Barbara Schmidt's Blog, page 49

The Four Questions I Ask Myself Every Morning

Mornings are really great. I mean, I myself don’t consider myself to be a morning person (ask anyone who has ever lived with me), but I really do value the fresh start to every single day. There’s something really cool about being given another day on this planet—the uncertainty, the possibility, the hope. It’s never a given that we will have another day, and so the gratitude of it all in itself is super amazing.

I’ve come to think that the way you start your day, sets the tone for the rest of the day. We have so many choices on where to put our energy and time, and those first few precious moments in the morning deserve the best. I’ve gone through many morning rituals and patterns of meditation, journaling, praying, reading, etc. I think finding a morning ritual that suits yourself and your life is so important. One thing that has stuck with me since the get go are the four questions I ask myself every morning.

Where would you have me go?
What would you have me do?
What would you have me say?
And to whom?

These questions come from the text A Course in Miracles, but I first learned of them through one of my teachers, Gabrielle Bernstein. Years ago, I heard her speak and she suggested, as a way to tap into intuition, guidance, and faith to ask yourself these questions. I’m so grateful because these questions really got have helped me along the way of my own spiritual path. I love not knowing how the questions will be answered and how each and every day the answers to these questions will be different. Starting my day out with just thinking or even writing these questions down gives me hope, faith, and trust that my day will unfold with divine guidance. I share these questions with you this week, not to push my own habits onto you, but to share what helps me day in and day out to lead the best life possible. If you feel so inclined, incorporate this into your mediation or journaling time, and let me know how it works for you!

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The Key to World Peace

“We cannot hope for a peaceful world if we do not have a peaceful mind” Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

I had originally planned an entirely different blog for this week, but last minute decided that I must share with you a message that I heard this past Monday night that I think is too important to not pass along. On Monday, Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life had the distinct privilege of hosting Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo at Florida Atlantic University. It was a perfect way to begin a new year, setting the intention of peace in the world.

For those of you who don’t know Tenzin Palmo, please, allow me to share some information about this amazing human being. Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is a Buddhist nun, who has spent most of her life in meditation and activism. She spent 12 years of her life in a cave in the Himalayas in meditation and retreat. Tenzin Palmo now runs a Buddhist nunnery in India, in hopes of bridging the gap for females seeking spiritual practices. In her talk, Tenzin Palmo highlighted the importance of spiritual practice, mindfulness, meditation, and self-awareness. Even though I have heard this message many times before, I found the reminder timely and utterly important.

In all the magical forms of synchronicity, Tenzin Palmo spoke directly to the mission of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life. So what is Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life’s mission exactly? Helping people to find inner peace, which then will lead to outer (world) peace. How is this possible? Through daily spiritual practices, mainly being meditation. Through meditation we begin to calm the mind. Through meditation we begin to choose our thoughts. Through meditation we start to have compassion and patience for all living beings. Surely that a step in the right direction for world peace, yes?

Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life is a non-profit organization essentially dedicated to bringing world peace, starting with you. Day in and day out we try to come up with ways to bring you insight, inspiration, and positivity to help you be your very best, so that you can be a light in your community, spreading across the world. It’s a movement, and I’m so thrilled you are apart of it with us.

For more information on Tenzin Palmo and the Buddhist nunnery she runs in India, please visit www.tenzinpalmo.com. For more information on the mission of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, click over to our main page and find out ways to support this movement.

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10 Things To Give Up in 2015

Welcome to 2015! How has the New Year been treating you so far? I hope you all enjoyed your celebrations, your rituals, and your welcoming of a new era of your life. You may still be feeling a bit overwhelmed with resolutions, goals, and ideals of how you want your 2015 to be. I’m right there with you! From experience, I’ve found that I can be my own worst enemy, keeping myself from obtaining my goals. We all have the capability of achieving anything we set our minds to, we just have to let go of the self-destructing patterns and habits we’ve grown accustomed to. The goal is not to be perfect, but to always be perfecting, being mindful of our thoughts and actions, and adjusting accordingly. I’ve made a little list of things that I know for sure I need to give up this year in order to reach for the stars, so I thought I’d share it with you. I hope 2015 brings you all that you desire and more…you deserve it!

Self-Doubt. Perhaps the biggest dream killer of them all, self-doubt. How can you possibly acquire all you desire when in your heart of hearts you don’t even believe you deserve it? Let go of the thoughts that tell you you aren’t enough, because seriously, you are.
Playing Small. You have dreams and goals? That’s awesome, what are you going to do about it? We all have the capability of thinking about what we want, and then we get stuck by not going into action. Step out of your own shadow and be the rock star you’re meant to be.
Negative Self-Talk. We are our own harshest critics, which is really insane! Would you talk to your friends the way you talk to yourself? Dump the crazy town that goes on in your brain about yourself, treat yourself like you love yourself (and then really, love yourself).
Comparison. Ah, comparison, the real thief of joy, and one of my favorite past times. Comparing yourself to others is a total waste of time and energy, just don’t do it. You are who you are and where you are for a reason, and just learn to love that. Be happy and supportive of others, but don’t crave a life that isn’t yours.
Procrastination. Want to make 2015 your year? Start now. Not on Monday or next month, but now. Don’t take for granted the fact that time may be on your side, be the master of your future and go!
Multi-tasking. Be focused and be present. Stop trying to do eight million things at once, and dedicate your attention to one thing at a time. You’ll be more efficient and more valued in all that you do.
Competing. Much like comparing, seriously just don’t. Again, you are you with your own wonderful, magnificent purpose; don’t try to be better than someone else just for the sake of “winning”. Win your own life, don’t try and best someone else.
Conforming. Break out of the mold and be yourself. You are unique, and that is fantastic.
Guilt. Whatever happened in the past, let it go. Learn from it, grow from it, but don’t let guilt and regret rip you away from the joys of the present. Make amends, and move forward!
Excuses. I bet you’ve been thinking this list is way too long and too unobtainable. Well guess what, that’s an excuse. I make excuses for myself all the time of why I can’t do things, and where does that get me? Nowhere. Sure, there are limitations in life, but don’t let them define you. Allow them to push you to be your best. Like I said, you are in the drivers seat this year, which road will you take?

Keep me posted on how this goes! And again, Happy New Year!

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My End Of The Year Ritual

The end of a year is such an exciting time. For me, I can just feel the change in energy, the shift in perception, and the immense curiosity of what is to come. I find myself feeling extra positive at the end of each year, and feeling like anything is possible. And really, it is. Even though the end of the year is such a hectic time with holidays, parties, and family time, I find it’s a time of going inward and reflection. I just love taking time with myself to go over the past twelve months, honor what has happened and prepare for another whole year. You may all have your own rituals of how you close out a year, but I want to share with you what I do to say good-bye to the year that has passed and say hello to a brand new era of our lives. Check out my own end of the year ritual below!

Gratitude meditation. As a perfect way to start my ritual, I take some time for meditation. Spend a few minutes in silence with your eyes closed and just feel gratitude. You can think back to experiences or people that have filled you with joy this year and take these minutes to just be grateful. Feel this feeling in your whole body and soul. Epitomize being grateful for everything that has happened up until this moment.
Journal about all the challenges, experiences, and lessons learned. Although a great year in many ways, 2014 was also an extremely challenging year. This journaling portion for me will be so important, as there has been SO much I have learned and been through. Take an inventory of all that has happened, recognize it, honor it, and then set an intention to let it go. Think of the New Year as a clean slate; keep the past in the past and allow space for the excitement of a brand new year.
Set intentions. You all know by now, I love intention setting. Again, it makes me feel like anything is possible. You could again take some time in meditation, or just go inward and see what your spirit truly wants for this year. Maybe it’s focusing on self-care, or building a business, or finding a romantic relationship. Listen to what the soul wants, and send this intention out to the Universe to be manifested. Your thoughts, words, and actions are so powerful. When you truly want something, the world will conspire to help you achieve it.
Make an inspiring to-do list. I love having things to look forward to. Sometimes it’s fun to make a list of fun things you would love to do in the days to come. Maybe take a fun family vacation, go on a meditation retreat, or even read a book you have been dying to dive into. Make a small list of fun things you would like to do for yourself in the coming year. If you are feeling even more eager, you could even pull out a calendar and write it down there, almost forcing you to follow through on making time for you and your joy! Remember you are in charge of your happiness, make yourself a priority and find time for yourself in 2015.
Let go. Perhaps the hardest step for many of us, me included! I love to micromanage and make sure everything gets done, so surrendering the outcome to the Universe can be super challenging. Once you have gone through all these preparatory steps, it’s time to just let go, and allow everything to happen in due time. Of course, it is still necessary to take positive actions in the direction of your dreams and intentions, but there is no need to force or put pressure on yourself for the outcome. I have found that everything happens for a reason and in the perfect timing. Trust that life will follow in this way.

I would love to hear your end of the year rituals, and what you do to prepare for this brand new year! Thank you for spending 2014 here with me on the blog, I’m so excited to see what next year has in store for us! Happy New Year!

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Finding the True Holiday Spirit

I really, really love Christmas time. For my entire life, this has always been my favorite time of the year; it just feels magical. Yet, this year, I’ve found myself struggling to get into the holiday spirit. There have been so many troubling events taking place across the world. These events have affected me deeply, especially during a time that is meant to be joyous and filled with love. I have found myself wondering what I can do to counteract these feelings. The one thing that keeps popping back into my mind is to “be the light”. I remember, that I am responsible for my perception of the world, and I have to be the change that I wish to see.

The holiday season, for whatever holiday you celebrate, is a time to show love, to be compassionate, and to promote peace. There is a lot of darkness in this world, and it seems like it’s too much to clear away, but when each and every one of us steps up to be that light, that darkness cannot prevail. Since we are in the holiday season, I find this to be the perfect message for my blog this week. When you show up, day in and day out, being a source of light in this world, you are giving the world so much love and hope.

I challenge you this week, to be this beacon of positivity and love, especially when it’s most challenging to do so. Let those close to you know you love them, allow strangers to be comforted by your compassion, and send positive energy to all those around the world who may really need it. Remember, your thoughts, actions, and presence matters!

How will you contribute to peace in the world this holiday season? Let me know in the comments below! Sending you and your loved ones so much love!

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8 Ways to Create Your Own Inspiration

I don’t know about you, but I love overdosing on inspirational material. I seek out books, events, and blogs just like this one for my daily dose of inspiration and positivity. I’m so grateful that we live in a time that there are so many readily available outlets that promote happiness and well-being. With all this being said, I am one of those people that likes to do things my self and be a little more self-reliant. What if I could be in charge of my own inspiration and personal happiness?

Life can be grueling, day in and day out dealing with responsibilities and different challenges, we can forget that in the end, we are in charge of the life we see and create. This week I want to give you eight simple tools for creating inspiration in any given day. You don’t have to be at a retreat or somewhere peaceful to find calm and stillness. Check out these tips below to learn more:

Find your own sense of stillness. What does connecting with yourself mean to you? Make it a point everyday to sit in stillness in some way. Go inward, connect, and get a sense of your own magnificence.
Get moving. It’s great to be in stillness, but it’s also great to move your body. Many of us spend most of our days sedentary at desks or in cars. Find time to get moving! Even if it’s only five minutes, you’ll feel rejuvenated, inspired and ready to tackle whatever’s coming next for you in your day.
Find an inspiration buddy. Choose one person in your life who can be a go-to to pick you up when you might need a boost. You can think of this person (or maybe group of people) as your spiritual running buddy. Someone who has the same interests, values, and ideals that can share your path of ups and downs with you and lend an hand when needed.
Pay attention to the details. When we get bored with life, we often times have shut down and aren’t really paying attention to just how amazing life is. Seek out the magnificence in the smallest details of your day.
Use mantras and affirmations. By simply replacing your negative thoughts with more positive ones you are creating a shift. Mantras and affirmations are great tools to have in your back pocket for when you really need an inspired boost. Choose a few that you like and write them down on post-its or in your phone so you can have a go-to when you need it.
Make a gratitude list. One of the greatest ways to feel better is to remember all that you have to be thankful. Gratitude lists are so amazing in that way. Feeling blue? Put pen to paper and jot down what’s already amazing in your life at this very moment. You’ll be amazed and inspired.
Be of service. Another great way to feel great? Help someone else out! Do something nice for someone else, perform random acts of kindness, or simply just show compassion and patience. Your energy effects this world, what imprint are you leaving?
Plan something that excites your soul. I love when I can look at my calendar and see something exciting to look forward to. Even if it’s something small, plan outings, events, or trips that light you up inside. Whether it’s meeting with your spiritual running buddy or taking that vacation you’ve long desired, add some inspired excitement into your calendar.

I hope this leaves you feeling inspired for the week to come! I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you create your own inspiration!

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How to Manage Holiday Stress

It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year, right? The holiday season always makes me feel so happy, nostalgic, and joyful. That is, until I let the outside pressures of the holiday creep in, inducing stress and unease. Holidays have become bigger than life; more expectations, more highs and lows, and more pressure to be perfect. When we let this happen, the real meaning of love, joy, and peace tend to go out the window. Luckily, I’m here to help! I want to enjoy this magical time just as much as you, so I’ve put together some tips on keeping your holiday season (whatever that looks like for you) stress-free, happy, and calm. If you’re feeling the heat from holiday stress, check out these tips below.

Center yourself so your presence is a present of peace. If you want your holidays to be less stressed, you have to start with yourself. A great way to find calm and centeredness no matter what is going on is to spend a few minutes everyday in silence and meditation. Your energy of ease will spread to those around you. Be the change!
Get organized. There tends to be a lot going on at this time of year. Holiday parties, gift exchanges, family get togethers, it can be challenging to keep it all in order. Give yourself a break by taking some time to get organized with all you have going on.
Set your priorities straight! Stemming off of tip #2 above, there is a ton going on at this time. You DON’T have to do it all. There you go, I gave you permission to say no. We often feel pressured to go to every party and event and please everyone. This mentality will only add more stress! Get clear on what you truly want to do and what you want to be apart of, and release the rest.
Let go of perfection. Things don’t have to be perfect to be enjoyable. Some of the most fun, memorable holiday experiences I’ve had come from spur of the moment “mistakes” or unplanned events. Don’t run yourself ragged trying to create the perfect holiday situation. Make plans, set intentions, but release control of minor details.
Remember the reason of the season. Be loving! Love is why we are here, isn’t it? If you feel yourself getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, take a few seconds, come back to your breath, and get back in tune with that loving attitude. Try making someone else’s day by being extra kind and compassionate. Give back to those who may need some help this year, and treat everyone with so much love.

What are some of your go-to’s for staying sane this season? Let me know, and happy holidays!!

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5 Tips to Get Better Sleep

One of the best tools I’ve gained since being on a spiritual path is simple awareness. Like I’ve said in the past, I don’t try to be perfect, but I try to be mindful and aware of my life, my habits, and make conscious choices on how I can lead the healthiest, happiest possible life. I’ve learned to notice signs and symptoms from my body when I’m not taking the best care of myself. Lately, I’ve been feeling exhausted and totally drained, everyday. I wake up not feeling rested, wanting to continuously hit the snooze button on my alarm clock. Sleep is so important to me; I literally can not function without good sleep. Since I’m practicing mindfulness and awareness, I started to ask myself, “What am I doing to inhibit my sleep?” I choose to take responsibility of my health and decided to incorporate some of these habits into my life to get my sleep, health, and vitality back on track. If you are feeling the lag of not getting restful, meaningful sleep, try incorporating some of these tips into your day-to-day routine. Be mindful! See what works for you, and let me know how it goes for you! We all know how proper sleep leads to so many health benefits; let’s make sleep a priority this week!

Meditate daily. There is a plethora of health benefits from meditation. It’s like a reset for the mind, body and spirit. A daily meditation practice, even for just a few minutes can help you feel more centered, rested and at peace.
Stay hydrated. Now that we are in the colder, drier months of winter, it’s extra important to make sure you’re drinking enough water. Many times I find myself up in the middle of the night feeling parched and not well if I haven’t had enough water the night before. I try to have a bottle of water with me at all times to drink up throughout the day!
Avoid eating or drinking any stimulating substances at night. Be mindful of what you consume a few hours before bed. For me, going to sleep on an extra full stomach and eating heavy foods disrupts my sleep. Also, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, avoid stimulants like coffee or even chocolate before bedtime so you’re not wide-awake when it’s time for sleep.
Disconnect! One hour before bedtime, try disconnecting from all technology. The lights from our phones, computers, and televisions have an effect on our sleeping patterns. Try this for a week, and see how it works for you.
Journal. If you’re wondering how you can spend those few minutes before you go into your restful slumber without technology, journaling is a great healthy tool to try. Many of us feel we have difficulty even falling asleep due to the restless mind and it’s incessant thoughts. Journaling is a great way to release those thoughts and go to sleep with a clear head. For a few minutes each night, put pen to paper and let the ink flow without editing your thoughts or words.

I hope you find these tips helpful so that you can have the dreamiest sleep, every night! Keep me posted in the comments below!

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Cultivating Gratitude For Everything in Life

The other day I was walking down the street in New York City, which is one of my favorite past times, and saw a fabulous piece of street art. One of the things I love about walking in NYC is you never know what you’re going to run into, and on this day I saw a sign that said, “Congratulations! You’ve just won another day on planet Earth!” What a wonderful reminder to be present and have gratitude.

Around the time of the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude. We sit around and talk about the major things in life we are grateful for, and that is so wonderful. What is even more wonderful is having that attitude of gratitude everyday, and being grateful for even the smallest blessings in life. When we are thankful and present to these blessings, we create space for even more to show up. Find gratitude for all aspects of your life by following these tips below:

Start each day grateful for this new opportunity to live. Just like my NYC street art moment, congratulate yourself on having another day on this earth. Starting your day off in this way sets you up in an amazingly positive mindset.
Be present and aware of your circumstances. So many wonderful things happen to us throughout the day but we are so distracted we tend not to notice. Make it a point to be more aware of your daily interactions and situations. Find the miracle in all that you see.
Make a gratitude list. A sure fire way to cultivate gratitude is to write down, pen to paper, exactly what you’re thankful for. Even on days when you feel totally defeated, there is always something to be thankful for. Remind yourself, take note, and begin to realize how truly blessed you are.
Express yourself. Be open about your love for your life and the wonderful things in it. Encourage others around you to do the same. Gratitude is contagious.

What do you do in your life to cultivate an attitude of gratitude? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Finding the Lesson in Mistakes

I tend to be a perfectionist about certain things, especially when it comes to being on a spiritual path. I tend to want to be perfect, do everything “right”, and make all the best decisions for myself and my life. Being an idealist is great, and having positive mentality is wonderful, the problem lies in having the expectation that we cannot fail, and then ultimately beating ourselves up when we do misstep. I’ve experienced this a bit lately, when I’ve judged some of my life choices that I’ve made, and have given myself a hard time for not being better. But then, I remember what I tell you guys on the blog all the time, we just have to learn from our life experiences and desire to do better in the future.

Life is not meant to be perfected; but rather it’s meant to be lived, experienced, and learned from. This week I’m going to work on dropping the desire to be perfect, and simply focus on being the best I can be in each moment. Want to join in? Here are some tips I follow to find lesson and meaning in my mistakes and to learn to let go of the perfectionist mentality.

Forgive and love yourself. We tend to be our own worst critics, forgive yourself for that mindset; love yourself for where you are right now. This is at the top of my list because it can often times be the most challenging. The inner self-critic and negative thoughts can make any situation that much worse.
Remember that everything happens for a reason; see what you can learn in each and every situation. Find out that lesson, contemplate it, and try to incorporate what you’ve learned into your life for next time.
Reframe the situation. We like to write stories in our heads of how bad our mistakes are, usually we make it worse than it actually is. What would happen if we re-wrote the situation to make it better? Can you find a silver lining?
Feel your feelings, while staying positive. It’s great to feel feelings, but don’t dwell in the negative. Go through the necessary emotions, and then let them go.
Remember this too shall pass. Life is constantly in motion and whatever we are dwelling on in this moment will soon be a fleeting memory. Try to stay present, be gentle with yourself, and know that everything will work out exactly as it should.

How do you get over the hurdles of the mistakes in your life? Let me know!

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