Speak affirmatively & strengthen from within

To raise your awareness about how you speak and when has the potential to transform your life.  You may be unaware how you create your mindset.  What are you waiting for? How would you like to change? Listen to what you say.  You will be amazed at the nature of what you applaud and when you reprimand.  Many people are unaware of their own self-criticism and the choice to stop doing it.

Consider how you react to your experiences.  If you walk into a wall or run your hand into a doorknob in passing, what kinds of words do you use to describe yourself?  If you forget to run an errand or fail at your new venture, are you positive or negative? Do you feel angry and punish yourself or, do you immediately forgive yourself? All you say is shaping your character.

Think about when you apply for a promotion or other opportunities.  If the result is not in your favor, do you assume you did something wrong or, aren't good enough? Do you imagine the worst case scenario? Or, do you recognize you're simply meant for other more suitable opportunities? Whatever your attitude, however your life vision arises, you either pump up or deflate your ego.

Reflect on the progression of your relationships.  Do you constantly sense mistakes, insecurity, inadequacy and lack, or, are you the type of person who recognizes value and blessings to be found and retained from each experience? Speak positively about everyone and see what happens.

If you sincerely desire to realize dreams, then you must evolve to chose words that reinforce your intentions.  The words you utter reinforce images you create on the inside.  They build up and strengthen your confidence or, they slowly chip away at your self worth and purpose until you doubt yourself.  No matter what stage you're at, you're capable of using more positive words that enable you to feel good. tell yourself you are beautiful, intelligent, talented and more.  Declare good things about yourself and your life.  Express gratitude.  Words you use have the power to transform.

"Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there." -Marcus Antoninus

Embrace all that you are

To begin to see the world differently, you need to step back and learn to perceive yourself differently.  This implies its time to embrace all that you are, even those parts that cause you to feel discomfort.

Now is the time to get out a sheet of paper and draft a plan for self-improvement.  List those areas of your life that make you feel good and those that don't. Its up to you to listen to yourself and decide how to take action to change your life for the better. It begins and ends with you. 

Priscilla Palmer's PD list & more

Priscilla Palmer's Personal Development List is worth a read if you have a taste for exploring various personal growth links.  As part of the growing project, you can contact her to suggest additions!

http://priscillapalmer.com/priscillapalmer/index.php/2007/08/21/personal-development-list/

In addition to her list, I would also invite you to explore the following and add your own before passing it on. Just think how many people will benefit from your effort!

Neal Donald Walsh at http://blog.beliefnet.com/conversationswithgod/

John Chow at www.johnchow.com

Andrew Brunelle at www.andrewbrunelle.com

Deb at www.mindbodyandsolar.com

Jenny Ryan at www.jennyryan.com (Using My Powers For Good)

Lynne Morrell at www.lynnemorrell.com

Jacin Steele at www.jacinsteele.com

Nneka at www.balancedlifecenter.com

Dr. Tim Sharp at www.happinessinstitute.com

Priya Florence Shah at www.soulkadee.com

Jayvee Cablores at Consciousness Education University Project at  https://conscioused.org/wiki/happiness/ 

Self-examination contest by Jenny & Erin

Under my blog roll, you'll note "Jenny & Erin's Blog."  These fabulous gals have launched a contest.It continues until the end of September 2007.  The topic prompts reflection about  personal habits.  Feel free to enter.  I post their question and my own entry below afterwards.

"How big of a role do habits play in your daily life? Do your habits typically form intentionally or unconsciously? What approaches have you found successful in shaping them?"

Jenny and Erin have inspired reflection about habits. In my own quest for greater self-understanding, I suppose habits reinforce the systems of belief that determine how I live. As I learn why I form unconscious, destructive habits, and uncover the fear that causes me to perpetuate them, I'm more likely to escape from the mental prison I have created.

For example, when people ask me how I am, my automatic response used to be "not bad." A friend brought to my attention that I had developed a habit of voicing tentative answers to questions, even when my intention was to be positive. Rather than continue to project uncertainty and condition a lack of self-confidence, I have learned to intentionally respond with the state of mind that reinforces faith in myself. How do I do that? I take time to intuit when I speak from the spirit and when I speak from my ego.  The ego is misguided and forges self-destructive journeys. Anyone can learn to foresee, heal and avoid this.

Increasingly, I understand habits as opportunities for lessons that help prepare me for the future. As I examine and share my perception on blogs, I become a more effective teacher and empower people to rethink their own habits. Each of us has the power to help enlighten one and other. Realize you can overcome anything. Your mind creates the thoughts that become your behavior. Just learn to work backwards. Simply read your lessons carefully. Change is only feared so long as you are unwilling to face the sources of your fear. Habits often result from fearing what you aren't doing. Once you discover what that is, and do it, and you can prove your ego wrong. Listen instead to your spirit.

Life is more meaningful than you think

These reflections are shared in the hopes you will realize that this life offers far more hidden meaning than you may initially think. Whether you choose to react, evolve or change is up to you. Everything about your life is in your mind.

1) You're deprived from nothing and prevented from nothing, except by your own decisions. That is, your willingness to choose or not choose, to give up or take action, starts and ends inside.

2) Your mind will release you from qualms or anguish from the moment you choose to change it. That is, your emotions are choices that motivate your decisions.

3) You see only results of the past unless you nurture ideas unrelated to previous experiences. That is, you assume based on your view of time, which is itself an assumption.