From the Window of my Soul

Welcome!

2008-11-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

If this is your first time here, thanks for stopping by. Although I no longer maintain this blog, there is still some stuff you might find worth reading. Otherwise, feel free to hop on over to my regular website - http://annieandersonblog.com - and have a look around.

Until next time,
~ Annie Anderson

The Thirty Day Challenge 2008

2008-08-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

It's that time again. Yep, the Thirty Day Challenge. Go sign up. 'Nuff said.

Oh . . . and go check out my Thirty Day Challenge Blog, too.

Until next time,
~ Annie Anderson

See my 30 day challenge blog

2007-08-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

I don't update this blog much anymore but I do have a couple of other blogs that are active. You'll find those here -

30 Day Challenge blog
Main blog
Writing blog
WAHM blog <--- New!

Check them out and also check me out at the following locations -

Stumbleupon
del.icio.us
Twitter

~ Annie

Let's Get Healthy!!

2006-12-18T13:44:00.000-08:00

Recently, I had the pleasure of learning about a wonderful cleansing program that not only helps your body get healthy, it also helps you lose weight . . . and inches. A friend of mine has been on this program since the end of September and already she has lost 33 pounds! She's gone from a size 20 to a size 10! So last week I sat down with her and her upline and we talked in great detail about Isagenix. I found myself compelled to sign up and become a customer as well as a distributor.

Now, I don't know all there is to know yet about this company or the products but luckily, they give you a website when you become a distributor and even though I haven't received my first shipment, the website is up. Feel free to head over to the site and check out all the information then send me an email if you'd like to learn more or if you want to sign up.

More Changes

2006-12-12T16:37:00.000-08:00

Well, if you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you likely noticed I changed the layout theme. Twice, actually. Once yesterday and then again to something else today. I want a new look here but I'm not real sure what look I want. Not that I use this blog much anymore - I usually post over at WordPress. More options. Better templates. And like they're dashboard better too.

So, why don't you head over there and see what's up? Of course, do feel free to look around this blog. There are a lot of good older posts here. Perhaps someday when I have time I'll move everything over there.

Have a beautiful day!
Annie

2006-09-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

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Changes

2006-03-30T12:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not posting much lately! I've been working on several projects, one of which is my new book Everlasting. I hope to have it ready very soon though I do not yet have a definitive date. I'm anticipating April or May.

Also, wanted to let you know I'm no longer accepting PayPal payments nor selling on eBay. I've had several issues with both services lately and it's just not worth my time right now. I have, however, gotten a regular merchant account through my bank and can accept Mastercard, Visa, Diner's Club, American Express and e-checks. I'll let you know when it's set up to take orders. In the meantime, you can email me for my postal address and I'll accept US postal money orders or checks drawn on a US bank. I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

I've applied for a new domain name where I'll move my blogs and everything once it's setup. Until then, I have a test link to see how much traffic the new site will get. It currently points to my Golden Pearls/ Write Point site. Please go check it out and help me create lots of traffic! Just click here. Thanks! I appreciate your help!

Oh! And for helping me out, send me an email and I'll send you a free excerpt from Everlasting.

Lesson of the Week . . .

2006-03-14T20:25:00.000-08:00

Don’t be attached to outcomes.

Or to the “how”.

A couple days ago someone said to me “Let go of the how. There aren’t any openings for God. That position is already taken.” And how true that is. It’s not up to me to decide when or where or why - only what.

We are told, “Ask and you shall be given. Seek and you shall find.”

Nowhere is it stated that we get to decide any of the other stuff - our job is to discover our Purpose, ask for what we desire and require to fulfill that Purpose and leave everything else up to the Universe (or God or whatever term you prefer), who, as it happens is much better at creating and directing and controlling than we are.

I find that when I try to control outcomes and other aspects, havoc occurs. If I find myself floundering, I know right away I’m trying to control. The only thing in this life that I can control is me. Nothing else. Nobody else.

I can only control me.

Setting Goals

2006-02-17T14:50:00.000-08:00

Ah yes! Setting goals. Those elusive things that are sometimes called resolutions. Or to do lists. Sometimes those goals are wants. Sometimes they're needs. Or dreams. Sometimes they are personal, sometimes business related.

Schools often tout the necessity of setting goals as do most self help programs. They tell you that you must have clear, written and definable goals. They tell you that goals are dreams with a deadline and myriad other things.

Well, I'm going to tell you they're all wrong.

Ok... not completely wrong. Just not right for our discussion. ;-)

Goal setting in the traditional sense can be counter-productive so my aim here is to teach you a new way of setting goals that will help to sky-rocket your success enabling you to actually achieve the goals you set.

About five years ago, I participated in a class where Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" was read and discussed as part of the curriculum and that is, in part, where my system came from. It is bits and pieces of things I've done over the years that I've melded into a complete package. This system works well for myself and many of my clients. I hope it works well for you, too.

If you've read many of my other articles, you know I'm a big advocate of writing things down and this will be no different. There is physical as well as psychological advantage to writing things down. You have probably noticed this phenomenon in your life already when you write notes or reminders to yourself about things. Perhaps the simple act of writing it down helped you remember it and thus you didn't even need the note in the end.

And so that's the foundation of this system. Writing things down.

Now having said all that, let's talk about goals. What are they? What purpose do they serve?

In answering these two questions, I think we can likely answer any other questions you might have about goal setting as well.

Put simply, goals are things we'd like to do or things we feel have to do for one reason or another. But let's define it one step further as I want to demonstrate that goals are not the same thing as to-do lists. However, I do believe goals are akin to dreams.

According to Webster's Dictionary, a goal is:

NOUN:1. The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective.

That definition suits our purposes fairly well but let's define it more in depth. A goal is a target, an aim, an intention. And intention is what we are going to focus on. Intention means:

NOUN: 1. A course of action that one intends to follow. 2a. An aim that guides action; an objective.

The trouble with goals in the traditional sense is that others who mean well tend to shove the trend down the throats of their students, followers and readers. As a result, the thought of goals has become synonymous with anxiety, frustration and half-heartedness. Intentions on the other hand, don't have those connotations. Therefore, we're going to refer to this from this point forward as Intention Setting or Setting Intentions rather than goals. Ok? We're going to eliminate the term "goals" from our vocabulary.

The word intention, as noted above in Webster's definition, gives us a clear picture - it tells us that an intention is an aim that guides action. And that is why I prefer intention over goal. We can create an image that evokes action, not just a direction.

So - intention setting is actually very simple. There are a couple of different exercises we will use to define our intentions and reach them. Let's start with the basis of the system - notebooks.

Now, I suggest getting a couple of small spiral bound notebooks. Each one will have a different purpose so you will need at least two for this system. I prefer the small size that are about 5.5x7 or so but you can certainly use any size you like. I find the smaller ones are easier to tuck into my purse or bookbag.

The first notebook we'll talk about is one for capturing notes and thoughts. I call it my daily pearls notebook as it's where I capture those "pearls" of thought that might otherwise get lost or forgotten. Keep it handy, take it wherever you go so that when you think of something you want to remember, you can write it down easily. You can use it as sort of a day planner type of thing as well, writing down important appointments and such for the day. Since you will carry it with you, it eliminates the need to lug around a huge daily planner. Use it to jot down names and phone numbers of contacts as well as notes about conversations you've had with others. You can transfer items to your calendar and address book as appropriate.

I use my daily pearls notebook to capture everything from website addresses and phone numbers to thoughts and notes on articles or topics I want to write about and everything in between. At the end of the day, I transfer items to their appropriate place - calendar, address book, idea journal (we'll talk about this later), or wherever it needs to go. This way, I only have to carry one item with me instead of several. Each day, I write the date on the starting page for that day. It also acts as a running journal and time-keeper. And I even use it to keep track of what I spend and where, sort-of like a checkbook register. There is no specific structure for your daily pearls notebook (some people call it a tidbits notebook). Use it however is comfortable for you.

The second notebook is the substance of the system. It's where you'll record your intentions and plans. Anything you've thought of and have written down in your daily pearls book that you intend to accomplish can be transferred here as well. This is where you record your dreams, your ideas and those "lofty" goals - the stuff of your daydreams. And this is where we will spend the bulk of this lesson.

I don't really have a name for this notebook though for the purpose of this lesson, we'll just call it the intentions notebook.

So - get out your intentions notebook and let's make our very first list. Write down everything you have ever wanted to do or thought about doing no matter how far-fetched it might seem. Write down everything you've ever dreamed about being, doing or having. If you want a new house, write it down. A new car, write it down. Better health insurance, write it down. To lose weight, write it down. Becom a pilot, write it down. Learn the oboe, write it down. You get the idea - just write everything down. The only two criteria are writing things in detail and writing it in the present tense. (Some schools of thought say you should describe everything in as much detail as possible and others tout just writing down the basics. I've done it both ways but I prefer to use as much detail as possible.)

For example, let's say one of the things you want is a Chrysler PT Cruiser. Rather than just writing "I have a Chrysler PT Cruiser" you write out the details - "I have a blue Chrysler PT Cruiser with leather interior, all power options, a sunroof, 6 disc CD changer, XM satelilte radio, cruise control and a GPS system." Also notice the present tense... "I have" as opposed to "I want". There are 2 reasons for this - one is that it helps you get into the feeling of actually having the item and the second is having is a stronger emotion than wanting. When you want something, there is nothing definitive. It's open ended - you only want it... you don't intend to have it. Does that make sense?

Now, take a few moments and write everything down in the present tense with as much detail as you possibly can. Describe it so vividly that you can see it in your minds eye. You want it to be so vivid and so real-feeling that your mind goes to work with the Universe in attracting what you've asked for.

Earlier I mentioned that there are two reasons for writing everything down in detail but there are actually three. . . the third reason is that it makes it easier for the Universe and the Law of Attraction to work with you in reaching your intention.

Once you've written something down, you don't have to write it down again unless the details change. However, others might tell you to write your top goals out every day. That's fine if you're so inclined but it isn't required. Instead of writing it out every day, consider simply reading your lists and notes and meditating on how you will feel, what you will do and say when you have reached those goals. Act as if you've already accomplished them. Get into that feeling of having those things or being those things. In many instances, visualization has more impact than repeatedly writing it all out.

A final note . . . This is important, so pay attention. I would just like to caution you of one thing.

And that is this -- don't be attached to the outcome or the how. Refrain from controlling how, when and where things happen. Simply write them down, let go of them, and give the Universe the space to bring those things into your life. When you try to control any part of the act of manifestation, you actually end up with the opposite result. Instead of attracting your desires, you repel them, push them away. It then takes longer to reach you. Guaranteed.

Your job is to wish, to dream, to believe, to trust.

Leave the outcome and the how to the Universe.

Have fun creating your intentions!

==========

This article is just the beginning of what’s possible and though I’ve condensed it down into an easy to read and follow dialogue, it certainly isn’t a complete course. If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like more in depth information on this subject, consider purchasing a copy of my upcoming book “Everlasting” due out in Spring 2006. To be included on my advance notice list, please send me your name and email address and I’ll make sure to let you know the minute it’s available.

Thank you!

Blessings for our greatest good,
Annie Anderson
———-

Annie Anderson is a life coach, writer/designer and investor.
You can find out more about Annie and her work by visiting her
website. Simply click here. This article is not for publication
without obtaining written permission from the author.
All rights reserved. Copyright 2006 Golden Pearls Publishing.

The Secret . . .

2006-02-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

What is The Secret?

According The Secret Blog, it's expanded into a worldwide phenomenon and thus the launch has been postponed.

If you'd like more details, click the banner link in the right sidebar.

And have fun exploring!

Power, Passion & Purpose

2006-02-05T17:11:00.000-08:00

At any given moment, I'm reading 3 to 5 (or more) books and often have 40 or so checked out from the library -- not to mention ones I've purchased. And lately I've been reading a lot of material on Power, Passion & Purpose.

Now, I've known for years what my Life Purpose and Mission were but I always took the easy way out and found every excuse in the book to ignore it.

But as 2006 began to dawn, I felt a magnificant pull towards fulfilling that calling. I suddenly found myself unemployed -- about a day later -- a situation that was totally unexpected at the time, though now I see it as the catalyst that was required to propel me into my destiny, if you will.

Personally, I don't believe in destiny. I believe we have free will and we choose our own path - whatever that path means for us. However, at the same time, I believe we each were Created for a specific Purpose.

And mine is to lead others to their own Personal Power using my coaching, writing and intuitive gifts. To that end, my Mission Statement is - "to use my compassion, writing and intuitive gifts to assist others in discovering their Personal Power."

Over the years, I've discovered different pieces of my Purpose and have finally put them all together. Let me tell you what an awesome feeling that is. Although things might not be "ideal" right now, I know the Universe will carry me and provide whatever I need at any in every moment.

See, the Universe is abundant - the Universe is Creation. And every thought we think, every feeling we feel, every word we speak creates Now. We can only live in Now. The past is gone, the future isn't guaranteed. All we have is Now.

Right Now.

This one moment.

Make the best of it!
Annie

Real Estate Investing eBook

2006-02-01T00:24:00.000-08:00

Hello!

I've been writing an eBook for a while (way too long, actually!) about real estate investing and how to research since it's a subject I'm very familiar with having been in RE for almost 8 years now. Anyway, I'm almost done and to give myself the extra little push to get it done, I've set a deadline for Saturday. And to ensure that I meet that deadline, I've put it up on one of my websites for pre-sale at a special price plus I just listed an auction on eBay for it as well.

You can check out the website -here-
And the eBay auction -here-

And feel free to pass these links on to anyone you know who might be interested in learning
about investing in real estate!

Happy Investing!
Annie

Gratitude & Giving

2005-12-17T23:36:00.000-08:00

Seems like time has flown in the last month! I can't hardly believe it's Christmas already!

Now, I don't know what you believe, and I don't wish to offend anyone, but I am of the mindset that Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas, having been born in a manger some 2000 plus years ago. And frankly, the commercialization of the holiday saddens me.

See, Jesus was a gift to a lost world... He came to show us the way. The way to peace, the way to joy, to love, the way to graciousness and giving.

And that's what I'd like to discuss today... Gratitude but more importantly, Giving.

This is the perfect time of year to talk about Giving. Because it's just sooooooooooo not about all the toys and all the lights and all the stuff that we've come to associate with Christmas. It's not about kids begging their parents for toys and likewise, it's not about parents rushing around buying everything in sight just to please them.

No. Not even close.

Christmas is about Joy and Peace and Giving. But not just giving for the sake of outdoing the neighbors or your co-workers or your friends or whomever. It's about giving the way the Three Wise Men came at the birth of the babe. And bowed down before Him and gave Him precious gifts. Gifts from their hearts. It's about giving the way Christ gave His life. It's about giving with your heart, with joy, with gratitude.

Real, deep, honest graciousness and joy.

So as you spend the next week preparing for Christmas next Sunday, take the time to truly be grateful and to Give with an open heart that is filled with kindess and love and peace and joy.

Blessings,
Annie

Giving Thanks

2005-11-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

Hmmm... Thanksgiving.

Earlier today I read something that hit a chord with me and now I can't seem to find what it was. I had intended to write my article today on it and well, I guess I'll just have to find something else to say...

So... lucky for you, I've got just the thing!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in the United States and frankly, I don't feel like celebrating it this year. Not that I think I don't have anything to be grateful for - I *KNOW* I do - but this year it's different.

No Grandpa. (10/1927 - 5/2005)

No Grandma. (5/1927 - 10/2005)

It just simply does not seem like Thanksgiving is possible. *Is it* possible to have such a glorious day, a day set aside for fellowship and thankfulness when part of you is missing? A piece is gone? Cracked, broken, smashed. Is it possible to feel the joy of that thanks when the joy has all but left?

I know the first holiday without a loved one is the hardest thing. I've been there, done that way more times than I care to count. But what about *TWO* loved ones? Two loved ones, lost, just several short weeks ago.

It almost seems rude to be thankful without them.

And that is what brings me to this -

Now *IS* most certainly the time to be thankful. And I am thankful. I am thankful for all the years of joy and love and cheer my wonderful, beloved Grandparents bestowed upon this family. They gave their all for us - their children, their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren.

I can't even begin to explain the magnitude of thankfulness I feel having been their grandchild, having been a part of their lives and their blessings. They both were such wonderful, gracious people and I am proud to be a piece of their lineage and legacy.

So today, Thanksgiving Day 2005, I dedicate this time to them, to their memory and to that legacy.

Grandpa and Grandma, I love you and you will remain a piece of my heart and soul forever. My aspiration is to be as loving and kind as you both were, to embrace the love of life and the love of Christ that you instilled within us.

Always,
Annie

Derailed... Part II

2005-11-09T16:34:00.000-08:00

Sometimes answers come quick!!

No sooner did I post my last post than the answers appeared! Man, I like it when it that happens! It definitely let’s me know I’m in the right place. That’s a great feeling.

The lesson, apparently (and I am in total agreement with this), is that I am not to give up my Power. And I think that’s the lesson for you, too.

Remember that no matter where you are or what’s happened, your Path is your Path according to Divine Plan and you must remember to Never let go of your Power. That Power is yours, given to you by the Divine Creator.

Annie

Derailed . . .

2005-11-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been on your right path, the one you know you are meant to be on and suddenly - out of nowhere - you are totally derailed??

Sometimes it's an event that occurs. Sometimes it's a thought that comes to mind. Sometimes it's a message that comes from something external.

And, sometimes, it's a person.

That's what happened to me this week...

A person.

A very intelligent, capable, person has slammed broad-side into me and I'm really not sure why. I suspect there are unresolved issues in her past that should be dealt with, that for whatever reason have misdirected her anger and distrust at me.

Now, those of you who know me, know that I am generally a very gracious and patient person. You know that most things just don't bother me and I am slow to anger.

But I did something very out of character for me...

I thought I had to defend myself so I let her unfounded tirade have power over me. I got mad. I retaliated. And I even - believe it or not - called her a name.

For that, I was wrong. And I have apologized. Whether or not she accepts my apology is her choice but I hope she does.

I am sure deep inside she is a wonderful person. I am sure she has tremendous value to add to my life. I am sure I have great value to add to hers.

And I am equally sure there's a lesson here that we all are supposed to learn. Right now, I really don't know what that is. But as soon as I do, I will post here in the hopes that it will help you in some way on your path, in your life.

As I sit here and think about this, perhaps this all has to do with the Law of Cause and Effect.

Have you ever heard of that law? If not, let me explain it to you...

Basically, it's one of the simplest Laws of Nature and it states that "Whatever you put into the world, you get back multiplied."

So maybe somewhere in the past, I had a thought or overreacted towards someone. Maybe it was unfounded and maybe not, who knows? But I suspect that this is my "payback."

Even though I no longer act that way a good majority of the time, it has come back to me as a result of my wrong thinking somewhere in the past.

The question today is, What can I do now to correct this?

Well, here's a little something I've learned that works quite well. Again, like I've said before, it has to do with your mindset.

Whenever something like this begins to happen, I take my noteobook (I have several notebooks for various things) and write down a meditation or affirmation and ask that the situation be dissolved of it's own accord.

Now, what I mean by that is - I ask that the situation be righted if that's necessary or that it just suddenly "goes away" without any further issues. It just dissolves without any further input from me. But... here's the key to this - you MUST - absolutely MUST - release yourself from it. You must let it go. You must let the SITUATION go. You must let the OUTCOME go.

Letting go is not an easy task. We've been so ingrained in our society to the opposite way of dealing with things, that it can be a major challenge to change that way of thinking. Nonetheless, it can be done. You just must make the choice to do so.

Here's something a great friend reminded me of this week and I say it here in hopes it will help you learn to let go:

You know what your Truth is and and no one can interfere with that unless you give them power over you.

So as we go through the remainder of this week, keep in mind that you always have a choice. You can act, or you can RE-act.

And reacting is what get's us in trouble.

Until next time,
Annie

Voice of Truth

2005-10-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is part of the song "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

Chorus:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Sometimes the chatter that surrounds us from our family, our friends, our co-workers and the world, although they often say they mean it "for your own good," gets in the way of what the Voice of Truth is trying to tell us. In this day and age, it's so hard to discern that Voice of Truth in between all the chatter but you can learn to let it guide you if you learn to find it and listen.

As a kid, I was known as a leader - the one who always knew the way or at least was willing to find it, whatever that took. I wasn't necessarily popular, but I was well-known. And to a degree, respected. I didn't let other people sway me - I was good at listening to that Voice of Truth within. It never failed me.

But as I grew up, I started second-guessing my role, second-guessing that Voice. And soon enough, I stopped hearing it. I began to let others control my thinking, control my life, control me. My life went downhill and all those things I had dreamed about as a child seemed so far away, like I would never, could never, achieve them.

I had lost my true self.

Today, I'm found.

Today, I have learned to ignore the chatter of those around me. I have come to conclusion that the only One who knows what's best for me is that Voice of Truth.

Lost

2005-10-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

A very special friend of mine has been going through a difficult time in her life lately. As she puts it “I have lost three best friends in the last six years.” And I can empathize with her. I’ve been on that road. More times than I’d like to count, actually.

Now, these friends didn’t pass away . . . the relationship just simply ended and not necessarily on good terms.

Sometimes I think loss through a relationship ending is much more difficult than losing someone through death. Although I’m not sure why, I can speculate that perhaps it’s because of several things – all related to emotions and how we deal with them.

Loss itself is a deep-rooted pain. If that pain is coupled with fear, anger, depression, hopelessness or a host of any other emotions, it becomes that much harder to deal with and understand. And I suspect it’s that much deeper, as well.

Emotions can be useful tools in the healing process but we have to be careful that we don’t let those emotions get the better of us and bog us down or cause depression. It’s important to learn to accept and understand those emotions, to feel those emotions.

I’ve learned that if we try to push those emotions away, they keep bugging us. And the longer we ignore them, the better chance there is that they will fester deep within and arise at some future date when we least expect them. By then, those emotions are so deep-rooted and so sub-conscious, so strong that we can’t free them until we literally break down. They seem to come out of nowhere. And they cause other issues, including poor health, destructive thoughts, depression and many, many other things.

If you’ve been hurt by someone you called a friend or by a relative or someone else signifcant in your life, I urge you to forgive that person. Forgiveness opens the pathway to healing in both YOUR life and THEIRS. And nothing is greater at healing than forgiveness. For forgiveness opens your heart and allows cleansing to begin.

There may come a day when you and that other person meet again and if you’ve opened yourself up to healing through forgiveness and time, perhaps you can once again find a common road. As they say, time heals all wounds.

I’ve found an exercise that helps tremendously in opening up my heart to forgiveness and I’d like to share that with you. It’s very easy.

Simply take out a piece of paper (there’s much more meaning to it if you write it rather than type it) and write a letter to that person. Pour out your thoughts and emotions. Yell! Scream! Swear at them (if you feel you must). Tell them every little thing you feel they’ve done to you or said to you. Whatever. At the very end of the letter, write that you forgive them for EVERYTHING.

And then when you’re done – the length is unimportant – take a match and BURN it! DO NOT SEND IT TO THEM!!! Just take a match or a lighter or something and burn the whole thing to ashes. And as it’s burning, release your feelings and truly feel forgiveness for that person.

It doesn’t really matter if they ever consciously forgive you because something miraculous happens when YOU open up YOUR heart and forgive them – regardless of what they do. The process of your forgiveness and time work to nuetralize those emotions – even in them.

Try forgiveness! It’s powerful!

Until next time,
Annie

Healing, Part 1

2005-10-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

What brought you to where you are today?
Why do you do what you do?
And how are you able to do what you do?

Recently, I’ve been asked these questions and so today, I’m going to attempt to answer them in hopes that it, like the other things I post here, will help you in some way.

This is my personal story . . .

Most of my life, I’ve been a pretty easy going person – usually happy and optomistic. I also tend to be fairly sensitive and yet fairly opinionated as well. (That combination has gotten me in trouble more times than I can count! ;-) ) And before I learned to control those behaviors and attitudes, I could at times be rather grumpy, got depressed easily and had pretty wide mood swings, especially as a teenager.

Lucky for me when I was going through these things as a teenager, learning to deal with hormonal changes and all, I had very attentive and supportive parents, and I never totally rebelled. Never got mixed up with drugs and other things like so many of my classmates and friends.

But what truly shaped who I am now, and how I am able to do what I do and WHY I do what I do, is because of the things I’ve gone through . . .

When I was a teenager, and even as a younger school-aged child, things just always seemed to “happen” to me.

One of the first things I truly remember “happening” to me was when I was about 4 . . . I got my finger stuck in the very heavy bathroom door at school and it ripped my finger nail completely off and damaged the fingertip. My fingernail on that finger is still slightly deformed because of it and I have a large bump on the side of my finger.

Then when I was about 5, maybe 6, we were playing tag at daycare and I ran into the metal latch on the fence gate which went about 3 inches into my abdoman, narrowly missing a couple of my vital organs.

When I was 7, my mom’s fiance died of cancer.

When I was 11, my mom remarried.

When I was 12, my biological father’s mom – my Grandma Lois – passed away. I hadn’t seen her since I was 5 and I was devastated.

When I was 13, I was hit by a car getting off the school bus. I wasn’t seriously injured, but still, it was traumatic.

My sister then lost 2 infants – both boys – shortly after birth. One when I was 14 and one when I was 16.

Also when I was 14, I hurt my arm in a very bad bike accident and have had 3 major surgeries to repair the damage. I still have no no feeling in that arm from my bicep to my fingers.

When I was 17, my mom and I were in a serious auto accident and I was in physical therapy for many months learning to walk again.

Also when I was 17, my sister’s daughter, Sherri who was 8, was diagnosed with cancer and died when I was 18. Sherri and I were very close. I was her Godmother.

Six years later, my sister died of complications from diabetes and a drug overdose.

Two years later, my step-dad, who by then had simply become “Dad” to me and the man I thought of as my Father, died – also of complications from diabetes.

There have been several other things in between all of these, like a couple of friends in middle school and high school who were killed in car accidents. There have also been some personal things I’ve gone through, including an abusive first marriage and 2 miscarriages.

And as you know by now if you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, I recently lost both of my maternal Grandparents – in the last 6 months. They were both very special people to our family and their loss has been extremely hard for all of us.

Looking back at all of that is overwhelming. And when I talk to people about these “happenings”, more often than not, their jaws hit the floor. They ask me how I can deal with it all.

To me, it’s pretty simple. It’s my gift.

Yes, my gift.

My gift is to help others who are in similar situations. These are people that I meet in a variety of places, that I know God simply brings into my life at just the right time. Sometimes I must wait a while before I know what my purpose is with that person or within that setting. But always I know, the reason is that they will need my help with something that “happens” in their life, something I can relate to, something I can walk through with them, to be their support, their friend, their strength.

I have known that this was my gift since I was a small child and so I have just always accepted it, though there have been times when I yelled and stomped my feet at God and asked why it had to be ME to do this work. But I get over it soon enough and carry on.

In the last several years, I’ve taken to studying various things related to self-help and personal coaching so that I can be more effective and more supportive to those around me. And I’ve learned a lot that I hope I can share with you here as I continue to post.

. . . to be continued . . .

Ladybugs . . .

2005-10-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

I wrote this Friday afternoon, just hours before Grandma passed away...

It’s an overcast day here in Pacific Northwest Washington and as I’m sitting here watching the fall leaves gently blowing to the ground, suddenly about 20 ladybugs alight on my window.

Now, ordinarily this isn’t such a wonderous occurence as we have an abundance of ladybugs in our yard. But today it’s significant because of all the things happening in my life. And I think perhaps it’s my Grandma saying Goodbye.

Cracked . . .

2005-10-17T22:16:00.000-07:00

A joy
And pain
Intertwined like rope
One bound with the other
And becoming frayed
Near the end
That we wish
Would just cease
To begin
To stop
As suddenly
As it came
Without warning
In the dead of night
Running,
And cracked
Inside my heart.

The Power of the Subconscious Mind

2005-10-14T14:01:00.000-07:00

The Power of the Subconscious Mind…

Months ago, I began studying the Law of Attraction and other Universal Facts. As I began to understand, I began to correlate my own life experiences with the truths I was reading and studying. And I’ll tell you – some of what I have come to recognize is so simple, yet so profound, that it’s almost scarey. And some of it is so life-changing that if you truly surrender to it, nothing in your life will ever be quite the same.

In all of this, the one thing that has had the single most impact is coming to know just how powerful the subconscious mind really is. Throughout my life, I’d heard such adages as “you are what you think,” “garbage in, garbage out,” and other such paradigms but I never really gave them much thought or thought they held much truth. But I was so wrong! All of those little idioms we tire of hearing have real impact and real significance if we actually listen to what they are trying to tell us.

So that’s what I want to talk about today . . . Thoughts Become Things.

Whatever happens in your life is something you’ve created.

I no longer believe in coincidences or happenstance or accidents. Everything I experience is something I have created, whether consciously or subconsciously. This is why it’s so important to guard your thoughts and to think about things that truly serve you rather than those things that only serve to bring you down.

For example, if you constantly think about a lack of money, guess what happens? You EXPERIENCE a lack of money. If you constantly worry about getting sick during some important event or season, again, guess what happens? You EXPERIENCE sickness.

And what do you say? You say “See, I KNEW I was going to get sick.” Or “See, I just KNEW I wouldn’t have enough money for whatever.”

Do you see how powerful your thoughts are? I hope so.

Now, just what do you do to CHANGE that pattern? It’s really pretty simple . . . you STOP thinking negative thoughts.

And please, no excuses! I hope you’re not sitting there thinking “But Annie, I can’t do that!” Or “Yeah, right, Annie! Easier said than done!”

Well, either way, you could be right. But let’s think about this for a moment – if our thoughts become things and what we think is ultimately the reality we experience, wouldn’t thinking the opposite also be true?

YES! YES! YES!

So, instead of thinking, “I just can’t,” try thinking “I really can.” And that’s all it takes. Really.

You must be willing to change YOUR MINDSET if you want to change YOUR WORLD. I think it was Nelson Mandela who said “We must be the change we seek in the world.” And to me, that goes hand in hand with the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – although that’s a topic all on its own that perhaps we’ll discuss at some point.

Trusting that the Universe will bring you whatever it is you seek is the first step. You must believe that whatever you ask for is on its way to you simply because you asked for it.

One of my favorite Bible verses says “Whatever you ask for in faith, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.”

Let’s break down exactly what that means . . .

First, what does Faith mean? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, it means:

1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. 2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See synonyms at belief. , trust. 3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one’s supporters. 4. often Faith Christianity The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God’s will. 5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith. 6. A set of principles or beliefs.

For our purposes here, let’s use the first definition given… “Confident belief in the truth, value or trusworhiness of a person, idea or thing.”

Ok… so, we can say that the first part of verse means that we must have “confident belief” in what we ask for.

Then, we must believe we have received it. Do you get that? We must believe it’s already here! Whatever we’ve asked for, we must believe has already arrived, we must claim it as our own.

And last, it says if we do those 2 things – have confident belief and believe we’ve received it, IT WILL BE OURS!

How great is that?

See, we have no excuses when it all boils down to it. God has given us the explicit recipe for anything our heart desires! Simply ask and believe and it’s ours! That’s it! No magic formula. No smoke and mirrors.

And this is where our subconscious mind traps us. We think negative thoughts, we make excuses, and when what we actually DO want doesn’t materialize, we blame everyone but ourselves. And therein lies the problem.

I hope you’re beginning to truly understand what impact your thoughts have on your life.

I’ll be back in a day or two with another segment.

Until then,
Annie

The Shift

2005-10-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I had a very personal experience that I just can't even begin to explain to anyone but I am going to make an attempt to share with you the deep change it has created within me.

First, let me share a little background . . .

This past April, we lost my Grandfather to cancer. It was totally unexpected and very sudden. At that time, I began to take a serious look at things in my own life and decide if they were the best for me or if I could be doing better. The short of it is, I thought I could be doing better so I set about to make some changes.

Last week, my Grandmother became deathly ill. She suffered a stroke 8 years ago and has been in a care home since. In the months since Grandpa's passing (even though they were no longer married and had been divorced for 20+ years, they were married for nearly 40), Grandma's health has steadily declined. Well, she is now on her deathbed and we expect her to pass on at literally, any moment.

Then this weekend I was alone on a business trip without my husband and children and all of this just hit me like a ton of bricks. To be so many miles away from my family in the midst of this crisis was pure hell for me and then something even more personal and hellish happened to me and I broke down right there in my hotel room about 7am Saturday morning.

I can't even begin to explain just what happened but let me just say I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Although it was certainly akin to a nightmare, I might just also say it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Why?

It gave me the chance to fall to my knees and accept the Love, the Peace, the Joy, and the Abundance of God's Awesome work. It gave me the opportunity to give myself up in total anger, despair and bitter surrender. I shook my fist at God, I yelled and screamed at Him. But only because I had beaten senseless by absolute sorrow.

So . . . here I am, 4 days later and I feel like a different person. Like everything that happened prior to 4 day ago was another lifetime, maybe even someone else's lifetime. And like everything that's happening NOW is all I've been waiting for, searching for, hoping for, needing, wanting. Like everything from this point forward is of brand new design. And all I have to do is reach out and take it.

I feel a profound sense of peace and joy. But I also feel a profound sense of loss. And I'm learning to be ok with that as I have come to the understanding that allowing yourself to feel the full gamut of the emotion at hand gives that emotion less power over you. Ultimately, it allows that emotion to release itself faster than if you try to resist it and as a result, you control the emotion rather than the emotion controlling you.

Other remarkable changes that have occurred include my thought patterns. I notice that my thoughts no longer over-crowd my concsious mind, racing around, never letting me truly think about any one thing. Rather, my thoughts seem to behave themselves, coming forth one at a time, allowing me to give each its due. My mind is not a jumbled mess.

I feel less stress about what's coming and going within my mind, like knowing that each thought will get handled instead of feeling "Oh, when will I have time to think about that?" or "I can't think about that right now." My thoughts seem to have organized themselves into obedient action.

Since all of this is quite new to me, I'm sure I'll be revisiting this topic from time to time as I learn and discover new things about the shift that has taken place.

Until then,
Annie

2005-10-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

Part of the song "When I Call On Jesus" by Nicole C. Mullen

I find it very uplifting and thought it might be useful for you as well...

I'm so very ordinary
Nothing special on my own
I have never walked on water
I have never calmed a storm
Sometimes I'm hiding away from the madness around me
Like a child who's afraid of the dark

But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus
Mountains are gonna fall
'Cause He'll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call

Changing Direction

2005-10-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

Welcome to October!

Last month, we talked about the Law of Attraction and how our beliefs play an important role in our lives. I still have much to share with you on those subjects, but I'm going to change direction a little bit here and talk about a few other things that play pretty significant roles as well.

The first topic we're going to focus on is the Power of the Subconscious Mind. I'll probably make the first post this weekend.

Other topics we'll be discussing include:
* Visualization
* Goals & Planning
* Emotions
* Thoughts & Intelligence

Until then,
Annie

Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives

2005-09-29T23:20:00.000-07:00

CREATING REALITY

Simply put, "The best way to predict the future is to create it."

Our thoughts determine the present and future of what is contained within our lives. It's all about our choices. How and what we choose, upon what we focus, concentrate, or direct our attention, and where we spend our mental and emotional energies -- this is precisely what we will attract or draw to ourselves. And the universe always provides.

One song which makes this profound statement of a truth simply says: "Our thoughts are prayers, and we are always praying. Our thoughts are prayers, listen to what you're saying. Seek a higher consciousness, a place of righteousness. And know that God is always there. And every thought becomes a prayer."

The universe (aka God/Goddess/All-That-Is) is wholly connected, it includes us, and it responds to our every whim. There is, however, often a "time buffer" in which we must maintain our vision over time in order for it to manifest itself. This time delay is the good news! It allows us to further define our vision, to make adjustments as we collect data on the advisability of each aspect of our dream. We may earnestly desire someone to love us, but unless we add the extra stipulation that we want to be very much in love with them as well, we may find ourselves as the recipient of a stalker, an overly possessive, smothering individual, or a Fatal Attraction scenario.

Time is definitely our friend in this regard! A "time delay" is also the key in the physics of The Fifth Element, in which it is shown mathematically that all aspects of the universe are indeed
connected -- and additionally that there are no limits to what we can have. In Mark 11:24, Jesus Christ said, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." There is no mention of any limitations; but also no blue light specials or energy back guarantees either. Thus, one needs to be very clear about what things one desires.

The physical mechanism that manifests our dreams and visions is important. There is, for example, the interconnection between our thoughts and feelings, our concentration or focus, all of which draws to us our present (and ultimately, our future). Our thoughts define what is (and what is to be), while our feelings, our emotions, are the energetic source, the engine, the primer, which manifests our chosen reality. The greater the depth of our emotions in desiring any given reality, the greater the likelihood of that reality predominating over other possibilities. It is important to note that the universe does not distinguish between positive and negative thoughts.

For example, if one is a strawberry milk shake aficionado, and really, really wants (needs, from the very bottom of the heart) a strawberry milk shake... the universe will provide one. But, if one -- perhaps for dietary purposes -- is attempting with all one's mental and emotional strength not to have a strawberry milk shake, the universe will nevertheless provide one. The universe simply does not understand "no."

There is yet another caveat of our manifesting one's own personal reality. If one focuses on the "wanting" of something, the universe will only provide more opportunities for us to continue to want, i.e. not have. The universe is simply being literal in noting how much energy we spend on desiring something, and assumes -- perhaps rightly so -- that what we earnestly desire is the
opportunity to want something. This is as opposed to having something. This returns us to the statement from Mark 11:24 noted above. The key is to believe you already have it! Not to simply want it.

It has been said that, "Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you have." There is some truth to this statement, but only in the context that "wanting" shall avail you not, unless you believe you already have it -- and simultaneously, are acting accordingly. If you want to win the lottery, believe you have and act accordingly. If this sounds a bit risky financially, then obviously there is a lack of faith! I know. Bummer.

In manifesting our desires, there is apparently no limits -- other than those we impose upon ourselves! To paraphrase Nelson Mandela: Our greatest fear is not that we are powerless, but that we are far more powerful than we think. More significantly, there is the idea that we don't deserve something, be it the good life or whatever.

The paradigm we live in, the one that is constantly reinforced by other people's choices to remain in that paradigm, is that we must somehow - - through hard work, prayer, gifting (before and after), or simply by being upstanding, righteous, or virtuous -- earn whatever of benefit comes to us. This paradigm is fundamentally wrong. As Abraham (an entity being channeled by Ester Hicks of Boerne, Texas -- not the biblical Abraham) has said, "It is not possible for any of you to earn anything. `Earning' is a physical misunderstanding. It's all vibrational." It's not your so-called hard work. It's what your thoughts attract to you! If you think you must somehow earn rewards, then sure enough, you will have to earn it. But if you believe you have it already (in your heart as well as your head), then you have it!

How to Make a Living Doing What You Love

2005-09-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

by keri smith

Update (April 2005): The article that started it all

I wrote this piece in 2003, and started handing it out for free at bookfairs, art shows and in the mail to whoever asked. I was amazed to find I could not keep up with the demand. Shortly after it was posted on this site I became flooded with hits and mail and thank-you's. It resulted in me compiling my writings and a selection of comics which eventually formed the book Living Out Loud. I am still amazed and flattered at the repsonse it contiunes to receive and in many ways feel that I was only putting together a collection of ideas that I gathered from other people and sources (and from things I had learned along the way myself). And in that sense it belongs to everyone. Please feel free to print it out and pass it around.

Over the last few years many people have approached me about the decision to pursue what they love as a full-time career, and all the fears and questions associated with this. It has become such a powerful subject for me that I have put together a short guide of ten things that are invaluable for those people who have a passion and a want for more in their life. Courage is more than half the battle! Why make the break from a regular income, free benefits, job security? Because our lives are too rich and we are too powerful to have anything less than we truly deserve...

...to do what we love everyday.
...to become our most authentic powerful selves.
...to share our passion with the rest of the world.
...to live up to the spirit in us. (and not squelch it!)

"Every day the choice is presented to us, to live up to the spirit that is in us, or deny it." - Henry Miller

1 Believe that you can!

The most important quality you can possess! If you follow one piece of advice on you path let it be this one. Replace, "What if I'm not cut out for this?" with an affirmative, "YES I CAN!" Most successful people have this quality naturally ingrained in them. Get can't out of your vocabulary. Stay away from people who tell you, "You can't make a living at it.", (there will be many.) Use the mantra: There are always people out there in need of my services! Say it with feeling.

2 Research

Find someone who is already making a living doing what you want to do. Connect with them, read about them, make them into a model for your career and you life. Call them up, most successful people are happy to talk to those starting out on the same path. Read any book you can on the subject of "Triumph over Adversity", it will help you get through those days when you question your choices. Create a support network of people in your field, try to meet with them regularly, it helps to make you feel normal.

3 Pretend...you already are what you want to be.

...and you will become it! No one starts off in any field feeling confident and full of power. It will take time to build and grow, and sometimes it feels like you are not moving at all. There will be times when you feel like you're faking, (what if someone figures me out?), it's o.k. no one will know but you.

4 Ignore...

...those who tell you it can't be done.
...those who tried & gave up (they are bitter and probably never believed that they could.)
...those who think you're nuts to throw away a regular income...(many of them may be family members.)
Almost everyone wants to do what they love for a living but we believe we can't afford it, or that we have too many responsibilities. Scared people will usually impose their own fears onto you. Let them know how happy your work makes you. You may lose friends along the way who don't understand what you're trying to do, let go of them, you are constantly changing. Surround yourself with people who support what you do and your new choices.

5 Prioritize

Make your work a priority. Your work and your life are not separate entities. You need to have energy to build a career. We have been taught to think that we must maintain a certain "lifestyle" by working full time. Let go of this belief, consider some alternatives. You will probably have to work in the beginning to subsidize you income, try to keep it part time or contract work. Scale down your living expenses, (do you really need two bedrooms? Can you relocate? Become frugal?) There are always ways to cut back. ASK FOR HELP when you need it!!! There is someone out there right now who can help you.

6 Ask for what you want...

Write it down, be specific. Figuring out exactly what you want will help you FOCUS on where you need to go and allow you to make steps in that direction. The point here is to create INTENT in your life so that your dreams can manifest in the physical world. Creating an "unlimited" business plan, (on that expresses all your wildest dreams), is one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself and your career. Start with a personal philosophy and mission statement. Create a list with two columns. The first will be Objectives, (e.g. create an identity within my industry). The second will be Actions, ways to manifest the objectives, (e.g. create a presence on the internet, write for industry magazines, etc.) What are your deepest dreams? Take them seriously, they will lead you to what you really want.

When you make a commitment to the goal the money will appear, but you must be truly committed!

7 Feel the fear and do it anyway

...the title of a great book! I've talked to many people who have worked doing what they love for years. THEY STILL HAVE FEAR! They just work with it. It amazed me to find out that success sometimes brings more fear, fear of living up to our name and reputation. Pressure to equal our past successes. So if the fear is always there, you might as well learn to manage it, instead of trying to get rid of it.

8 Reinvent yourself ... you are not defined by the current situation.

This means at any given time we can start fresh. After failures (I prefer to call them lessons), get back on you feet and start again. Writers will be rejected, illustrators will send out work they hate, freelancers will have dry periods, and designers will have quotes rejected. There is always an ebb and flow to success, money, fame, and creative energy. DUST YOURSELF OFF

9 BEGIN NOW!!!

The circumstances will never be perfect for you to begin. You will never have enough money saved to start. Your portfolio will never be ready, you may never have the perfect space/studio/equipment. You will not have the time if you don't make it now. These are self limiting beliefs created by our inner critic to make us stop. Don't make a big production out of it. Use what you've got! Hemingway wrote on napkins, Keith Haring painted subway stations, Charles and Ray Eames designed & made chairs in a tiny bedroom, a famous furniture maker carved with sharpened screwdrivers, Maud Lewis (a folk artist) painted with discarded boat paint, the stories are endless. You have everything right now in your possession to start moving forward towards your goals. There is some small step you can take in the direction of your dream, when you do the universe often takes several more.

10 Let go...

Don't worry about your talent or capability... it is not yours to judge. It will grow and change over time. Do not ask "why am I doing this? Is it the right thing?" It is enough to know that you want to. Just do it because you want to. It will become something on it's own. Freaking out about what you "should" be doing does not move you forward, it only serves to stress you on what should be an enjoyable part of your journey. ENJOY THE PROCESS. Starting can be the most overwhelming part but it is also exciting and full of possibilities. Change can be intimidating, unfamiliar, terrifying, self-doubt inducing, down right uncomfortable. But our lives are too rich and we are too powerful to have anything less than what we truly deserve...to do what we love everyday, to become our most authentic powerful selves, to share our passion with the rest of the world, and to live up to the spirit that is in us, (and not squelch it!)...

You have nothing to lose... The universe is waiting...

The Law of Attraction

2005-09-22T22:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a good article written by the author of the book "The Attractor Factor" that sums it up pretty well. Hope you enjoy!

Annie

----------------------------------------------------------

by Dr. Joe Vitale
www.mrfire.com

I've learned at least two things about achieving goals: There is an easy way and a hard way.

The hard way is to work night and day, stay obsessed, rarely sleep, and never give up.

Since everyone talks about the hard way, I want to address the easy way. After all, why struggle if you don't have to?

I've used the easy way to create bestselling books, lose 70 pounds in 8 months, find my ideal mate, get healthy, increase my wealth, and much more.

Obviously, it works.

Here's the formula in brief:

1. Be grateful for what you already have.

2. Playfully declare what you would like to have with positive emotion, feeling as if it is already achieved.

3. Act on the nudges and opportunities that appear.

That's it. In my latest book, "The Attractor Factor," I explain a 5-step formula for getting what you want. It's useful for those times when you don't feel grateful, or can't decide on what you want, or don't understand the concept of letting go while taking inspired action. It's also helpful when you have issues about money, or deserving, or feel in any way blocked from your goals.

But the bottom-line for me is this: Declare what you would like with no attachment and plenty of good feeling, feel grateful for what you already have, and act on what appears. The result will be the manifestation of a happy life.

Let's explore this in depth.

1. Feel grateful now.

It doesn't mater where you live or what you have.

If you're reading this, you're most likely living like a king or queen compared to people in third world countries. You may even be living better than kings or queens from history, as they often lived in cold, violent, frightful times. You've got it made.

2. Choose what you want without attachment, feeling as if it is already achieved.

There's magic in saying "Id love to---(fill in the blank) but I won't die if I don't have it." Since the world is simply energy taking form, when you declare you want something, you begin to attract it. But when you say you need something, the need pushes it away. You want to select your desire, and feel the joy of already having it, without feeling any desperation. Need will push it away; Desire will attract it. If you feel as if you *already* have it, then you *will* have it.

3. Act on your opportunities and intuitions.

You may get offers, calls, or who knows what. Act on them. You never know what will lead you to your goal. Your ego cannot see the big picture. Intuition and opportunities will come to you from the larger view, and your job is to act on them. As you do, you will be taken to your goal, even when it appears you are being blocked away. Trust is key.

Is that really all there is to it?

Again, the fuller procedure in "The Attractor Factor" will take care of any snags in the process, but the basic process is simple. Let's walk through it:

1. Look around your room. What are you grateful for? Make a list. Get into the authentic feeling of true gratitude. In other words, be happy now. You don't need a reason to be happy. But if you want one, find something, anything, to be grateful for right now. When you're grateful, you're in a mental place that will attract more to be grateful for.

2. Look around the playground of your mind. What would you like to have, do, or be? What would be fun? Write it down. As you do, feel what it would be like to already have it now. Pretend you won the lotto. What would you want for yourself or others? What would be fun? The key is playful non-attachment while experiencing its completion *now.*

3. Now pay attention. As you go about your life, listen to your hunches and act on them, and pay attention to the opportunities and act on them. You never know what will take you in the direction of your goal. Your job is to take inspired action. You may have some work to do in this step, but the work will be from your heart, and will take you in the direction of getting your goal.

Why not go through the steps right now?

Write them down, experience them, and then check back in a few weeks and see how they are doing. You may surprise yourself by how easily and quickly your goals are achieved.

If you find yourself doubting the process, thinking negative, or in any way not enjoying the simplicity of the easy way to attain your goals, then consider learning the 5 step process in "The Attractor Factor."

Above all, have fun. Keep smiling. Be playful. Stay grateful. These are all elements of the new secret to manifesting your goals.

Remember the words of a famous song that also perfectly summaries this new way to achieve your goals: "Don't worry. Be happy."

Dr. Joe Vitale is the author of way too many books to list here. His latest title is "The Attractor Factor: 5 Easy Steps for Creating Wealth (or anything else) From the Inside Out." Register for his monthly complimentary ezine at http://www.mrfire.com/

His Executive Mentoring Program is described at
http://www.joe-vitale-executive-mentoring.com/info.html

Whatever We Do...

2005-09-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

Here's something to think about...

Whatever we do, we are doing it to be happy, whether we realize it or not.

I was going to talk about the Law of Attraction today but I think we're going to back-up a bit.

A couple days ago we talked about what might be holding you back and then about changing your beliefs. But after comments from a few people (let's call them excuses), I've decided we need to talk about clearing.

What's clearing?

Clearing is a process of removing all the negatives blocks that might be holding you back, all those things we talked about in "What's Holding You Back?" a couple of days ago.

I use a process called EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique. It might sound crazy to some people and that's ok (I don't mind being called crazy - it's probably not far off! ;-) ) but the bottom line is, it works whether or not you believe it will. That's the power of it.

EFT states that "The cause of all negative energy is a disruption in the body's energy system." According to Gary Craig of www.emofree.com and the founder of EFT, it is "an emotional form of accupuncture except that we don't use needles. Instead, we tap with the fingertips to stimulate certain meridian energy points while the client is "tuned in" to the problem."

For more information on this techinque and the many benefits it provides, please visit Gary's site and download the Get Started Package which is available for free.

So... take a look at that as I just can't explain it well enough to be useful for you here. And we'll talk again in a few days about the Law of Attraction.

Nite,
Annie

Are You Ready?

2005-09-15T23:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, I need to know...

Are you ready?

Yesterday, we talked about self-sabatoge and our belief systems and I said that today I would give you some tips on how to make that life-changing, permanent Choice.

So . . .

Are you ready?

Because if you're not, don't bother reading any further. It simply won't help you.

. . . * * * . . . * * * . . .

First, let me give you some background as to where I'm coming from.

Three years ago we needed food stamps just to feed our family. Three years ago I had a chronic kidney disease, among other health ailments, that landed me in the hospital at least twice a year in such sickness that I was literally on my death bed. And three years ago my husband and I were both jobless. And dead broke.

Today?

Today we have no car payments. I have my dream job working from home for a great boss doing a job I absolutely love. I also have my own successful business. My husband is now in college - something he thought he could never do. And we have no credit card debt.

How did we get this far in such a short time?

Simple. I changed my beliefs.

Maybe that doesn't sound simple - or even possible - to you at this point, but I hope to show you how possible it really is.

Now, that's not to say we have no problems and that life is perfect. C'mon, we're human! But I'll tell ya what, it is to say that change is possible. It is to say that you can have, be, and do whatever you truly desire.

The question is . . . "How?"

I've been studying belief systems, goal setting, achievement, wealth, and success, to name a few, for about 4 years now. And while I'm certainly no expert, I have used the techniques, the thoughts, the ideas to change my life.

Here's something you need to understand before we continue -

Lasting change comes from within, not from without.

External sources will not give you long-term results. Remember yesterday I mentioned that success stories have their place, but they're temporary. They may give you a boost for a day or two, or a week, or perhaps a month. But what happens when that idea wears off? Where are you?

Chances are, that however far you've come in that period of time will disappear and you'll be right back where you were before. Or worse.

So let's repeat that - Lasting change comes from within.

We must seek to change those inner beliefs for they are what hold us back. They are the cause of everything external.

Our beliefs create our lives.

Realize I am not talking about your ideals and opinions on subjects such as religion, politics, parenting and etc. I'm talking about *what you believe,* those "tapes" if you will, inside your head that shout at you. Things like -

I am stupid
I am worthless
I don't deserve it
Money is the root of evil
I'll never be able to afford that
Being successful is out of my reach
I can't do/say/be that
I don't know how
What if they laugh at me?
What if they hate me?

Those are what I'm talking about. Those are your beliefs. And they were shaped by those around you including your parents, your siblings, grandparents, friends, teachers and anybody else who's ever influenced you - even those people you don't like.

Sometimes you may not even realize you have a particular belief. It's something that's become so natural to you, like breathing or walking, that it's become automatic. A reflex, if you will.

And yes, you CAN change those thought patterns, those beliefs, those internal tapes that sabatoge your wants and desires and hold you back.

We're going to start slow here so as not to overwhelm you. This is a simple exercise you can begin using right now to help you understand, acknowledge and clear out those negative beliefs.

Acknowledge the negative thought - "I am worthless."
Replace it with a positive thought - "I am special, powerful, loving and worthy of my hearts desire."
Visualize yourself as worthy, as powerful and special. Just daydream a bit. Use your imagination to see yourself in this new way.

Practice this exercise daily, two or three times or more if you like, but especially each morning when you get up and each night before you go to bed.

And that's where we're going to end today. I hope you've found this post useful.

Tomorrow we'll be talking about the Law of Attraction - hope to see you then!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Take Care,
Annie

What's Holding You Back?

2005-09-14T23:41:00.000-07:00

What's holding you back?

That's a pretty profound question, isn't it?

As I was reading an excerpt of an article this morning, I began thinking about what holds people back. And as I continued to ponder, I thought of something a good friend and mentor of mine said . . . "None of that stuff matters."

Now you're probably wondering why that's significant, aren't you?

Well, it got me to thinking even further of all the things - excuses - we come up with when we're confronted with something that could be potentially life-changing, something we say we really want and yet, never accomplish.

The deeper question becomes - "Why do we sabatoge ourselves?"

In a word - beliefs.

Yes, beliefs. Such a small word, with huge impact.

What we believe shapes our lives in ways most of us don't even comprehend or realize. And the sad part is, we can CHANGE those beliefs and thought patterns if we CHOOSE to do so. It really is that simple. The problem - most people don't make that choice. They just keep doing what they've always done.

See, your mind is a powerful thing. It acts on whatever you think. And if you think negative, limiting thoughts, you'll get negative, limiting results. Every single time.

I firmly believe that what we focus on becomes reality. If we think "Gee, I can't afford that!" Well, guess what? It comes true. We can't afford it. And then we justify it - "See, I KNEW I couldn't afford that! I told you so!"

And you were right - that's true.

But what if the opposite were also true? What if we had thought "Man, I'm going to buy that!" What happens then? Good question . . .

Did you know your brain will take that impluse, that thought and figure out a way to achieve it? Sure it may not happen over night. It'll likely take a while, but you CAN achieve it.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiight! You may be thinking I'm off my rocker. But I'm here to tell you, it's absolutely possible.

Someone said to me today "Wouldn't sharing success stories be more motivational than changing ones belief system?"

Huh? I had to scratch my head on that one, honestly. I don't think the guy gets it. I mean, sure, success stories do have their merits and their place in motivating people, but it's temporary!

Now what would you rather have - something temporary? Something that fades as time goes on?

Or something with life-changing, permanent impact? Something that will reshape your very life and take you where you REALLY want to go? Something that will END the SELF-SABATOGE!

I don't know about you, but I would rather have something with life-changing permanent impact any day of the week!

But you know what I think? And I've said this before - it's this "want it now" mentality. The idea that we should be able to have whatever we want RIGHT NOW! Instant gratification.

Uh-uh. That ain't it, my friend!

True change takes time. I'll bet you didn't get yourself to the position you're in over night and I'll also bet you won't dig yourself out of it over night, either.

Are you interested in making that life-changing, permanent CHOICE? I sure hope so. It's absolutely worth it.

Stay tuned - we'll talk again soon about how you can do just that.

Until then . . .

Goodnight!

Well, this ought to be fun...

2005-02-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

We've been having unusually nice weather here in the Pacific Northwest for the last week... I'm talking temps in the upper 50's to 60's. So...

The kids are driving me nuts! We have a very nice, large yard with LOTS of room to play (like pretty darn near 2 acres) and they want to go... to the PARK! What?? Just go outside! But - No, apparently it's B-O-R-I-N-G outside. Hmmm...

Here I am all cooped up in my nice little corner (called "office") and typing like a mad hatter to complete all that needs doing. And not nearly anywhere close to being finished! ARGH! But THEY want to GO to the PARK because it's sunny.

All I really want to do is finish my work TODAY so that I don't have to work all weekend. Oh joy!

But...

It looks like we're going...

... to the park. So see ya!