Saturday, December 31, 2011

My Ode to 2011

By Sharice Harris

“Let us move into the New Year with Dignity and Grace as we learn to accept how bitter sweet letting go of the past can be.”

As another cycle of precious time comes to a closing, we now find that we are faced with two choices: To gracefully move forward or to hold onto what could or should have been.

Walking along the soft and billowy sea shore, I spent the last few days of 2011 reflecting back on all of the profound changes which occurred and it was during my silent moment of reflection that it dawned on me that I had fallen in love with this year.

For me 2011 was a year of living miracles which seemed to flow into my life on a weekly basis and as I looked back feeling gratitude well up in my eyes, I couldn’t help but ask life: "What can I give back to you that is as great as what you have given me?"

That’s when I heard the words: 'Live everyday of your life in Mindful Thankfulness'. So, I gave back to life what I could, a list of reasons why I was and am so Thankful. I sat down on the shoreline, watched the waves rush in and poured out innumerable reasons. When I was done writing them all down, I picked up a piece of bamboo lying nearby and wrote in the sand one of my favorite affirmations by Louise L. Hay: “I forgive and totally release the past and all past experiences, and I am free.” No sooner had I finished writing the last letter, a wave came and swept my words away.

-Making New Year Resolutions Which Make Your Soul Smile-

If you are like most people, you may fall into the habit of making New Year Resolutions that you know you will never keep. Most of our New Year Resolutions often fall short simply because many of them are not soul based resolutions. To welcome the New Year with the Love and Respect it deserves, I decided to keep it simple, sweet and to stick to promises I know I can keep. So I came up with 3 New Year Resolutions that I know will bring greater Love into my life and positively affect the world around me!


My New Year Resolution List

1.) This New Year I will Enjoy as many Sunrises and Sunsets as possible!

The Natural Phenomenon of Sunrises:

If you are going through a particularly low energetic phase, you might want to make one of your New Year Resolutions to enjoy as many sunrises and sunsets as possible! Why? Because sunrises energize our soul's higher purpose in life, which is to live in harmony. Each day when the sun rises it carries within it a wise agenda that vibrationally and positively infuses our day with the unified and loving guidance we seek. Those who prioritize a mindful connection between themselves and life first are often pleasantly surprised to find out how much more energy life graces them with and how much more they get done! Meeting a sunrise is a very personal way of connecting with all of life and moreover it directly tells life that you are excited and Thankful for being able to live another day!

The Beautiful Strength of Sunsets:

This year there will be good days, great days, fantastic days and then there will be days when you reflect back on all of the above. Without this delicate fluctuation in life, we would never know what a great day was! Making impossible New Year Resolutions like this year is going to be better than the last year often puts you in a position of 'hoping' rather than knowing. However, I have discovered as many of you have, that there is a peaceful soothing strength at sunsets which allow us to sigh and make it through the toughest of times. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable position which you would rather not be in, mindfully allow yourself to give those feelings to the sunset. Sunsets have a powerful way of easing us into the wisdom that those times too will pass.

2.) Laugh More!


On my way back home from the sea, I decided to take a small path along the riverside and that's when I spotted a school of ducks leisurely wade by, honking in what seemed to be a comical tone! And it was during that moment that I couldn’t help but join in on the fun! Now to most people the sight of a lone woman laughing at a group of honking ducks strolling by might seem a bit odd but I couldn't help it, those ducks were funny! And that’s when I came up with New Year Resolution # 2

Now if you are wondering how any of these New Year Resolutions correspond to earning more money or even finding the love of your life, try looking at them from your soul’s perspective. You can’t take money with you when you die right? And when you pass away you are nearly guaranteed to exit by yourself. So what is really important? What is it all about?

When we stop forcing our desired material outcomes to occur, life has an incredibly powerful way of miraculously gifting us with exactly what we want and need. When we appreciate as many moments as possible and genuinely enjoy what life has given us thus far, we revel in how beautiful our Earth already is and occasionally you even try to mimic it! Remember the saying that the highest form of flattery is imitation? Well, that led me to my New Year Resolution # 3

3.) Romance!

Come on! Don't be surprised! It's everywhere in nature! That's why I get so confused when I hear that someone is looking to experience it with another person. O.k., now when most people think of romance it usually involves someone else, but did you know that you can experience romance anywhere at anytime? It's true! I have had more romantic experiences by myself than with any partner and to be honest, being in Love with life makes you a more attractive person and it enhances your relationship with your significant other. Our first relationship is with life and since romance is based on fondness and intimacy, we are capable of achieving a high level of romance anytime we choose to appreciate our present moments! Whatever they may be! When we live in the present moment, we come to see how beautifully perfect everything around us already is. And it doesn't matter who you are or where you live, everyone is capable of falling in Love with their life.

So fellow soul travelers! What are your New Year Resolutions? And why did you choose them? How do you feel they will improve the story of your life? :) I would LOVE to hear from you!

Wishing ALL of you beautiful souls a "HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"

Friday, December 16, 2011

A Time Of Spiritual Rebirth


-Unity consciousness is at it's highest peak during the Christmas season because it is an extraordinary time of self-love, acceptance and forgiveness of ourselves and others. -

For most of us Christmas is one of the most challenging times of the year, because it's a time, whether we are consciously aware of it not, when we undergo a huge inner spiritual cleansing and life transformation.

It's not uncommon during this time of year to deeply reflect on what we feel we have or haven't accomplished in our lives and for many of us, we can often feel overstretched, unaccomplished and underappreciated because it is a time when we check -in and grade our overall personal growth.

But Christmas is not about scrutinizing how much you do or don't have in your bank account, who you do or don't have in your life and it's definitely not about becoming an ultra-consumer.

Christmas is about accepting and loving who you are right now and honoring your personal journey.

It is a time to forgive yourself and others and it's a time to embody the meaning of 'Christ' in Christmas, regardless of your personal beliefs or religion because the word:'Christ' translated simply means 'unity' or 'oneness'.

As students in life, we can choose to use this extraordinary time of the year to forgive past hurts. We can choose to focus on love and compassion and we can choose to allow ourselves to be truly thankful for the experience of life itself and the journey we have thus far been graced to live.

There is no greater gift that one can buy which is more precious than your life. Your life is the miracle of Christmas! It is the closing of one chapter in your story and literally the beginning of a new one.

So in this sense, Christmas is profoundly and powerfully magical because it's one of the only times during the year when we are forced to directly look at our perceived shortcomings and realize what truly matters to us the most. The gift of life itself.

Merry Christmas readers! And congratulations on accepting and respecting your personal journey through life this year!!!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Who’s Running Who?

Who’s Running Who?


“Whenever I climb I am followed by a Dog called ‘Ego’ -Friedrich Nietzche


Learning how-to love and accept ourselves at any given time is a never ending course in self-mastery. With the ever looming super-ego spouting out more than 3000 adverts filled with subconscious messages of what our life ‘should’ look like each day, finding our authentic thoughts and expressing our unique voice can often be an overwhelming, chaotic and for many an arduous task. The term ‘ego’ is literally derived from Latin and translated into English means ‘I’. So if ego means ‘I’, why do so many spiritual teachers want us to get rid of ourselves?

Have we turned into a self-abusive culture who has now turned on ourself? Many popular spiritual movements blame the ‘ego’ for nearly everything negative that occurs in our world but what most people rarely talk about is the fact that our ‘ego’ or ‘our physical self’ has the capability and the power to make those detrimental changes we spiritually yearn to see manifested into the physical form. By blaming the ‘ego’ for all of our problems, we are essentially doing nothing more than giving up responsibility by becoming victims of our own reality and creating an inner duality which can only be mended by accepting those aspects we like and do not like about ourselves.

The main problem seems to be that the ‘ego’ or again ‘self’ always gets a bad rap but the ego only has as much power as you give it. You could easily choose to operate from your soul as well as your heart.

- The ego only has as much power as you give it.-


So how do you sort through the heaps of mind garbage to find out what’s yours an what’s not? Well, the answer may be a lot easier than you may have previously thought, yet it is the hardest thing for most of us to do. Take responsibility of your mind. Three Simple Ways to Quiet Your Ego If you are a person who loves to live life to the fullest, you may fall into the awful habit of leaving your mind on overdrive. Do you constantly find yourself thinking of things you have to do in the future? Or reflecting back on what someone else did or said to wrong you in the past? If so you are loosing out on experiencing the present moment.

Below are a list of three life rules that I use whenever I notice that I living on ego overdrive.

1.)Go Back to Nature. The ego loves to make plans but hates spontanaiety. One way to take back your power is to spontaneously get into action by going for a walk or cycling in a natural setting. Sponataneous trips into nature allow your ego the rest it deserves after planning an plotting all day. A healthy ego can be very helpful when you see something that needs defiant change and take action to make that positive difference but if you don’t get into the habit of turning off your motor, you ego like any other engine can and will burn out.

2.) Meditation and/or Hypnosis. If it were up to the ego we would be busy trying to get a million things done a day. The problem with ‘trying’ to do everything is that we rarely get any one thing mindfully done. Active and daily meditative practices allow our mind a peaceful break from the busy traffic flow of the 70,000 thoughts our brain produces daily. Learning how-to calm our mind is a wonderful way to fully experience the present moment. Regular meditative practices not only give your mind a peaceful break but they also lead you to the deeper realization that we are all soul’s having a physical experience.


3.)Give.The third way most effective way to exercise your ego in a healthy manner is to give! Find a creative outlet to exercise opening up your heart and feeling more from your soul! There are so many children worldwide who would relish in having loving and positive mentoring, seniors who feed off the warmth of another caring soul and even your next door neighbor might need someone to relate to. You don’t have to look far to see that the people who need you to be balanced the most are usually right next to you.

When you open your heart to compassion your ego is automatically silenced and you fill a void which no material object can ever replace. Integrating these peaceful, compassionate loving and practical routines into your day will energize your spirit and reaffirm what really matters most to you on your journey through life.

Are You Tired of Being Taken for Granted?

Are You Tired of Being Taken for Granted?

“Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.”-Mark Twain

It happens every single day and whether we like it or not, we cannot control it. Other people’s unconscious inaction. How many times have you gave your all to someone you dearly care about, simply to discover that they don’t have the slightest intention of acknowledging your thoughtful actions? Well, we’ve all heard the old saying ‘You Get What You Give’.

So what happens when you find that you give more than you get? Do you on a confrontational raging hunt to get back all of the love, time and moreover energy you gave to those around you? Well you could and it might even make you feel better to put your 2 cents in. However, the love, time and effort you gave away was never really about others in the first place. Although we are collectively and subconsciously connected, we are all on an unique learning journey. Learning how-to discern other peoples lack of consciousness is sometimes the exact lesson we need to learn in our life.

When Jesus performed miracles and healed hundreds of sick people, only several people came back to say ‘Thank you’. Yet he did not throw in the towel and stop giving his love to others. Selfless giving isn’t going to be easy because it’s a virtuous art form. Giving your time, effort and patience was never really about anyone else anyhow. On the contrary, it has always been about you and your capacity to love and whether we like it or not, recognition and praise may not be the greater lessons which life intended for us to learn at those specific moments in our life. So, whenever you find yourself feeling like a used up rag doll, just remember that when you look in the mirror, life is always reflecting back the most important lesson you need to uncover.

That you have already found the selfless love you sought in the world.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

What Gives You Energy? by Kelly Howell

What Gives You Energy? by Kelly Howell originally posted Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 11:45pm.


Do you ever notice how some things give you energy, and others suck you dry?

I didn't pay much attention to this obvious distinction until recently. It crept up on me without my even realizing it, that is, until it hit me over the head like a baseball bat.

I was on fire, swept into a creative vortex, working on a series of new Brain Sync programs, building the new Brain Sync website, conducting interviews for Theatre of the Mind podcasts. And even making free downloads to recharge our weary brains.

But then, something changed. Everything I tried to do seemed fraught with obstacles.

Why had even the simplest things become an uphill battle?

So I began asking, what is that secret something that makes everything fall into place? What makes flow and synchronicity happen?

While reading the book "Wealth from Within" by Lori Culwell, I got the answer. It’s ENERGY! Not the kind of adrenaline rush energy you get from a double espresso, but the stimulating, positive energy that comes from people, ideas and activities that fill you with a sense of inspiration and euphoria.

Good things happen when you FEEL GOOD! If your tank is empty, even basic everyday things become funky and annoying, like burning dinner!

Here's what I did to raise my vibration and get back into the Flow. Do this everyday for a week and you’ll get your Mojo on. The more positive energy you can build up, the sooner you’ll notice flow and synchronicity moving your life in the direction you want.

Step 1- Start noticing who and what gives you energy, and what drains you. This in itself is enlightening. You might be draining your Mojo without even realizing it. Immersing yourself in horrible news drains your energy. Mindless web surfing drains your energy. Dwelling on what’s wrong with the world; your life; or other people’s problems drains your energy. Even doing the same things day in and day out can drain your energy.

Step 2- Eliminate all unnecessary and extraneous energy drains. You know who and what they are. Of course there are always going to be people you love that need your help, attention and energy. Counterbalance unavoidable tank drainers with people and activities that replenish your supply.

Step 3- Start your day with the intention of doing 3 simple/ easy things that make you feel good and do them. These can be very sweet and satisfying things like listening to music, getting out in nature, connecting with new people, cooking dinner with friends.

And, if you can add one especially fun activity into your schedule each week, you’ll boost your energy much faster. Try something new. Novelty is good for your brain; it releases endorphins, causes mild euphoria and increases your energy supply.


Written By Kelly Howell

To learn more about Kelly Howell feel free to visit her at:http://www.brainsync.com/about-us/about-kelly-howell.html

Finding The Love Of Your Life By Ben Ormonde

Ben Ormonde - Personal Transformation Coach


Originally Published on : Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Finding The Love Of Your Life


by Ben Ormonde
Personal Transformation Coach


How to attract and keep The Love Of Your Life.

St Valentines Day is approaching, love is in the air for many and others are wondering when, if ever, their Prince Charming or Princess Perfection is going to arrive.

If you’ve been longing to connect with “The Love Of Your Life” or “Soulmate” and he or she has been elusive I’m going to explain what’s happening and what to do about it from a Law of Attraction perspective. The word “soulmate” has now become part of popular language. It really does sound so absolutely wonderful and romantic because what you’re asking for is a mate for your soul.

If you are looking for your soul mate, what you are indicating is that you are aware that you have a soul and that there is a part of you that you may call spiritual or divine and that you would really like to share your human journey with someone who’s a match to that deeper part of you.
Many people never get to know or get in touch with that deeper part of themselves, so they’re likely to just attract partners, not soulmates. The romantic notion of a soulmate is one of a perfectly matched other half who makes us feel balanced, loved, wanted, safe and complete.


Soulmate is not necessarily defined as a romantic, sexual or marriage relationship. Soulmates show up in many different forms. You can have friends, business associates or family members who are soulmates and even pets who you would call soulmates.

What we’re really here to talk about is the romantic soulmate, meeting the one, finding the love of your life, to share our lives with, the one who is going to enhance this human experience and who we may possibly even marry and spend the rest of our lives with.

Why then is finding the love of our life so illusive for so many? This is where the rubber meets the road. The answer is that you need to first fall in love with yourself. I don’t mean that in a conceited or narcissistic way. What I’m saying is that you need to already have a life in which you feel valuable, contented, and you are living a life that is on purpose and full regardless of whether you have a partner or not. This is an inside job.


Before you can know your soul mate, you have to know your own soul. If you don’t know yourself and like yourself, you really don’t stand much chance of meeting someone who will want to know you and like you.

You literally have to fall in love with yourself before anyone else is likely to. This may not be what you want to hear because you’d rather have someone just love you than you loving yourself, but it just doesn’t work that way. It works from the inside out.


The feeling of euphoria early in a new relationship has absolutely nothing to do with real genuine love. It has everything to do with a rush of all the feel good hormones rushing to our brain in the same way as addictive drugs do. It feels absolutely fantastic. We’ve all been there, we meet this new person and we have such a great time and I just love being around you, time flies, I’ve got butterflies in my stomach, I feel weak at the knees, I feel like I’m in love with you and I want to marry you and live with you forever and have children with you! Sound familiar? This is why people get so addicted to getting that feeling of “being in love”. It’s all hormones. Real long term love relationships need to be built on very solid foundations. In human terms, this means a relationship built by two grounded, contented people who are already living their lives on purpose.


Being dependent on the behaviour of another person to make you happy and to give you a feeling of wellbeing is profoundly unhealthy. It puts you in a prison of dependency and sows the seeds of co-dependency. In co-dependencies, people end up blaming each other.
Healthy long term romantic, soulmate relationships are grounded in unconditional love, meaning that you live your lives as self actualized people who choose to get together in a spirit of sharing rather than neediness. This means living independent of the opinions or behaviour or the other person.


Anyone who says, I have so much love to give and nobody to give it to, is really saying, I’m the emotional black hole and I will suck every bit of life from you that you allow me to. What this means is that somebody who ‘needs’ a soul mate is coming from a sense of desperation and if you’re desperate, desperation repels. The more desperate you feel, the more you push away what you want. That’s just the way the Law of Attraction works. We’ve all met people who are very desperate and it’s really very hard for them to find a mate because they don’t like themselves.


If however you’re a person who has a real sense that you’re a valuable, good person and that there’s love in you and beauty in you, and that you would like to share your love instead of needing someone to fill in a black hole, then you are in the perfect position to attract someone who will enhance your earthly experience.


The Law of Attraction says that Like attracts Like. You may have noticed that desperate people attract other desperate people. Have you also noticed what happens when you feel really good about yourself, when you’re relaxed, joyful, creative and playful, you feel like you could just be alone and have some fun on your own if you want to? When you get to that blissful inner feeling of contentedness regardless of having a partner, that’s when the right people seem to magically show up. The reason is because whole people are attracted to whole people. So before you can attract a whole person, you have to become whole person. You have to become the person you want to attract.


The worst line I have ever heard used in a movie was in Jerry McGuire. The line was “You complete me”! What that line means is that if you are somehow empty, broken, lost, screwed up or messed up and if you just found that right one person to fill the void and be everything to you that you are not to yourself, well, you’ll then be ok. Does that mean that two broken halves will make one perfect whole couple? I don’t think so.

If you define yourself as a broken or half person and you think that if I could just get with another broken or half person, maybe we could fill in each others blanks and somehow end up with a whole one. What you end up with is less than what you started with. This is all about self love and the moment you can genuinely fall in love with yourself, you become extremely attractive to other people. I know, it’s a bit of a paradox. The way it works is this; before you can really have somebody else, you have to not need somebody else. In other words, when you are totally willing to go it alone, if you have to, then almost magically, the chemistry happens for you and you end up going with someone else. That someone else may well be “The Love Of Your Life”.

I hope that you find the idea of falling in love with yourself and your life regardless of having a partner as exciting as I do. When you get yourself to that point of contentment, you will be radiantly attractive and your soul mate will be drawn to you like a magnet.


What do you think? I would love to hear your comments below and answer your questions.
Please also feel free to share this post with our friends on Twitter or Facebook.


I look forward to your comments and questions.


Ben Ormonde
Personal Transformation Coach
Contagious Enthusiasm Self Development and Wellness Centre.