Holiday Cheers

From The HeartMath Institute

Take a look at your shoes. What reasons did you have for buying them? Was it the style or color? Or maybe the price was right. Regardless, there’s a good chance you bought them because you were convinced you would feel better once you owned those shoes.

Think about all the choices we make: the new job; the new cell phone; last night’s dessert; next summer’s vacation. Each choice represents a missing piece in our quest for happiness.

We all want to feel better more often. It’s what motivates us to do just about everything. Whether it’s the latest style, a tropical beach or a piece of chocolate, we’re telling ourselves that when we have it, we will feel better.

Trouble is the feeling is often fleeting. Very soon we’re on to the next ‘must have’ on the list. This is the one. This one will do it. How long is your list?

If you want to feel better more often, then feel better more often. Sound too simple? Well, the truth is you create the feeling; not the sunset, not the perfect boss and certainly not another pair of shoes. When you feel better first you get what you want first! Then something happens to your choices. They become ‘add ons’ rather than ‘must haves’. And you may be surprised to find out you really don’t need those shoes!

My wish for you this holiday season is that you discover how to create the feelings you want inside yourself and find your own peace on earth!

Thought unfailingly creates matter

Notes from the Universe - TUT.com

Funny, isn’t it, John-Derek, how those who don’t believe that thought unfailingly creates matter and is the bridge between spirit and physical, desire and manifestation, yin and yang–basing their denials on science, religion, or whatever–nevertheless rush around to share their thoughts with others on the subject. Huh?

Things that make you go, “Hmmmm….”
The Universe

Some might even need proof they think, John-Derek, if they thought about it enough.

First Love Yourself

Timely: Some timely quotes reminding me of who we are and what helps to define our beliefs (and therefor our reality).

“It’s surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others.” - Sydney J. Harris

“We have the need to be accepted and to be loved by others, but we cannot accept and love ourselves. The more self-love we have, the less we will experience self-abuse. Self-abuse comes from self-rejection, and self-rejection comes from having an image of what it means to be perfect and never measuring up to that ideal. Our image of perfection is the reason we reject ourselves the way we are, and why we don’t accept others the way they are.” - Don Miguel Ruiz

“There is no freedom like seeing myself as I am and not losing heart.” - Elizabeth J. Canham

“If we could learn to like ourselves, even a little, maybe our cruelties and angers might melt away.” - John Steinbeck

Celebrating What Truly Counts

The Perfect Holiday DailyOM

As the holidays arrive it is easy to become distracted by our desire for perfection. It might be the need to craft a festive environment, always be in an upbeat mood, or simply the desire to find just the right gifts for everyone in our lives. Even though these things can be positive, if we start putting too much pressure on ourselves during this season, we are much more apt to forget what truly is important—celebrating our lives with the people we care about.

For many of us this time of year can stir up a host of mixed emotions. For example, we might feel a tinge of nostalgia for past holiday celebrations, when times were simpler, or a sense of being let down due to the unmet expectations we have for ourselves and others. No matter what our feelings are, they are likely to be caused by an unrealistic sense of what the holidays should mean for us. Rather than thinking of this season as a time for finding the perfect gift or hosting the best party, we can get so much more out of the holidays if we create a personal inventory of the things that matter most to us. With each item we add to our list, we can then set the intention to use this season as a time to consciously rejoice in and express our appreciation for the blessings we have. The more we are able to let go of our traditional expectations for the holidays, the more open we will become to the bounteous spirit that lies within us.

Our true enjoyment of this season will only come from looking within and reflecting on the deeper spiritual significance the holidays have for us. Infusing our holiday activities with a sense of gratitude will bring a greater level of enjoyment to our life and also help us extend loving and kind energy to all we encounter. It is this spirit that will allow us to truly celebrate by sharing our greatest gifts—infinite love, peace, understanding, and joy—with those around us.

Channel Unlimited Love

DailyOM Horoscope

Timely: Wow. All the messages today say the same thing.

You may feel like supporting those around you today. This may be due to your desire to give assistance to people who look up to you. If during the day you find that others may want more support than you can give at that time, you can work on becoming centered and opening up your heart. This allows you to become fully attuned to their needs and to keep your energy flowing. You can take a few moments to ground yourself. Plant your feet onto the floor, and keep in touch with the earth. Then you might imagine that the rest of your body is a channel of energy opening up to the sky. You can picture a bright light entering your body through the top of your head, filling you with unlimited energy and love as you breathe. You could notice that your heart becomes more receptive as a result.

Learning to ground ourselves and open our heart center allows us to more fully encourage other people. There are times when we may want to be helpful and giving, but if we are not tapping into the unlimited energy of the universe, we can drain ourselves in the process. It is important to remember that we cannot truly support other people unless we support ourselves first, and becoming grounded and accessing the universal energy are physical ways to do so. This keeps the energetic cycle flowing and our hearts open. Becoming a channel for universal love today will give you the strength and compassion to be fully present with others.