Inspired In Action

So many times in our lives, we think we are “on our way”. Things are moving. We are moving.

Then, all of the sudden, things stop!

Where did my sense of direction go? Why don’t I know what to do? There has to be SOMETHING for me to do! Did I lose my purpose? Was I on the wrong track? What happened?!

A sense of panic comes in. When there is no action, we feel lost and perhaps even stupid or useless.

Our River of Life has reached a calm pool, and we’re busy freaking out! Sails go up and down. The Paddles come out, and we paddle on this side and that. New fangled motors are tested. Nothing moves. It’s like there’s an anchor on the boat, and we can’t see the chain to pull it up.

These moments, too, are opportunities. Those calm pools along the River of Your Life are equally as important and valuable. Life should not be white water rafting all the way through!

When we are in action, we feel useful and on purpose. These times of in-action are times when we can redefine and rebalance. They are times to refuel and rejuvenate.

The question becomes, “What do we do when we have nothing to do?”

Here are some places you can explore when you’ve reached one of those calm pools in Your River of Life.

Trust.

These silent times are exactly perfect too. What if you trusted that The Universe has everything under control?

Let’s take the analogy of planting and growing a garden. You prepare the soil by adding nutrients, clearing away the weeds, and making the rows or raised beds to plant your seeds. You pick the seeds you want to plant. A plan is made for which vegetables go where. The dirt is parted, and the seeds sprinkled. You gently cover over the seeds and begin to water.

For the next while, all you need to do is water, and pull the occasional weed that pops up. You don’t see any action or movement. Things are quiet for the time being, and yet, beneath the surface there are all kinds of unseen action!

The seed expands and pops open. A tiny little root begins to squirm its way through the dirt, sucking up all the incredible resources you worked into the soil, and drinking the life-giving water. Before long, its fingers begin stretching up, building up strength to pop through the surface and peak out at the sunlight.

Can you Trust that in these times of silence that the seeds you’ve planted with your thoughts are germinating like the seeds in your garden? Or will you rush around uncovering your seeds daily to see if they are growing, and preventing them from growing?

Trust that all is well. Gently water your seeds, and pull the occasional weed. Enjoy the sunshine and trust. The Universe does not stop he growth of the seeds in the Garden, and it does not stop the growth of the seeds you have planted either.

Nourish.

Use these times as opportunities to take good care of You.

Chances are, when things were moving you were so busy you were not doing those small things that keep you rejuvenated. “I don’t have time,” is often how you would put yourself off. Things were moving! How could you have time to exercise, eat right, or meditate?

As with the garden, those busy times were important, and those times of watering and patiently waiting are equally important.

These can be times to set up new habits of self-care. Here are some new habits you can add to your daily routine.

Meditation. Meditation does not need to take a full hour of your time. It can be as simple as sitting quietly for 5 minutes, and you can add an extra 5 minutes into your shower. There are many forms of active meditations, including walking meditations. Puzzles are wonderful form of meditation. Your focus is only on the puzzle, and all other thoughts move into the background.

Journaling. Journaling can be as simple as writing 5 gratitudes per day. You can write your intentions or desires. Write your joyful experiences. Gather affirmations and quotes that inspire you. Joy Journaling is a fun and creative way to use your Journal.

Exercise. This can be as simple as adding in a 10-30 minute walk each day. There are so many fun and creative ways to exercise. There are a variety dance classes offered. Gyms are offering cycling, kick boxing and much more. You can take up a martial art. There are also creative blendings of exercise forms being offered, such as Nia. Take this time to sample a few until you find one that is fun for you.

Nutrition. When you have more time available, you can get creative with your eating. You do not need to cook all day to get a quality meal. Sometimes taking the time to explore your grocery store or specialty shops in your neighbourhood can open up new creativity in your kitchen. Explore your library or local book store for cooking ideas. Take this time to find some quick and easy recipes you enjoy so when things do get moving again, you’re ready!

Life is like a River. There are times when the waters are flowing with speed, and there are other times where we come into the calm pools and can see the fish and plants growing on the bottom. Take the time to look into the pools. It’s so much more enjoyable than franticly paddling your canoe and missing all the beauty and joy.

Pull your paddle back in the boat. Stretch back and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. The River will speed up soon enough, and when it does, you’ll be full of energy and ready to go!

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Velma Gallant, “The Queen of JOY!”, is an author, international speaker and Lazer Clarity Coach. She hosts her highly acclaimed internet radio show, Welcome Changes Radio where she interviews exciting and dynamic guests such as New York Times best selling author, Neale Donald Walsch, Mike Dooley from “The Secret”, and many more. Velma coaches Executives and Entrepreneurs to lazer in on what’s vital to create and experience Joy-Filled Balance in their life and work. Velma can be contacted through her website, http://www.WelcomeChangesRadio.com.

“If you have not consciously made the decision to be rich, excellent, and healthy, then you have unconsciously made the decision to be poor, mediocre, and unhealthy.” ~ Wallace D. Wattles

Whoa!  How does that quote grab you?

Wallace definitely has something there though.  If you have thought “I want” you have already affirmed “I don’t have”.

EEEP!

What’s the point to it all then?  What’s the point to having intentions?  What’s the point to wanting something more?

Why bother? 

It’s a valid question.  Here’s my take on this.

The point of it all is to enjoy your life now.  Yes, you want to set intentions.  Yes, it’s okay to want more, and to say so.  You really do not want to hide your desires away.  That just amplifies the “don’t have” anyway.

The big thing here is to ENJOY YOUR LIFE NOW!

Don’t wait for something specific to happen for you to be happy.  Don’t wait until you know it all to try something new. 

DON’T WAIT!

Get out there and start living NOW.  Be happy NOW!

How?

That’s easy!  (Yeah, it really is easy.  It’s not as complicated as we like to make it.)

GET CREATIVE!

There are always answers, and there are always solutions.  When you approach your problems or “don’t wants” from the place of Creativity, the possibilities grow
exponentially. 

Think about it.

You have a problem.  You can list very quickly all the reasons why it’s a problem.  You can see all the reasons why the obvious solutions won’t work.  You’ve immediately distracted yourself with “can’t be done”.  Your eyes and heart focus only on the
problem.

If you approach this same problem with creativity, your focus immediately shifts to “can be done”.  Your eyes and heart immediately open up and actively seek and find solutions.

GET CREATIVE!

Are you ready for more income, happiness, fulfillment, and fun?  Set the intention for more.  It’s OK if you affirm where you are right now.  There’s nothing wrong with that if you’re creative! 

The minute you get creative, your focus shifts!  Your attention is immediately taken off “what’s wrong or missing” and is put on “creative solutions”.  Your “problem” is no longer bad.  It’s an opportunity to tap into your creative soul!

If your “problem” is no longer bad, does your vibration (energy) shift?  Absolutely!

What vibration (energy) is Creativity?  HIGH!

What are your chances of attracting more and better when you’re vibration (energy) is high?  HIGH!

Do you see where this is going?

Affirm more and better.  Acknowledge your now.  Get creative.  Feel better.  Attract more and better.

Simple!

Simple is not always easy though.  You have to consciously choose creativity over problems.

Are you up for it?  Are you ready to GET CREATIVE NOW?

What can you do to get those creative juices flowing?

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Velma Gallant, “The Queen of JOY!”, is an Author, Speaker and Lazer Clarity Coach.  Velma coaches Entrepreneurs to lazer in on what’s vital to create joy and balance in their life and work.  Velma can be reached at 1-800-992-2863 or by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.  You can also subscribe to her weekly ezine at www.welcomechanges.com.

“Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them.”  — Albert Einstein

Problems come up all the time.  They are a fact of life, whether we like or not.  They are a vital part of life. 

Problems are what invited people to create solutions we use today, and are now common place.  Light bulbs and automobiles were created to solve problems.

If problems are an automatic and important part of life, why is it that the solutions do not show up just as easily? 

There are a couple of simple reasons for that.

When you are focused on your problem, it fills up your sight, and you can see nothing else, including the solution.

When you are ignoring the problem, you are closed up tight.  It is impossible to see a solution when you are pretending a problem doesn’t even exist!

Focusing on the problem, or ignoring the problem, is obviously not the answer.

Look beyond your problem to find the solution you desire.

How do you do this, especially if your problem is looming large in your sights?

Here are six tools and activities you can use to look beyond your problem and open up to the solutions that already exist.   

1.    Shift Your Perspective

Pretend your problem is a physical object.  Where you are in relation to your problem gives you one view of it.  You only see the one side. 

There ARE more sides to this object (your problem), and yet you cannot see anything else because of your perspective.

Put the object down and step back.  Begin to walk around it, and notice how it looks from different angles.  Look at the object as if it was the first time you’ve seen it.  Try not to label anything as you generally will stop observing once an object has been labelled.

What data or information can you gather from these different perspectives?  Make note of it.  Do not dismiss any of your observations. 

These observations may provide you with an immediate solution.  It’s amazing what a different perspective can give you.  If your solution does not come up immediately, tap into one of the other 5 solutions.  The information you gathered from this exercise will come in handy later.

2.   Powerful Questions

Problems are an opportunity to learn.  Asking questions can uncover the gift or lesson.  Once we are aware of the value of the problem, uncovering the solution becomes much easier.  Powerful Questions can support you to laser in, and discover the value you gain from the problem.

Here are some examples of Powerful Questions that may be of value:

What is this trying to show me? 
What value can I pull from this? 
What is my most obvious next step? 
What other perspectives are there?
What solutions have others found and used?
What would it take to move through this?
Where might I find support or valuable information?

Why questions are generally not of value.  They keep your eyes on the problem, or worse yet, on your past.  What or Where questions are of value, and sometimes who or how questions may uncover some juicy information.

Play with these questions, and tweak them to fit your individual situation.  Having a trusted friend or coach ask you powerful questions can support as well, as they are not
emotionally vested in the problem.

3.   Brain Dump

Another powerful tool is the Brain Dump.  When you get the solutions you see immediately out of your brain, there is room and an open channel for creative ideas to flow in.

Get out a piece of paper, or sit at your computer.  Ask yourself, “What would it take to…” and fill in the ideal outcome.  Build your solution right into the question.

Write out every single idea that comes up, no matter how ridiculous or off-the-wall it might be.  Make up stuff.  Be a cartoon or fiction story writer with it.  Get goofy and
have a bit of fun. 

Keep the piece of paper or document handy so when you think of more creative and fun ideas you can write them down.

Again, what this does is keep you from locking yourself into the “only solution”.  You may find an answer within your brain dump.  You may also fid that as you get back to your daily routine the answer comes up in an exciting and unexpected ways. 

4.   Creative Movement

Creative problem solving takes a creative mind.  Open up your creativity by participating in creative activities that are completely outside of your problem.  Choose a creative activity that pulls you all the way into it.  Choose something you enjoy.

An example from my own experience is jewellery making.  When I need to move into creative energy, one of the things I love to do is create jewellery.  I create bracelets, necklaces, earrings, or anything else that tickles my fancy.  I don’t create for anyone in particular, though sometimes that inspiration comes through.  I often make them for me.  I love wearing bracelets and anklets. 

What creative activity do you enjoy?  Is it art, gardening, or music?  There are so many wonderful ways to get creative!  The only criteria are that you enjoy it, and love immersing yourself in the creative moment.

As you open up to the creativity of your project, you automatically open yourself up to creative solutions.

5.   Laugh and Play!

One of the best ways to manage your energy is to get out there and play.  Don’t be so darn serious!  There’s plenty of time to be serious in our lives.  We don’t need to be in that place all the time. 

Head on down to the park, and play on the swings.  Built forts and have a snowball fight with the kids.  Pull out the monopoly game, or Trivial Pursuit.  Invite friends over for a night of laughter and fun.  Play Pictionary or charades.  Play dress up with the kids.  Make sock puppets and make a play together. 

Rent comedies from the video store.  One of the things I’d love to own is the whole Carol Burnet series.  Now that’s funny!

The intention is to bring your energy up and feel good.  Again, when you feel good, it gets those creative juices flowing.  Your mind and heart open up to possibilities.

6.   Return to Now

Living in the Now is very important, and in truth, vital. 

If you are focusing on your past, you cannot move forward.  Try walking forward as you are looking backwards.  Not very easy!  If you do happen to move forward, you do so slowly, and will often bump into or trip over things.

Focusing on your future for any length of time does not serve either, whether you are visioning something you desire, or are fearful of something happening.  When you are projecting forward, you are not living now.

The question then becomes, how do you bring yourself back to the Now?

Here are two exercises you can use to return to the Now instantly. 

First would be breathing.  Yes, we all do that.  We have to if we are going to live.  Take the time to observe HOW you breathe at various moments.  How do you breathe when you are fearful of something?  You take short, shallow breaths, and may even hold your breath.  How do you breathe when you are relaxed?  You take slow, steady breaths.  How do you breathe when you are active?  You take deep, full breaths.  If your physical activity was intense, your breathing will quicken, but the breaths are still full.

To bring you into the Now, consciously breathe.  Count in and out as you breathe.  Fill your lungs and belly.  Breathe deeply and evenly.

Another valuable tool is to take inventory of what’s around you.  Take a minute or two to list all the things that are within your vision.

Whether you choose the breathing exercise, or take inventory of your surroundings, you immediately return to the Now.  The Now IS your breathing.  The Now IS your immediate surroundings.  There is nothing else but the Now.

Get started today.  Give yourself permission to take just one or two of these tools and add them to your tool kit.  Try them each, and notice which ones feel good and are easy to implement.  If you pick up on them easily, they belong in your tool kit.  That way, you’ll be able to pull them out in a moments notice.

No matter which of these six exercises you tap into, you immediately move from being problem based to being solution based. 

You shift your focus.  You shift your energy.  You create and open up to possibilities.  You become the solution instead of part of the problem.

The solution is always beyond the problem.  Where are you looking?

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Velma Gallant, “The Queen of JOY!”, is an Author, Speaker and Lazer Clarity Coach.  Velma coaches Entrepreneurs to lazer in on what’s vital to create joy and balance in their life and work.  Velma can be reached at 1-800-992-2863 or by email at
velma@welcomechanges.com.  You can also subscribe to her weekly ezine at www.welcomechanges.com.

“The only competition you will ever have is the competition between your disciplined and undisciplined mind.” ~ James A. Ray

Have you ever noticed that successful people stay focused and unsuccessful people stay distracted?

Have you ever noticed how unsuccessful people blame their distractions rather than accepting responsibility for deciding to be distracted?

What if you could use your distractions as a tool, instead of the distractions holding you back?

You can do that if you use The Laws of Distraction.

Before we discuss The Laws, let’s first get clear on what Distractions are.

There are two kinds of distractions: ones that do not serve you, and ones that serve you.

Yes, you heard right. There are distractions that serve you.

The key is to notice the difference between the two, and to know when to use the distractions that serve. That is where The Laws of Distraction come in.

(Hint: Even those distractions that do not serve can be used to serve you. Keep reading to find out how.)

Law of Distraction #1 – Observe Your DistractionsSpend one to five days observing your daily actions. Make note of the distractions you notice during that time. Notice what activities you are avoiding and the distractions you are using. Are some of your actions actually distractions?

Keep a written record of these observations, whether in your Journal, or on your computer. You will need this information as you utilize the next Laws of Distraction.

Law of Distraction #2 – Know Your DistractionsThe first thing to know about Distractions is that they are not bad. They are valuable when utilized properly.

As mentioned earlier, there are two kinds of Distractions: Communicating Distractions and Energy Shifting Distractions.

As you review the information gathered from observing your distractions and actions, you will be able to determine which distractions are communicating and which distractions are energy shifting.

Communicating Distractions

The Distractions that activate during specific activities are your Communicating Distractions. Upon first analysis, these Distractions do not serve you. They are distracting you from completing your tasks.

The truth is, these Distractions are letting you know that a shift or tweak is required to move through the activity.

Energy Shifting Distractions

If a particular activity is lengthy, taking hours or days to complete, Energy Shifting Distractions serve as the breaks allowing your energy to be recharged. They are valuable in supporting you to maintain focus through to completion of your tasks.

Law of Distraction #3 – Use Your DistractionsYou have now determined the purpose for each of your distractions. This information will serve you to get things done and begin moving forward again.

Communicating Distractions

Ask yourself the following questions regarding the activities you are distracting yourself from.

1. How does this task serve?

You have found that you are using certain distractions to avoid a specific activity. What is the purpose of this activity? Is it an income generating activity? Will it serve your highest good to complete it?

The reason for this particular question is to determine if you want to complete the activity or drop it from your action list.

If there is a clear purpose, move on to question two. If there is no clear purpose, your activity is actually a distraction.

Remove the activity from your action list. Then, take time to notice which actions this activity was distracting you from completing. Use this question to dig down until you reach the root activity that requires completion. Then move onto question two.

2. What would it take to get this done?

You have now determined that it does serve to complete this action. What would it take to get it done? Is this something you have the ability to do? Is it something you enjoy doing? Is it something you can delegate?

If the task is something you can delegate, do so immediately, and your distraction will quickly fade.

If you are not able to delegate the task, move on to question three.

3. Are there other ways to achieve the same end result?

Ultimately the reason we do things is for the end result we expect or desire. The distraction comes in when we have chosen a “how” for achieving the end result that does not fit.

Research other ways to achieve the same end result. Choose the activity that fits within your strengths and talents. By choosing activities through this filter (strengths and talents) the distraction no longer has value and will quickly fade.

Energy Shifting Distractions

As you move through your actions of the day, you may find your energy lagging from time to time. Perhaps you are trying to figure out your next step and the answers are not coming easily. You may find there is a necessary break of time between action steps. It is during these times where you bring in the Energy Shifting Distractions (“ESD”).

Examples of ESD’s are mind puzzles such as Sudoku, crosswords or word-finds. Other ESD’s may be reading, including joke books, or “bite” books such as “Chicken Soup” or “Juicy Bites of Welcome Changes”.

The important thing to remember with ESD’s is to choose specifically how long you use them. Typically ESD’s should last for 5 to 15 minutes, and no longer than 30 minutes. If your ESD lasts longer than this, return to the Communicating Distractions section of Law #3.

As you use the Laws of Distraction (Observe – Know – Use) you bring in clarity and choice to your experience. You transform the Distractions from an anchor that holds you back into a tool that guides and maneuvers you forward.

Observe, Know and Use your Distractions through The Laws of Distraction, and you will create and sustain focused action towards your goals.

Are you ready to use your Distractions to succeed

<><><> Velma Gallant, “The Queen of JOY!”, is a Lazer Clarity Coach, best-selling co-author, and international speaker. Velma coaches Entrepreneurs to lazer in on what’s vital to create joy and balance in their life and work. Velma can be reached at 1-800-992-2863 or by email at velma@welcomechanges.com. You can also subscribe to her ezine at www.welcomechanges.com.

<><><> To request your complimentary 30 minute conditional Lazer Clarity Coaching consultation click here. (Value: $125)

The “Right Thing to Do”
Is Not Always the Right Thing to Do

How many times have you put yourself in a bind by doing the “Right Thing” only to find that the right thing didn’t feel good at all?

How many times did you move into judgment about yourself because you didn’t feel good about this “Right Thing”?

What if the “Right Thing” wasn’t the right thing after all?

The truth is, those “not good feelings” are an indicator to you that what you are doing is not the right thing.

The next question is, what do you do about it? How do you find that balance between what you judge or think (Mind) to be the “Right Thing” and what your feelings (Spirit) knows is not the “Right Thing”?

It’s times like this that Clarity of Truth is required, and an open dialogue needs to be created between your Mind and your Spirit.

The best thing to do, to gain this Clarity, is to ask questions. When you ask questions it gives both your Mind and your Spirit the chance to speak up.

What makes this the right thing to do?
What does not feel good about this?
What would feel better?
What would it take to make the right thing feel better?

You may find two answers come up for each question. You may find just one answer comes up.

What you are doing with these questions, and by listening to your answers, is that you are creating a dialogue with your Mind and your Spirit. Both are getting the opportunity to share their truth. This allows for you to come to this place of Balance between the two.

What if, during the process of questioning, you find that there is a middle ground that works better? What if you find that there is a solution that supports both your Mind and your Spirit?

This self-coaching process of asking questions can be incredibly powerful.

You will notice above that the questions each start with “What”. “What” questions generally look forward towards a solution. “Why” questions generally look backwards and focus on what’s not quite right.

If you are feeling a need to ask a “How” question, try phrasing it as “What would it take to…” instead. This again opens things up to solutions and possibilities, whereas “How” can get locked into the details and distract from possibilities.

By moving into questions and creating the open dialogue between your Mind and your Spirit, you will create and build a trust and friendship between these two equally important parts of you.

What would your life look like if your Spirit and Mind partnered together to create your Joy-filled Life? What would it feel like to create from this place of Balance and Harmony?

Are you ready to create a conversation between your Spirit and Mind?

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Velma Gallant, “The Queen of JOY!”, is a Lazer Clarity Coach, best-selling co-author, and international speaker. Velma coaches Entrepreneurs to lazer in on what’s vital to create joy and balance in their life and work. Velma can be reached at 1-800-992-2863 or by email at velma@welcomechanges.com. You can also subscribe to her ezine at www.welcomechanges.com.

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Permission to reprint is granted provided the article is not altered in any way, and the biography paragraph is included. If you would also like to include your own affiliate link for Welcome Changes, please contact velma@welcomechanges.com.

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To request your complimentary 30 minute conditional Lazer Clarity Coaching consultation click here. (Value: $100)