Affirmation: I free my mind of past and future and I live in the moment.

“With the Past as past, I have nothing to do; nor with the Future as future. I live now and will verify all past history in my own moments.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Living in the moment means you are aware & present with all your senses. You are aware of sounds, colors, feelings & taste. When your mind wanders instead of being fully engaged with what’s happening right now, you’re losing focus and energy to the past (history) and future (mystery).

Here are some simple “live in the moment” habits:

• Eat Mindfully – set the table, sit down and eat, focusing on the look, feel and taste of the food. No TV, no magazines. Just eat (slowly).
• Do one thing at a time. When you wash the dishes, wash the dishes. When you exercise, exercise. When you play with your kid or your pet – just play. Don’t multitask.
• Slow down. Walk slower. Talk slower. Read slower.
• “PBS” as many times as you can throughout the day: Pause, Breathe & Smile.

Live a moment at a time.

Enjoy the contentment that comes from doing so.

This week, every morning when you wake up, read, write and say the affirmation: “I free my mind of past and future and I live in the moment.” Choose one practice from the above list each day. At the end of the week, decide which practice you would like to turn into a habit.

Enjoy!

Affirmation: I declutter my space, my heart and my mind and I am ready for a fresh start.

We all collect and hold on to physical, mental and emotional “stuff” which creates clutter in our lives.

Look around you. What belongings, clothes, furniture & accessories that you don’t really need are you willing to get rid of to create some free space? Donating some of your belongings will create abundance in someone else’s life.

What emotional hang ups that don’t serve you anymore are you holding on to?

Are you angry at “him” or “her” for saying something that hurt your feelings? They probably didn’t even mean it and already forgot about it, but you still carry the memory in your heart. Let it go!

And how about your thoughts and beliefs? Which ones create clutter in your mind?

I will share one of mine in the comment area and I invite you to do the same. You will feel so much better after sharing and committing to get rid of your unnecessary “stuff”.

Can’t wait to hear from you!

Affirmation: I don’t take things personally. I remind myself that it’s not about me and I detach and protect my energy.

Things happen and we create a story in our head. Part of the story is true and other parts are made up based on past assumptions, experiences and fears. The result is that we take things personally. Your husband was late coming home from work because of a meeting, and you think he doesn’t love you. Your co-worker didn’t have lunch with you because a of previous commitment and you think you’re not good enough. Your father blames you for not visiting him enough and you take the guilt on.

When you suspect that you’re too invested in a situation, stick to the facts. Clean “your side of the street”, and then let go. It’s not about you!

Stick to the facts and evaluate the situation in a detached, objective and professional way.

Protect your energy by detaching.

This week remember not to take anything personally. You cannot control other people and their opinions, but you can control your own actions and options.

What are you taking personally today and how willing are you to stop?

Affirmation: I allow myself time to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate.

As we transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas and Hanukah, from November to December, we tend to be more sentimental or maybe even melancholy. Many people are experiencing low energy levels or passiveness. Spending more time than usual with family members around the holidays brings joy and a feeling of togetherness,  but it can also be difficult and create a feeling of heaviness.

Past memories may be coming up to create a smile but also some tears.

If you feel stuck, stop beating yourself up for not being more active.

December is the last month of the year.

It is a perfect time to summarize, to reflect. Time to rest and prepare for the New Year.

January is a lot more energetic and there is a collective “new beginning” energy in the air.

Allow the month of December to be what it is – the last month of the year.

Allow yourself to enjoy the holiday-season and don’t beat yourself up if you’re not as active.

Tell yourself that it is a natural process of ending one year and starting another one.

What is your most important intention for December?

Affirmation: I allow my unlimited creativity to inspire myself and others.

I allow my unlimited creativity to inspire myself and others.

What are the first words that come up for you when you see the word CREATVITY?

Markers, paper, drawing, sculpture, art?

If those are your words, chances are you believe you are not creative.

How about adjusting your definition of creativity?

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook

When you solve problems, when you cope with challenges, when you overcome fear – you are being creative.

When you challenge your thoughts and create more anabolic (positive) ones, you are being creative.

You have an unlimited source of creativity.

You just need to let go the beliefs that stop you from connecting to this wonderful resource.

This week, believe in your creative abilities. Adjust your definition and allow it to inspire yourself others.

Inspire others by writing a comment about your creativity.

Have fun!

Affirmation: I go at my own pace and I take things one day at a time.

We all have our moments where we feel overwhelmed. Things happen. Life pulls up in many directions. People around us might have expectations which are different than ours. Often we are too involved and only when we step back and detach from the situation we can get a clear picture of where things are.

This week presented a few challenges for me. I am used to see challenges as opportunities but sometimes I forget… so things got a little out of control. So what did I do? I paused and took some time to reflect. I read this inspiring quote:

“Today I will do everything that should be done. When it should be done, and as it should be done. I will perform the most difficult task first, because this will destroy the habit of procrastination, and develop the habit of action in its place!” -Napoleon Hill

I asked myself if I really have to do everything this week. I got clear with what really need to be done this week and what can wait. I got centered and could see things in a a different way. I was able to remember that I cannot change the facts but I can change my reaction. I also remembered that I can go at my own pace and take things one day at a time.

Whenever you are overwhelmed or simply feel that there is too much to do, say to yourself:

I go at my own pace and I take things one day at a time!

Affirmation: I slow down so I can respond rather than react.

What’s the difference between responding to reacting?

What does slowing down have to do with this?

Reacting happens immediately, when your emotions take control or when you think that you have no other options. When you realize that you have choices and that you can manage your emotion, then you can respond.

One of my life-coaching clients is trying to create more inner peace in her life. She is always racing to do the next thing, taking care of everybody else but herself. After working with me for a few months, she was ready to allow herself to go away for a fun and relaxing weekend. When she came back, I asked her what was different. She said that the main difference was that when she slowed down, she was able to be more discerning and to be more particular. That way she doesn’t say automatically YES to EVRYTHING. She finally realized she has control over these decisions. She then created a simple daily routine to remind her to respond rather than react. A short centering & affirmation in the morning was what she chose.

In the moment, when lots is going on on and you are “on the go“ you forget that you have a choice. That’s where slowing down comes into the picture.

Slow down and ask yourself: What are the facts and what choices do I have?

Sticking to the facts does not mean denying your emotions. It simply means managing your emotions so you can respond wisely.

Being thoughtful rather than thoughtless can make the difference between a response and a reaction.

Share your thoughts. Would love to hear them!

Affirmation: I respect and value family time and I make sure I am present.

You ever feel like your life is all about work?

How many times have you promised to make family a priority and spend more time with them?

It’s actually not just about how much time you spend with them, but about how present you are when you’re with them.

Create a realistic block of family time. During this time, do not accept calls, texts, emails or thoughts about other stuff! If you start thinking about work, concentrate on topics that will create a connection between you and your family. Listen; really listen to what they say and acknowledge them for what they just told you. Be engaged in the conversation; don’t let your mind distract you.

10 minutes of your undivided attention is worth more than 30 minutes of scattered attention.

2 hours of doing a fun activity, fully present, might feel better to you than spending a whole day going back and forth between your family and communication with others.

Discuss it with your family members. Ask them how you can all make family time valued and respected.

This week, respect and value family time and be present.

Affirmation: I put my baggage down and I welcome change.

If you think that you cannot change no matter how much you try, you are not alone. Many people try to change but they do the same things over and over again and expect different results. It is not about working hard. It’s about finding new ways to look at yourself, a way that will be more supportive of your goals.

I was happily surprised by how meaningful my post, putting your baggage down is a must if you want to change, was for my readers.

A few of my clients shared with me the next day that the idea that they carry their past in a suitcase and they can choose to stop carrying it was like a light bulb for them. One of my clients burst into tears the minute we started to talk and said: “That’s it! It’s all about the suitcase I carry! In my suitcase it says in big letters: something is wrong with me! I’m ready to put the suitcase down”.  

Another client wrote to me:
“I woke up this morning ready to start letting go of this baggage I’ve been carrying around. I was actually making the mental picture of me filling suitcases with fears and blocks and putting them on an escalator to God. The image of the suitcase staring at me is such an important reminder for me!”

Today’s affirmation is for you, if you feel that your suitcase is too heavy and you’re ready to put it down.

I can help you change, but you’re the only one who can choose to put your baggage down.

Every morning this week, ask yourself: “In what way am I willing today to put my baggage down?”

Send me a quick email with your intention for the day. You might want to start your email with:
“Today I’m willing to put my……. down”.  (Fear, suffering, thinking I’m not good enough, beating myself up). Be authentic.  Take this affirmation and make it your own.

Affirmation: I deserve to have plenty of money because I add value to people’s lives

While I was training to become a life-coach I also hired a coach to help me grow my business. One of the things I’ve learned is that limiting beliefs around money can create a real block in life. For years, I mistakenly thought that I shouldn’t charge much for what I do. I thought that the universe would somehow pay me back for my good deeds. In reality, the universe kept sending me messages that it’s time to charge appropriately for my services.

When I broke through my money blocks, I began to attract abundance into my life.

Today, I feel confident to charge for my services because I watch people make powerful changes in their lives as a result of working with me. In fact, I believe that an exchange of energy is essential for success, and money is one of these exchanges.

You should always charge people from a heart-centered place and not from a place of ego, remembering the value you add to their lives.

Instead of feeling insecure about yourself, focus on your value; your unique way of making a difference in other people’s lives.

Remember the following rule: when you value yourself and your work and feel that you deserve to charge money for what you do, people will value you and benefit tremendously from your work.

This week, think about money as a service tool – a tool that helps you share your gifts with the world.

Affirmation: I use my resources wisely.

One of my life-coaching clients, a business owner, shared with me this week that she’s working on using her resources wisely. From a business perspective, she took a look at her resources to see how she can use them better.

When you think “resources”, do you think external or internal?

We often think about external resources, but this made me think how powerful it might be to ask the same question about our internal resources:

Wisdom

Intuition

Common sense

Life experience

Gut feeling

Knowledge

Skills

We’ve got them. How can we better use them?

The external resources are great too! All the training, courses, workshops, books, teleclasses, seminars…

I look at the bookshelves in my office, where I’m sitting and writing this blog: there are so many books on the shelves and yet, only this week I ordered 3 new books. There are so many documents in my “inspiration” folder on my computer and yet, I always sign up for new websites, new blogs, looking for new inspiration.

This week, I am planning to reconnect to my resources and ask myself how I can use them wisely. This might mean dropping some of them.

What are some of the resources you have and are willing to reconnect to?

Affirmation: I’m fully aware of my emotions and I express appropriate emotions at the appropriate time.

Being aware of our emotions requires to take a step back and to observe what’s going on. How do you become aware of your emotions? By listening to your body. Anger, sadness, frustration, joy or other emotions feel different on a physical level. Different people feel their emotions in different ways. Paying attention to what’s different in your body (tension in your shoulders, heaviness in your heart, upset stomach etc.) will help you identify the emotion.

Why is it important to identify your emotions? Because then you can choose how and when to express them.

This week, my daughter, who is 18, is starting a new chapter in life, becoming an independent adult, far away from home. Being away and not being able to be with her was hard for me. My natural tendency was to get busy and detach from my emotions. I started to feel some physical symptoms and couldn’t sleep at night. I did what I always ask my clients to do: I stepped back, meditated, got centered and listened to my inner- voice.

The message was very clear: it’s ok to feel sad. It’s ok to cry.

When I allowed myself to express my emotions it felt so right. It was a balanced expression of joy and sadness at the same time. I am grateful for the ability to experience such different emotions at the same time and today I am very happy and excited for my daughter.

Listen to you body.

Identify the emotion.

Express it at the appropriate time.

How does it feel?

Affirmation: I’m curious and open-minded and I see life as an adventure.

Curiosity is the best attitude one should have. When you communicate form a curious place, you communicate in a positive way and you avoid being resentful.

When your child makes a bad choice and you blame him or give him a speech, most likely he will get defensive in return. If instead, you say: “I’m curious, what made you do that?” You encourage cooperation and real conversation.

What’s your attitude towards life? Is it a serious of challenges you need to overcome or is it a fun adventure?

This week be open minded, curious and adventurous.
Enjoy life!

Affirmation: I make better choices no matter what.

Let’s say you’re an “up” person; you are optimistic and high energy, living a balanced life.
Then, something challenging happens. You’re now stressed, tired, trying to cope. Your energy level drops to fear, anger or maybe hopelessness. You feel like you have no control. Your energy level is spiraling down even more. My coaching clients will be familiar with this talk of energy levels. As this challenging period continues, you realize that you’re slipping back into old habits and behaviors.

Maybe it wasn’t such a big challenge. Maybe you just come home from work after a long day and break down when you see all the work still ahead of you at home.

It’s perfectly normal to experience these up and down cycles. That’s not the issue; trying to fight the natural rhythm of life is like trying to swim against the tide. Our mind waits for the opportunity to be negative and judgmental: “Poor you. OF COURSE you will overeat or procrastinate or do something you don’t want to do.”

When you “hear” the voice in your head, realize that it is only a voice, not reality. Respond to it: “I’ll keep my priorities straight no matter what. I’ll choose to eat healthy (or to finish my tasks on time or to take care of the mail) no matter what is going on in my life.”

Don’t let your mind trick you.

Take charge.

This week make better choices and use the words NO MATTER WHAT as your mantra.

Affirmation: I go easy. I move forward with a peaceful pace and I don’t feel rushed.

Do you feel rushed?

Are you anxious, upset and beating yourself up for not doing enough?

The truth is that you can (and should) control you pace. Your mind might tell you that you have to run, to be faster. After all, there are so many things to do! Life is demanding and we grow up believing that faster is better.

In reality, when you go easy, gently and peacefully you can actually accomplish the same stuff (if not more) with a lot less suffering!

A few weeks ago I was vacationing with my family, and my son noticed that we were rushing, even on our vacation! We walked fast to the restaurant, to the theater, etc, even though we had all the time in the world.

Our pace was still fast.

This week, be conscious about your pace. Go easy. Move forward peacefully.

Affirmation: I connect to my inner child and I invite playfulness into my life.

Close your eyes and remember yourself as a child. Think about a time that you played and had fun. Allow the memories to bubble up. How old are you? What do you do? How do you look? How do you feel? How do you feel now, remembering it?

Your inner child is within yourself. He/she is ready to be present in your adult life. Create a dialogue with your inner child. Talk/think/imagine, write a letter, reconnect. Ask your inner child to help you invite playfulness into your life.

As adults, we think we have to take life seriously. We have so many responsibilities. We’re told to “grow up” – to act like adults! We lose the innocent/spontaneous free childish spirit. If we could be more playful in our work and in our relationships… if we could be creative and imaginative like children (before they learn to “act like adults”), life would be more enjoyable. Things will seem more simple and effortless.

As Bernard Shaw said: “We don’t stop playing because we grow old: we grow old because we stop playing.”

This week, see the world from the eyes of a child. Take your inner child anywhere you go. Watch children play. Play with your kids (or your dog), talk to your friends about your childhood memories. Reconnect with childhood play.

Connect to your inner child and invite playfulness into your life.

Affirmation: I take control over my schedule rather than allowing my schedule to control me.

In today’s busy world, we move fast from one activity to the next we multitask, and we always feel that we’re not doing enough and end up feeling drained & empty.

Although it feels like we have no control over how busy we are, we really do! Our left brain tells us to fit more stuff in our schedule but if we access out right brain, we’ll know that we have a choice.

It isn’t going to happen by itself. You have to take charge.

What would you change in your current schedule if you could change anything?

Ask yourself what’s stopping you.

Practice the affirmation and plan your schedule for the week.

Include in your schedule quiet time/fun time/rest.

Write it down in your calendar, just like you write down doctor appointments and meetings.

Make yourself a priority and schedule appointments with yourself.

Review your plan for the week and figure out how to simplify it to create the schedule you want. You have the power! It is in your hands!

Tell me what changes you made in your calendar this week and how it feels.

Affirmation: I get quiet and I hear God’s whisper.

One of my friends said: “When my ego gets loud, I can’t hear God’s whisper.”

So true! I can be crazy and insane in my head (it’s always in my head!) but when I pause, close my eyes and calm down, the stillness speaks. I get peaceful. I feel a release. I am able to hear God’s voice – often just as sensations, but sometimes with words too.

Those of you who are not comfortable with the “God” part in this affirmation: name it as you wish. Call it the universe, higher power, inner voice. That’s not the point. The point is understanding the benefit of connecting and accessing the quiet place within ourselves that always speaks our truth.

My wonderful assistant Jennifer and her 3 children face daily worries and fears since their husband/dad was deployed to Kuwait. Today, Jennifer’s husband is visiting his soldiers in Iraq. He will be there for a week. I invited Jennifer to share with us every day this week on this blog how she manages to stay positive, choose love over fear and get support when she needs it.

I am sure that Jennifer’s mind will play tricks on her. Using this affirmation will hopefully help Jennifer to quiet her mind and hear God’s whisper.

How do we get quiet? Choose what works for you: Breathing? Meditation? Walking in nature? Listening to music?

Get quiet. You’ll hear the whisper.

Write to Jennifer if you want to support her. Jennifer: share with us! We are here for you!

Affirmation: I practice courage and I am fearless.

“Courage is resistance to fear. Mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” – Mark Twain.

There are always things we’re afraid of. Life provides us with many opportunities to overcome the fear, but it requires practice. In order to let go of fear, we have to practice the opposite – courage.

When you feel fear creeping up, do the following:

1. Identify the fear.
2. Tell yourself that it’s OK and normal to have the fear, that fear is simply an emotion. It has a beginning, middle and an end. It will pass. Ask yourself: what’s the worst that could happen?
3. Imagine yourself approaching the fear with courage. What does it look like?
4. Practice courage. For example: If you identify that you have fear of confrontation, tell yourself that you are fearless and actually confront the person or the situation you’re afraid of. If you have fear of success, act as if you’re fearless and very successful; behave like a successful person would. Acting as if you’re fearless will help you to feel better and to find more and more courage within yourself.
5. Adopt this affirmation, changing it as you wish to make it your own.

Every time you say to yourself the affirmation, “I practice courage and I am fearless”, you will feel less scared and more in control.
Let me know your thoughts!

Affirmation: I honor my needs as much as I honor others’. Effortlessly, I take care of ME.

Most of us grew up trained to take care of others before taking care of ourselves.
As adults, we make an effort to rest and rejuvenate only after we attend to all other responsibilities.

In our modern day, time or energy for self-care is hard to find.
As a result, we move through our lives trying to finish everything on our “to do” list in order to have a moment for ourselves.
If we are caretakers, full time parents or service givers, we have a bigger tendency to disregard our own needs in the service of others.

When someone asks us to do something for them, me make time for it. Our calendar if full with appointments to help others.
How are we doing with scheduling appointments to take care of ourselves? Do we treat ourselves the same way that we treat others?

Self-care is essential to living life in a state of balance and well-being.

Taking care of oneself is not selfish, it is practical: an empty vessel has nothing to offer.

We don’t have to go away on a long vacation to the other side of the world in order to take care of ourselves.

This week, honor your needs as much as others. Think about simple things you can do to “fill up your cup” and schedule time in your calendar for self-care:
Walk, breathe, read, rest, nap, take a bath, watch a funny movie, listen to music, put your hands over your heart area and connect, close your eyes and imagine.

Share other self-care ideas that you have.