum of money on an already discounted bag because the bag was reduced an additional 10% between the first and second purchase dates. Similarly, I finally decided to buy an external hard drive to back-up computer files, etc. but when a friend braved the “black Friday” crowds to purchase one for me, he was told they were out. Upon his return home (around 5:30am black Friday) he went on line and found one for less money and with a better warranty.

As we near the end of 2009 it’s true, some of us have not obtained all that we would have liked this year. For some (like my friend’s girlfriend) it’s a gift. For others it’s a need such as a new job to replace the one lost due to the economic downturn. Yet for others, it’s something in between a gift and a need; such as a new computer bag. So what’s to be made of all this? What can we deduce when we did all we could to paint inside the lines but despite our efforts, did not get the result we wanted? Conversely, what if we took a chance to paint outside the lines, taking a risk and trying something new, but still failed to obtain the goal?

Well, as best as I can see, good things do truly come to those that wait. Economies have life cycles to them, change has its seasons, and the race is not always won by the swift. So what’s this mean for us all? I’m going to go out on a limb and say that our good things are coming, we’ll pay less for them, and they will be what we should have when we should have them. To that end, I’m happy to announce that I’m going to extend my discounted life coaching offer through the end of 2009. While I can not predict when the economy will be in full swing again or when your new computer bag will arrive, I can safely say that by taking the time now to ensure you maximize your skills and talents, you’ll be well positioned to fill it with life’s blessings.

To learn more about this topic contact Dr Marilyn at www.DrMarilyn-EAW.com

I’ve been itching to write again for the past couple of days but not really known what to talk about. I guess that while work life is extremely good right now, I’ve been failing in more personal areas. I have realised, yet again, that it’s always the ones we love who seem to bear the full brunt of our crappiness. That brings me back to understanding that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference.

This week I finished reading Jane Wharam’s book, “Emotional Intelligence: Journey to the Centre of Your Self“. It’s certainly not the first book I’ve read on the subject, but it brought me back to the personal application of the psychological knowledge that our society has come to accept. For most of us, it seems to me, the psychologists are wasting their time: we just can’t be bothered to learn from them and practice what they recommend. Jane’s book sets out to engage us on a personal and real-life level, daring us to learn and practice what we learn. That, of course, is fine until you find yourself confronted by your partner saying something which you completely misunderstand and can feel the inferno of rage burning up your throat. Can you really remain in control of yourself and tackle the conversation with a balance of rationality and calmer emotion? I believe that you can - if you commit yourself to learning how.

I used to suppress my emotion. Spock-like, my wife tells me, and probably quite scary. I could quite happily “flick the switch” and go from angry or upset to calm. It was something I was quite proud of for many years too. It wasn’t that great a feat, actually, because pushing your feelings aside and learning to focus your rational mind on the moment is easier than it sounds, but I felt in control. The real problem, however, is that the feeling – in my case the anger, for the most part – doesn’t get dealt with. What used to happen is that the anger would get stored and, like the ghost containment system in the movie “Ghostbusters”, it needed a laser energy field to hold it in. Sooner or later, usually when I least expected it and least desired it, some inner part of me would flick another switch, bringing the defenses down and letting the rage flow free. In those moments I would lose control and feel as though some demon had possessed my very being. It wouldn’t last long, but it would hurt other people profoundly… and leave me with a sense of shame. Spock was a myth, after all.

I am learning to allow my feelings to flow. I tend to agree with Jung that until you have felt the full force of an emotion, you cannot master it. Yet, the emotion must be channelled and understood. When it is not appropriate, you need to reflect on what is triggering the reaction and start to work through digging out the cause. You also need to have the courage and honesty to admit that, sometimes, anger and other so-called “negative” emotions are actually the appropriate response. The trick is to refrain from turning into a crazed 3-year-old child when you feel the anger. There are other ways to express the emotion. As for me, I am still learning… in fact, I hope that I never stop learning, because to believe otherwise would be an illusion. The bottom line, however, is to explore your motivation for change. I want to stop hurting the people I love. What about you?

I love sex and who does not? Good thing I am very choosy and picky when it comes to choosing a ’significant other’ as the reason why I am still single as of the moment.

So for almost 5 years now I am in abstinence. I dread the day when I would give this sacrifice up to someone not even worth kissing.

Not worth believing for someone lustful like me but I think it’s more about self-control and conviction and values.

I expect the next one would be a blast with someone worth it.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Suggested Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 12:1-11

Many times in life, we can be so caught up with the gift that we forget the Giver. We live in a land of abundance. Most of us do not want for anything. Throughout this land, God’s blessing upon us is evident everyday and is seen in all things. God has allowed our land to be fruitful with provisions above and beyond our expectations. Our land provides us with beauty and wonders which enable us to take pleasure in enjoying our creation through exploring, traveling and vacationing. This gives us the ability to be refreshed mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

In His Word, God guarantees us that as we live in His land, it can be a land flowing with gifts of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, kindness, and self control. What a prosperous land that awaits all who are in Christ. It is promised to those who have accepted the gift of Jesus Christ.

I would encourage all of us as we start each new day to begin by acknowledging and walking in thanksgiving to the “Gift Giver.” May we never let the gift shadow the Giver. Be encouraged to know that every good gift is heaven sent.

Encouragement: Look Around And See The Many Gifts God Has Given

I encourage you to look around and see the many gifts God has placed in your life. I would like to take this opportunity to thank God for each one of you. Each person God places in our paths is a gift to us. May we never take any gift for granted.

Yesterday is history,
Tomorrow is a mystery,
Today is a gift,
that is why it is called the present. (Author Unknown)

Revelation 3:10-12 (Message)

“Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test. I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown. I’ll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God’s City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name.”

The time of the return of Jesus Christ may be sooner than we think as prophecy daily is fulfilled with astonishing clarity. Cunning coincidence or clear revelation it is a time filled with great testing and trials for God’s Children to hope tight to their faith in the midst of great uncertainty. The world daily offers situations and circumstances designed to make an evil exchange of Jesus-based faith for enemy-derived fear. There is a spiritual struggle not to hang on to the faith woven in salvation and grown through painstaking perseverance. No one knows the day or hour of our Lord’s return. Yet there are things that God has given us in careful preparation for that day and then there are those unsuitable notions that the enemy has attempted to smuggle into our Spirit! Those who are able to “keep a tight grip” on what God has given us and avoid the distractions of the thief who wants to steal everything that is good are those who will be richly rewarded for their passionate patience.

Newborns arrive with the distinct ability to tightly grasp anything placed in their tiny palm. As they begin to grow, this grip reflex intensifies as their little human minds develop selfish wills refuse to release that which they covet. Unknowingly a baby will firmly grab things that are dangerous as their ability to discern such has not developed yet through knowledge and experience. Once they decide they want something, a child will simply refuse to let go. This often results in a struggle between worried parent and willful child to wrestle away the unwise choice. When born again, a person gains access to a peaceful and purposeful life. With a secure future and constant provision, there really is nothing to worry or be anxious for yet in our immaturity we choose to hold tightly to fear rather than release it to obtain the faith and the benefits found in a life based on it! The intense innate need to hold tightly to something has creating a generation motivated by fear and God is calling His Generation, His “Temple Pillars” to release their hold on fear and doubt and get a “tight grip” on faith-generated living that calls us to persevere, praise and pray under pressure. Those who can see beyond the order of the day to the Ordination of the New Jerusalem understanding the current state of affairs is no reflection on the future plan and promise of the Savior.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

God has not given His Children the “gift” of fear so it is not something that we should readily hold on to. God has given us power, love and self-discipline. It is these things we should grab hold of with great passion and patience. Self-control allows us to choose that which we hold on to in life whether it is overwhelming faith or undermining fear is totally up to you. The Lord has called us to keep a tight grip on the reality of the spiritual realm and its impact not only on today but the future. Release those things that call you to doubt God and all that He has promised you! Jesus is offering power to the powerlessness, love to the unlovable and self-discipline to the undisciplined. What an offer? Three key characteristics for productive powerful living in exchange for completely worthless notions define the constant giving of our Savior. The Lord has plenty of good things for His Children to hang on to today! Release doubt and begin to take hold of all your Father has for you!

Read my editorial for Monday for Forthright.net: Nudges Toward Self-Control. http://is.gd/51PCN

I suspect that there may be some comments about how to understand the appearance of all those items on self-control.

Gain a new body shape. Why weight any longer?

By 2050 nine out of ten people are expected to be overweight or obese. (YouGov study on behalf of the British Society of Gastroenterology 23.11.09).

Diets such as Atkins have proliferated – as have weight reduction services such as Weight Watchers and Lighter Life – and yet the numbers of people concerned with weight issues has risen exponentially.

Perhaps the problem has less to do with the physical action of eating food and more to do with the psychology of wanting to eat, that lies beneath food issues.

Does being overweight contribute to low self-esteem – or is the opposite the case?

Professor Chris Hawkey, President of the British Society of Gastroenterology made a key speech on Monday 23^rd November that the “problem facing our society is not the content of our diet but the quantity we are consuming and the consequential impact on obesity. We need to do away with quirky diets and get people to realise what will keep them healthy in the long run.”

He believes that the obsession with extreme diets has led to mass undermining of well balanced nutrition. This will lead to dramatically shortened life expectancy caused by obesity and an upsurge in obesity-caused liver disease.

Extreme diets and slimming aids can lead to short term weight loss but rarely work in the long term. Each year globally £30 billion is spent on the diet and slimming industry.

The Study by YouGov found that 62% of those questioned think that obesity will continue to grow for the next ten years. It found that 49% of Britons classify themselves as overweight.

But what if the problem is about self-perception rather than actual weight?

We at Powerchange are developing a psychologically-based programme for people who want to lose weight (or to put it more accurately) regain control over their weight but don’t know how to motivate themselves. It will not be a diet or nutrition-based plan.

Possible psychological causes for both obesity and other weight-related conditions such Bulimia and Anorexia can include: 

• Low self-esteem
• Victim syndrome
• Family learned behaviour
• Unhappiness
• Feeling trapped in other areas of life
• Low motivation and lack of life goals

I am about to empirically test whether people can recapture control over their bodies by first re-wiring certain limiting beliefs. The initial one-day pilot programme will ask the participants to work through a series of psychological tools to enable them to restore self-esteem and control over their thinking before exploring new methods of motivating willpower. The aim will not be to simply lose weight but to gain a new body shape through taking back responsibility for the body and what goes into it.

If you are interested in this new pilot study please respond by emailing roy@powerchange.com or by phoning 01903  744399.  What have you got to lose?

I don’t know about you, but when I think of self-control, I generally think of one or two areas in which I really struggle. I focus all my attention on those areas, but find, in the end, I am not more under control.

So, what gives? Yesterday my husband and I were discussing this, and he shared a very wise insight. Basically, he said, you can’t just be self-controlled in one area of your life. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and thus it becomes part of who are. So, we need to practice self-control in every area of life.

What a genius! I mean, if I would practice self-control in various areas of my life, then that becomes more and more a part of who I am and how I react (or rather choose to react) to some of the bigger areas of temptation for me.

So, what are some of the things I need to control. (This is not an exhaustive list; I just wanted to get your brain juices flowing.):

1. My time with God: I need to always make this a priority. I should never be too tired or busy or self-sufficient to even attempt to live without staying in contact with the true source of my ability to do anything at all.
2. My tongue: I need to think before I speak. Is this edifying? Is it good and appropriate? Am I complaining, arguing, or gossipping?
3. My diet: I need to pay attention to what I eat. I don’t necessarily mean counting every calorie or never having another sweet, but am I really hungry or am I just bored/sad/angry?
4. My physical activity: I need to avoid laziness. My husband loves going on adventures and some of those mean I have to keep up with a man who bikes to and from school/work everyday! Plus, he thinks I’m attractive the way I am, so I want to stay that way So, am I taking a break from exercising today because my body needs a rest day or because I just don’t “feel” like it?
5. My food for thought: I need to examine what I feed into my mind. Is it God-honoring? Is it cultivating pure, righteous, and holy thoughts? Is it counter-acting the work God is trying to do in my life?
6. My chores: I need to take responsibility for the house. Am I really too busy to clean up today? Am I really too tired to cook?

So, six little areas where I have a choice. I can either let my flesh tell me that I deserve better, that I can skip that today, that feeling good is better than doing what I know is right, that more sleep will produce a better day than quiet time with God. Or I can tell my flesh, “Shut up! God gave me a job to do, and I am doing it.”

Personally, I look forward to growing in this area. Sometimes I get so sick and tired of just responding on a whim. I want to learn to say “No” to me and “Yes” to God. How about you?

I still find it funny that I am am two people struggling out life descisions. Not the big descisions but the small ones. Like… Should I get up early and be responsible or lay here and be lazy? Should I make a lunch or sit in front of the tv and use the last five bucks I have for icecream?

Maybe it’s the same here in Arkansas, but in Maine every seventh grader has to take Maine State History. Under the guidance of Mrs. Pasteur, I learned all kinds of useful and not so useful facts about the State of Maine. Like, Maine has more moose than any other state. Maine has over 2,000 islands. And, one of my favorites, Maine produces 99% of all blueberries in the country.

Another interesting fact about the great state of Maine is the discovery of the Maine Penny. It’s also called the Goddard coin, but we Mainers like the title Maine Penny best. It’s a Norwegian silver penny dating back to the 11th century. And it is the only Viking artifact generally believed as genuinely found in the US. It pretty much proves that the Vikings discovered Maine over 1000 years ago.

In the world of archeology, the Maine Penny is know as an OOP Art. Which means it’s an out-of-place-artifact. Because it is the only one of its kind found someplace no one would expect.

And that’s kind of like the last fruit of the Spirit we encounter in Paul’s list from Galatians. Self-control seems like an out-of-place fruit. I say that because it doesn’t share the two main characteristics we’ve encountered in the other eight fruit. The first eight fruit all pointed outward. They’re about laying down the self in order to pick up a more Christ-like life. But now, we seem to be focused on the self. And maybe more important, the first eight fruit were all characteristics we see and know in God. They flow from God into us through the Holy Spirit. Scripture never talks about self-control as part of God’s character. So, you’ve got to ask: What is up with this seemingly out-of-place fruit?

The ancient Greeks believed that self-control was the foundational virtue. The great philosopher Plato believed that our animal urges had to be governed or else they would produce “a feverish state in the soul [like] a city of pigs.” Basically, without self-control our life is a pigsty. And that’s probably a lot like our understanding of self-control today. It’s the idea that we have the power to change ourselves. That somehow if we just work hard enough or long enough, then we can be better. It’s the great self-help theory of the ages.

While this concept was well-known to Paul, it isn’t what he has in mind when he lists self-control as the last fruit of the Spirit. There is no self-help theory in the Bible. The whole point is that we can’t do it on our own. Paul talks about our dilemma in Romans: Read Romans 7:18

Paul is telling us that our common understanding of self-control is impossible.  Sin is way too powerful. It corrupts everything and everyone. There is nothing we can do to help ourselves against the power of sin. Self-control is not self-help.

Paul’s understanding of self-control is best seen in today’s passage. Paul is talking about his own ministry and how the life of faith is like being a good athlete. He argues that athletes exercise self-control because they’re focused and have a purpose. They can’t afford to get distracted by every passion or desire that comes along. In the same way, Christians need to stay focused on a relationship with Jesus Christ and our God-given purpose to love others, which takes self-discipline. All of this is a gift of the Spirit. It’s what Paul neatly wraps up as “self-control.” But, I think it’s better to think of it as Christ-control.

Let’s look a little closer at how Paul develops this idea of Christ-control. Paul asks: Read 1 Corinthians 9:24

In order to be victorious in the life of faith, we need Christ-control. Good Christians aren’t softies, according to Paul they are highly disciplined athletes. And to avoid the accusation that he’s nothing more than an armchair athlete, Paul assures the Corinthians that he practices what he preaches: Read 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

Paul’s committed to a life of focused, purpose-driven, deliberate self-discipline. In short, he’s committed to a life ruled by Christ-control. Let’s look at these three principles that make up Christ-Control.

We are focused. We are focused on a relationship with Jesus Christ. That means we don’t let all the stuff in our lives get in the way of knowing and growing in Christ. Do you remember the Rich Young Ruler who couldn’t give up his wealth to follow Christ? He was more focused on his stuff than a relationship with Jesus. We can be like that too. We all need to filter out those things that keep us from making God the priority in our lives. The life of faith takes focus.

We are purpose-driven. This series began by exploring the fruit of love as the foundation for all the other fruit of the Spirit. We learned how Jesus gave us the Prime Directive to love others. That is our purpose. Sure, it takes hard work. But if we are purpose-driven then each day we will choose to love others and keep loving no matter how hard things get. Purpose-driven Christians make the commitment to love even when you don’t feel like it. We love the same way God loves us. That’s our purpose and when we are living our purpose day by day then we get better at it bit by bit.

We are self-disciplined. We are determined to live by the Spirit instead of slaves to sin. Throughout this series we’ve explored what it means to live by the Spirit. To love others. To live joyously no matter what happens in life. To be a peace with ourselves because we’re created by God. To cultivate patience by taking a little time to rest. To pay it forward with kindness. To be good by living into our purpose. To be faithful promise keepers. To find power in humility. All of these fruits take self-discipline. Let’s face it: It’s a whole lot easier to give into sinful urges. But these pleasures are short-lived. Disciplined Christians know we’re in it for the long run. And to live the life God intended takes self-discipline. To seek after those things of the Spirit rather than sin.

Paul’s last fruit of the Spirit seems out of place because it’s name is misleading. But, if we dare to rename it “Christ-control” then we can see how it fits into this esteemed list of characters of the Christian life. Christ-control isn’t something we do, but rather something God does in us through the Holy Spirit. It comes from letting Jesus Christ have control over our whole lives so that we’re focused, purpose-driven, and self-disciplined.

The question you have to ask yourself is: Who has control of your life right now?  As we close this message and this entire sermon series, I invite you come to know or recommit to Jesus Christ, and let him have control of your life – your public world and your private world.  Choose this day to abide in him.  Stay connected to him.

And the result, over time, will be the fruit of Christ-like character:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Let me pray for us…

I am strong.  I have amazing self control.  I am exactly who I want to be.

~A.B.

as i sat on my bed this afternoon, having eaten last I don’t know how long before, i realized something my stomach wasn’t in knots, my mind wasn’t occupied on what i’d eaten last or what i would eat in the future, i wasn’t hungry, i didn’t feel that full bloated feeling. for that moment there in front of my computer, i just ‘was’.

my body was at peace.

right now, i feel that way too. dinner has passed a few hours ago, although it hardly seems that long ago, i just ate one slice of spice bun and i just feel at peace. my body isn’t fighting me anymore, it’s not restless anymore. i am SO glad i pressed through that rough patch to get to this point of peace.

worth it.

21st November, 2009
Breakfast
1 hamburger roll    3
1 egg    2

Snack
2 slices spice bun    6

Lunch
1/2 cup ‘cook up’  rice    3
1 cinnamon bun    3

Snack

Dinner
1 jamaican chicken patty    6

Snack
1 slice spice bun    3
Remaining Points    5
Total    26

When you hear the word “Vampire”, what flashes across your mind?

Probably an eternal being that wakes up at midnight, leaves the grave; one who has long pointed canine teeth which it likes to sink in to the neck to drink blood for it’s living…

“Yeah, I know very well how they might look and what they do for a living!” you might say.

But how many of you are aware of the other “Real” vampires that live among you draining your energy—mental, physical and emotional?

Unfortunately, most of us don’t know how dangerous these “real” vampires are, and how much of blood of your energy they could suck in no time leaving you paralyzed!!

Most of the people could relate themselves with at least one of the following situations:

– Jennifer started off the day well and all of a sudden finds herself being criticized by her boss, then colleagues makes fun of her followed by a stranger on the restaurant who vented his anger on her for no obvious reason she could figure out, leaving her an angry, depressed, agitated and utterly, emotionally disturbed person. The bitter truth is, there are energy-suckers or people who are waiting to “sink their teeth in to your neck ruthlessly”.

– Charles is driving on his way back home or office when he keenly notices a celebrity (Or any person with some prominent attributes to his/her credit such as beauty, affluence, tall, etc) on the road followed crazily by zealous fans. He says to himself one of these things,

“I wish I were wealthy/beautiful/lucky/beautiful/well-built/handsome/tall like him/her.”

His day passes with mixed feelings of longing, feeling of inadequacy, feeling bad about himself, worrying, loss of  self-confidence, depreciated self-image, lack of enthusiasm to name a few literally!

– Lawrence goes out finding fault with everyone he encounters, perfectly capturing their flaws. Whoever he happens to come across he says “You shouldn’t do that or you shouldn’t have done that…” or “You have to be like this or that…” passing judgment and being critical about others.

In the process he compares and contrasts himself with others, piling up a lot of resentment and other unsupportive emotions in him that annihilates his OWN attitude, charm and energy as well the others he come in to contact with.

– Angelina was sitting at her office desk working with great élan when she was suddenly struck by the old memories of her altercation with her neighbor 4 months back. She fights once again, but this time in her mind! Her enthusiasm vanished in to thin air like a deflated balloon. It has become another one of her “Bad days”.

These are only some of the instances of “Vampires” from a great lot that steal your “Poise” or “Peaceful mind”, suck your mental energies, physical energies, and your emotional energies from the time you open your eyelids to the time your head hits the pillow, and even thereafter!

Now, if you had the chance to study closely all the successful men and women since the dawn of time, you would soon realize that one quality cut through all of them and it is “Keeping their mind protected from the outside clutters” that steal their energies.

An aspiring person of success should closely guard him/her from all these clutters and flushes them out on his/her first sight of them for they have great power to drain his/her energies rendering him/her powerless!!

As a matter of fact, the more energy you could save or avoid being expended in the wrong channels, the more you would be “Available” for any situation, that too with great enthusiasm and power under your belt!

It’s a common knowledge that the mind should be free of all the discouraging thoughts and evil-behaviors, but it is not a common act executing and applying this knowledge, unfortunately.

When you are mentally energetic, chances are, you would be physically as well, mostly. In fact it is these mental leakages or vampires that cause the fatigue both in the mind and in the body.

If “Save your mental energy and don’t allow any vampires to disturb your inner poise” is your primary motto, you are already well on your way to be one of those rare individuals who has control over his/her day!

And one who wouldn’t be shaken by these energy-sapping vampires in the form of people or damaging thoughts that arises with them.

If people around you aren’t going anywhere, if their dreams are no bigger than hanging out on the corner, or if they’re dragging you down, get rid of them. Negative people can sap your energy so fast, and they can take your dreams from you, too.

–Earvin Johnson

PART-2

Wish you all the riches to come with God’s blessings

Peter Anand

so today seemed loooooooooooooong…i think i actually looked down at something and instead of seeing the food, all i saw was numbers flashing up and down (like in those sci-fi/digital/computer geek computer screens- we’ve all seen them)

i’m beginning to see things in points and numbers, i don’t know if that’s a good thing.

although i stayed within my points, i don’t feel all that great about what i ate. i basically engorged myself on these ’sweet rolls’ that the Caribbean is famous for. I had like 6 today . hopefully i can get back on track with diversifying my diet tomorrow.

here’s how i did today:

O.K., O.K. – enough already! All right, it’s really time to achieve that life goal already… Sound familiar? Have you hit that place, have you entered that season of life, or have you simply gotten fed up with being fed up? Goals, daily to-do-lists, action items, the list goes on and on. Sometimes, rather than rush in, we have to stop and take a moment to breath, a moment to prioritize our to-do-lists. Often this process is called “slowing down to be quicker”.

Years ago when I was a police cadet our range master explained the concept of slowing down to be quicker. Now while I don’t anticipate having to focus on shooting a felon in the commission of a crime any longer (given I’m no longer a police officer), the range master’s words have stuck with me over the years. In short, the concept reminds us to slow down (i.e., don’t get caught-up in emotions or adrenalin) when there is work to be done. As we know, often when we rush through a task for whatever reasons, we run the risk of creating a less than optimal outcome. That “less than” outcome then leads to a need to redo the work which causes the task to take longer than it would have had we slowed down and done it right to begin with. As you can imagine, law enforcement work does not lend itself to “do overs” when lives are at stake.

While the majority of our work does not result in life ending outcomes, there are times when the work choices we make alter our lives or the lives of others for better or worse. If you are finding yourself in a conundrum regarding your current workplace choices, now may be the time to slow down to be quicker. Every day we impact the lives of those around us; in positive or negative ways, but never with total neutrality. It’s often been said that those around us either bring us up or bring us down. As you make your workplace choices each day you’ll want to ensure that you have solid counsel around you. People who have your best interest at heart and who do not possess ulterior motives regarding your success. For a free 30-minute introductory consultation on slowing down to be quicker contact Dr. Marilyn at info@DrMarilyn-EAW.com or 01-408-340-0561.

To learn more about this topic contact Dr Marilyn at www.DrMarilyn-EAW.com

well…whereas a few days ago my body was definitely warring against me to restore my previous habit and pattern of eating to the point where i felt i wasn’t going to make it, today was very manageable.

i didn’t feel those pangs that i did so frequently 2 days ago. this is a good thing. i’m diversifying my foods and i’ve been able to eat fairly early before bed for the last two nights.

and also, i’ve added 20 mins pilates/aerobics per night to my wellness plan. it may just be psychological at this point but i feel taller, more upright in posture, more ‘taut’ so to speak. i guess what i’m trying to say is that overall, i’m feeling more controlled.

this is something i’ve been working on in my health and in my life. I want discipline and self-control to be a mark of my Christian faith. I want to be a disciplined and self-controlled person in everything i do! i don’t want to be in bondage to anything other than God- not food, not pleasure, not sugar induced highs and comas- just God.

i used all my points today i last ate about 2 hours ago and i’m nowhere near hungry. i hope to be in bed in about 30 – 45 mins! it’s been a good day! and i thank God for these ‘little’ victories.

p.s i think my face is beginning to look tighter…my T zone seems to be a little tighter!! woo hoo! this is the start of good things!

The Good, bad and the master

The Greek Philosopher Aristotle unveiled the following truth for us to devour,

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

So if you are eyeing excellence in all that you do, then gulp the above quote in a single stretch and let it be a part of you throughout your life.

Good habits and bad habits are two great rivals and they produce exactly the opposite effect and their path is exactly in the opposite direction. Nevertheless, their basic character is the same. In other words, you form or break a bad habit exactly how you form or break a good habit.

You become what you habitually do, and what you habitually do confirms your success or lack of it.

It’s as important to break a bad habit as forming a good habit and surprisingly enough, when you form a good habit as a counter or an antidote to a bad habit, the bad habit is banished from your premises. The opposite is also quite true. Many good habits are lost amidst the storm of bad habits which replaced them.

People many times overlook the fact that bad habits could also be small things and not necessarily big things, which could hinder their success if not completely annihilate it.

Bad habits need not be something big like alcohol addiction, gambling or spending too much unnecessarily, seeking to fight with others, verbally or physically, smoking, drug addiction, pornography, etc. It could be nail biting, nose picking, over eating, procrastination, lack of self-control, unconsciously fostering anger, resentment, jealous, etc.

These small habits have every potential to put a full stop to a person’s success.

It’s always that “small temptation” or “the urge to check out” that ignites the bad habits. If you could and would resist or don’t  give in to the temptation knowing that this habit wouldn’t help you or support you but only see you decline, then by all means snap it at that moment with all your might as the next step!

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

Wish you all the riches to come with God’s blessings

Peter Anand

There is a famous proverb which explains the true color of bad habits vividly,

“Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.”

On the contrary, a man/woman who understood the role that good habits play in his/her success, would form all the habits that would support them and make their success journey a faster and a pleasant ones.

When you start forming good habits, you’ll be surprised by the fact that you have become different from the other people and other people see you as a role model and would be inspired, imitate those habits from you, for unfortunately there are few ones in comparison to the large population who has prominent good habits or ones who take the effort to cultivate good habits. Good habits and its formation has become a rare thing among the public.

Not only you could be a role model to others, but with each new good habit you are consolidating your own character and your personality, which are the very foundation for your success.

Tell you what, if you start forming good habits, people tend to help you more, be more amicable and want you to be successful. They start to help you and most of the people would move to the sidelines for you to proceed. In your office, in your social situations and at home, you’d be seen in astonishment, in good will as a friend not as a foe.

This is because they would see some sort of purity around you, an aura, and as a result don’t want a good, noble man/woman to fail or to suffer.

Experts say that a good habit could be formed in about 3-4weeks, if done consistently on a daily basis. Since we all share one factor which is common to all, regardless of our race or nationality, which is our MIND, this 21 days formula is uniform across all over the world giving the good news that you can start enlisting the good habits you want and start implementing them just as effectively as someone on the other end of the world.

That’s one of the main reasons why it is so important to be open to people and observe them, so that we could learn the good habits from them and know how a good habit is affecting their life positively. This notion equally applies for the bad habits as well so that one could avoid them at any cost, for they will cost dearly.

Some instances where you can learn from people to cultivate a good habit or to avoid a bad habit are:

–A person you know is a spendthrift, someone who spends money prodigally after which has worn out uses his/her credit card every other minute not minding about the interest rate but interested in buying at a faster rate, in bulk.

– A friend of yours who is frank in his/her dealings, and who doesn’t play favoritisms and is just and fair toward other people. Now that’s a gem of a habit.

– One of your associates is so punctual and has good manners toward other people such as being courteous and polite, not judging others, etc.

– Someone who overeats or gormandizes.

– You know of a man/woman who likes to belittle someone or use sarcasm as a weapon to their pleasure.

Breaking or making a habit may seem to be a tough affair. It’s those initial days of forming a new habit or ridding a bad habit that needs your will power. It’s like going against the gravity but after a certain limit, gravity becomes zero and we don’t have to struggle to keep ourselves floating in the air. It becomes easy and we start to enjoy the ride!

During these days of changing a habit or replacing it, just visualize the end result that you’d achieve once the habit is yours! Just think of the benefits that you’d draw from it. Also, it is wise to think about the ill-effects if the habit is practiced through out your life.

This visualizing will help to fly against the gravity and to reach the outer space and be free of your bondage or to be happier and more powerful than ever before.

PART 1

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

Wish you all the riches to come with God’s blessings

Peter Anand