Shattering Restrictive Beliefs and Other Good Stuff – Penny Cote

From page 41 of the book Masterpiece ~ Creating Your Life as a Masterpiece we read, Our repeated thoughts birth our beliefs, and because we think a thing over and over again we come to understand it as true, but that is not necessarily so. Truth is not a criterion of belief. Most of us will be able to recall an example of something we knew to be true only to learn at a later date, with new information, that it was not.

Humans are, well, human, and the human tendency is to believe what is read and heard, even when much of it is unproven, simple speculation, and to our detriment. Here at The Lighter Side we’d like to do something about that.

Taking inspiration from the quote, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” we have added a new sidebar to our website at thelighterside.ca, called Praise Worthy.

Our Objective: To dispel limiting beliefs and report only that which enriches lives and encourages personal and collective potential.

Our Mission: To help heal, support and enhance life.

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Shattering Restrictive Beliefs
Conventional thought or popular perceptions are frequently held for no other reason than numbers. You know what I mean:

• that’s the way it’s always been done
• that’s what everyone says
• that’s what always happens

To quote Scarlett O’Hara, Fiddle-Dee Dee…

As an experiment I started playing around with some of the popularly held, but restrictive, uncomfortable or discourteous aphorisms, just to see if they held up. You know where I’m going with this and you are right. None of them, not even one of the limiting beliefs I challenged turned out to be true all of the time. Sure, I saw that it was true for some, some of the time. And that’s the whole point. I observed or experienced exceptions.

Good Stuff
Healing
I will share that my 59 year old sister just told me that she had to have the prescription for her eyeglasses changed. No surprise there I guess, because everyone knows eye sight weakens as we age. Well, as it turns out, she was having difficulty reading the street signs because her prescription had become too strong. – Penny

Movie
Mine is the movie “Pay it Forward”. I try to make it my daily walk. – Wendy

Your Role
To help fulfill our objective, we are dedicating newsletter and website space to publishing examples that increase possibilities and help make potentials reality – and, if you see value in this, you can be a part of it.

• We are looking for stories about healings that defy conventional wisdom.
• We want to publish inspiring, helpful, encouraging anecdotes.
• We want to know about good deeds, volunteers, funny stories, lighthearted jokes, uplifting music, constructive and supportive movies – whatever you’ve got as long as it fills our Mission.

Start Now
E-mail your stories to info@thelighterside.ca and put Praise Worthy in the subject line. You can attach a pdf, a word document or type your story directly into the body of your e-mail.

This will be successful because of the cooperation of people like you. We want to hear from you. Just send us your contributions and we’ll take it from there.

Now is a good time for action ~ Think About It

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About Penny
Penny Coté is an intuitive empath, healing consultant and teacher, and assists many in their life journey. Penny has designed numerous personal development and spiritual courses and has now successfully distilled them into The Lighter Side program. She is author of the book Masterpiece and founder of Onolith Publishing.

Think About It Newsletter is wrritten monthly and is offered as a free service. Our intent is to encourage, empower, heal and inspire. This information is written for general audience consumption. To address your specific needs please contact the relevant professional.

MARCH 5th – TODAY!

100th Anniversary Women's Day

Hold on to your hats for Saturday, March 5th! A record breaking Four CALLS!!

12 p.m. EST – “Life is Short Wear Party Pants” with Loretta Laroche

This acclaimed speaker, author and international stress management and humor consultant has evoked wit and irreverent humor on her audience for over 30 years. Bring some tissues as Loretta LaRoche will make you laugh until you cry- guaranteed!

Life is Short, Wear Your Party Pants explores why women are so focused on taking care of others, rather than themselves, why we have so much hatred for our bodies, why we give ourselves up for someone else to love us, and do we have to spend a lifetime learning to love ourselves, before we can enjoy our lives. Why aren’t we more pro-active in helping to promote older women in our culture? Are you dead once you reach 60, 70, or 80? Where is the older woman’s wisdom in the media and magazines? How about fun? Why don’t physicians ask their patients if their having any fun. Maybe blood pressure would go down if life was more joyful!

2pmEST: “The Voice of the 21st Century Woman- Defining the New Paradigm” with Liora Mendeloff, Jane Deuber and Gail Watson

Join three dynamic change-makers who are leading a movement that empowers women to be at cause in defining the future of business in the 21st Century. In this interactive session, you will begin to explore a shift from the limits of an “old model” mind-set and methodologies and find your voice in creating a new-world approach to leading, collaborating and creating positive change in your work and the world.

4pmEST: Peggy O’Neill- “The Tiny Speaker Who Empowers You to Walk Tall!”

Peggy has captivated audiences for over 10 years with her poignant message of personal empowerment, triumphing over challenges and celebrating diversity. From the soaring height of 3’8″, her zealous optimism, humorous disposition and encouraging demeanor are both inspiring and contagious. No wonder she is an endeared and popular presenter throughout the US.

Known as “The Tiny Speaker Who Empowers You to Walk Tall!”, Peggy has captivated audiences for over 10 years with her poignant message of personal empowerment, triumphing over challenges and celebrating diversity. From the soaring height of 3’8″, her zealous optimism, humorous disposition and encouraging demeanor are both inspiring and contagious. No wonder she is an endeared and popular presenter throughout the US.

5pmEST: Say YES to Success!” with Debra Poneman

Debra Poneman is recognized as one of the pioneers in the field of personal growth, is a popular talk show guest and has appeared on radio and TV from coast to coast.

In her most recent book, Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul, the principles Debra has taught for over two decades such as utilizing the power of the Law of Attraction, welcoming obstacles as opportunities and pursuing your passion all come alive in the lives of the American Idols.  Be prepared to be inspired!

What does 2011 have in store for you?

Sudden changes that call for decisive action will characterize this year.

This is the year that will see structures fall.  An opportunity for everyone to experience impermanence, as all structures that we collectively deem to be solid and permanent will be challenged.

Thought patterns, behavior patterns, attitudes, values and beliefs will be exposed so as to allow transformation through a renewal of mind and spirit.  Everyone will benefit, according to their willingness to discern what is true from what is false in their lives.

On a universal level, the 2011 vibration offers freedom from the restrictions of the old forms and will enable us to reconstruct new institutions that unify spirit and matter.  A turning point in our evolution!

On a personal level, your day of birth can indicate how you may best respond to this year’s vibration.  A complete life chart, including your name and date of birth would naturally give you a comprehensive and detailed picture of the year’s events.

If you were born on any of the following days:

1, 10, 19 and 28: Trail blazing will become much easier as you relinquish control and seek consensus.  This year, you have the opportunity to evolve beyond the intellectual level.  Leadership with compassion is how you demonstrate your strength.

2, 11, 20 and 29: You will need to assert yourself.  Get all the information you can before making any decisions, however, you must discern what is extraneous to speed up the process.  Stalling is only fear in disguise.

3, 12, 21 and 30: This year, you must make constructive use of your creative talents, so as not to scatter resources, which would only bring up the old pattern of worry and depression.  Use your tremendous gift of imagination and deep feeling to inspire others.   The rewards will be limitless.

4, 13, 22 and 31: Work methods must change.  Perhaps more than most, you will feel the implosion that breaks down the illusion of form as permanent.  A time of regeneration – all or nothing.  You can now successfully make your own rules.

5, 14 and 23: Make sure you draw value on a practical, emotional and spiritual level for all the many and varied situations you will experience this year.  You will notice many people in your environment struggling with sudden changes in their lives.  You must now apply yourself and use words carefully to influence others positively.

6, 15 and 24: You can now drop unnecessary burdens and instead teach others to help themselves.  Your exaggerated sense of duty will crumble, leaving you with an honest understanding of your humanitarian role.  No more enabling, just loving.

7, 16 and 25: More than ever you must trust your superb gift of intuition.  You cannot waste time analyzing things to death.  Challenges must be worked through and then released.  Brooding over past events is a habit you can now break.

8, 17 and 26: This is definitely a year to exhibit self-control, patience and endurance.  All the events of the year are due to karmic testing.  If you can acknowledge your part in having caused any situation, you can transform the results into success.

9, 18 and 27: Your natural compassion and benevolence have often compelled you to go beyond the call, which in turn have caused you to feel resentful.  The unconscious motivation for these actions can now come to light, replacing disappointment with love and appreciation.

Contact Celine for your personalized chart.  She will include a name analysis for the total cost of $150, a regular value of $225.  A consultation with Celine, in person or over the phone, will provide you with insight and tools to make 2011 your best year yet.

Contact Celine at 403.240.4103 or e-mail celinew@telus.net

Also…

Check out my web site:  www.karmashapes.com

Buddha’s Saying

To avoid all evil,

To cultivate the good,

Cleanse one’s mind,

This is the teaching of the Buddha.

The thought manifests as the word,

The word manifests as the deed,

The deed develops into habit,
And the habit hardens into character.

So, watch the thought and its ways with care

And let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings.

As the shadow follows the body,

As we think, so we become.

We are what we think

All that we are arises with our thoughts

With our thoughts we make the world

Speak or act with a pure mind

And happiness will follow you

As our shadow, unshakable

Gratitude and Change by Tina Thrussell

By Tina Thrussell, co-founder of Best U Can B Inc.

As I step into 2011, I do so with an attitude of gratitude – for this wonderful life I am living, for the beautiful people in my life, for my loving husband, for the honor and privilege of doing the work that I do.

I know full well that the more I am grateful for, the more I will have to be grateful for.  It’s one of those basic laws of the Universe – the Law of Attraction, which states that whatever we put our attention on expands in our life.  (It’s funny to me that this law was just brought to the general public’s attention through the movie “The Secret” a few years ago, when it actually dates all the way back to 1912, when Charles Haanel referenced The Law of Attraction in his book “The Master Key System.”)

I invite you to welcome great things and people to be grateful for into your life, by stepping into feeling deep appreciation for all the blessings you already have in your life.

I also invite you to celebrate with me all the evidence that the Law of Attraction is influencing our world enough to make change where it really matters.  As more and more people step into a space of living consciously – of thinking before they speak and act; of being more compassionate, of focusing on the positive – we are being shown more examples every day.

Perhaps you have noticed, as I have, that there is an increasing number of inspirational videos on You Tube, and an increase in the number of spiritual books, CDs and DVDs being purchased.  I even see a slight shift in our news media, as most newspapers and news broadcasts have begun to include ‘good news’ stories in their reporting each day.

It’s heartening to know that the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “you must be the change you want to see in the world” are enticing more people to become involved in organizations like the Pachamama Alliance or the Ryan’s Well Foundation, making a positive difference in the world.

And now there is a new, trans-formative platform for making appositive difference in the world – a new international women’s organization, called Universal Circle of Women, that operates with an intention to generate a more peaceful, harmonious world by reaching out to the women of the world.

“As an all-inclusive community, the Universal Circle of Women welcomes women of all ages, races and nationalities.  We believe our efforts to raise consciousness, acting outside of the realm of dogma of any religion, focusing on our similarities rather than our differences, will generate a new level of peace and harmony in the world.”   www.universalcircleofwomen.com

Just one year ago, The Dali Lama said, on his visit to Vancouver, BC, Canada, that it will be the women of the West that change the world.  His is a strong affirmation of the powerful potential for this organization that promotes ‘sisterhood’, peace, harmony, trust and compassion.

If you want to live in a world of greater co-operation, collaboration and nurturing, then showing support for organizations such as Universal Circle of Women is a simple first step.  They offer a supportive community and complimentary memberships on-line with wonderful benefits.

Each and every person who lives with an attitude of gratitude, and lives by the law of attraction – focusing on what’s right in the world, rather than what’s wrong, on what they want to see in the world, rather than what they don’t want – will play a part in leading the world into a more positive, loving, caring state.

I invite you to “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Visit www.universalcircleofwomen.com

5 Simple Ways to go Organic ~ By Tammy Bradley

Go Raw! Learn more at Feel Alive ~ All the time

1)MAKE A ORGANIC COMMITMENT

Start with one meal a week make it organic

2) Make it Economical

Buy in season and from local farmers markets

3) Grow your own

Try planting vegies or herbs in your backyard, community or friends garden, even start with simple sprouts to decrease your travel time and montly grocery bill

4) Educate yourself

Read all you can about organics, connect with organizations and community groups, take a class

5) Convert your lifestyle

Check out organic alternatives in cleaning products, beauty and body products, supplements, clothing and more, take the plunge your body will thank-you.

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Learn about the “Raw Food Chef at Home Series” with Tammy Bradley! Sign up for the January Classes now!

Or call: 403.993.0701 – Serving the Bow Valley and Calgary area!

Do you find Comfort in Food? By Zaheen Nanji

Release the Weight!

I was coaching one of my clients in releasing weight and one of the things that kept coming up for her was self-sabotage. Sound familiar? My client would crave for sweet carbs and she could not figure out why she kept reaching for them. I decided to walk her through her neurological levels (one of the many techniques in Neuro Linguistic Programming) to find out what was going on for her. After asking her when she finds her self “self -sabotaging” the most, she answered, “coming home after work”. Neurological levels consist of 6 levels: Environment, Behaviour, Capabilities, Beliefs, Identity and  Spiritual. I wrote down each level on a piece of paper and laid it on the floor, allowing the client to step onto each level as I asked some questions. As I asked the client some questions around the levels of Environment and Behaviour, she repeated the feeling of “being frustrated when coming home from work” a few times and so she would find that eating sweet carbs would comfort her and make her feel better. Now most of us would just assume that my client comes home frustrated because she has just worked 12 hours or she is tired or she hates being there, etc. Therefore, without assuming anything, I asked her, “What makes you come home frustrated, after work?” She looked at me with the expression of  “I don’t know”, but right away her face lit up and she said, “I think it is one of the people I work with.” A different answer from what we would have assumed! I then used another technique on overcoming that issue and I am going to share that with you in my next blog.

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Zaheen Nanji is a Wellness Coach and a workshop facilitator . She has been certified to teach Law of Attraction by Michael Losier – author of the best-selling book, “Law of Attraction – the Science of Attracting More of What you Want and Less of What You Don’t.” Like most people, Zaheen applied the Law of Attraction to her life after watching the movie and reading the book, “SECRET” , but had trouble manifesting her desires. It was after she was introduced to Michael’s work and Neuro Linguistic Programming  in 2008 that she started to see a difference and her life started to change.

Video message from Zaheen >>>
Blog >>>
Release the Weight Workshop – Group Events’ January Featured Workshop >>>

Check-Off Beauty Wish List by Lorraine Mignault

Our faces signal what is happening to us internally and our lifestyle practices – especially during the Holiday Season – can reflect this. The following techniques will help you take control of your face – and healthy future.

~   Make your fitness program oxygen focused… one of life’s staples for radiant, young-looking skin. It is also needed by the skin to replenish nutrients daily – and to keep dryness, fine lines, wrinkles and age spots at bay.

~   Use European Bel Canto breathing techniques to improve skin qualities, eliminate stress… and improve muscle tone of your body and face by having oxygen-filled muscles for peak performance.

~   Dry brush your skin with a natural bristle brush before showering (excluding the face) as it removes dead cells and increases circulation – facilitating skin cell renewal as well as tightening the skin. This brush makes a great stocking stuffer. Available in skin care salons and health food stores.

~ Drink at least 8 cups of water daily. Water without added fluoride and chlorine – but with beneficial mineral content, is preferable. In the body, water serves as a carrier for nutrients from food and supplements.

~   Avoid putting your skin under chemical siege at every step. Use a non-soap base       cleanser – and cool to lukewarm water to prevent drying and wrinkling from moisture loss.

~ Give your face (excluding eye area), neck and décolleté a monthly deep cleansing with French clay. Available as white clay for more sensitive skin – and green clay for deep cleansing, beneficial for oily skin. Apply clay and water mixture with a small natural bristle brush for skin treatments.

~ Vitamin A influences moisture in the skin. Pumpkin solid-pack puree (such as Libby’s and Superstore no-name brand) is high in carotenoids that provides skin hydration – including smaller pore size, oiliness/dryness balance, collagen formation…with the latter enhancing moisture retention and wrinkle elimination. Use pumpkin puree in baking, soups, sauces and garnish.

~ Healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts, flax seeds and cold water fish such as salmon increase moisture retention as well as provide elasticity and resilience to the skin – facilitating absorption of facial products.

~  Practice effective management of insulin and blood sugar levels by eliminating junk and processed foods containing refined flours, modified fats and sugars – and increasing dietary fibre, especially from oat and flax. This will go a long way to adding the sparkle in your eye, including enhancing your skin qualities.

You will experience positive changes within a week! These multi-functional techniques offer amazing benefits for beauty and health. Stay in touch with your body, give it time to rest and rejuvenate, and feed it properly. If you do, it will reward you with good health… and your most beautiful face this Holiday Season – and beyond.

Copyright© 2010 Lorraine Mignault and Positive Living Inc.

Wellness expert Lorraine Mignault is an award-winning inventor, scientist, best-seller author, sought-after speaker and professional vocalist in beauty and health. Using her Proprietary methods and European Bel Canto vocal training, she ignites your success for achieving vibrant health, great vitality, emotional balance, beauty sleep, easy weight management… and truly transforms your life.

Register at www.positivelivingessentials.com for Lifestyle Programs and forthcoming Action Guides.

Blood, Thoughts and Looks!

The quality of our blood determines the quality of our thoughts and our looks

In our society we have quite high standards how slim a person should be, how fashioned the clothes she should wear, and how stylish should a house be decorated. We all want to look sexy and young for indefinite period of time. For that purpose we go through piles of magazines a week, do bimonthly shopping to dress up in the most revealing skirt or pants as if hoping a miracle would happen, put tons of expensive cosmetics on the face, and instead…

We are lonely, tired, sick and feeling old.

Have you ever experienced at least one of these? I did, and it was the time when I was overweight, had pizza-like face loaded with pimples and had to rest every a couple hours, because even without strenuous activities I got quickly tired. I used to think I had a belly I could not get rid of because of my genetic constitution and blamed my hormone system. Just prior to my wedding I spent 300$ on facials to get rid of my blemishes on face and back. Waste of money! After seeing my “before” picture, people say about me: “She is so beautiful!” I guess sometimes you have to look horrible so that people would appreciate your beauty (just kidding)! I also used to have very painful and moody PMS (pack my suitcases – would be my husband’s interpretation).  Once I was about to call ambulance, so bad it was!

Even though I was experiencing all these, I did not think anything was wrong with me. I did not have a major disease, and thought I followed a healthy diet.  Looking back to that time, I realize how little I knew what health was all about.

I understood a simple and yet so little personalized truth:

The quality of our blood determines the quality of our thoughts.

About 3 years ago I discovered raw food, and this was a major turnaround in my life. Even though I did not completely became a raw foodist, through this powerful tool of health I was able effortlessly to stop being an “ice-cream vegetarian”, or a person who professes she eats healthy and cannot stop buying chocolates or buns daily. I became a much more positive and supportive person, and beyond anything I’ve got a source of overflowing and all-enduring energy. I’ve never ever had so much done as now!

I also stopped thinking about food. It is not that I am not thinking about it at all, but I am not obsessed with it anymore. Before all my life was evolving around breakfasts, lunch time and avoiding snacks. Now I can miss a meal and not to notice it at all!

My husband says it is more fun to be around me now, as I do not flare up at every “wrong” word or action of others. My mind is more sharp and alert; and not foggy and wandering as before.

I used to look for something external and quick to get beautiful skin, shiny hair and slim posture. However, it did not work. I discovered that beauty starts on the inside, and literally from purity of the blood vessels.

Majority of people do not experience a clear state of mind and stable emotions because their bloodstreams are constantly being polluted. Only pure blood provokes pure thoughts and intentions, without which nobody can have an inner peace.

Purification of the blood is not only a physical process. It involves much more than that.

This is how you can assist your blood in cleansing itself:

1.      Keep all your energies balanced. Work and play, self-fulfillment and being a good spouse and parent, balancing living in material world and developing spiritual aspirations – until all these are in balance, our inner peace becomes illusive.

2.      Change something in your lifestyle for the better weekly – one thing at a time. Add more raw foods (fresh fruits, vegetables, raw nuts, seeds & sprouts) to your menu.

3.      If you have skin problems, like acne or boils, try to eliminate for 1 or 2 months these foods:

• Fried (anything with heated oils)
• Chocolate
• Flour products
• Sugar (including molasses, brown, turbinado) in any shape or form. Replace it with raw honey, agave and real maple syrup, stevia, and dried fruit.
• Animal products

Most probably, you’ll see miracles! And possibly you will decide to stay away from those for good.

P. S. However, if you are a vegetarian, make sure to have a balanced diet, providing you with all essential nutrients, especially calcium, iron & proteins, and a LOT of greens.

4. Walk daily in fresh air, no matter what. Negative ions, especially in such places as near water, mountains, are positively important for our health. It is important to be surrounded by nature for healing, as well as it speeds up our thoughts and helps us to get insights into many situations. As your body becomes cleaner, you’ll get more energy and desire for different types of sports and activities.

5.      Detoxify regularly. Even though ideally our body is able to do it efficiently on its own, our lifestyle choices, overeating, stress and bombardment with environmental toxins do not let it have chance to do it fast enough to counteract all bad influences.

6. Drink plenty of pure water. Good spring water is the best, if not available, distilled or reverse osmosis with a bit of fresh lemon juice is good, too.

7. Awareness – is a very important step in overcoming emotional associations with unhealthy food. Just notice how certain foods make you feel, and do not punish yourself for eating unhealthy.

8. Educate yourselves about foods you eat. One thing that helped me to quit with chocolate addiction was that I found out how they make it. For a week they ferment the bark of the cocoa tree in the open air. Meanwhile mice and insects crawl, and poo and pee on it. There is even a certain allowance of animal increments and insect legs for chocolate!

9. Develop a positive self image. Most often food is used as a substitute for feelings of love and affection. As if an overeater says: “Hate me. I am fat. I am not worthy of love.” This way she (he) does not have to face a painful process of discovering the causes of a true emotional problem and to deal with them. Walk in the morning dew, think about good things, meditate or pray a prayer of gratitude as often, as you can. We need to think about good things in order to have goodness!

Eating wrong foods perpetuates eating problems, because it makes you feel good for one moment and after that makes your brain foggy and lazy, your energy low and keeps you addicted to that particular food. It adds to impurity of blood, which leads to impurity of thoughts and emotions.

Double focus on healthy eating and dealing with self-esteem problem will help you to improve your health, weight and energy level, as well as will bring balance and as a result – peace and well being into your life.

Ania Kastashchuk, NHC, B.Ed., B.Sc.
Detox Program Manager

At Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers, the Health Restoration Retreat and Spa: www.HealthRetreat.ca

Ph. (250)923-6399

Snowshoeing Adventures!

Snowshoeing is not only good exercise, but a great way to enjoy the Canadian winter with friends or family. The history of snowshoeing in Canada goes back to the First Nations people, who came up with various designs for different snow conditions. The early fur traders learned from these tribes the best design for local snow conditions.

With new technology, snowshoeing has become accessible for adults and families of all ages. The new designs are shorter, lighter and have more secure and durable binding systems. There are kid’s snowshoes, women’s snowshoes, snowshoes for running, cross training, adventure racing or fun outdoor enjoyment. In fact snowshoeing became so popular in the last 10 years that Alberta Parks recognized the need to make snowshoe trails in Kananaskis country so that people could enjoy the sport without being in dangerous avalanche zones and so people would not use their snowshoes on the groomed cross country ski trails.

When snowshoeing we use the large muscle groups in the thighs and the gluteal muscles, this means that more calories are burned snowshoeing than regular walking. It is a myth that in Alberta wearing snowshoes means you will glide over top of the snow. Our snow more often than not tends to be dry rather than moist. This means that most snowshoes will still partially sink into the snow.  When walking on snow it is like walking and lifting your legs slightly higher than usual. With each step on snowshoes the feet still have to rise above the depth of sinkage. This is where most of the calorie burning comes in.

If you are the first on a trail, or if you travel off the regular trails, breaking trail can be tiring, it is a god idea to take turns. Most trails in Kananaskis country are well used, making the way much easier. The dangers to be aware of include hypothermia. If your body temperature drops down to the point that you stop shivering while you are still cold, you may be in the first stages of hypothermia. It is important to travel outdoors with a group to maintain safety.

Proper winter dress, bringing a hot drink in a thermos and going with a friend, are all good starts to being prepared for a great day of snowshoeing in the outdoors.  It’s a good idea to rent snowshoes first to see how much you like it, then shop around for the binding system that works best for you. Most outdoor stores carry snowshoes. Make winter your friend, get outside and enjoy a day of snowshoeing!

Guest Writer: Julie Walker is the owner and guide for Full Circle Adventures. You can reach her at info@full-circle-adventures.com

Money and Miracles

Money and Miracles
Money, money, money… Money evokes strong emotions. Strongly for, strongly against, strongly desired, and strongly disdained. Love it, loathe it, lust after it … and to a great degree this is because of advertisements. Advertising works. We have been schooled in the idea that it takes money to be happy, successful and fulfilled; the more money, the happier, more successful and greater the fulfillment. We are constantly bombarded with images of beautiful homes, lavish vacations, designer clothes, luxurious cars and the latest technology.  Few of us have unlimited financial resources, and that can sometimes leave us believing our dreams are beyond our reach.

Money
My background in finance helps me recognize that money is simply a commodity, one that acts as a vehicle of exchange in a transaction. In fact most financial gurus find that other mediums often yield better results. Over time, monies are liable to diminish in worth through inflation and volatile, corrupt or deposed governments. When taken literally, what is it but pieces of paper and fragments of metal to which we have applied value?

My experience as a business coach and facilitator has taught me that money is not a solid, long term motivator. Initially, money gets our attention for sure, but we quickly absorb this added income. For some reason, money causes a void. What generally happens is, the more we have the more we want.

Understand that I am not saying there is anything wrong with money. I actually like it. It is certainly not evil. (Actual quote, the love (worship) of money is the root of all evil.) At the same time, I recognize there are some things that money cannot bring us. It cannot bring us more time or better health. It cannot bring us love, wisdom or integrity. I know this sounds cliché, but money cannot buy all the things in life that have true significance. (A good exercise in determining actual wealth is to count the things of importance in our lives that cannot be bought.)

Ok, stay with me now… While this list contains the priceless and truly wondrous, today I’m focusing on hardcore physical and material miracles, those things that make our lives more palatable.

Catch
Hold on to your hats. I am here to say that dreams, by way of miracles, are not reliant on money. Sure, I know many have that perception, but it’s a sham. On the miracle creation spectrum (MCS) there is a catch and that is the money trap. Wishing for more money is what frequently keeps miracles at arms length. I know this is a puzzling state of affairs, but try to hear me when I say that one is not dependent on the other.

Miracles
Miracles are not mysterious. They do not reside in a parallel universe, dimensions of which never cross our paths. It only seems so sometimes, and that is because we do not fully recognize how they work. We think they are complicated and difficult and elusive … and subject to the amount of money we have available.

To begin to recognize how miracles work is a learning process – or perhaps better said, an unlearning process. All the trying, and hoping, and sweating, and planning, and creating of mission statements, and objectives and whatever, is often counterproductive. They are all fine in themselves, but unfettered, these processes can take the focus away from the truth, which is that miracles are not complicated. It is our need to feel important, our vanity or ego or id, which necessitates all this effort.

A close friend of mine recently wrote in an e-mail, I find things are very simple these days – you kinda put the thought out there and it happens. OK, so what is my point? Well, here it is.

Miracles are everyday happenings, which are available to everyone.

The following are a few tips to help you improve your miracle success quotient:

1.    Ask for what it is you actually want. What this means is that rather than asking for money, ask for specifics. If you’re short on this month’s mortgage payment, ask for it to be handled. When you ask for money as a caveat for making your requests happen you are greatly narrowing the options and equally reducing the possibilities for success.

2.    Loosen your grip on the idea of ownership. For example, if you want a car, one will be provided. Don’t place limits by making it necessarily to have your name on the pink slip.

3.    Don’t make your request contingent upon, or infringing on, another’s free will. That will never work. If your dream starts with the words “if only he would, or she would, or they would”, you are done.

4.    Always remember to be grateful. The exercise I mentioned above might be helpful here.

5.    K.I.S. Keep it simple. Don’t set a time frame. Just ask (however you put the thought out there is good.) and let it go.

What we perceive as what is can get in the way of what could be. In the words of Albert Einstein, Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. Persistent or not, we can all make strides on our personal MCS.

Experiment
I’d like to ask your help with my research. If you try this, I’m confident you will begin to realize positive movement on your MCS. Experiment and see what happens. As your dreams start coming your way, as you receive your miracles, I would love to hear about it. After all, what have you got to lose? Think about it!

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Think About It Newsletter is written monthly by Penny Coté and is offered as a free service. Her intent is to encourage, empower, strengthen, and inspire. Penny is author of the book Masterpiece ~ Creating Your Life as a Masterpiece. She is the founder of Women’s Group and W.I.S.E. Mastermind Group. She is cofounder of Onolith Publishing and owner operator of Penny Coté Self-Development and Healing Consulting.

Contact Penny: info@pennycote.com
Visit Website: www.pennycote.com