Building Self Esteem

Feeling Lost in the Universe

March 1, 2012 by Donna Marie

Spirituality takes many forms for each of us. It means different things to different people.

So often we lose our way in life and work. We get bogged down in the complexities and the busyness of life. It seems easy to lose track of ourselves. Are we in the right job or do we intuitively know that we are meant for another purpose?

We may feel unfulfilled, unmotivated and uninterested. People around us may be negative, crabby or gossipy. The environment may be de-energizing, chaotic, or emotionally unhealthy. Yet, we can not make that career change for whatever reason. Feeling lost in the universe? What do you do?

You can do one of the following:

1) Continue to think the way you are thinking or

2) Change your thoughts.

Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it? Actually, we have the power to make any change we chose.

I love the quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “We must become the change we want to see.” If we want to see change, we must become the change and therefore we demonstrate change.

To experience spirituality in the work environment and at home I must become it. To do this I must first create my own awareness. For instance, each time I view judgment or negativity I must look within. (Because it is truly about me, not anyone else.)

Try these universal steps to spiritual change in your work life.

1) Say Good Morning to everyone you greet on the way to work. Put on your biggest and most sincere smiling face. (No faking here!) Save the biggest smiles for those you have been avoiding. (Notice how you feel!)

2) Think ONLY positive thoughts of others.. Each time you think, “What a jerk!” Stop your thoughts and tell yourself, “OK, I’m judging and this drains my own energy. I will think only loving thoughts of this person.” Loving thoughts add positive energy.

3) When feeling overwhelmed with all that must be completed, know that is your EGO side wanting to keep you in the pits of self-judgment! When your thoughts sound like this, “I can’t do all this”, “I’ll never finish by then”, or how about “I might not do this right”? Be aware, these thoughts keep us in the famous victim role of “poor me”! It is very self-defeating and is an enormous energy drain. (We are much more capable that we give ourselves credit for.)

4) Compile a daily list of three to six important tasks and focus on their completion. You will feel accomplished staying focused instead of feeling scattered or overwhelmed trying to do everything at once.

5) Be aware that whatever job you are doing at the moment is the task that is meant for you in that particular moment. Look for the higher spiritual meaning in all that we do. Do each task gracefully even if it is sharpening your pencil! (This is practicing consciousness.)

6) Keep your life uncluttered and tidy! Organize your desk top, office, your purse or wallet, etc. Clean up those relationships that have unresolved clutter by being honest and loving.

7) Take a five minute break when necessary and refocus your thoughts through meditation and/or conscious breathing.

8) Create or find convenient short meaningful prayers or affirmations to read throughout each day to keep your thoughts centered to be positive and loving to yourself and others.

Marianne Williamson’s prayer book “Illuminata” is excellent for daily reflections. I particularly found this prayer quite powerful and comforting.

“Dear God,

As I go to work today, may Your spirit go with me.

May my work in the world be a vehicle for your love.

Go with me, Lord.

Show me how to love and forgive each person, that I might carry Your light to all I meet.

This is a new day, may it not be darkened by yesterday’s unforgiveness.

Instead, dear Lord, may we begin anew with new strength, new creativity, new power, new love.

If I am the employer, make me kind and compassionate.

Show me the art of leadership.

If I am the employee, make me kind and compassionate.

Show me the art of service.

For we are all in Your service, Lord, and here to lead the earth out of darkness into light.

May our work do this, through Your power with us.

And so it is. Amen”

Any change we seek in our life starts with our own thoughts and our willingness to change them.

It is always our choice to change or not to change. Say yes to the heavens!

Top Reads for Personal & Professional Development

October 31, 2011 by Donna Marie

I get asked frequently, “What is a good book to read for personal and professional development?” And although there are many amazing books available in the marketplace, but I have found the following books to stand the test of time. Each book is in my own personal collection and I have recommended them over and over to clients and friends. These books have made a huge impact on my own self-transformation, enhanced my business, and helped my understanding of others.

This is my top ten list; it is by no means the only ones that I recommend, just the ones I suggest most frequently. They are not listed in any particular order, since I feel that not one of them ranks higher than another. I have included a brief description about each book to give you a sense of the ideas, concepts, and practical tools these books offer.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz: This small book is filled with four simple truths; “Be Impeccable with Your Word”, “Don’t Take Anything Personally”, “Don’t Make Assumptions”, and “Always Do Your Best”. By committing to these four agreements in life, you will begin to experience a profound shift in how you relate to the world and how the world relates to you.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: This book is great for beginners on the spiritual path. It’s very simple and easy to understand. His core message of “living in the now” helps one to find the path to enlightenment and freedom.

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers, Ph. D.: This book provides an insightful and engaging look at the destructive effects of fear in all aspects of our lives. Anyone engaged in creating change will face their own fears. This book provides an understanding of why people feel fear and what they need to do to move beyond those feelings and become unstoppable.

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy, PhD, D.D. :I found this book to be very informative, creative and positively life changing. It is filled with excellent techniques and tools for using your subconscious mind to effect positive long lasting change in your life. If you combine this book with your own personal goals and some faith & believe you will have a true recipe for success.

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman: This book is based on self-awareness, altruism, personal motivation and our ability to love and be loved. Our chances of success in life depend to a certain degree how in-tune we are with each of those factors. Goleman explains how we can improve our relationships with others around us; family, friends, and co-workers.

The Spontaneous Healing of Belief by Gregg Braden: In The Spontaneous Healing of Belief Gregg Braden tackles the great questions of life: who are we, and what are we capable of creating? He draws the analogy of an all-encompassing computer program to explain how the universe works and what our part in its working may be. And he says that, like a computer programmer, people must understand the code that causes the computer to produce the results they choose. Without the correct codes, results are likely to be something other than the individual wants.

Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins, M.D.: In this work, Hawkins effectively provides tools to discern truth in both secular and spiritual matters. He shows that integrity, combined with a deep understanding of Truth, gives one the power to achieve goals in the most meaningful and self-motivating way. Whereas the use of force to achieve one’s goals results in hollow victories that harm others.

Simple Abundance (A Daybook of Comfort & Joy) by Sarah Ban Breathnach: In her book, Sara advocates nurturing our spirits, our relationships and creating serene spaces in our lives. She blends literature and a variety of religions without being preachy. Over all, it is about tuning into ourselves and paying attention to our basic needs.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Napoleon: Hill spent over 20 years interviewing the most successful men of his time and then put the findings of his study in his book: Think & Grow Rich. Successful people think differently. Hill states that when the secret appears to you, whether it is in the first ten pages or on the 200th page, that is when your life will change. Think & Grow Rich is a must read for all those who want success and are ready for it.

A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson: This book is packed with profound and practical spiritual truths. Marianne Williamson’s writing is filled with deep compassion and obviously has considerable first-hand experience of the principles she’s writing about. Her message is that we are all perfect expressions of love, and that the energy of love and God is all there is. Anything else is an illusion.

Know that at any given time everyone is within their own level of personal awareness in life. Books can be presented to us at various times. However, you may or may not want to read a particular book. Books don’t always resonate with everyone. Read those you like and discard any messages that don’t ring true for you. Sometimes just parts of these books called out louder to me. A particular book may not call to you either because it’s not needed within your growth phase or it may never be a book you ever care read. Either is fine. These are some of my favorites.

Please feel free to share your comments. I would love to know your favorites.