Your Guide to Self-Empowerment and Positive Change

We each carry within us a powerful resource, the most powerful gift in the world! This gift is LOVE – pure divine love. This loving energy, this loving presence resides within us all.

When you were born you were connected to this love. You did not have to prove yourself or your existence. Look at any newborn baby and you will see, feel, experience this pure, radiant, loving energy.

Love is the most powerful healing energy in the world and it resides within you. You do not have to prove your worth to be loved. The essence of you IS love.

Yet, somewhere along your life path, probably in your childhood, you may have lost that pure connection to love. You may have learned that you are not good enough, that you are not worthy. If you have trouble loving yourself take time to practice self-love and self-care now. The more you can love yourself, the more you can express your gifts and talents as well as shine your light out into the world.

The following are some suggestions.

1. Tune into the love within your heart. If you have trouble feeling love then imagine the love you feel for someone close to you. It could be a pet or anyone or anything else that helps you get in touch with the feeling of love. Feel this love in your heart and allow it to grow as best as you can. Know that this is your connection to the divine, to divine love. Practice feeling this love in your heart and when you can,  imagine that you fill your entire being and body with this energy.

2. Write a letter of self-appreciation. List anything, no matter how small it may seem to you. Some examples are having a caring nature, being good hearted, appreciation for physical attributes like sight, smell, taste etc. Maybe you love to draw, write, sing or play an instrument. Perhaps you are good at math or skilled at your job. You may have helped someone out once. Do not discount anything. Learn to be kind and generous with yourself, your talents, abilities, natural inclinations and tendencies.

3. Take time on a regular basis to nurture and pamper your body and spirit. Buy yourself flowers, soak in a healing bath, get a massage, play with a pet, be out in nature, whatever feels good to you and promotes self-care. Besides relaxing and refreshing you will be sending a message to your unconscious mind that you deserve nurturing treatment.

4. Be discriminating about what you do and whom you let into your space. Loving yourself means valuing your time and energy. Engage in activities that you enjoy and surround yourself with friends who support your well being.

5. Recognize and honor the light within you. The love within you is a healing light that can transform yourself and your world. The more you can tap into this light the stronger and better you will feel. Take a moment to feel this light and to know that you are a radiant being full of love and light with much to offer. The more you can love yourself, the more you can shine your light brightly out into the world.

Feel free to add comments and let me know how you are doing.

Many blessings,

Susan

“Everything is about the way you feel. Practice scenarios that feel good – and never mind reality. Reality is only a brief moment in time that you keep repeating. “ ~Abraham-Hicks

What a statement! This concept is far different from what I (and probably all of you) have been conditioned to believe. Remember the old saying – “Seeing is Believing”! I bet most of you believe that reality is the truth of a situation.  Yet from a non-physical, broader perspective this is not the case. And now science has backed this up via the research of new physics revealing that we are in constant communication with the Universe via our vibration and feelings.

So how do you go about feeling good when you are experiencing less than desirable situations? Here are some suggestions. Look for the good and positive in your life and begin to appreciate everything you already do have. Use the power of your imagination to dream, to picture what you want. Connect with your inner being, your authentic self and know that the point of power is always in the present moment.

If you are feeling down, look for something to help you feel a little better. It is not realistic to expect that you will go from depression to pure joy. However, find things that bring you some relief, such as listening to your favorite music and reading something uplifting. You may find writing in your journal to be beneficial. There are also many wonderful healing tools and techniques that can help. The following is a method I learned from spiritual teacher, Jo Dunning.

Exercise: Quiet the mind. Sit for a moment and be with your feelings. Let go of any thinking. Just be with your feelings and notice the base line feeling such as loneliness, sadness, fear etc. In about three minutes the energy will rise up through your Chakra system. The feeling will lift and go away. When that happens you will feel better and find yourself in a higher vibration.

Remember that everything is always changing. Nothing stays the same and that this too shall pass. The more you can feel good the more you can attract good things into your life. And it’s never too late to start. So practice feeling good as often and as best as you can. Here is a list of things that help me feel good.

• Being with my husband.

• Enjoying my home.

• Watching my cat’s antics.
  

• Listening to the birds.

• Taking walks in nature.

• I love when I see a cotton tailed rabbit, quail and other critters.

• Listening to uplifting CD’s and MP3 recordings
  

• Getting lost in a good book.

• Appreciating the mountains and sky around where I live.

• Connecting with inspiring, supportive and like-minded friends.

Now it’s your turn. What works for you? Let me know.

All the best,

Susan

www.healingfromwithin.com

Do you have difficulty following through with your intentions? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by a goal? Manifesting your goals is a step by step process that can be mastered by almost anyone. The following guidelines will help you actualize your goal in a more balanced way.

1. Create Goals That You Truly Want

In order to actualize a goal you will be putting a certain amount of time, energy and effort into that endeavor. Make sure that what you are intending to manifest is aligned with what you truly want; otherwise you may find yourself unconsciously sabotaging your efforts in some way.

Sometimes people set goals based on what they think they should do rather than what feels right for them. When something is right for you it will give you energy, you will get excited and feel a sense of aliveness. This, in turn, will help you feel motivated to take action. When you do something that doesn’t feel right to you, you can feel confused, resentful, resistant and unmotivated. You can see how following what feels right for you can help keep you clear and on track with your goal.

2.  Set Your Priorities

In order to manifest your goal, you need to identify and pay attention to the steps, stages and processes along the way towards its manifestations. This means setting your priorities then taking one small step at a time. Ask yourself, “What step can I take right now towards the actualization of my goal?” Then take that first step.

3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

See each step you take as an accomplishment and acknowledge every accomplishment along the way. This will enhance your self-confidence as well as strengthen your resolve. It’s what I call stabilizing your foundation.  Since you are the creator of your goal, how you feel about yourself provides the foumdation for your goal’s success.

4. Stay in the present.

You can have your goal in mind and let that be your guide but be careful not to jump too much ahead of yourself or take on too many tasks at once as that could overwhelm you and throw you off track.

Each time you manifest a goal it will affirm your ability to succeed. Simply follow the guidelines I have given you. Create goals that you truly want and that are aligned with what you truly want. Set your priorities. Acknowledge every step as an accomplishment and stay in the present. As you take one step at a time, you will find that you are well on your way to manifesting your goal.

One final reminder – remember that the journey along the way is just as important as the manifestation of your goal. It is the journey that provides you with the most growth, learning and richness.

What are you envisioning for your life? Do you have your own method of carrying out its manifestation?. I welcome your comments.
Namaste,

Susan

The end of the year provides a wonderful opportunity to create a ritual where you release anything that does not serve you anymore -  any outworn beliefs or patterns. This ritual will help you get clear on your vision and any plans or goals for the new year.

1. Have a pen and journal ready.

2. Light a candle

3. Clear your space using smudge (the burning of sage, cedar, sweetgrass or copal), incense or Aura Cleanser.

4. Ground and Center * (See below for a grounding meditation)

5. Imagine that you can gently and safely float above your body, above your room then above the place where you live. From this perspective look over your life. Observe your day to day activities. Notice how you feel and what you see. Then ask yourself, “How do I feel about my life? What serves me and what hinders me? Are there any changes I would like to make?”  Now look towards the next few months and year and ask yourself, ” What would I like to see manifest for myself and my family in the upcoming months? Are there any dreams, visions or goals I would like to fulfill?”  When you feel ready gently return your awareness back to your body

6. Record your observations in your journal.

7. Now imagine a light emanating from your heart. Send this light to your vision. Surround your vision in a bubble of brilliant white light then send it out into the universe. Trust your Higher Power to guide you towards its manifestation.

8. Give thanks for all that you have.

9. Add whatever else you might like to this ritual.

*Grounding Meditation

Grounding is a simple exercise for connecting with the earth, as well as the universe around you. It is a helpful exercise for anyone to do as it provides protection and helps you be more present.

Stand or sit with your feet placed flat on the ground.  Line up your body so that your spine is straight and your chin is parallel to the floor.  Take a slow, deep, cleansing breath. Imagine that a golden light descends from above and enters your body through the top of your head. Imagine that this light makes its way down the center of your body. Imagine that it flows down to your hips, down your legs, then out through the soles of your feet, extending down to the core of the earth and anchoring your energy to the earth.

Next, imagine that you draw up the energy of the earth. You can imagine it as the color green. This energy enters your body through the soles of your feet and flows up your legs, up through the center of your body then out through the top of your head, extending up to Source above.

This is a basic grounding meditation. You can also create a bubble of protective white light around you by following the directions below.

Focus your attention on your heart center. Imagine a ball of white light surrounding your heart, small at first like the size of a baseball. Imagine that this ball of light grows larger so that it is about the size of a beach ball. Then imagine that it grows larger and larger until it surrounds your entire body, all around you, above and below you, extending out about three feet all around you.

You have now created a bubble of protective white light. You can imagine this light at any time throughout the day to form a protective shield around you. Try it out and see how it feels and works for you.

What rituals do you use at the end of the year? Please feel free to share here.

Namaste,

Susan

http://www.healingfromwithin.com

http://www.equinoxgifts.com

Pause a moment from whatever you are doing.…Be with this moment…Take a slow, deep breath and breathe into your belly… As you read these words notice your breathing…Notice your body…. What are you thinking ?… How are you feeling?… Is there any tension in your body?… If so, where ?… Take a moment to breathe into that tension…Relax… Let it go…Just Be.

You are constantly changing. Until more recently inner change occurred without much conscious awareness. Now many people are awakening and with this comes a new POWER, the power to change consciously, with your intention.

No longer do you have to believe that you are a victim. As you learn how to co-create with Spirit, you will become more attuned to the laws of nature and the universe. This knowledge will help you navigate through life more skillfully even in times of change and turmoil.

There are many tools to help you make positive changes. Being mindful as in the opening relaxation is one of them. The following are four more of my favorites.

Learn How to Manage Your Energy

Are you highly sensitive? Do you feel what others feel? In today’s world your life gets bombarded with a myriad of outside stimuli, from toxins in the air to the daily stresses of life. Learn what your body and spirit need by finding ways to nurture your inner self. This means recognizing when your energy system has become overloaded or depleted then taking time to relax and rejuvenate. There are different ways you can do this such as scheduling regular massages, taking healing baths, meditating, practicing yoga and going on retreats. Taking time to recharge your energy will prove to be an efficient tool to help you maintain health and wellness while in the midst of inner changes.

Transform Negative Self-Talk

Become aware of self-doubt, self-judgment and other types of negative thinking that erode your self-esteem and keep you from actualizing your potential. Your thoughts exert a powerful influence on your well being. Consistent negative thinking dampens your spirit and keeps you from manifesting your heart’s desire. It has also proven to lower your immune system thus contributing to health problems.

Learn to balance negative thinking with self-acknowledgment.  If you catch yourself entertaining negative thoughts, simply acknowledge the awareness then replace with a positive affirmation.

Over time you will find that your negative self-talk diminishes resulting in increased self-esteem, improved health and a better outlook on life. All will ease the process of change.

Add Light to a Situation

You can transform a situation by adding light to it. Light accelerates your growth and attracts your higher good. If you are not sure what you want or how to solve a problem create a symbol for it. Then surround your symbol with a ball of white light.  Imagine the light illuminating your symbol and smoothing out any rough edges.  Adding light in this way will bring clarity and ease the process of change.

Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude

Finally, be grateful for every beneficial change no matter how small. You can even begin by appreciating all that you have right now. Expressing gratitude promotes awareness, increases your connection to Source and expands your ability to receive from the Universe. It is one of the best ways to bring more good into your life.

Try incorporating these tools into your daily life. Change, even conscious change, often happens subtly over time. You will need to have patience and perseverance. However, the rewards are great.

Do you have any of your own methods? Feel free to post your comments here.

Blessings,

Susan

HealingFromWithin.com

Recently I received news about Ted Andrew’s passing. Ted was the author of more than 40 books including the best seller, Animal-Speak, The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small. Although I never met Ted I knew him through his writing as his sensitive, generous spirit shined through his words.

Some people do not realize that spirit lives in everything both animate and inanimate. Ted knew this and wrote about the way of spirit in nature.  Now when I see an animal or bird I look up the symbolism and message in Animal-Speak.  As a result of Ted’s influence I pay more attention to signs from nature. Sometimes this requires quieting the mind and opening to subtler energies, similar to tapping into one’s intuition. Much wisdom can be gleaned by tuning into the power of nature.

Another author and teacher, Lynn Andrews, taught me about the spirit in rocks. I have always been drawn to rocks, pebbles and crystals. Lynn learned from her medicine teacher, Agnes Whistling Elk, that every stone has seven faces: sound, sight, scent, taste, emotion and awareness. In Lynn’s book,  Flight of the Seventh Moon.  I learned that rocks are like all living things except they are denser. Agnes taught Lynn that many rocks come from other worlds and that they can see a long way off. Rocks can provide a gateway to the crystal world to find answers to things. By learning to go into those gateways you could explore many things past and future.

I find this information exciting and wondrous. Because I am an intuitive who was born and raised into a family that reveres intellectual acuity I also find it validating. I have realized for many years that the analytical mind can only go so far. We need to balance that part of the brain with the more intuitive side that is tapped into the forces of nature, the spirit world.

Spirit talks to us in different ways. It is up to us to listen. I tune into spirit by going into the silence, taking walks, channeling Reiki and by connecting with the wisdom of Tarot. What methods work for you? How do you connect with spirit?

Blessings,

Susan

HealingFromWithin.com

November 1, 2009

I’d like you to do something simple. Just for a moment focus on your breathing. If you like you can close your eyes. First relax your abdomen. Now take a slow, deep breath in…Breathe deeply into your belly then breathe all the way out. When you are ready open your eyes.

How was that? Did it feel good? And it was easy too. Most Americans do not breathe properly. Because of cultural tendencies they tend to breathe shallowly into their chests. And if upset a person may hardly breathe at all.

Yet breathing is the most basic vital function. Without it you could not exist. Did you know that your body is designed to release 70% of its toxins through breathing? If you are not breathing effectively, you are not properly ridding your body of its toxins. This means that other systems in your body must work overtime which could eventually lead to illness.

Deep conscious breathing benefits the body in many ways. For example, it releases tension. Think how your body feels when you are tense, angry, scared or stressed. It constricts. Your muscles get tight and your breathing becomes shallow. When your breathing is shallow you are not getting the amount of oxygen that your body needs. In order to breathe properly you need to breathe deeply into your abdomen not just your chest.

Deep conscious breathing is a simple way to relax and refresh. Suppose you are running on overload. Your body and brain feel frazzled and fried. What will help is to relax your body by paying attention to your breathing. It only takes a few minutes. Breathe slowly, deeply and purposefully into your body. Notice any places that are tight and breathe into them. As you relax your body, you may find that the breathing brings clarity and insights to you as well.

Want to relieve emotional problems? Once again deep, conscious breathing will help clear uneasy feelings out of your body. As a counselor, I help people resolve their issues. I find that when I have a client breathe deeply into her body, it helps in three ways. It gets her in touch with her feelings. It eases the discomfort. And it aids in an understanding of the problem.

Breathing is so basic it is easy to take it for granted. You may not realize its connection to how you think feel and experience life. For example, what happens to your breathing when you anticipate pain?  You probably hold your breath. Yet studies show that breathing into your pain helps to ease it.

As you can see breathing sustains life in many ways. With deep conscious breathing you can more properly rid your body of toxins. You can release tension in your body.  And you can ease emotional, mental and physical discomfort.

So remember the next time you find yourself feeling tense, angry scared or stressed…pause for a moment and remember to breathe.

Susan Eller

HealingFromWithin.com

My name is Susan Eller. I am an intuitive counselor, spiritual teacher, Reiki Master and transformational guide. I have created this blog as a guidepost for you on your journey to inner healing, self-empowerment and positive change.

I have gone through this journey myself over the last 30 years. I am still on that journey as it is an ever expanding adventure.

I invite you to explore the information here. You will find life affirming tips and musings to assist you on your path to inner healing and conscious awakening. I welcome your comments and would love to hear from you.

Namaste,

Susan

HealingFromWithin.com