Joan

When everything in life is going smoothly, we are usually aligned with spirit. We feel happy, purposeful and complete.

It is when things begin to go awry in our lives that our spirit gets the wobbles and we don’t feel as if we are in control any longer.

Does it have to be this way? What if we could align with spirit no matter what life threw at us or as I like to say no matter what our choices throw at us.

And that is the key, right there. When we realize that everything in our lives is a result of our thoughts, beliefs and ultimately our actions we have the power to choose.

For example – You are suddenly laid off at work – You have a choice in that moment to react or to respond, or as Thomas Leonard would suggest, to over-respond.

Whatever decision you make in that moment will result in your ultimate outcome. It is simply a fact. (you got laid off) It has no bearing on who you are or what you are capable of.

Is it possible that this was a gift to you? A message in disguise. What if this could potentially change your life in ways that you cannot imagine yet?

Perception, values, beliefs and actions are in your hands. The next step is your choice. If you choose to align with spirit in that moment how do you imagine this may lead to a different and more positive outcome? What might be possible?

You are unique, your are smart and extremely bright. You can do whatever you put your mind to.

Where would you put your mind and how can you use the message in this article to help you in your own life decisions?

Will you react or will you over-respond? What could that look like?

I would love to hear from you if you would like to add to these random thoughts. What is your take on aligning with spirit?

March is a great reminder of moving forward and I thought that it would be a good idea to ask some thought provoking questions in areas of Mind, Body and Spirit and issue a challenge.

So, would you like to take a small challenge? Pick at least one of the areas below and create an action plan for change. Set some dates into your calendar and hold yourself accountable , or ask a pal or your coach if they would mind if you emailed them every day to confirm your action steps. Become an Actioneer!

Yes, it’s you I’m talking to…………. Go on! You can do it!

Keep your Mind in motion!

It is important for overall good health to keep our minds active. Would this be a great time to learn something new? To take a course or do some home-study? Is there something you would like to become really great at this year? Why not take it a step further and make the intention to attain mastery in your chosen field. What could you achieve in the next 9 months? What could be your first step?

Keep your Body Beautiful! (inside and out)

Is your exercise programme working for you? Would hiring a personal trainer for a few sessions kick it up a notch? What results would be a bit of a stretch for you in the next 9 months? How trim, taut and terrific would you like to look when you sashay into the 2012 New Year’s Eve Party?

Let your Spirit Soar

Are you taking the time to practice self-care and to tap into your deepest knowing? Are you happy with your spiritual awareness? In which areas of your life do you need to give yourself permission to just sit quietly, think deeply and allow questions and answers to form?

Are there any habits or rituals you would like to introduce into your life? Where would you like to be spiritually by the end of 2011? Is there anything you need to let go of?

To move forward we need to begin exactly where we are. No matter what we have attempted in the past.

Every day we are given a fresh opportunity to be the best we can be and shine our light to help others do the same. I invite you to take some time this month to get a very clear picture of what being your best looks and feels like and then to take action to live into that vision. What one small step could you take in the next 24 hours that would move you forward in the area you choose?

Remember, small actions taken consistently give the biggest results in the long term. You are special and unique. You are worthy of success and happiness. Are you ready to accept it? Say YES to YOU! I’ts time.

For years I attempted to use will-power to get things done and one day I had a revelation.  A little voice in my head said “It doesn’t work, never would –  so stop wasting your time!

What a relief! I then began to think “well, what will work?” and I realized it was “won’t power”.

Won’t Power is to figure out what you won’t accept in your life and then to do whatever it takes to rid yourself of habits, people, thoughts, feelings or whatever isn’t working to the extent that is stops you being your very best self.

This was such a revelation and from that day onward my life has become very simple. Not always perfect of course but simplified beyond belief.

When we are as truthful with ourselves as we are with others we begin to make changes, set boundaries, create habits and live in ways that support us for the long term. This is a very attractive way to live.

Take some time and ask yourself which you prefer, Will Power or Won’t Power.

If you are having trouble sticking to goals or dreams then maybe it is time to change your thinking, follow the beat of your own drum and experience the biggest results.

If I were to ask you “What does Abundance mean to you” I would likely hear some of the following answers.
 

If you are a Personal Development devotee you might say “Abundance is when your mind, body and spirit are aligned and your energy and vibrations are in sync.” Or words to that effect.
And you would be correct.              

If you are interested in personal wealth and are “into” consumerism you might say ‘Abundance is when you own a beautiful home (or two) an expensive car and wear beautiful clothes.

And you would be correct.

Our last group are nature lovers and might say “To be abundant is when you live in nature, tread softly on the planet, have an abundant harvest of fresh healthy food and are surrounded by loved ones and take care of your community”

And they would be right.

They are all right because that is their perspective and that is all we have to go on, our own view of the world. So whilst they are all right in one aspect there is another viewpoint that I would like to share.

Imagine if some of the scenarios changed overnight for some reason or another. Our “anchors” were taken away from us. 

What would happen to abundance if it was totally determined by outside events beyond our control, or beliefs that were dependent on ”best case scenarios?”

What I propose is that abundance is a lifestyle – a way of being and living every day – regardless of current circumstances. Wherever you are, who you are with, how much money you have wouldn’t have any impact on how abundant you feel. It is a way of BEing that isn’t dependent on outside sources. Does that sound a bit radical?

If you have seen any footage of the Queensland and Victorian flood disasters you will see abundance in the people being interviewed. Every interview featured someone who was grateful for something – I didn’t hear one person actually complain.

It has been quite amazing. Many of these people lost their homes and loved ones and yet they were grateful for the help they received and were already making plans for what they needed to do next. One woman when being interviewed was asked where her husband was and she said “Oh, he is down the road helping out”. He was helping someone even worse off than himself. Australians have an amazing spirit. They have a way of looking at life with a glass half full attitude that I love.

If we can wake up every morning full of gratitude for the coming day, give to others just because we can and live our lives toward serving others in some way rather than adopting a “what’s in it for me” frame of mind then abundance is ours. It is a feeling that no-one can take from us whatever the cirumstances.

I am not for a moment suggesting we walk around with our head in the clouds pretending everything is fine when it isn’t. What I suggest instead is that we wouldn’t have the same reactions to ‘stuff’ that happens “to us” when our way of being is abundant. We would look for solutions and answers instead.

IT’S ALL ABOUT CHOICES

Life is about choices – many of us say we want something and that may be true – problem is we just want it. We don’t actually want to do anything to have it. This might be losing weight, finding a life partner, upscaling your business, having more money, to name just a few. What do you want? Is this just a “want”?

Who would you need to BE to have it? How ready are you to receive this in your life?  Many of us aren’t ready to BE the person or have the thing we want because that leads to another uncertainty and uncertainty brings fear.

Big questions that only you can answer…………..

Abundance is about being authentic, taking action, living fearlessly and enjoying even the mundane tasks because it  is all a part of the bigger picture. The bigger picture is living a life in full expression and when you do that, abundance will follow.

I would like to offer you a challenge. When you wake up tomorrow morning, make a decision to find abundance in everything you do, in everyone you meet and in your daily “rituals”. When you have trouble finding abundance take a deeper look, get creative, be determined to find the abundance. Just look a little deeper. Do it for a day or more…..

And now a query:Are you taking life too seriously? Are you not taking yourself seriously enough? Do you have dreams waiting on the “back burner”? What would it take to activate them? Are you ready to light the fire under possibility and passion? Try this:

At the end of each day ask yourself ..

1.    What is one thing I am proud of today

2.    What made me happy today

3.    What am I grateful for today

4.    What can I do better tomorrow

If you can’t think of answers to these questions it may be time to have a close look at your life and see where you may need to make some changes. It’s your life and only you can give it meaning. Only YOU can make your choices.

If life isn’t as great as you would like it to be – what can you do about it? I promise you, there is an answer. There always is and rather than talk about what you can’t do or have right now – kick-start your creativity and make some choices.

A life of Abundance is available to all of us, that is why we are here.

You can never change things by fighting the existing reality. You must create something that makes the old model obsolete. Buckminster Fuller

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Your Body – To make it last you need to put it first.

It never ceases to amaze me how the human body adjusts to almost anything we throw at it. Junk food, incredible stress, yo-yo dieting and even self abuse.

Most of us take our body for granted. It just is. It cares for itself. And to some extent it does take care of itself.

It is when some catastrophe strikes us that we realize how important it is to keep the body in good shape. In times of disaster we may need to move quickly to escape harm for instance.

During times of illness a naturally healthy body heals quickly and therefore allows us to move through an illness with greater comfort.

A body that suffers from an overweight condition can suffer enormously in times of disaster or illness. It could be a matter of life or death in certain instances.

I remember a quote I heard years ago that stuck with me. “if you cannot take the time to stay well then you will need to make the time to be sick” I don’t know if that is the exact quote and my apologies to whoever said it because I have no idea who it was.

It is true however and the thing is, it takes so little effort on a daily basis to take care of your body. Some healthy food, a little exercise, stretching and mental stimulation is all we really need to keep us healthy, supple and in good shape.

This can take less than an hour altogether and doesn’t need to be done all at once.

Are you willing to spend an hour a day to stay well for the rest of your life?

Take a moment now and if you don’t have some good body habits in place ask yourself what you can begin to introduce that will help you begin a healthier lifestyle, a lifestyle that will take you through for the long term.

If I can support you in any way please email me, I would love to hear from you – or you may sign up for my free e-course which will give you step by step tips for creating a healthier lifestyle. Go to www.youractioncentral.com now and it’s yours.

“Do the thing and you will have the power” Ralph W. Emerson.

Joan

2011 is the year of living fearlessly: of sharing with others so that they can – and for facing our gremlins head on and inviting them to dance with us, share with us, love themselves and prepare for possibility!

Dance ’til you’re giddy with joy………

There is a saying “When you have a big enough why, the how will take care of itself” and I believe the how is a perfect example of synchronicity.

If you think of a time in your life when you just “happened” to be in a place you normally wouldn’t be in and just “happened” to see someone you hadn’t seen for years and they just “happened’ to be in charge of a business, service or knew someone who just “happened” to be exactly what you needed exactly at this time to manifest your dream then you have experienced synchronicity.

In my work as a coach I encourage my clients to create awareness around these times for they are magical moments and should never be taken for granted. It is much more than coincidence and leaves you with such a glorious feeling of wonder and wellbeing.

 Does this post bring to mind any moments of synchronicity for you? These moments usually happen when you are in the flow and everything is just right with your world. The times in your life when you have given up the struggle and trusted your inner voice and inner wisdom.  

Life really can be as simple as we allow it to be.

When we are children we have an inbuilt knowing that everything is possible and available to us. As we grow however and become immersed in other’s views, beliefs and values we begin to lose our sense of knowing and our lives become clouded by doubt.

We stop seeing things as they truly are and perceive everything through a series of lenses depending on what we have chosen to believe. We may become cynical or naïve or anything in between and our lives and environments reflect that.

When we take ownership of our own values and beliefs our perceptions become more aligned with our truth and we begin to live more meaningful and joyful lives. We begin to live authentically and are no longer afraid to stand up for what we believe in.

Are your perceptions stopping you from living your life on purpose or are they guiding you toward success?

When we decide to cook a beautiful stir-fry for our self and some special friends, what do we do? Do we just race to the pantry, get out all of the ingredients and throw them “holus bolus” into the wok?
I wouldn’t think so, so why would we do that with our personal or career goals, or any goal we’re working on for that matter? Does the next scenario sound more feasible?

• We would first decide on what kind of stir fry to cook; Chicken, Beef, Fish or vegetarian taking into account everyone’s tastes.
  
• The next step would be to decide on what kind of flavours we might want to add; spicy, hot, or sweet and mild.
  
• The next step would be to prepare all of the ingredients, separating the meat from the vegetables and mixing the sauce ingredients in yet another dish.
  

We would complete the process by lovingly adding each ingredient into the wok, mixing them together and creating a well balanced, visually beautiful and tasty finished meal that we were proud of and then serve it in our favourite dishes.

Imagine if you prepared your workouts or goal setting projects as thoroughly and lovingly. By following these steps you will see what I mean. Grab a pen and paper and start writing! Visualize it and then get into action!

1. What is it you want to Be – Do – or Have? (Buns like steel, arms like Michelle Obama, the ability to run a marathon – or something else entirely)

2. Clarify your goal here, be specific and visualize it. (To be a size xxxx by December 15^th and knock ‘em sideways at the Staff Christmas Party!)

3. What needs to be prepared first? What are your “ingredients”? (Set gym appointments in advance, prepare weekly menu, organize accountability partner)

4. How can you spice it up? What are the “flavours” of your goal (Mix it up in your workouts – Set weekly/monthly challenges.)

5. What is that little extra that will pull it all together? Add the “sauce” (Enter a body building contest, marathon or bike race, or it may be a personal goal)

6. You can now create and implement action steps to bring this “recipe” to the table! (Take all of your ideas and enter them into your daily appointments, decide on strategies and action steps and address obstacles that may come up and how to overcome them)

Begin with one action and then the next and the next until you have one beautiful rich, spicy and tasty “dish” (your goal) or to forget the metaphor for a second, you will have created a step by step “blueprint” that you can use and modify on any goal in the future and just like a recipe, the more often you use it, tweak it, add different ingredients etc. you become more masterful and confident in the whole process. Buon Appetit!

Joan Bell, Phone – 0439 425 811 www.lifecoach101.com

Joan Bell is a fitness professional, certified coach and lifelong learner. Joan helps spirited women to turn their wildest (and scariest) dreams into reality. She coaches by phone to anywhere in the world.