Blog Posts

How to make amazing things happen in your life

8/20/2013

Happy day to you!

If you think about it, nothing really amazing happens in your life until you make a decision: getting married, buying a home, choosing a job or career, where to go on vacation, and so on.

And, in nearly every circumstance where a significant breakthrough or up-leveling happens for you, if you trace back, you made a decision.

Whether you decide yes or no, or maybe, or later, they are all decisions; which means a direction, a future, is activated. The question is, is it the future you really want?

Indecision, thinking about it, delaying, postponing, and everything along that line can be the culprit for missed opportunities and dreams unfulfilled. You are creating a future based on the sameness of your current situation. If that current situation is a good one, with strong potential in place, then that's fine, of course! But if you're not feeling good about your current situation, then it's pretty likely that's not the future you want to create. That not so good feeling is your inner guidance calling you to something bigger and better - to what you really want, versus what you're just accepting.

New Possibilities for YOU!

What keeps you from making decisions that support what you want are simply fears and limiting beliefs like: what if this doesn't work; what if I can't do it; I can't afford it; what if it's not possible for me, and so on. You've heard them before, I'm sure. And, they don't feel good, do they? That feeling, again, is your inner guidance reminding you, like a rumble strip on the highway, that you're off track. Those are limited, small, ego-based fears and beliefs, versus the ones of your true, higher self.

What would the greater you, the you that is one with God/Source Energy/the Universe believe and say? Heck, what would anyone who believes in you say?

When you really, really wanted something in the past and made it happen in spite of your perceived limitations (like that vacation you made happen), how did you pull that off? What kind of thinking did you uphold that allowed you to follow through and succeed?

If an opportunity shows up and something inside of you is drawn to it, I suggest you honor that calling and challenge any limited thinking that tries to hold you back. Let something amazing happen for you!

If you need help getting free of that dis-empowering thinking that keeps you stuck, you know who to call! E-mail me at [email protected] to schedule a complimentary happiness upgrade activation call to activate a new future for you!

Inner Way Weight Loss group starting Sept. 17th!

Do you ever feel like you're living inside a fat suit, like the "real" you is inside? Do you look in the mirror with disbelief?

I remember when I felt that way. And, in spite of all my coaching skills, I couldn't get myself to do anything about it. Until I decided I'd had enough, and committed to applying what I knew to getting my "real" body back. Without doing that, it felt too hard and unpleasant; and, as I've said before, I'm committed to joy and ease!

So I finally took care of the inner resistance and confused beliefs, and then I was experiencing more joy and ease than ever! It feels so good to be light again.
If you're overweight and struggling with it, then there is definitely something "inside" holding you back. It could be inner conflicts about healthy practices. It could be limiting beliefs. It could be ineffective motivation strategies. It could be ineffective strategies for dealing with stress and emotions. Most likely, it's a combination of these.

Perhaps it's time to make your decision to learn how to make it easy to recover the healthy, slender body inside of you.

We start in a few weeks! Either Tuesday evenings, starting Sept. 17th, or Wednesday mornings, starting Sept. 18th.

Go here for all the details:
http://www.newpossibilitiescoaching.com/inner-way-weight-loss.html

"Things are going well for me. As I'm writing this, I've lost about 45 lbs from the time we started the group. At the start of the program, I definitely felt what I described as "stuck." About week 2 or 3 in the program, I learned that "stuck" meant that parts of me were fighting back against the changes I was trying to make. Understanding that these parts of me that did not want to change had a positive intent was a revelation. Learning to see myself and understand myself through this kinder and more positive process has been liberating. So now I am happier, kinder to myself, and able to let go of things, thoughts, and behaviors that no longer work for me.

Physically, I am feeling more energetic and less exhausted. I really like using the motivation strategies; and I think that has made a profound difference for me. I exercise almost every day now, enjoy it, and miss it when I don't get a chance!

Looking back, it seems like all the changes I've made are because they are now what I want to do and feel right doing, rather than needing to use willpower like in the past. I am enjoying my weight loss as a process, learning to relax and understand that I am loveable and worthy as I am in this moment; and that being slender will not make me any more loveable and worthy, or any happier than I am in this moment. It will be nice to have the benefits of being slender, fit and healthy; but in the present, I can be happy and healthy and active, and grateful for what is." Joy L.

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How to get over the need to look good and get approval

8/13/2013

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Good day to you!

I find it so common to be concerned about what others think of us, to seek approval, and to "look good". Sometimes this happens consciously, sometimes unconsciously. Does this happen to you? It can be the cause for a subtle, underlying ripple of stress; or it can create outright suffering.

In my last blog, I suggested that we have innate strategies for survival. Along that line, I believe this propensity to want to be liked and have others' approval is also an outdated survival strategy. In way, way, way earlier times, when we lived in isolated areas in a single clan or tribe, it most likely was really important for survival not be outcast from the community. You literally might have been left on your own.

But is this truly the case today; or are you just imagining it to be the case without further inquiry? Personally, I think it's just another outdated thought "virus". We now have a multitude of groups, people and contexts through which we can find belonging. In fact, we have so many options now, we can be selective!

If you still feel challenged by this, it's only a symptom of limiting beliefs and stories (more thought "viruses") that you're holding onto.

When I was in elementary school, I was always the last one picked for the teams. At least that's my memory of it. Back then, the meaning I attached to that recurrence was that I wasn't likeable or good enough. Naturally, this negatively impacted me for years!

Now I know differently. It didn't mean anything other than I wasn't perceived as competent at that particular game. And, I wasn't! AND, I didn't even like to play! I preferred other forms of fun.

New Possibilities for YOU!

There's a saying now, "Get in where you fit in." Maybe in school we didn't have a choice about whether we played kickball, or not; but now we do. Knowing what you know now, you can hold your center and your sense of value, and ask, "Who's a match for me?" YOU get to do the picking and approving!

When the concern for looking good or getting approval kicks in, ask yourself if this is appropriate given the context it's in. For the sake of what do you have this concern? Is it really necessary? Maybe at work it's appropriate in very particular ways. What specifically are people counting on you for? What do they need of you? If it's an ongoing struggle to fit in there, maybe it's not the best place for you. Believe that it's possible to find a new job or department that's a better fit; and proceed to do so.

Are there other groups that you're kinda stuck with that aren't really a match for you? Instead of thinking of it as a whole, perhaps there are at least some individuals you can connect with on some level.

Life is not a reality show. There are very few situations in which people have the right to judge you. You don't have to give them that permission. Focus on all the ways you're wonderful and on what YOU like in the people in your life; and you will find each other.

Have fun!

Ann

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How to handle fear and anxiety

7/30/2013

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Happy day to you!

It seems with every client I work with, the struggle with fear and the anxiety it produces comes up. We all slip into this at times; but what strategies do you use when this happens to you? As Dr. Phil asks, "How are they workin' for ya'?"

Do you retreat and find ways to escape the feelings? Maybe you use food, or substances that shift your mood and focus, or maybe you get busy in some way.

These strategies might help to temporarily distract you from the thoughts that created the fear; but they don't really work in a lasting way, do they?

Oh, oh. What IS that?

You know what creates fear? It's created when you focus on what's wrong or what might go wrong.

I believe that at some time during our evolution this was a very important strategy for our survival.
To stay safe, we literally had to look out for what might be lurking in the woods.

And, there are still times when it might be appropriate to notice, be prudent, and take appropriate actions for our survival. But, more often than not, our life is not really at stake, and our thinking is irrational and counterproductive.

New Possibilities for YOU!

If you'd like a better way, here's what I suggest you remember. The positive intention underlying fear is to know that you'll be okay. That's what it's all about.

When you feel fear, it's your emotional guidance system reminding you that you're telling a story that's putting you in that survival mode; and it's not necessarily true! You need to question your thinking. "Is this interpretation I'm making of my situation really true, or are there other possible ways of thinking about this? What might feel better? (How might someone else think about this?)" You'll find there's pretty much always some light behind your clouded thinking.

Before your mind can be resourceful enough to think differently and come up with a better feeling story that will reassure you that you'll be okay, you need to relax to shift your brain out of that inappropriate, old, habitual survival mode. A few deep breaths is usually all you need; or you might find a way to really relax.

As you take those deep breaths, you might add a soothing thought like, "Relax. I'm safe. My actual life is not in danger; and these thoughts I'm having aren't necessarily true." Then continue with what I just mentioned earlier. You'll feel SO much better, AND rather than escaping and avoiding, you'll be able to really take care of your concerns and those associated feelings much more effectively.

As always, there's no need to struggle with this on your own. If this seems too hard and you'd like some help, contact me and we'll schedule a time to explore new possibilities for you.

"For anyone who is seeking a little more personalized conversation, I highly recommend calling Ann for her complimentary Happiness Upgrade Activation call. I have been coaching with her; and in the areas of my life where I had felt "stuck" in a seemingly endless cycle she has helped me to achieve monumental growth and ultimately unbridled joy." Sera V.

Do you use food to deal with your feelings or as a way to feel good? Do you struggle with weight and find that it takes more will power than you have or requires more deprivation than you like?

Then I can't encourage you enough to join me in my Fall Inner Way Weight Loss Program, starting in September!

In this Inner Way Weight Loss Group, you will:

resolve any internal “tug-of-war” conflicts that make your weight loss an unnecessary struggle
learn and use effective mental strategies to make your weight loss easier
create lasting, intrinsic motivation strategies that work
learn forgiveness and unconditional love and acceptance of yourself
learn how to effectively overcome your triggers and challenges with food that seem to sabotage you
change your beliefs that are contributing to being overweight to ones that support you in being naturally and easily healthy, happy, and slender
learn and adopt eating strategies of naturally slender people so you can become one, too
learn more effective strategies for preventing and dealing with the stress and emotions that can lead to unhealthy habits

AND, you'll have lots of support and even laughter and fun in the process! Really!

Watch for my e-mails with the details soon. Groups are limited in size for lots of personal attention; so if you want to assure your spot, feel free to contact me now. I can't wait to get started again!

"I feel like, for the first time, I am not using willpower and guilt to lose weight; and I am losing weight without feeling deprived...a first for me! Another benefit of this program is that I have begun to change my thinking from "I can't do this" to "anything is possible." And, this new belief applies to more than weight loss.
Basically, I really love everything about this program...the concepts, the exercises that help us practice the tools and the group support. Thank you, Ann!" Gina J.

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

Ann

IF YOU USE G MAIL, PLEASE READ THIS:

I’m not sure if you’ve heard about the changes coming to Gmail … they have a new feature that automatically filters your email into "Primary", "Social" and "Promotions".

The problem with this is that Gmail may very likely classify ALL of my emails, including my newsletters to you, as Promotions and you may never receive messages from me in your primary inbox again unless you take the simple steps below. It only takes a minute or so.

Step 1 (20 second fix):
First, find an email from me (use this one!), point, click and drag it to the "Primary" tab.

When you release your mouse, a little note will appear asking you to confirm you want to receive all future email from [email protected] to your inbox– simply click "Yes" when the alert pops up.

Optional: Want to take it one step further and remove these extra new tabs altogether?

Go to the Settings box in the upper right hand corner of your inbox and select "Settings." Click on the "Inbox" tab and unselect all categories but "Primary". Be sure to save your changes.

That's all there is to it! Thanks for taking this step so we can stay connected.

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What does your body need to heal?

7/11/2013

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A joy-filled good day to you!

Wow. It's been a long time since my last blog! Guess I've been having fun! Mark and I spent some glorious time on Martha's Vineyard with our Hitchhiking with Larry David author friend Paul Dolman, and then spent more time with family and nature on the Cape after that. "Happy, thank you, more please!" Hope you're finding ways to have fun, as well. There's always a way, no matter what.

Now it's time to get back to my other passion, supporting you towards experiencing greater harmony, happiness and success; and I intend to do so while maintaining my vacation frame of mind!

Did you know that your body creates cancer cells every day? Yes! However, your body is equipped with natural repair mechanisms and heals them. That's our inherent design. Beautiful isn't it?

The key thing is, those natural repair mechanisms only work when your body is in the relaxation response. That's what activates the healing response.

So it's really, really important to reduce your number of stress responses, and to increase your relaxation responses. How do you do that?

Lucky for you, this is what we teach in all of our New Possibilities private and group coaching programs! Obviously I can't teach you all of them in detail in this one blog; so I'll mention just a few key ones to get you started.

New Possibilities for YOU!

Making sure you have empowering beliefs versus ones that limit you or make you feel bad is key to living with a relaxed joy and ease. If you know you have self-defeating beliefs, don't just accept them. Find a way to shift them. This is just as important as using medical interventions.

You also want to manage how you interpret situations and the meaning you attach to them. If what you're thinking doesn't feel good (hence triggers the stress response), then challenge your thinking. Is it true, or just your personal interpretation? What other interpretation is possible that would feel better? How might someone else think about it?

EFT, the Emotional Freedom Technique, is a great way to manage your moods and emotional responses, and to trigger your body's relaxation response . By tapping on energy meridian points on your body, even without any dialogue, you will feel more relaxed. It's very easy, and I highly recommend learning and using it. I'm sure you can find some free tutorials on YouTube.

Lastly, for today, I can't say enough about the value of finding the space of stillness and peace with meditating, even for just a few minutes a day. If you still feel like you can't take the time or can't do it well enough, try doing something meditative - something quiet, mindful and relaxing - anything that helps you to escape from your busy mind and to feel good.

While you're there, if you have something going on that needs to heal, ask your inner guidance, "What does my body need to heal?" Some thought might come to you like, "find a way to work feeling less pressure" or "love and accept myself", or "take more time for yourself". You get the idea. You have your very own inner "doctor", per se, your inner wisdom. Listen, and honor it. It's your own prescription towards healing and health.

That's all for now. But, as you know, I am always here for you. If you'd like to learn more and get more personal attention, guidance and support to live with more ease and joy, then e-mail me at [email protected] to schedule a complimentary happiness upgrade activation call to begin creating new possibilities for YOU. There's no need to struggle. Let your happiness and well-being be a priority, and from that all other good things you desire will flow to you.

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

Ann

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What I learned from Brad Pitt

6/3/2013

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Another joy-filled good day to you!

I am fascinated by the acting process. One of the reasons is that it's all about creating a different reality; and nothing fascinates me more than that!

So I'm a big fan of Inside the Actor's Studio, a show on Bravo TV during which actors share their methods and processes with students in the movie and theater making fields. For me, the processes I hear them speak about are unsurprisingly similar to spiritual teachings, especially those within the law of attraction, and I'm sure others, as well.

Here's what Brad Pitt had to say in one episode I recently watched. A student had asked him about his process for developing and becoming a character he plays.

"The process takes many forms. I can't stress enough to give yourself a break. Try anything and everything that feels right... If it doesn't work, discard it. If you get somewhere, then keep exploring it.

Character will come. There's too much pressure on this idea of character. It will come and you will be surprised at how it comes. And it will keep coming. It's an endless well. You don't have to worry about it. Trust yourself.

Don't pre-plan the scene, 'cause it will stink it up. You don't have to squeeze everything in every scene. You do one scene and get some of what will inform the next scene, and the same with the next, and so on.

What I find most beneficial before each scene, is direction. I put myself in a situation and consider my intentions for the moment. Give yourself something different for each take, and see what happens."

Brad is creating a character (a reality) for pretend; but I think the process is the same for you and the reality you want to create and live! How cool and how fun is that?!

New Possibilities for You!

How much pressure do you put on yourself to be perfect, or to get it right the first time, or get it done NOW, or have what you want NOW?

Let go of the pressure, set your intentions, and trust yourself more to follow what feels right one step at a time, allowing what you want to evolve and unfold from the endless well of possibilities when you just relax and allow it. And, mistakes are okay! They inform and guide you towards better and better.

Plan for and imagine how you want to feel in the end. This is your main intention. But don't get attached to how it will all play out. Let that part be the surprise, as you follow each lead and your inner guidance along the way.

I cannot tell you enough how well this works. Each morning, before I even get out of bed, I set my intentions for how I want to be and how I want to feel throughout my day and by the end of the day; and from that, everything flows easily in my day and I feel SO wonderful! Here's the gist of my morning intention:

"Today, it is my dominant intent that no matter what the circumstances, I will look for the positive aspects and for reasons to feel good, and enjoy my day. It's my intention to remember all that I am: a physical extension of the infinite Source of all that is, here for it to create, express and experience through me. It's my intention to see, hear, feel, speak and act from this higher perspective, and to follow its guidance for the easy and joyful manifestation of all that I desire." Then I image how that feels. Mmmmm.

So simple! How do you want to be and feel throughout your day and at the end of your day? What kind of character do you want to play to create a reality you desire? Give this process a try, and let me know how it goes. Okay? And remember, be easy about it. You can have an award-winning life, just like Brad!

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

Ann

P.S. Of course, as always, if you'd like more support in creating your desired reality, one filled with more harmony, happiness and success, be sure to contact me for a complimentary happiness upgrade activation call!

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Changing this ONE word can change how you feel and what you create

5/15/2013

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Happy day to you!

I truly believe that how you use language will influence how you feel and what you create. Here's a powerful example:

Say to yourself, "I am not good enough." Notice how this feels.

Now say, " I'm feeling not good enough."

How do they feel different to you?

Most people experience "I am" as being more fixed and permanent, and "I feel" as being more temporary with more possibility for change.

How often are you feeling something negative, yet you use "I am" language and end up feeling like it's a permanent feature of who you are? (Like I am fat, I am slow, I am sad, I am no good at -x-, I am unmotivated, etc.)

But these things don't exist like the color of your eyes. Sometimes you access that feeling, and sometimes you don't. You are creating it each and every time in the moment by feeling a reaction to some story you're telling yourself and are believing is true.

New Possibilities for You!

If your "I am" statements are more positive and make you feel good, then by all means, keep doing it!

If, however, you're making yourself feel bad; please remember to change your language to "I'm feeling..." . (Like I feel fat, I feel slow, I feel sad, I feel like I'm no good at -x-, I feel unmotivated, etc.)

Then remember that it's just a temporary reaction to something you're telling yourself. What story is going on inside your head? If you heard your friend speaking that way, what would you say to them? Would you say, "I know. That's so true! You ARE inadequate! You never do anything right!" Really? How would you help them to see it differently? Try it for yourself!

If you can't seem to come up with a different perspective on your bad-feeling story, imagine someone else's perspective. Who do you know, or know of, that would see you and think about your inner story differently? My personal favorite is to try on the perspective of Source Energy/Spirit/God.

You do not have to be at the effect of your thoughts. You have them. They don't have you; and you can change them to change your experience.

You are not fixed. You are pure potentiality! You create your experience moment to moment. Use your words wisely.

If you feel like your thoughts have control over you and you'd like to be able to manage your thoughts and emotions more effectively, please contact me to explore if my new possibilities private coaching is a good fit for you. I'll guide and support you in a very individualized and personal way so you can experience all the harmony, happiness and success that you desire.

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

Ann

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My favorite strategy for being my best and happiest self

5/1/2013

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A joy-filled hello to you!
In our most recent evening of guided meditations, everyone got to delight in the expansive feelings of experiencing themselves as more than just the physical human beings they typically think of themselves as. You are so much more than just your body and thoughts!

Let me share a strategy I regularly use that I believe can have tremendous potential for you, as well.
In my guided meditation evenings, people often complement me on my voice and how it’s so perfect for leading meditations and helping them to feel so good. It’s really nice to be appreciated. The thing is, I believe it’s not really my voice that people are hearing. They’re hearing who I’m being as I speak.

Let me explain a bit. Back in my days of training, I took a course with a very masterful hypnotherapist, Mel Bucholz. It was nearly impossible not to go into a trance state when you listened to him. So in his course, I was expecting to learn all kinds of language patterns and hypnotic techniques. Who wouldn’t, right?

Instead, we took weeks just talking about poetry and aesthetics and such! I was so confused; until I finally “got it”. This brilliant man was teaching us how to “be” something different, rather than how to “do” something different. By connecting to our aesthetic sense of being and our spirit, we learned that from there the rest would flow.

Later we learned about techniques and language; but without that first step, I would have been trying to perform from my head, instead of from all that I am. I am so grateful to have had this teacher and learning. From that point on, I easily excelled in my other trainings, as well, to the point of being asked by the trainer and owner of the training company to become one of the first two assistants they ever had, and then to eventually take over his role.

When you connect to all that you are, your spirit-full self, you connect to all of your resources and more. You become magical. You can learn better, perform better, and be and feel your best. This is what you hear when you listen to me guide you through a meditation, or a class, or a coaching session, even in my writing. And, it feels really, really, good for me, too!

You can do this, too! Maybe not for leading meditations or teaching or coaching, necessarily; but for whatever you want to excel at, however you want to be resourceful, and however you want to feel.

New Possibilities for YOU!

Think about the word resourceful…re -Source-full ! How do you reconnect to the Source of all that is and feel your full Spirit/Source-Self and all that you are? In prayer? Meditation? In nature? Running or playing some sport “in the zone” or “flow state”? Maybe it’s when you just connect to your heart and are living from love. What does it for you? Start experimenting by recalling and purposefully bringing back this feeling in other contexts, as well. Remind yourself of all that you are beyond your mere human capabilities by asking, “Who am I?” or “Who am I being?”, and go BIG, if you know what I mean.

Here’s another tip. Don’t try to find “it”, as if “it” exists. Use your imagination. It’s all the same!

If you feel disconnected and limited by living mainly in your head and that that's all that you are, then let me help, so you can experience all the harmony, happiness and success you desire. E-mail me to schedule a complimentary happiness upgrade activation session to begin creating new possibilities for you!

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

Ann

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What does Horton the Elephant have to do with spirituality and you?

3/28/2013

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I just LOVE Dr. Seuss! I think his works are not only lyrical and fun; to me, they're also profound. Every time I've listened to our CD of "Seussical the Musical", I've felt so good! They're inspiring!

Like this part from the song "It's possible", when the young boy sings with wonder about a mere bath and everything else it might be connected to:

"This might be a pool,
Like I've read of in books,
Connected to one of those underground brooks!
An underground river
That starts here and flows
Right under this bathtub!
And then-
Who knows!
It's possible!
Anything's possible!"

JoJo and Horton love to have good "thinks", getting lost in their creative, unfolding imaginations:

"When your thinks have run dry,
In the blink of an eye
There's another think there!
If you open your mind,
Oh, the thinks you will find
Lining up to get loose!
Oh, the thinks you can think!"

I mean, talk about relaxing into your creative consciousness and allowing it to unfold! See what I mean by how profound he can be?

If you think about it, Horton is a pretty enlightened being. He sings:

"There are secrets on a leaf,
In the water, in the air,
Hidden planets, tiny worlds,
All invisible!
Not a person seems to know.
Not a person seems to care.
There is no one who believes a thing I say...

Well, I'm fairly certain
At one time or other,
Great thinkers all feel this way!"

He holds steadfast to believing in his experience of hearing the "Whos" in Whoville, on that small speck of dust, even when he can't see them, and everyone else challenges him on it. He has what we call blind faith. Until, finally, the Whos are loud enough, shouting "We are here. We are here. We are here!"

I wonder how the Universe might be shouting to us all "We are here", and we're not listening; so it has to shout louder and louder to get our attention.

So what does all of this have to do with you? Everything, my friend!

New Possibilities for YOU!

Horton is very connected to his heart. Did you know that researchers at the HeartMath Institute (www.heartmath.org) and elsewhere have learned that your heart has more neurons than your brain; and that it has its own intelligence? They have found it to be like a "receiver" for information from the Unified Field - the infinite field of energy, the source of all that is, that some call the Universe, some Source, some God, and so on. When we're connected to our heart and quiet enough inside, we can "hear" and receive this information. This is what we call intuition! We've all had this experience at one time or another.

Horton hears, and trusts and believes in what he's hearing.
Have you ever listened to and trusted your intuition, your inner guidance, and have it serve you? I'm sure you have, even though we too easily forget. Maybe it's a good idea to be open to this more often. You think?
Do you need to see it to believe it? I encourage you to let go of that need. Instead, try "when you believe it, you'll see it."
The next time you feel alone in the Universe, remember Horton. What if there are secrets everywhere, even if you can't see them? And, what if everything you can see is evidence of a greater creative Spirit?
Take a moment, and get quiet. Feel the quiet. And listen. "We are here. We are here. We are here!" You are never alone.

Remember, I am always here for you, as well. If you feel alone in the Universe, or stuck in impossibilities instead of possibilities, then let me help; so you can experience all the harmony, happiness and success you desire. E-mail me to schedule a complimentary happiness upgrade activation session to begin creating new possibilities for you!

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

Ann

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Moving Beyond Willpower and Discipline to Effortless Inspiration and Action!

3/15/2013

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A joy-filled, spring-is-on-the-way hello to you!

Does the thought of any of your goals pose issues of needing willpower and discipline for you? Feel like you don’t have enough or catch yourself too often saying, “I just can’t get myself to do it.” Sound a bit too familiar? Even though you want something, it’s too hard for you to get yourself to follow through on what’s needed. Then you take it as a personal fault or weakness.

The good news is that I’m here to tell you today that there’s nothing inherently wrong with you. You just need some “adjusting”.

You know how when your back is “out”, it’s harder to move? And, when it’s relaxed and aligned, you can then move more freely?

It’s similar with moving towards our goals. When you are fully in “alignment” with what you want or need to do, you don’t need to conjure up will power. You are driven to move like a well-tuned engine, versus one with some malfunctioning parts.

Here are some examples of how you can be “out of alignment”:

There’s some kind of inner conflict. One part of you wants –x-, but another part wants to –y-; and it doesn’t seem like they can both happen. One part of you wants to exercise after work; and another part just wants to relax.
You aren’t really connected to, or feeling the “why” behind the goal.
There’s a belief that gets in the way, or an inner narrative that does not support you. For example, I was really dragging about writing this newsletter, until I became aware that I had in inner story going on about it being hard. Once I became aware of that, I decided that it doesn’t have to be hard. I have ways of allowing it to be easier! And now here I am writing away.
You’re using ineffective motivation strategies, like talking to yourself like a task master. How often does telling yourself you “should” or “need to” do something really work? If it does, it’s usually not pleasantly.

New Possibilities for You

If your car were stuck, unable to move, it might not be too effective to just use willpower and discipline! You’d ask, “What’s getting in my way?”

Listen to and take care of those thoughts that get in the way of you being able to follow through on a desire, versus just trying to drive over them; because they will keep showing up and keep making it difficult.

Negotiate with your conflicting parts and find win-win solutions that address both of their concerns (i.e. in the example above, to be healthy and to relax)

Challenge your unsupportive inner stories and beliefs. They’re not necessarily as true as they seem to you!

Focusing on goals alone is sometimes like focusing on the route you’re taking to get somewhere. Do you get excited by thinking “I’m going to take the Mass Pike!” Or do you get excited thinking about where you’re going and fully imagining what it will feel like to actually be there? By imagining how your goal will feel when you’ve completed it, the journey there is just a logical step of the process that falls into place without much question; and it will be more fun along the way.

Here’s a surprising tip, as an example. If you want to lose weight, don’t think about the actual exercising and eating less! Instead, fully imagine how great it will feel after you’ve exercised instead of feeling lazy and sluggish; and how great it will feel after you’re done eating to feel light instead of overstuffed.

Focus on all the whys you want something, which is the vision you really care about, and you’ll act more through inspiration. There is so much more creativity and authentic power in that!

If you struggle with being able to figure this out on your own, then I encourage you to contact me for some help. There is no need to struggle. When you are fully aligned with your desires with effective strategies in place, as well, what you want will come easily without the need for willpower or discipline.

The Inner Way Weight Loss Program is a perfect example of this. By learning effective motivation strategies, resolving inner conflicts, and shifting ineffective inner stories and beliefs, participants (including me!) are easily moving towards their goals without deprivation or willpower.

If you struggle with your weight, please contact me to join us in our next group starting on April 2nd. If you know someone else who could use this program, please tell them about it.

Bathing suit season is coming up! How do you want to feel?

"I've been participating in this class and it's one of the best experiences of my life! I'm working out because I WANT to, I've virtually ended emotional eating, my clothes are looser and I'm really understanding that it's not about the food. It's about LOVE, acceptance, fun, joy, and compassion. Ann is an amazing coach, guide and all around wonderful human being. If you are struggling around food/diet/weight/health this is the class for you!" Annie J.

"The best part is that there has been absolutely no feeling of deprivation, as though I haven’t given up anything. And no feeling like I'm forcing myself to do anything, either. I feel instead as though I have been learning to increase my enjoyment while at the same time behaving in healthier, happier ways. The changes have been noticeable to my family, friends, and me. My energy level is better, too.” Joy L.

Here’s the link to read all about the Inner Way Weight Loss Program, the EASY way to a happy, healthy, lasting, naturally slender you, without deprivation or willpower: http://www.newpossibilitiescoaching.com/inner-way-weight-loss.html

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

Ann

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One of the most important and easy things you can do throughout your day

3/2/2013

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A happy, joy-filled day to you!

Do you sometimes get tense, stressed, or overwhelmed during the day? Well, we don't want that!

As I've probably mentioned before, but it bares repeating, this will trigger your brain into survival mode. Your body will actually respond like you're in physical danger, sending stress hormones into your body, overactivating your adrenals, and shutting down your more resourceful part of the brain. Then you won't even be as effective or efficient at taking care of all the things you're stressed out about! So worry and tension really do not serve you in any way.

So what can you do to relax and soothe all those thoughts taking over? Turns out you have a natural mechanism built right in. It's called breathing - only you need to breathe properly and deliberately just for a few breaths. Here's how:

When most people are anxious, they breathe from up high in the chest. If you breathe deeply from this place, you'll feel even more tense! Proper breathing takes place from down low. As you inhale, your belly expands; and as you exhale, it sinks back in. We call this centered breathing, and it brings you back to a more "centered" way of being, rather than "off balance".

The easy way to do this is by putting your attention just below your navel. You can even put your hand there. Now simply breathe! You might find that your whole body cavity expands. That's natural, too.

This will cue your nervous system that you're safe and okay, and it can relax.

New Possibilities for You!

Check periodically throughout the day as to how you're feeling. If you feel at all tense, take a "breather" - a few nice, big, centering breaths.
Want to get less tense in the first place? Then take centering breaths throughout your day regardless of how you're feeling.
Want to feel even more inner peace as you do this?
Rather than trying to quiet your mind, which can be hard to do. Put your attention where the quiet already exists. Right in the space around you there is stillness and quiet and peace. Even if there are people around you, or if there's activity or noise somewhere in your vicinity, between you and those things, there is that space. Feel for it. It's a glorious space that you can step right into and let it take over.

Join me in one of my guided meditation evenings, and you'll be sure to learn and experience this firsthand.

Try this out, and let me know how it goes or if you have any questions!

Hope to hear from you and see you soon!

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

Ann

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