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How I transitioned from anxiety with too much to do with too little time, to everything flowing with ease and calm

6/12/2015

Joy-filled greetings!

Ten minutes ago, before writing this, I was somewhat anxious, struggling with a busy mind about having too much to do and too little time. Can you relate?

Now I'm feeling totally calm, filled with inner peace and love, following thru on inspirations and solutions that easily came to me. How did I make that transition?

I put on my meditation music (Jango free internet radio, Liquid Mind station). I sat in my comfy chair and breathed in fully from my belly. As I exhaled, I imagined all my thoughts blowing away, and I really let it out fully. I did this several times.

Then I placed my attention outside of myself, into the space of stillness, peace, and Spirit; and began to feel it.

I repeated to myself, “Who am I?” (a mantra of mine that reminds me that I am more than my small, physical self); and as I did that, I felt a tug at my heart and a wave of love washing thru me, as I usually do. And I felt fully relaxed and serene, with a feeling of everything will be okay.

Then the easy solutions to my concerns started to just show up. This it typical, too. In fact, most of my newsletters get pre-written while meditating, as did this one! And then they just flow out once I sit at the computer.

I did all this in about 10 minutes, in spite of the loud landscapers at the neighbor's house. And, I know I'll easily be carrying this mood throughout my day now. Ahhhhh.

You can do this, too! It might take a little practice; and maybe not!

Meditation is one of Mark's and my favorite strategies for being able to live with so much inner peace, love, ease, joy, and abundance; and for manifesting our desires.

Here's why meditation works so well for manifesting desires:

As you know, I'm a believer in the law of attraction. It states that we create as we think. This is now supported by the science of quantum physics, which has shown that we exist in an energetic, vibrational field of pure potentiality, in which we are all one. When we have a thought, including a desire, it becomes an energetic form in this field. As the saying goes, “It is done.” But how do you easily receive/manifest what you've created?

Here's a common, useful analogy. If you want to receive what's playing on a particular radio station, you have to tune into the matching frequency with the radio dial. Similarly, if you want to manifest (receive) something in your physical reality in a way that you're able to perceive it, then you have to be a matching frequency to the field in which it's waiting for you.

Yup. You are an energetic, vibrational being. And, your frequency changes from the way you're thinking. Your emotions and feelings indicate your frequency. The better you feel, the higher your vibration; and the more you are a match to the field that I'm speaking about.

So, this means that whatever you desire is possible, including financial abundance; as long as you're able to tune into the positive feeling state of whatever you are asking for!

Meditation is one of the BEST strategies for managing your vibration, how you feel, and for receiving guidance and inspiration.

It also has a TON of health benefits, including reversing aging, activating your body's innate ability to heal, reducing pain and inflammation, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and anxiety and improving mood stability, and improving sleep. It also increases mental functioning and creativity and your ability to make decisions. And, it creates pleasurable states and feels REALLY GOOD! It's like a mini-vacation!

In meditation, we can imagine, and thus create more freely without resistant, conflicting thoughts.

In meditation, we are more fully our Spirit-Selves, matching the field of our creations.

In meditation, we relax and allow the flow, and practice how we can continue that even when not meditating.

You can get all of these benefits in even just a few minutes, in whatever comfortable position works for you.

Given all of this, it's pretty ridiculous not to make use of it. Isn't it?

New Possibilities for YOU

If your reasons for not meditating include not being able to take the time each day, or not being able to get into a good meditative state on your own, then join us in my bi-monthly guided meditation classes! I make it really easy for you. The deep, collective energy of the group really helps, too. Everyone feels it.

By participating in these classes, you’ll experience how simple, delightful and easy it can be. You’ll learn and practice:

Simple yet profound techniques you can easily do for yourself for any length of time that is comfortable for you.

How to easily get into a meditative state to deeply relax and to create positive, pleasurable feelings, including inner peace, love, ease and joy; and how to bring that into your daily living.

Techniques to help you shift your perspective and experience of issues in your life causing you stress in some form, and to shift to Spirit perspective, instead.

How to connect to your inner resources and your best self, to solution consciousness, and how to activate your body's natural healing response.

We have a different theme each class to help build and reinforce positive thinking patterns, beliefs and inner narratives that will support you in living with greater inner peace, love, ease and joy.

Each class consists of 2-3 guided meditations, with discussion and instruction in between to help you carry the positive feelings and lessons experienced into your day and life.

This is a perfect time to let go of stress and "busy-ness", and to fully let go and relax into bliss. Come with whatever intentions suit you, and the evening is still sure to satisfy. It always works out magically that way.

Hope to see you there!
Supporting you in greater ease and joy, with a warm heart,
Ann

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It's a miracle!

5/8/2015

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Joy-filled greetings!

Wow! I guess it's been a while since I last wrote one of these pieces. Guess I've been having fun again!

It seems like just a few weeks ago, before I left for a week with my folks in FL, I was still wearing my winter hiking boots walking on lots of snow. When I returned, only one week later, it was all gone and spring had sprung!

Remember all the drama here in the Northeast, of people saying we wouldn't see the ground until June? Yet, there I was hiking in the woods, in my sneakers, on dry ground at the end of April, with no flooded trails even!

I love how the cycles in nature are such a good reminder to me of the cycles in our human lives.

Nature is predominantly resilient and wise; and so are we!

New Possibilities for YOU!

There has always been and always will be chaos. It's one of the universal cycles of growth, and the stuff of creation, evolution, and positive change. It stimulates new growth in nature; and, if approached in this way, it can in business, organizations, cultures, and you, too.

In a personal sense, when there is chaos, or any unfulfilled desire in your life, it is a gift revealing to you your opportunities for learning and growth. Be open to exploring what role you could have played in creating your situation through your actions, attention, thoughts and beliefs. It's my belief that we are all vibrational beings, and, like radios, we're attracting back to us whatever frequency we're tuning into by the nature of our thoughts.

Are you focusing on the chaos in life in negative ways, and thus attracting more? Do you participate in the negatively focused drama and commiserating that people do? What effect does that have? Is it a positive one?

Or can you focus on the opportunities for growth and building strength, as nature does?

Myself, I love noticing and appreciating the miracles imbued in every moment and the forever unfolding birth of potential. They never cease to astound and delight me, and fill my life with grace. This time of year, they are especially evident around us; yet the miracles are within us every moment, too!

I invite you to hold these positive perspectives, and I hope they bring you as much joy as they do for me!
Enjoy!

Supporting you in greater ease and joy, with a warm heart,
Ann

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What does the game of Chutes and Ladders have to do with manifesting what you want?

3/26/2015

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Joy-filled greetings!

Ever notice that life can sometimes be like a game of Chutes and Ladders? Remember that childhood board game? You’d move along the board up towards the winning spot at the top, sometimes hitting a “ladder” to accelerate your progress up several rows; and sometimes hitting a downward “chute” (like a slide) propelling you back down again. It would continue on with progress and then setbacks.

I remember an experience I had of this (of course there have been many!). I had been experiencing wonderful waves of surprises and abundance as I was practicing the affirmation, “I am happy for this day; and I expect good things. Surprise me Universe!”

So much good was happening and I was really appreciating our abundant life. Then the surprises stopped coming and little disappointments crept in. I had unknowingly slid down the chute of old, conditioned thought patterns. I had started to feel like I “needed” to say the affirmation; was disappointed if a surprise didn’t come through, and began focusing on how much more I wanted with a background of need to it. How silly was that?!

According to Law of Attraction principles, when you get into attitudes like “I need”, “I have to”, or focusing on lack or what’s wrong, this pinches off the possibility of flow of what you desire coming into your life. Of course, I was doing all this without even noticing it! Our old patterns can be such an easy slope to slide down.

When you focus on what you don’t have or what’s wrong, it’s like your perception can’t even notice anything else. You've directed yourself where to go, and that’s where your mind’s possibilities follow. Then the energy of the Universe follows, as well. "Energy flows where attention goes."

Luckily, with the skills I've developed, I became aware and self-corrected fairly quickly, shifting to a more positive stance again, and focusing more on all that I have with gratitude. I moved up a ladder, so to speak.

So, was I “wrong”? Was it “bad” that this happened? Did I get stressed about sliding down the chute? No.

When you played Chutes and Ladders, or any similar childhood game, did you get stressed out when you got knocked down a chute? Of course not! You probably went something like, “Ahhh! Oh, no!”, but laughing at the same time! Did you feel stuck and hopeless? Of course not! You knew it was just part of playing the game, and that one way or another you would still continue to move ahead and you’d have fun playing no matter what.

Look at the children on the box cover! Going down the slide looks FUN! One image for the game I found said, "Ready for a climbing, sliding super adventure?"

I believe that games really train us for a life well lived. Can you see how that’s possible?

Through experience, I’m getting better and better at holding this attitude about living and playing the “game of life”. The less you stress and the more you relax and have fun with a belief that “Everything eventually always works out for me.”, the more it will and you’ll feel better in the process!

New Possibilities for You

The next time you get stressed and feel like you’re sliding down a chute, do an attitude check. What are you focusing on? If you’re not feeling good, then whether you realize it or not, you’re focusing somehow on what’s wrong versus what’s right, or on what you don’t have versus what you do have, or what you don’t like versus what you do like, or on what hurts versus what doesn’t hurt, or on what hasn’t happened versus what has happened, and so on.
Remember how you played the Chutes and Ladders game (or any similar game), and CHILL! Life is just a big game. Pan back and look at the big picture (game) of your life. How many chutes and ladders have you already made it through? What was gained through all of that? Are you essentially okay? You've made it this far already! The point isn’t to “win” and end the game. The point is to play it and have some fun.
Now get out there and play! Oh, and in case you haven't heard me say this before, if you have trouble with doing this on your own, get..some...help! As your coach, I can help you play your game with more ease and joy; and we have a lot of program options to help you, as well. You just have to participate! Be sure to check out our upcoming Living on a Higher Vibration program, starting on April 8th to fully immerse yourself in becoming more of the inner peace, love, abundance, ease and joy that is who you really are!

Supporting you in greater ease and joy, with a warm heart,
Ann

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Are you taking advantage of the "happiness advantage"?

3/8/2015

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Joy-filled greetings to you!

How important is it to you to be happy? I'm serious about this question; because I'm very serious about happiness and joy. :-)

Many people think that it's important, but not necessarily a priority. And, some people acknowledge the high level of importance of it; yet still don't act accordingly. You know what I mean?

The thing is, research shows that happiness is actually vital.

It's the fuel that allows your brain to be more successful at achieving all the goals you desire, and it impacts every area of your life. Energetically speaking, from a law of attraction perspective, it makes you a very powerful point of attraction for what you desire.

Shawn Achor, who wrote The Happiness Advantage, has done extensive research on the impact of positive psychology and happiness, taught it at Harvard University, and who is now a renowned speaker on the subject has said:
"Every single relationship, business and educational outcome improves when the brain is positive first. If you cultivate happiness while in the midst of your struggles, work, at school, while unemployed or single, you increase your chances of attaining all the goals you are pursuing...including happiness."

He further states that forming positive thinking habits that support your happiness are like financial capital. Forming them today is an investment that will automatically give out returns for years to come. Living in survival mode, with the attitude of "I'll be happy when -x- happens" or "I'll take care of my happiness after -y-" is essentially a bad habit that doesn't work. In actuality, the formula works the other way around. What you want is more likely to happen when you learn how to be happy.

Research also shows that people who are happy:

Work better
Have better brain health and memory (stress actually contributes to memory decline and increased risk of dementia)
Have 31% more energy
Have up to 30% decrease in heart disease
Get sick less often and are generally healthier
Are more successful at losing weight
Make better decisions
Have better relationships

Essentially, research shows that happiness leads to more success in every area of your life.

That's pretty convincing, don't you think? I can tell you from personal experience that the happiness approach works way better than the work hard and be stressed out approach; and it's also WAY more FUN!

But I get it. It's not easy to make this shift if the only way you know is what you're currently doing; or if the way you're trying isn't working for you. Most people wait for happiness to happen, being dependent on outer circumstances. But this puts you at the effect of life, rather than being a creator of it. And, we all know the risks of this.

If you're not able to experience happiness and joy no matter what, it's only feedback that you need to learn something new. Because continuing to practice the same approach will only continue to get you the same results, even tho' we somehow think it will be different!

Do you have something deep inside you that longs for more from life and from yourself? Do you desire more inner peace, love, ease, abundance, joy? What is it that you've been wanting for too long now?

Old programming and old habits of thought will continue to run your life and rob you of all the richness that you want and deserve. And life is too short and too valuable for that!

The good news is that beliefs can be changed, and skills for happiness and new patterns of thinking can be learned.

The good news is also that, in this moment, NOW, you can choose to say "Enough is enough!". You can choose to take the time to invest in yourself, to learn, and thus create the life you truly want, rather than continuing to settle with resigned acceptance for less.

I believe in you and the greatness in your heart and spirit, and all that is possible for you. Any discontent you ever feel is really your Soul reminding you of this, and begging you to be unleashed as the positive force your true self is.

It's time to do more than just read and dabble and put off your personal growth until some supposed better time. Because time, and your life, will continue to pass you by.

Enough is enough! Yahoo!

New Possibilities for YOU!

If you want more for yourself, and to live with more inner peace, love, ease, abundance and JOY, as I've mentioned before, I cannot encourage you enough to find an in-person, over-time program with expert guides and teachers to help you break through beliefs that don't serve you, and to help you learn the skills you're missing to be happy no matter what. True joy comes from the inside, not outer circumstances.

Our Living on a Higher Vibration program is a perfect fit for doing this. It's designed to help you become more of the power, freedom, inner peace, abundance, well-being, love, ease and joy that is Who You Really are!

You'll get to learn and practice a foundational set of strategies and skills for living in a higher vibration and becoming more and more of your greatest, Spirit-Self; for authentically managing your emotions and thinking; and for shifting your small-self limiting beliefs to truly embrace your power to create and be an Ultimate Manifestor. All in a small, intimate, consistent group of peers that you'll soon love and enjoy.

The program is an in-person, interactive, experiential, 10 week program, with LOTS of personal attention from your coaches (me and Mark) during and in-between classes, and a full private coaching session, as well!

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Please read more of the details and testimonials here: Living on a Higher Vibration program link: http://www.newpossibilitiescoaching.com/living-on-a-higher-vibration.html. Then I encourage you to do the following “Next Step” exercise (also on the webpage) to help you connect to your inner guidance on whether this program is right for you

Next Step Exercise:
Take some quiet time to fully reflect on the following:

What desires are dwelling within you? Never mind what you only think you can have, or what you should want. Allow yourself to really own your deepest heart's desires, what your Soul is calling you to.
If you continue as you are now, what does that future look like and how does it feel?
What are the potential costs of doing nothing?
What are all the possible benefits to be gained if you were to learn the skills and make the changes being offered to you in this program? A LOT, right? How might your relationships change? What more might you be able to do? How might it affect your health? What else? How does that future feel?
What would all of that be worth to you? This is your life we're talking about. What is your life worth to you?
When you have those answers, place your hands and your attention on your heart, and ask,"If there were nothing holding me back (no fear, no perceived limitation), do I want to do this program? Do I feel like it could serve me?" Check in, not with your "head", but with your heart and soul, if it feels like a good step for you to take.
If your answer is yes, e-mail me. We promise you, if you make this committed decision of knowing what you want and what's right for you, and let go of any "buts", the rest will unfold for you. Together, we'll make it work for you.

Supporting you in greater ease and joy, with a warm heart,
Ann

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I'm in LOVE!

2/3/2015

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Joy-filled greetings!

Yes, I'm deeply in love with my husband, Mark. We continue to create our love newly each day, even after 25+ years. I'm in love in another way, too; and it's a very, very BIG love that I want for you, too.

Since my summer breakthrough, I've been focusing more than ever before on feeling my connection to Spirit and the Source Energy of all that is. I now really understand and believe in the value of making my relationship with that part of me my number one priority. Spiritual teachers have been saying this since forever; but I'm finally really getting it and, more importantly, practicing it.

In doing so, I've more deeply come to realize that this is the solution to everything! No matter what you're struggling with or what you need or desire, the solution (or the means to it) lies in your alignment with your greater Spirit Self, and predominantly living in that higher vibration.

My intuition has increased; and desired manifestations show up with ease and in delightful ways, as if the Universe is showing how much fun it can be. For example, I was recently sitting on one of my favorite spots by the water on one of my hiking trails. It was a really calm, windless day; and I had the thought that I really enjoy it when the water laps along the edges. Within two minutes, a gentle breeze started up, along with the most perfect lapping for the rest of my visit there.

The other week, I was softly thinking that it would be nice to have at least 5 more people sign up for my meditation session coming up. And then, within the next couple of hours, it happened!

I know that these might be considered small things. However, it's in the acknowledging of any and all of your manifestations, that you then attract more. And, yes, we've had some big, positive financial manifestations, too! There just seems to be an easy flow to everything these days.

I am so in love with this dance with Spirit, and letting Spirit lead the dance rather than me. It feels so much better than worry and control and working hard through actions alone. And, like in good dance partnering, all I have to do is engage for the fun of it, and stay connected in the flow as one, and enjoy.

New Possibilities for YOU!

What can you do to improve your relationship with Spirit? For one, I cannot recommend meditation enough. Meditation is your "dancing practice". As I always say in my classes, we don't practice meditation to get better at meditating. We do it to build our capability to vibrate more highly throughout our day - to be in that space more and more.

Every 1st and 3rd Friday evening each month, I lead a wonderful session of guided meditations, filled with easy ways to meditate and tips for living with greater inner peace, love, ease and joy. Join us!

In April, Mark and I will again be leading our 10 week program: Living on a Higher Vibration -taking you to the heights of creation! Based on results for past participants, this is a phenomenal program for shifting from your small, limited self, to being more and more of the fullness of your true, Spirit-Self. Details coming soon!

That's it for now. If you'd also like to engage more in this dance of love and Spirit, join us in any or all of the many program options we have for you to choose from. Hope to see you on the "dance floor"!

Supporting you in greater ease and joy, with a warm heart,
Ann

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The awesome free personal growth boot camp I attended and how you can, too; and what to do when you get pushed to your limits

1/12/2015

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Joy-filled greetings!

Ever get pushed to your limits and you just want it to be over with? Of course! Or, maybe you feel like you're living your life this way all too often! Oh, oh.

This past summer our home was getting some major repairs done, and it took 9 weeks to complete. Every day I lived with the noise of very loud power tools, the smells of various chemical substances being used, never knowing when someone was going to be right outside my window, and often having to keep all the windows closed with the air conditioners removed (windows were being repaired, too).

Let me tell you, I was not my best self throughout this. I was pushed beyond my capabilities for staying centered, resourceful, and maintaining my inner peace; and for being able to maintain my meditation practice no matter what. It weakened me, not only when at home, but pretty much for the whole 9 weeks and even beyond. There was a cumulative effect of both not keeping up my
practices that serve me in being my best self, and the ripple effect of just not being my best self.

As I'm writing this, it occurs to me that this is probably how I always was before learning the fundamental happiness skills I have now; and how most people live. It's only because I know now how much better it can be, that I can have this awareness.

Anyways, at some point, I was able to realize that the experience was like a personal growth boot camp! When you're pushed to the limits of your comfort zone, your normally hidden weaknesses are revealed. And, those weaknesses are showing you where you can improve and, thus, your opportunities for growth.

You're being shown which skills you're lacking or need to improve upon to a higher level of competency. And, your limiting beliefs are more likely to show up when you're being tested.

What a gift! I embraced the opportunity; did the personal work; and came out of it all "new and improved"! I was even grateful that it all happened!

New Possibilities for YOU!

The good thing is, life is always going to give you these "personal growth boot camp" opportunities. The question is, how are you going to use them?

Are you going to "bite the bullet" and just push through as best you can; or are you going to look at it as an opportunity for growth, and use it that way?

What areas do you feel weak in that some new or improved skills would help make easier? (like staying centered and calm no matter what, or being able to manage your moods and emotions, or being able to fearlessly take necessary actions)

Pay attention to the inner stories you're telling yourself. What limiting beliefs are being revealed to you that you could work on to shift to ones that would serve you better?

If you can't manage this on your own, get help! It's often difficult to be an observer of ourselves or to change our most limiting beliefs on our own. But, with the right approach, it can even be easy!

Look forward to your life getting better and better, and hold this story even in the midst of the storm! From my own experiences, and from the many people who have worked with me, I know for sure that this really is possible. And it's possible for you, too!

Supporting you in living with greater ease and joy,

Ann

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The best gift ever!

12/28/2014

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Joy-filled greetings!

As you may recall from my last newsletter, I found a renewed sense of meaning and joy in the holiday and solstice season; and I've managed to maintain it, too!

As I'm writing this, I've just come home from yet another food errand. With so many special dinners and my son home visiting from college, there has been a lot of shopping!

I could have been driving around tensed up and tired, right? You know what I'm talking about. But instead, I was reflecting on the warm, friendly conversations I struck up with strangers in the stores, and how, at our core, we're all good and all the same. Everyone just wants love and to feel good.

As I was leaving the farm near our home to buy our farm fresh, raw milk and baked bread, I was thinking about how much I appreciate and really love the man who owns and is so committed to that farm and its cows.

And that led me to reflect on all the beautiful, amazing people in my life that I admire and enjoy so much. My family, my friends, my coaching clients and my various group and class participants. They all have such huge hearts and huge desires; and I am so grateful to be a part of their lives.

Then there's the woman with the huge, friendly smile who greets me at the bank every time; and the super friendly people who work and help me at Whole Foods. I could go on; but you get the point. It's the people in my life that fill me up with the best of feelings, and are my greatest gift.

So if you're reading this, then that also means you. YOU allow me to fulfill my life's purpose and feel fulfilled at the end of each day. YOU keep my faith in the goodness of mankind as I hear the intimate details and desires of your life. YOU fill my heart with love and joy; and I thank you, thank you, thank you.

It's so easy to say, “Of course I appreciate the people in my life!” But how often do you really take the time to sink into those thoughts and really feel that love and appreciation until you're filled up with good feelings that can take you through the day?

As you reflect on your New Year and all that you've accomplished, acquired, and all that you did, I encourage you to include the most important part of it all – the people in your life; and let your heart fill up as much as it can. Go beyond what we typically call good or best friends. Who are all the people in your daily life who contribute to it in positive ways? It wouldn't be the same without them.

I hope you've been having a wonderful holiday season; and my heartfelt wishes to you for a New Year filled with inner peace, love, ease and joy, with plenty of laughter and fun! I hope you'll join me in some of what I have planned for you to support you in creating and living your best life and being your best self!

Supporting you in greater ease and joy, with a warm heart,

Ann

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How I Beat the Grinch

12/9/2014

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Happy holiday season and solstice to you!

This time of year can bring so much love and joy; and, for some, conflicted feelings and stress of varying sorts. Maybe you experience a mix of it all.

When my sons were younger, our holiday season was filled with wonderful traditions we created and enjoyed together. We made and used homemade ornaments, made presents for their friends, and baked cookies for neighbors and went around delivering them with a song. It was all about celebrating and spreading love and joy, and sharing in the abundance of our life.

A few years ago, however, in their late teens, they began to see only negative aspects of the season, seeing it as overly commercial and materialistic with a lack of real meaning. Their childhood lenses had been lost; and they no longer wanted us to celebrate. Didn't even want gifts!

My claims defending the holiday were futile, and I succumbed to their wishes. But it left a big hole for me each year, feeling lost amidst all the holiday energy everywhere around me.

In reflection, I can see now that I sacrificed something important to me, blaming their desires for my emptiness, rather than creating some things I could still do. Does this happen to you in any way? How much do you go along with "whatever", instead of using your power to be a deliberate creator? (If not during the holidays, perhaps in other contexts?)

This year, feeling a bit confused, I took some time to reflect deeply on what I truly care about regarding the season, and even did some research. It was so helpful! I did it to reconnect to the deeper meanings possible that I can relate to and to feel really good about participating in. I highly recommend the website:
https://www.circlesanctuary.org/index.php/celebrating-the-seasons/celebrating-winter-solstice

Here are some conclusions I came to. Perhaps you'll find them useful, too, in some way.

I really believe in the increased power of the collective. It's palpable when we meditate together in my guided meditation classes. So, for me, when so much of the planet this time of year is focused on love, and joy, and freely giving, and abundance, I want to be a part of that celebration and positive impact that collective energy has!

In the year 273, the Christian church selected Dec. 25th to represent the birthday of Jesus. Personally, I think the man Jesus Christ was trying to teach us that we are all Spirit/God/Source Energy birthed into human form; and Christmas can be a reminder to us of this, and of a teacher who tried to teach us that we are all children of God in this way. As I understand it, he also tried to teach us about the value of giving and receiving. It really does feel good, doesn't it? I think it's in our souls.

Before this, for thousands of years, this time was celebrated in cultures the world over as the winter solstice and a celebration of light and rebirth of the sun at the beginning of the solar year. In old Europe, it was known as Yule, from the Norse, Jul, meaning wheel, referring to the circle and continuity of life. Many of today's Christmas traditions have roots in ancient Pagan customs with a basis in the solstice celebrations of nature, its cycles, and the continuity and circle of life. The customs of feasting together with friends and family and of exchanging gifts are as old as time. I now have a renewed appreciation for the holiday decorations and other traditions, and for celebrating throughout an extended season, versus just one day.

New Possibilities for YOU:

One of the most basic tenets I do my best to live by is to focus on what you want/like/can do, versus what you don't want/don't like/can't do. It's the starting point towards desired change. This is why I took my time to reflect and even do some research. It has opened up a lot of good-feeling opportunities for me!

So, what about the holiday season or solstice is really meaningful to you? Whether it be Christmas, the solstice, Chanukah, or whatever holiday, how could you imbue what's meaningful to you into the weeks ahead, even in small ways? Take some time to get clear on this for yourself; and be true to yourself. Once you've done that, I'd love to hear some of your thoughts and ideas!

What gifts can you give others just in your presence? I think this one is big.

From this way of thinking, I've thought of a number of ways I'll be bringing my Spirit into this season, some of which you're invited to! I hope you'll join me.

Wishing you a season filled with the spirit of peace, love and joy. Remember, it's up to you!

Warm heart,
Ann

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How to get thoughts that don't feel good out of your head

11/14/2014

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Joy-filled greetings!

I can't believe I haven't written one of these since last April. Nothing personal, mind you. I was very focused on the Living on a Higher Vibration program we were running ( a HUGE success for participants, by the way); and then, quite simply, I guess I just needed a break. I had a fantastic summer, spending about 45 days total on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod, exceeding my dream of 4 weeks! Here we are at Fort Hill, in Eastham, MA.

I'm committed to serving you in only a most authentic way. You can trust that if I write anything, or offer any kind of program or service, that it is something I feel truly inspired to do from the spiritual center of my being. And now, I'm back! Feeling eager to continue to share what I've learned and believe will be valuable towards your living with greater inner peace, love, ease and joy.

This time, I want to speak some more about your fantastic emotional guidance system, and provide you with a simple process you can use to maintain a positive, believable, high-vibrating level of thinking.

As you probably know, it's my belief that we are all physical extensions of an infinitely intelligent, loving, creative, Universal spiritual energy and consciousness, that is the Source of all things. Maybe you call it God, or Universal Energy, or Source, or Spirit or Nature, or Love.

When you have a mind-based thought, the greater part of who you are - your greater Spirit-Self, with its infinite wisdom, also has an opinion on that subject. If you feel good when you have that thought, then you're aligned with the opinion of Spirit. If the thought creates not-so-good feelings, then your Spirit-Self has a different opinion about that subject. In some way, you are distorting a greater "truth" based on higher Universal principles, and you are feeling that discord. Thus, your emotions are your guidance, letting you know whether you're thinking from your smaller self, separate from Spirit; or if you are letting Spirit flow through you. It's really quite simple!

Can't get that not-so-good feeling thought out of your head? Then perhaps it's time to get out of your head, and into your heart instead. Here are some very simple steps you can take to do this, and to connect to your greater Spirit-Self and wisdom:

1. Think of something that recurrently doesn't feel good when you think about it. What are your automatic thoughts about it? This is your current limiting "story". How does this story feel?

2. Close your eyes, place your hands over your heart, and take a few slow, relaxing breaths. Your heart is deeply connected to Universal Spirit, like a communications receiver.

What is the guidance of your feelings telling you?
Does Source/Spirit have a different opinion? If so, what is it?

To help you with this, what would be the opposite of your opinion on the subject? Or, just imagine what an all-loving, all-knowing and wise Source/Spirit would have to say, and would want you to know.

Now, just listen. You may not literally "hear". You might see, or feel, or just sense some kind of answer, some kind of different knowing.

How does that feel? Most likely, it feels a lot better. You might have more questions to ask, or more thoughts, like some "yeah, but...". If so, continue the process until the thoughts feel believable and right for you.

I LOVE this process, and use it all the time to save myself (and others) from my disconnected, small-self thinking. I hope you will find it helpful, too.

If you're close enough to Natick, MA, and you want more ways to feel good and to embody positive thinking, then check out our guided meditations classes on the 1st and 3rd Friday evening of each month, starting Dec. 5th. We'll be focusing on ways to live with greater inner peace, love, ease and JOY!

Supporting you in greater ease and joy, with a warm heart,

Ann

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Hiccups and Love...What?

4/16/2014

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Happy day to you!

Here's a very short, fun story, with profound possibilities.

One evening, just before I was about to start teaching one of my classes, I got the hiccups!

One of the women said to me, "Think about someone you love." I immediately thought about Mark (my husband), and... my hiccups went away instantly! Just like that!

She told me her grandmother always said that to her when she got the hiccups; and it always worked for her, too. Don't you love old wisdom like that?

It actually makes sense to me, given what Mark and I have been learning about heart coherence lately. When you connect to your heart (like with love!), your whole body relaxes, your brain and heart work together more coherently, and your innate healing response is able to function. I'm pretty sure hiccups are caused by the diaphragm getting out of rhythm; so by thinking about love, my body relaxed and found its natural rhythm again! Pretty cool, wouldn't you say? And how simple!

New Possibilities for YOU!

Any time you want to feel good and relax with a meditation, think of someone or something you love, and just be with that. Even remembering a favorite stuffed animal you had as a child and remembering how you felt about it as you held it will work!

Who's someone who thinks of YOU this way? That in itself feels good, doesn't it? See yourself through their eyes and feel that love. Mmmm. What a nice change in perspective!

Ahhh. The power of love. It relaxes,and nourishes you through and through. What else do you love? Play the alphabet game of love next time you're driving or walking someplace. Think of something you love for every letter of the alphabet! Try it. I think you'll like it!

Until next time...

Supporting you in greater ease and joy, with love,

Ann

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How I transitioned from anxiety with too much to do with too little time, to everything flowing with ease and calm

It's a miracle!

What does the game of Chutes and Ladders have to do with manifesting what you want?

Are you taking advantage of the "happiness advantage"?

I'm in LOVE!

The awesome free personal growth boot camp I attended and how you can, too; and what to do when you get pushed to your limits

The best gift ever!

How I Beat the Grinch

How to get thoughts that don't feel good out of your head

Hiccups and Love...What?

Hope you enjoy my "Happy Moments" blog; because a happy life is just a series of happy moments. Feeling Good Matters!

Ann Ide

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