Warrior Women, Amazing Mothers

     ‘....we are all meant to shine and as we let our own light shine, we subconsciously give other people permission to do the same....’ Marianne Williamson

^{Have you ever thought about just how important a mother s job really is?}   

It is amazing to think that probably the most important job that one could ever aspire to is a job where no training is given and no experience is required. The job I am referring is that of being a mother.  Being a mother is awesome. A mother holds in her hands the future and hopes of tomorrow.  It is hardly surprising that some mothers are overwhelmed and feel that they are not be properly prepared for the job. They often decide that the best thing that they can do is to model  the habits and practices of their own mother. This decision may be a precarious one depending on how positive and inspiring their upbringing has been.

In an ideal world a mother gives her children ‘roots ‘in a secure, happy and stimulating environment and also  ‘wings’ so that they  can fly, explore the world and soar to the heights of their unlimited potential. In reality it can be very difficult to do this and some of us may become aware that we were not given all the opportunity we may have wished for to stretch and grow to be the best we possibly can.

 A mother can only ever do the best she can with the knowledge she has or had at the time.

 Women of today are, however, becoming more aware of their limitless potential, their strengths and are more able to make empowering choices in their lives. They appreciate that it is within their power to act as a positive inspiring role model to their children or to any one in their lives over whom they may have an influence.  All mothers have the opportunity to inspire and empower their children to reach heights that before were never thought to be achievable. As a mother you can be a rock, a source of inspiration and a light in the lives of not just your children but all children.

March is the month with two days set aside especially for women - International Woman s Day   (Monday 8^th March) and Mother’s Day.

On these days we are reminded about and reflect upon the wonder of women. We have the opportunity to make the empowering decision, that we will be strong and determined warrior women, inspiring role models and always a source of unconditional love and inspiration.  The  month of March is the time  when we can  remember mothers past and present and  thank them  for  the wonderful  job they did or are still doing for us  It is, above all,  a time to  remember the importance of the phrase  ‘I love you  mum ‘ 

'Whether you think you can or think you can't..you are right'  Henry Ford

April is the month when we say goodbye to the harshness of the winter season and finally look forward to brighter days ahead. As the evenings grow lighter there is a great feeling of anticipation and new beginnings. The first trees are in blossom and there is the reassuring sight of daffodils all around. There is a feeling of hope and a sense of renewal.

 When the natural world is bursting with the promise of spring and better days ahead, it is an ideal time for us to think about what is going on in our lives and to decide if we need to make any changes or rethink our perceptions. It is a time when we can look again at the promises we made to ourselves at the beginning of the New Year and to consider if they need to be reviewed or we need to change direction. It may even be necessary to totally rethink the beliefs we have about ourselves and the attitude we have about life in general.  The beliefs that we have about ourselves affect every aspect of our lives including our self esteem our aspirations and our ability to move on in our lives. Some of the beliefs that we hold will be healthy and positive whilst others will be negative, hold us back and serve no purpose.

 April is a good time for us to take a leaf out of nature’s book, to let go of the old and used and make way for the new and vibrant and by doing so, to restore balance in our lives. Balance means harmony and the quest for it should include a thorough over haul and examination of all of the areas in our lives.  By restoring balance in their life a person will have an enhanced belief in their ability to acieve their full potential  and maybe for the first time in their life find true happiness and fulfilment. A useful way of assessing if your life is in balance is by doing a ‘life balance wheel’, by  filling the appropriate sections of a ‘wheel’ a person can see at a glance which areas of their life are not in balance. Although this can done at any time, the Easter period  is an especially inspiring and significant time to do it.

Time to revitalise your life

"May, Queen of Blossoms

and fulfilling flowers....." Lord Edward Thurlow

There is something about the month of May which makes you want to clean   and tidy and have good clearout. The feeling of satisfaction that you get from doing this kind of activity is truly amazing; it makes you feel good and gives a real sense of achievement.

Instead of spring cleaning your house, however, have you ever thought about spring cleaning your life?  Have you ever thought about dusting away the cobwebs of your mind and wiping down the surfaces of your beliefs? What about those outdated scripts that you are leading your life according to, aren’t it about time that you shredded them and replaced them with new ones? In order to make real changes in your life you must have taken a good hard look at  what is going  in your life and decided that something is not quite right  You must know that something must change and want desperately for it to happen . You must have said to yourself:  ‘something must change ‘‘I must change it’ ‘I can change it ‘You must have a clear and vivid vision of what it is exactly that you want to change in your life.

 With the raised self awareness that occurs as a result of this shift in thinking, you will begin to realise that you are the one who is in charge of your life no one else, that you can decide to make empowering choices and move on in your life or you can decide to do nothing at all and stay stuck in your comfort zone.  Having this realisation is like having a weight lifted of your shoulders. It is like someone turning a light switch on. In order to move on to the next level of your life you must also become aware of the mental junk that may be  in your head  that you are carrying around with you.  The mental junk includes all the doubts, fears, worries, imaginings, memories and ‘the stories ‘we tell ourselves and that are swirling in our minds and which creates barriers every time we want to move on in our lives. Instead of believing that we are not capable of achieving better and feeling fear about doing anything different or better in our lives, we must change the perception   we   have of ourselves and believe in the massive potential we have within ourselves.   With our increased self awareness we can review our attitudes and habits and breakthrough to the genius that lays within us .Use the month of May as a time to review revamp and revitalise every area of your life!

‘We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are’      Anais Nin  

Have you ever been in a situation where you have felt over whelmed? 

We all find ourselves in that situation from time to time. Even though we are not responsible for what happens to us in our lives we can take responsibility for our response to what happens. If we are faced with a task that we not really want to do, making  the decision to get on with it without taking a break so as to ‘get it done‘ may not be a responsible one.  You might think that stopping will hinder your progress. The fact is that working in this way can be counter productive.

Steve Covey in ‘The Seven habits of Highly Effective People’ uses the example of a person putting a ladder against the wrong wall. It is sometimes the case that we need to stand back and check that we are engaging in the right activity and   in fact thinking in the right way. It is like holding an apple so close to our face that you can only see a small part of it. Holding the apple away from you and looking at it from a different angle will give you a whole new perspective on it. In your own life taking time out from your normal way of thinking and doing things is a way of seeing your life in a different perspective. It is also a brilliant way of recharging your batteries, igniting your enthusiasm and solving problems.  Even just a day on your own away from a situation, can be of benefit as it gives  you time to reflect upon what is really going on your life, what is important to you and what it is you really  want.

  A simple change in routine, whereby you put a distance between yourself and your normal way of doing things, will change your thinking and your perceptions the result is that you will feel inspired and you will begin to see your problems as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. When you are in a more relaxed environment away from the normal routine you will be more inclined to think positive thoughts which in turn will result in more positive and constructive action. You will also be more inclined to focus on what it is you want in life instead of focusing in what it is you don’t want.

According to the Law of Attraction, you create your own reality by what you continually think about it is therefore imperative that you think creatively and positively about what it is you really want in your life.  

Time to relax

“There is more to life than increasing its speed” Gandhi

The long days of summer are here. It is a brilliant opportunity to take time out and relax. The fact is that so many people are so used to rushing about and meeting deadlines that they become stressed and are unable to relax.

It is so important to know how to chill out and to look at life from a different perspective. It is important to learn how to relax.

Relaxation tips for you:

1     Change your focus. When a person is feeling stressed or finding it hard to relax it is a good idea to focus on what is going well. Adopting an attitude of gratitude is also an amazingly effective strategy.

2     Take time out from a stressful situation and simply go for a short walk. It will help you think more clearly and get rid of tensions in your body.

3     Listen to your favourite music. Listening to music, especially classical music, has been shown to lower heartbeat and slow breathing.

4     Take regular breaks during the day, read something uplifting or humorous or chat to a friend. Small breaks help prevent fatigue which is a major source of stress.

5     Practice mindfulness. Learn to be fully aware of the “now” moment.

6     Have a hot bath or shower. This will help to get rid of tension in your muscles which is a common result of stress.

7     Write down the things that are worrying you and then decide how much control you have over them. Worry is a habit that can be dealt with by learning effective strategies.

8     Keep things in perspective. Ask yourself “How important is this in the greater scheme of things?”  

9     Slow your breathing and purposefully relax your body. Learn some basic meditation techniques.

10  Remember mind and body connection. in a relaxed  state you go from “overwhelmed’ to “ back at the helm”

‘If you want to be happy, set yourself a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes ‘ Andrew Carnegie

Isn’t it amazing how, when the sun is shining, everything around looks and feels different.  The atmosphere seems to be more alive and vibrant. People look relaxed  and more content.  It is a great time to be happy.

Although outside factors can effect  how happy we feel it  is how you feel inside that really matters. Real happiness comes from within you, from your attitude and from your frame of mind. In every situation in which you find yourself you can choose what you focus upon. It is up to you to always look for the good in every situation rather than to dwell on the negative. If you tend to find yourself mulling over the ‘not so positive’ you may miss something amazing which is right under your nose.  There are so many things to be grateful for if we just take the time to look for them. We all must learn to live in the moment.

A good way to feel happy and fulfilled is by constantly asking yourself the question ‘What can I contribute to my family, my friends and even globally?  What can I do to increase the happiness of those around me?’ You must always first find out what you are good at ‘what makes your heart sing’ and find a way of sharing it with others.

Daring to dream and not allowing anyone to crush your inner most desires  is critical to a person’s happiness.  You must remind yourself of the importance of your imagination It was, after all, Einstein who said that ‘imagination is more important that knowledge.’

In order to be truly happy you must give yourself time to savour every single moment of your life. Use these beautiful sunny days of August as an opportunity to stop and reflect upon the simple pleasures in your life. Doing things like having a coffee with a friend, cutting the grass and  walking the dog  are so important for your true happiness and contentment.

The Law of Attraction

‘Change your thoughts and you change your world ‘   Norman Vincent Peale.

September is the month which marks the end of one season and the beginning of a new one.  The days are getting shorter and the evenings are getting longer. We are saying good bye to the sunshine of summer and embracing    ‘....the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness... ..’   [Extract from the poem ‘Autumn’ by John Keats].

The changing seasons are a constant reminder that change happens and that it is an inevitable part of the cycle of life.  Change in the natural world is a seemingly effortless process. If, however, a person wants to change there is effort required. They must step out of their comfort zone and make a conscious decision to change.

‘Life begins at the end of your comfort zone ‘Neale Donald Walsch.

There are so many people who fear change. They hold on to outdated beliefs and make choices that are disempowering and limiting.  With a disempowering mindset it is difficult to make any worthwhile change and ultimately to reach ones full potential.

 According to the Law of Attraction the universe is energy and you produce negative or positive energy vibration through your thoughts. You must be aware of your thoughts as they become your reality.  Whatever you focus on with emotion and desire will be attracted to you.

 The Law of Attraction, the most powerful Law of The Universe, has always been present and active all through your life it has the power to dramatically change your life.  You attract what you focus on whether you want it or not.  You must therefore never focus on what you don’t want just on what you do want.

There are many strategies which can be used to make the Law of Attraction work so as to enhance your live and manifest your goals.

You must be aware that you are and always have been the creator of your own reality. You must   consciously choose a reality which is reflective of the amazing, unique and powerful human being that you truly are.

‘The universe is change...our live is what our thoughts make it ‘Marcus Aurelius Antonia

Discover what really matters to you. When you finally recognise and act on your values [what is important to you] your happiness levels will really soar. Focusing on what you want and taking purposeful action  towards it will make you feel happy because you know deep inside that you are finally going in the right direction.

Happiness means different things to different people I have found that factors such as  authenticity, personal growth , optimism are  definitely  becoming  more important to many people than the acquisition of factors  such as  money and an easy life.

During this month of August reflect upon everything in your life you have to be happy about. While you are enjoying the sun on your face and breathing in the fresh warm breeze, decide to spread as much happiness around as you possibly can.  There is an unlimited supply of happiness in the world and the more  happiness we share the more we will have in return.

‘Happiness never decreases by being shared’ Buddha

I hope you have enjoyed reading this Thank you for all the positive feedback that I have been receiving I always appreciate hearing your thoughts and comments.

 ‘Whatever you dream you can begin it now ....boldness has genius, power and magic in it’ Goethe

The month of October is mainly associated with Halloween and conjures up images of ghosts, witches, trick or treats and of course magic. We may not always believe in magic but it’s nice to think that a little bit of magic can help us on our way to doing what we want.

Have you ever wanted to do something in your life and yet never actually got round to doing it?   

There are many people who want to make change in their lives but who never actually do anything about it. They instead engage in the practice of procrastination, they put off until tomorrow what they can do today.

What can we do to overcome procrastination?

 If a task appears to be too daunting and you don’t where to start – Do something. Do anything. Just begin.

If you have limiting beliefs about your ability to do something you must build up your self belief  by reminding  yourself of past achievements and accomplishments.

If a false perception about what a task involves prevents you from getting started you must strive to get the task in proportion.

If you cannot get a task started because you want it to be perfect you must remember that nothing   is perfect and that ‘perception is in the eyes of the beholder’.

If you never actually get anything completed because you continually criticise your efforts and ‘self sabotage’ you must focus on what you are doing right and the progress you are making.

If you feel that you do not have the stamina to complete a task and cannot even get started you must give consideration to your work life balance.

If you feel that you lack the confidence to ‘follow through’ you must do things that you know you are good at so as to restore your self confidence.

If you feel that you could never really picture yourself doing what it is you want to do, you must learn the technique of ‘ creative visualisation’.

I f your motivation is beginning to wane you must remind yourself of how good it will be to have completed the task.

If you cannot get started because you can’t decide whether to start with the easiest or the hardest task you must remember that it is always better to start with the hardest task .

Another way to overcome procrastination is to use positive affirmations such as:

‘I am getting things done’ ‘No time like the present.’ ‘I can do it and I am doing it now’

I hope that you have found this to be of use to you  and that  you will be bold enough to do what it takes to achieve your goals.

‘Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder treason and plot  .....’

Fireworks flashing across the dark velvet sky is the image often associated with the month of November. Trying to ignore fireworks is virtually impossible and is in fact, rarely a good idea.

Trying to ignore the fireworks of your emotions is also not a good idea.  Your emotions are important and powerful. They are a signal as to what is going on in your life.

The ability to recognise, understand and deal effectively with your own and other people s emotions is known as emotional savvy. Becoming emotionally savvy is no soft option but it is the key to true inner strength and authentic power.

Ten top emotional savvy tips:

1 Get things in perspective and do not ever allow yourself to be dragged into any emotional vortex

2 Become massively self aware and try to understand what you and other people are feeling.

3 Release any emotions that are negative and dragging you down

4 Always look for what is positive in every situation find it and focus on it totally.

5   Seek fresh perspectives and be open minded to other people’s suggestions

6   Have lots of strategies to choose from as to how to handle an emotionally charged situation

7 Be authentic and accept that you really cannot always deal with the   situation in which you find yourself

8 Just to have someone there to give you emotional support in an emotionally charged situation will sometimes be all that you need

9 A quiet place where you can go to reflect can help give you perspective on any emotional issue  

10 Remember that everyone has feelings   - they are part of life

The most important battle that you will ever have to fight is the battle inside your head. A person who consistently and continually applies their knowledge of emotions in a positive and empowering way is like an emotional warrior whose mission it is to enhance and empower their own life and the life of others. Finally you must remember that all   your emotions were originally thoughts in your head   which, in turn are a result of the beliefs   you hold about yourself   and ever thing in your life.

Isn’t it about   time that you   reviewed your beliefs and decided which ones are positive and serving you well and which are negative and holding you back in the amazing journey that is your life?

‘Christmas waves a magic wand over this world and behold, everything is softer and more      beautiful ‘   Norman Vincent Peale                       

 The wonder of Christmas is that even though it is in the coldest time of the year. It glows warmly within us like a log in the fireplace.

The best gift that you can give to someone at Christmas is that of joy

We can give joy with a smile, a kind gesture, a little help, and a word of praise or simply an acknowledgement. Being a true friend   to someone by demonstrating loyalty and sincere affection is way of giving joy and is so much more meaningful than giving something material.

A few simple suggestions for spreading joy at Christmas may be to:

Create warm feelings in others

 Smile at a stranger

Have a conversation with a homeless person.

Put a little into Christmas collection boxes.

Fill up charity bags with really good things.

 Look for and bring out the best in everyone you meet especially during the Christmas season.

If you really want to have a happy and fulfilled Christmas you must rediscover the natural gift of wonder you were given as a child and that is still inside you right now. You must wake up to and share with others all the wonderful gifts and talents that you already have within you. You must be proud of you.

 Above all you must never, ever play small so as to make others feel good around you, instead you must be the one to set the standard, and you must be the trail blazer. You must use the Christmas season as a time to shine like a guiding light to others just like the star in Bethlehem.                                                                

 ‘We are all meant to shine and as we let our own light shine we subconsciously give other people permission to do the same’   Marianne Williamson’.

I hope you have enjoyed all  e zines I have sent you throughout the year  and that they have   inspired you to reach within yourself  to find the key to your life

I will be launching a new website before the end of 2010 and I will keep you informed of any new activity. Please feel free to contact me at any time or to refer any of your family of friends to me.

I wish you all a truly happy and fulfilled Christmas season 

 Dee

www.allaboutempowerment.com