Debra Oakland's Blog, page 9

The Compassion Component

A human being is a part of the whole called by us ‘Universe,’ a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. – Albert Einstein

The compassion component seems to be in short supply lately. I have seen a big difference in the way people interact since the age of technology. In gaining momentum, technology (and all that comes with it) has us looking down, not up – in every conceivable way. Sadly, devices have contributed to people becoming divisive, perpetuating separation. Now the delusion IS our prison, and one of our own making.

Sure, we are compassionate with our circle of family and friends, those of influence we respect, with events that trigger our emotions, but it’s selective at best. Why do you think we are still separated by race, color, gender, religion, politics, and a host of other things you can add – to a very long list. Over the ages we don’t seem to evolve, even when we are beaten over the heads with music, tele-vision, movies, books, motivational speakers, coaches, mentors. You get the picture.

I have never seen people at each others throats as I have in the current political climate. It’s sad to watch people who have been friends for years torn apart, allowing disparity to rule. I see it often on social media particularly. It’s unfortunate that we ‘the people’ are the downtrodden, and the few who pull the strings have strung us along as far back as we can remember. Here’s the thing – we outnumber the few. What’s the message here?

Since you can’t overthrow those who manipulate the world for money and power, you can take your personal power back whenever it attempts to evade you. It’s the living breathing beat of your soul. You own it. Conduct yourself with integrity, authenticity, love, kindness, power and peace. Whatever ignites a fire of purpose in you, do that. Make good choices that support your life. Energy is alive, active, and knows how to flow. We humans tend to get in the way of our good now and then. Like stepping on a running hose, stopping the natural flow. Optical delusion of our consciousness, so perfectly stated by Albert Einstein.

 

Original article: The Compassion Component

©2019 Debra Oakland. All Rights Reserved.

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We The People ARE The Heartbeat Of Hope

We The People ARE The Heartbeat Of Hope

Last night I was watching “Finding Your Roots” with host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. I absorbed the word ‘hope’ with each ancestral story. The family roots of three featured guests were researched and compiled by genealogists. Each guest was presented with a “book of life” – each page filled with their ancestry. The immigrants who came from around the world to find a better life here in the United States carried hope in their hearts and souls as a guiding light. They came in search of peace and prosperity. This heartbeat alive within carried them through in the most challenging of times. It took extreme courage, and for many, desperation/determination to uproot themselves and embark on an unknown journey. Arrival in the U.S. traded old struggles (in most cases, for new ones) with what appeared to be a brighter future.

This brings to mind what is going on currently in the world you and I live in. I see many people struggling, skittish, confused, frustrated, yet hopeful for a better future. Politics have torn people apart to the very core. Racial issues are as unresolved as ever. The weather patterns are unpredictable. People are dying of diseases at an unprecedented rate. Each generation being born wants to forge different paths than the previous generations. Our world is changing rapidly, much of it due to modern technology. I could go on listing disparities tearing people and the fiber of life apart, but at the same time, these same things can bring us together. Why? Because we the people ARE the heartbeat of hope.

“Out of difficulties grow miracles.” – Jean de la Bruyère

Hope is a beautiful thing. It is the catalyst for action – the fuel that drives dreams. Without hope we have nothing to drive us forward. Every generation needs their own form of hope, (predicated on what is happening at that time for that generation) so they are not running off the fumes of the generations that came before them. We need more tolerance. Think about it, the generations before us thought each ‘new’ generation was going to hell in a hand-basket.

Until we find common ground, there will be no change. This has always been the conundrum kept alive by those who want to keep the status quo. We The People – it’s up to us to come together to create a collective heartbeat of change. Division and separation has not served the people. It has served those in power. Until we truly wake up to what we have created and take action, the outer world will never be at peace.

I can add a long list here of positive ways to create change, but haven’t we heard it all, read the books, been to the seminars, watched shows/movies, and listened to songs inspiring us to be the change we hope to see? My greatest wish is that I could give you a solution. The best we can do is to carry the heartbeat of hope deep in our hearts, and be the best person we can be. It’s an inside job.

If I can offer one suggestion, it would be this, take the time to lift someone up daily. Share a smile, an act of kindness, support a person who is struggling in some way, listen with patience and offer an encouraging word. Each of these acts make a difference. YOU are the heartbeat of hope.

Original article: We The People ARE The Heartbeat Of Hope

©2019 Debra Oakland. All Rights Reserved.

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Complex Challenges On Our Home Planet & Exploration Beyond

It’s January 1st, 2019 – Congratulations, we made it! Once again, we are embarking on our next orbit around the sun together. The journey can continue brimming with possibilities or…

Sure we have complex challenges, but what era on this planet has not? Time will march on in our NOW (Naturally Occurring Wonder) moments of creation. With this fact in mind, what will you do? How will you consciously choose to live your life exploring the beyond? Will you choose not to fly, like a bird with a clipped wing, grounded, stunned and left feeling helpless? I don’t believe you will. I see you soaring, reaching beyond the complex challenges in the outer world, connecting to your inner power where you brilliantly create your best life.

I want to share this inspiring quote by Joan Marques, “When it rains, it pours. Maybe the art of life is to convert tough times to great experiences: we can choose to hate the rain or dance in it.”

Story Time – Carrot, Egg & Coffee Beans…

A young woman struggling with life, went to her mother and told her how her life was miserable and hard for her. She was tired of fighting and struggling with her problems and wanted to give up.

Her mother, without saying much, took the young lady to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first pot, she placed carrots, in the second one she placed eggs, and the last she placed some ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil without saying a word to her daughter. The daughter wondered what her mother was trying to do while she was complaining about her life. After some time the mother turned down the burner, fished the carrots and the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.  Then she ladled the coffee out into a cup. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see?”

“A carrot, egg and coffee.” she replied.

“Look closer and feel the carrots” said the mother. The daughter noted that they were soft. The mother then asked her to take an egg and break it. The interior of the egg was hard boiled. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face.

The daughter then asked, “What does this mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that all the three items, carrot, egg, and coffee went through the same situation, the boiling water. However, each reacted differently. The carrot was strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg was fragile with the thin outer shell and its liquid interior. But after being in the boiling water, it hardened its interior. The ground coffee beans were unique, as it came to the boiling water, it changed the water and gave its incredible aroma.

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE KITCHEN & BEYOND

We all go through boiling water at some point in our life. My question is, how do you respond to complex challenges? Are you adaptable and solution oriented when adversity rears its head? Do you allow yourself to become weak and soft? Do you develop a hardened interior? I like to imagine that you are unique in that you courageously work toward creating positive change in your life. By doing so, your positive influence and energy will expand out into our home planet and beyond.

“Often it isn’t the mountains ahead that wear you out, it’s the little pebble in your shoe.” – Mohammad Ali

Let us each relish the treasures held inside. I wish you a most exciting exploration and a most excellent 2019!

Original article: Complex Challenges On Our Home Planet & Exploration Beyond

©2018 Debra Oakland. All Rights Reserved.

The post Complex Challenges On Our Home Planet & Exploration Beyond appeared first on Debra Oakland.

My Personal Q & A To You

The end of  2018 is fast approaching. I’ve felt the impetus to reflect on this years journey, which has been quite remarkable. A culmination of my husband Cody’s life, and mine, for over 30 years is coming together like a jigsaw puzzle. It’s been a montage of life events, hence the reflection on my life. One day I found myself perusing the internet, looking at lists of intriguing questions. In preparing this post, as well as my December Living in Courage Newsletter, I thought, “Why not ask myself a few personal questions I find value in, and share my personal Q & A with my readers.” I know it’s been a life changing year for all of us. My hope is that you navigated 2018 with courage, love and peace. I invite you to ask yourself any of the questions below that jump out at you. Here we go!

 

 

If you had the chance to begin life over – what would you do different?

 

 

I would not change a thing. Although I have experienced great loss in my life – I trust that each family member who passed had an individual soul path. Did two or three of them make choices that contributed to the loss of health and well-being? I would say yes, and although I often added my ‘two cents’, the choice was ultimately theirs.

Each experience in my life led me to the life I now live. Had a few definitive shifts occurred, my life would be a completely different story. Now that I look back at the lessons I have learned, and the courageous woman I have become, a ‘do-over’ does not appeal to me. How about you? Would you change the course of your life if you could?

 

 

What is your strongest quality?

 

 

 

I would say integrity. My husband says, it’s my sense of truth and honesty. He says I am incorruptible. He’s adorable!

 

 

 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

 

 

Europe, specifically France, Italy and England. I have been obsessed with Europe all my life. I feel a part of my soul lives there – as I live here in the U.S.

When I visit Europe I feel home. Everything has a fascinating history that magically transports me to the depths of my heart and soul. The goal is to have a part-time home (location yet to be determined) here and in Europe.

 

 

If you could choose anyone, past or present to spend the day with, who would it be?

 

 

My Grandfather Walt. He was extremely kind, and a very interesting man. When Walt was young he ran away from an orphanage and traveled as a deck-hand on Admiral Byrd’s first Expedition to Antarctica. The stories of his life include some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. At one point in his life Walt was a constable, called in by the sheriff to meet him at an estate to apprehend an escapee from Fulton prison. As Walt came around the building, the sheriff mistook him for the convict, and shot him near his eye, which he lost. Walt was able to donate his cornea to a young girl. This family was very wealthy and asked Walt what they could do in return. He said he would like a Chris Craft speed boat so he could rent it out. They gave him several! Walt took me everywhere with him. I was his first granddaughter and the apple of his remaining eye…LOL! I have many stories passed down from my mother, who knew Gary Crosby, and took dancing lessons with the Gumm Sisters – AKA Judy Garland and sister Virginia. Walt and Clark Gable hunted together often. Spike Jones was one of Walt’s closest friends. Robert Stack was his neighbor. Walt rented his cabins on the lake to Nat King Cole, Dick Haymes and Rita Hayworth, Carmen Miranda and the Guadalajara Trio, and many others. Walt also worked on William Randolph Hearst’s vehicles. A multitude of intriguing stories go on and on…

 

If you could offer one valuable piece of advice to a “newborn” entering this earth, what would that advice be?

 

 

I would say, ” Trust in the inner power/blueprint that is your birthright. Live from the heart, be kind, live with personal integrity, love deeply, learn to forgive, use your imagination to create, and be UN-apologetically YOU. Try new things, and maintain an inquisitive nature to keep your sense of adventure alive. Live from the inside out versus the outside in. Last but not least, live courageously and question everything.”

Original article: My Personal Q & A To You

©2018 Debra Oakland. All Rights Reserved.

The post My Personal Q & A To You appeared first on Debra Oakland.

Adaptability In The Modern World

Josh Kaufman in his new book How to Fight a Hydra states: “People strive to make their world comprehensible, predictable, and rewarding, but their locus of control extends only so far. No matter who you are, what you do, or the resources you have at your disposal, you have to learn to live with uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and fear of the unknown. That’s the cause of our discontent: we want to be assured of the outcome before we invest.” To clarify – A person with an internal locus of control believes that he or she can influence events and their outcomes, while someone with an external locus of control blames outside forces for everything. For more on this topic visit Psychology Today – Article by Richard B Joelson DSW, LCSW – research and findings you may find interesting.

This leads to the topic of my article – adaptability. We live in an ever changing, shifting and unsettling world. The world stage has everyone at each others throats, mass shootings have increased, politics have created even more division, racial unrest is off the charts, the weather is unpredictable, as is our future. We can focus on fear, which keeps us nearsighted, or we can choose to adapt and widen our scope of vision. The best way forward is to accumulate skills that will assist us when we need them most. Caution and a sense of humor are required skills!

Politics, religion, race and philosophy – have you noticed we take ourselves very serious in those arenas? Some lose their grip on reality and are unable to adapt. The outer world is a trickster indeed – so beware. It’s important for adapters to roll with the flow, taking action when and where it is most needed. Many reach for defense mechanisms, while others choose coping mechanisms.

“The art of life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” – Kakuzo Okakura

Although change can be uncomfortable, it is a constant and can become a driving force for the shifts we may need in our lives. Those resistant to change will have a more challenging time in the coming years. Stagnation is suffocating, fear is paralyzing. When a shit storm hits our lives, adaptability becomes a powerful tool. The levels and layers within change (looming or unexpected) make us more courageous and adaptable, giving us the opportunity to view life through a much wider lens.

On a personal note: I lost several immediate family members in a few short years. I had to learn to adapt, or let my soul die. The loss of a loved one, the loss of a limb, living with a handicap, the end of a marriage, job, or any event (positive or negative) changes our perspective, defining and shaping who we become. All I can say is, allow your soul to do it’s work. Take the time to expand into the best ‘adaptable’ version of yourself in the modern world.

 

 

 

Original article: Adaptability In The Modern World

©2018 Debra Oakland. All Rights Reserved.

The post Adaptability In The Modern World appeared first on Debra Oakland.

Peace IS Your Action Hero

“I AM blessed in peace and harmony. I AM a fascinating symphony.” — Debra Oakland 

Peace is not weak or powerless, and neither are you. No one is you and that is your superpower! Choosing peace taps you directly into your inner power station. Peace is your action hero, a concentrated activity bringing harmony into every space it occupies. We all have a favorite action hero (male or female) who faces threats in unique ways, taking courageous action. They confront fear face to face and never stop until peace prevails! Our action heroes find solutions and translate them into action. It takes the power of our attention to hold peace in a world less than peaceful. Peace is active, and if we wish to have it, we must participate with it. Find the action hero living in you.

Everyone has experienced situations with family members, friends, or people we work with who have presented us with a challenge. It takes inner control to remain peaceful, to respond, rather than react. Reacting and responding are birds of a different feather. Reacting gives us no time; responding gives us time to peacefully choose a non-reactive direction. Peace is the best option, yet the need to be heard or defend ourselves is second nature.

If you feel like reacting, ask yourself, “What is triggering this reaction inside me?” Have you heard the saying, “What you resist persists”? The more we fight against someone or something, the slower we move forward toward a peaceful resolution. Be responsible for your reactions and actions. If you have created a difficulty, find a workable solution that targets peace and brings mutual harmony to the table. If time allows, I have personally found waiting three days before responding is golden! This allows everyone to cool their jets, giving all parties involved an opportunity to gain a new level of perspective, providing the best outcome.

In the presence of someone speaking discordantly, try mentally repeating, “I choose peace” as they are talking. Use an image, thought, or words to keep you calm, holding the feeling as you listen to the message they are conveying. When a conversation is heading in a negative direction, throw in a positive response or two and notice how the flow changes!

Being in control of our thoughts and feelings, rather than controlled by them, keeps stress and anxiety levels low and vibrational frequencies high. Imagine how people feel when others have an agenda to take their power away by controlling them. This causes resentment and lowers vibrational frequencies for all involved. Giving our power away simply does not feel good. Even though some will allow it, the higher road is to honor people with kindness, understanding, and peaceful respect.

It’s easy to remain peaceful in a quiet, prayerful, meditative state or while living undisturbed from the inside out. When the outer world pulls on us, and it does, this gives us an opportunity to test our inner strength. Remember — peace is power.

“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”  — Author Unknown

 

Original article: Peace IS Your Action Hero

©2018 Debra Oakland. All Rights Reserved.

The post Peace IS Your Action Hero appeared first on Debra Oakland.

Soulful Satisfaction

Brene Brown says, “When we are looking for compassion, we need someone who is deeply rooted, is able to bend and, most of all, embraces us for our strengths and struggles.” The world needs compassion on many levels. We carry our baggage – taking it all very serious, oft times with much disdain, because life affects us emotionally, and our baggage is deeply rooted. We can drop the baggage – forget it all and run, or we can go through the baggage, discarding everything no longer essential. To rise above, we have to face everything – if we strive for all that brings us soulful satisfaction.

Ask yourself these ‘soulful’ questions:

“Am I compassionate with myself and others?”

“Am I deeply rooted?”

“Am I able to bend?”

“Do I embrace my strengths and struggles?”

What if everything you thought you knew was a lie? I’m talking – everything. What is the first thing you would do? Would you take the time to investigate, dig deep with new perspective, or would you insist that everything you convinced yourself was true, still is? Something to ponder, for much of what we ‘think’ we know is an illusion. What is real for you? What defines you? How do you qualify your life? Do you thrive to live a life of soulful satisfaction filled with love, kindness, peace, patience and gratitude? Are you flexing your integrity muscles with power and self-confidence?

It’s easy to go with the status quo, but oh so boring! It’s time to think for ourselves, outside the box of conventional programming. Explore, investigate, dig deep, then deeper still into our inner and outer worlds. If we do not, we will be swept away with baggage too burdensome to carry. Our world needs critical thinkers, who are not sheeple people. Soulful Satisfaction can be ours, if we take the time to call it forward, embracing all it takes to live this life in integrity and with great courage.

“My soul is my guide.” – Rumi

 

 

Original article: Soulful Satisfaction

©2018 Debra Oakland. All Rights Reserved.

The post Soulful Satisfaction appeared first on Debra Oakland.

Sustaining Anything Requires Rhythm

The potential hidden within you is staggering. Shed the old layers, and devote yourself to something of value that sings to the passion in your soul. Now you become the master of your destiny. — Debra Oakland 

Sustaining anything requires rhythm. The 7 Concepts in my book Change Your Movie, Change Your Life: 7 Reel Concepts for Courageous Change, are put together in such a way that, when they are combined and used consistently, they will enhance the quality of your life. Think of life as a sacred, rhythmic dance choreographed by you to create your personal symphony. One of the most important components in any great movie is the rhythm of the music, which dramatically enhances the story line. This is where an ordinary movie becomes extraordinary!

Everything in life has a rhythm establishing cycles, patterns, and different stages of development. Our heartbeat and breathing are perfect examples. Mother Nature has a rhythmic relationship, season to season. There are great cosmic rhythms in our ever-expanding Universe. Rhythmic waves bind together, creating matter.

The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures. — Rabindranath Tagore 

Our lives expand exponentially when we connect daily in a rhythmic way to the source of our good. Patterns are created which form our world from the inside out. Sacred space is where we go to form and express those secret, sacred parts of us we experience as life. Those who enter into sacred space regularly are familiar with deep, rhythmic breathing techniques that soothe the body, mind, and spirit, clearing discord and calming emotions that may be stirred up. Notice when someone is angry or fearful, they forget to breathe, causing tension throughout the body. In contrast, breathing in and out with relaxed intention, while in a state of peace, is healing. Many forms of breathing techniques are used for spiritual practices, yoga, childbirth, singing, sports, stress, etc. Rhythmic breath is our friend, there to assist us in many ways. Adding focus and intention to our breathing has even more advantages.

Growing up, I often found myself trying to live to the rhythm of other people. The advertisements in magazines, television, movies and all manner of media have most people thinking they need to be like, or live like, the people in the ads, movies, or television shows — or at least a close facsimile. I discovered most of those outer world rhythms to be contrived and controlling. Keep people from thinking for themselves and they are easy to control. There are powerful people out there who have done a great disservice to all.

Because humans have free will, we learn from the great teachings of “contrast.” The outer world is enticing, yet people are dancing to their own rhythm in increasing numbers. I have joined the dance and find it enchanting, exciting, and educational. By loving ourselves and our humanity, we carry a greater sense of freedom, because we are rhythmically living and loving ourselves from the inside out.

Breaking free of old worn-out habits is like stepping out of quicksand onto a solid foundation. A new perspective is refreshing, giving personal transformation a more positive outlook. Take the time to create space for your desired shifts to take hold. In the wise words of Mark Twain, “Loyalty to a petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.”

When an old habit comes up and attempts to take control, take a look at it, recognize it, process it and let it go. By rhythmically acknowledging and releasing, we are mastering a new area of our life, as well as raising our vibrational frequency. A true breath of fresh air, full of grace and peace, brings about our mind unfolding in a unique, personal, and private realignment.

Since everything is energy, using our energy rhythmically in the new frequencies will assist us greatly in times to come. Any skill takes practice, and working with energy is no different. Reversing patterns can be easier in some areas than others. As we become more skilled, we build momentum for great change and manifestation. Will there be moments of frustration and challenge? You bet! As positive momentum builds and new skills are put to use, frustration fades into thin air, making time and space for joyful creating of the life you plan to live. Rhythmically creating with purpose while on purpose, makes it is easier to reconnect with your dreams and to express in your own unique way.

Your Personal Storyboard on Rhythm

Upon awakening in the morning, I am consciously aware of the rhythm in:



In my personal daily spiritual ritual, I acknowledge rhythm by:



By aligning mind with spirit, I recognize I am free to:



In my daily walk, I will focus my attention on rhythmic living regarding:



The musical styles or songs best representing the rhythm of my day are:



In light and love, I recognize and acknowledge this new principle operating in my life in these areas:



I choose to engage in positive rhythmic frequencies by:




REEL WRAP: The Concept of Rhythm

Consistency & rhythm are essential to the success of your desire manifesting.
Practice rhythmic breathing techniques. They soothe the body, mind, and spirit, clearing discord and calming emotions that may be stirred up.
If possible take time in the morning and again at night to concentrate on your desired outcome, undisturbed, and then carry it with you throughout the remainder of the day.
Whatever you concentrate on, you will bring into your life, so make an effort to feel your best each day.
Rhythmically live and love yourself from the inside out.
Rhythmic waves bind together, creating matter.
Use Rhythmic Application of the 7 Concepts.

Original article: Sustaining Anything Requires Rhythm

©2018 Debra Oakland. All Rights Reserved.

The post Sustaining Anything Requires Rhythm appeared first on Debra Oakland.

Illuminate Your Consciousness

Absorb yourself in each moment slowly savoring the gift of life, remembering miracles are available in every moment. Your Naturally Occurring Wonder exists NOW! — Debra Oakland

Concentrated illumination is focused energy infused with inspired light. Combining thought, feeling, and action in a conscious, deliberate way puts you in the director’s chair with authority. Energy is active, and you can direct its activity in any way you choose. I like to think of thought as an important element in concentrated illumination — our focused thought being the gateway to our powerful perfected presence, the universal mind. Even in the awareness, we are in the presence of our own greatness, much of the time we forget who we are and the power at our disposal. The physical aspect of our being lives in an environment bombarding us with stimulation on a daily basis. This makes it hard to reach the state of stillness required to maintain control over our thoughts.

Through concentrated illumination, this energy infused with light guides us perfectly. The power of living in light and love is never angry, bitter, vengeful or controlling. This power is loving, peaceful, allowing, creative and balanced. If you have fallen out of balanced harmony in some important areas of your life do not despair. Click on the concentrated illumination switch and take back your directorial power — It belongs to you,

Physics tells us a theory that all matter vibrates and has a wave component, this indicates everything is connected. We are part of a big wave of energy, all interconnected, and science is starting to document our individuality, as well. Just as every person has a unique physical fingerprint and a unique retina pattern, so do we appear to have a unique energy signature. All of our individual energy force fields share the same source. When simply combined, they are not just the sum of the parts; the positive and the negative energies seek balance. When combined in the unity of purpose and same orientation of intention, the combined energy force field is exponentially more powerful than the larger collective sums of the individual.

All things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things. The physical creation follows the mental, just as a building follows a blueprint. If you don’t make a conscious effort to visualize who you are and what you want in life, then you empower other people and circumstances to shape you and your life by default. — Stephen R. Covey – The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 

Imagine yourself as concentrated illumination: a light-being inhabiting a vehicle which stores your collected awareness (your soul) as you creatively direct your life. Our bodies allow us to live, move, and experience our being-ness out in this particular physical world. As a magnificent, powerful being of light and spirit housed in your physicality, you get to create the life you desire to live and are solely responsible for your “reel” experiences. Life is eternal; we are eternal. Each of us is an electronic light force of such power and beauty traveling through the eternal expanse of the universe, creating, directing and experiencing. Our essence makes us magical, an anomaly — unique creators interacting with life on this physical plane. Concentration plays a key role in concentrated illumination.

Concentration is required for the smallest activity to the greatest achievements in life. Without focused concentration, it is difficult to be skilled in anything. Expert filmmakers understand this. Think about the many aspects of yourself you bring into the main story of your movie and how much of this was intentional.

To live our best life, it is beneficial to keep our focused intent on one area of utmost importance at a time. This requires our attention to details. If our attention is drawn away from our desired endeavor for long enough or is too scattered, we lose our intention and may never see the physical manifestation of our desire unfold — the energetic circuit is severed, and the energy dissipates. Some say dreamers aren’t doers. I disagree. We have been discouraged from dreaming, using our imagination, and engaging the power of thought.

What do you want to achieve, and are you determined to take the steps to make it happen? There are mentors everywhere to cheer you on, so find people who believe in you as much as you believe in yourself. Discouragement is a concentration vampire draining the life blood out of our dreams. Encouragement is a Concentrated Illuminated Energetic Transfusion. Ideally, we want the movie of our life to authentically represent who we are to the world. Movies featuring people passionate about what they love are interesting, creative, motivating and engaging. They draw a crowd appealing to a wide range of viewers.

AN EXERCISE IN STILLNESS

The best way to experience this state of awareness is to stop all activity and imagine yourself simply and purely as thought.

Sit or lie comfortably in stillness.

Allow yourself to feel weightless.

Pretend for a few minutes you don’t have a body.

Let the thoughts float in and out until the noises around you fade into the background.

Consciously begin directing your thoughts for a few minutes in a profound and powerful way. Your thoughts have no limitation, so enjoy the feeling of freedom as you define the details. Allow your imagination to bring all you desire onto the panoramic movie screen of your life. Even if present circumstances make it seem as if these dreams and desires could never be a reality in your life, give yourself permission to play along and have fun with the experience. Repeat aloud to yourself.

“I give myself permission to believe I am worthy. I allow myself to believe anything is possible.”

Go for it. Imagine anything; no matter how crazy it seems. No one knows what you are visualizing. You won’t be judged for it. This is your time. Dare to visualize your ideal life. Use all your senses. Make it as real as the world you see when you open your eyes. Hear it. Touch it. Smell it. Taste it. Arrange your vision the way you see it in your heart and mind. Continue practicing each day until you master control of your conscious thought. You are directing your subconscious and reprogramming the cells of your body to respond. This response can motivate and align you with people, places, and things drawing your desire toward you in the form you are ready to manifest. You will grow stronger, and your life will begin to change because you are mastering you.

Original article: Illuminate Your Consciousness

©2018 Debra Oakland. All Rights Reserved.

The post Illuminate Your Consciousness appeared first on Debra Oakland.

15 Ways To Stop Arguing For Your Limitations

When we stop arguing for our limitations by re-framing our view, clarity prevails. How about living a better life, beautifully self-imposed? By affirming limitation, we add fuel to the fire. We are not here to follow one narrow path, or to live a life of overwhelm, frustration and defeat. If someone tells us we aren’t good enough, it’s time to step back and allow this to sink in – the person in question is usually talking about an aspect of themselves. When we walk away from old baggage and embrace the future, harmony is king.

1. Our fears own us when not faced, creating more limiting beliefs and actions. Everyone has challenges, it is inescapable if you are alive and breathing. Anxiety takes a lot of energy. The more often you face something, the less anxious you feel when facing it again. “Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or worthlessness, we are almost impervious to fear.” – William Congreve

2. You have artistic freedom over your life – use it to enhance your life. What amount of freedom will you embrace? Struggle, pain, or harmonious improvement is a choice.

3. Searching for answers, but never listening when given sage advice is a common practice. A habitually “poor me” attitude does not influence people, or win friends. Keep your conversations positive. This not only inspires others, it keeps your energy high.

4. Fear of making mistakes prevents attempts at success. If you fall or fail, get back up, and try again. Think about this: What if you succeed beyond your wildest dreams?

5. Make two lists. First – List your perceived limitations. Second – List your ideal outcome to each item on the first list. Compare lists and note how each one makes you feel.

6. It’s important to set boundaries. Practice using your voice to develop your personal rhythmic inner power. Become crystal clear with your intentions.

7. Other people’s ‘opinions’ of you are none of their business. Your opinion of you IS your business.

8. Embrace your destiny, not your limitations. When you inspire yourself, you inspire others.

9. Make note of quicksand habits that create an endless downward pull. Practice taking steps that lift you up instead of engaging old habits that no longer serve you.

10. Give guilt a swift kick in the ass, there’s a good chance it needs one. Stay away from people who are passive aggressive and addicted to doling out guilt.

11. Being your own cheerleader can seem like a daunting task – tough love required. Trust your courageous inner voice. You can do this.

12. Check your mind/body/spirit relationships – are they for your highest and greatest good? If not, make the required changes.

13. Make an effort to assist others achieve their goals. It’s a win win for all.

14. Be patient with yourself, enjoy small to large improvements.

15. Reward yourself for a job well done.

Original article: 15 Ways To Stop Arguing For Your Limitations

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