Inner Peace Quote: Be Open

“We will all discover the nature
of our particular genius
when we stop trying to conform
to our own or other people’s models,
learn to be ourselves,
and allow our natural channel to open.”

— Shakti Gawain

Inner Peace Quote: Gratitude

“GRATITUDE unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough .. . . and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order,
Confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home,
A stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
And creates a vision for tomorrow.”

— M. Beattie

Conversations with the Masters – Michael Port

SPECIAL
CONFERENCE CALL
INTERVIEW

Michael Port
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

11am Pacific (2pm Eastern)

Use the form below to register for this call:

* Do you ever find yourself slipping into “small thinking” at the most inconvenient times?

* Are you ready to establish yourself as a category expert/authority and play a BIGGER game?

* Would you like to know the secrets of “BIG THINKERS?”

During This Interview We’ll Explore:

* What the Think Big Manifesto is all about and how you can become an integral part of this revolution (or start your own!).

* What keeps people from thinking big, and what we can do about it.

* Discovering what your personal stand is in the world.

* How to transcend The Fraud Factor.

* Getting comfortable with discomfort.

* The most ESSENTIAL ingredient in building trust in any relationship.
Continue reading »

INNER PEACE: My Life Would Be Better IF ONLY…

Now, don’t laugh. While you MAY not have had this EXACT experience, I suspect there is something in your life where you’ve had a similar experience.

Last Tuesday evening I found out that the new season of The Bachelorette had begun…on MONDAY night, the night before!!! Being a big fan of the show (one of my FEW indulgences on television), I was both excited (yeah…new season!!)…and panicked. Did my DVR record last night’s episode? Gulp.

Before we dashed to dinner, I HAD to check the DVR. Was it or wasn’t it recorded?

As I watched myself, I was quite amused.

In that moment, I was CERTAIN my life would’ve been SO much better and more peaceful had I either: 1) Watched the season premiere of The Bachelorette the night before or 2) If my DVR had been wise enough to record the show for me.

But alas. It was NOT recorded!!!!! Darn it.

For a moment, it felt like I was missing some MUCH needed oxygen. My life was a little less whole and complete.

Now, of course, moments before I realized The Bachelorette’s new season had begun…all was quite well in my world. Hmmm.

This small, harmless, momentary reaction caught my attention and got me thinking.

How many times in our lives do we convince ourselves for a moment, for hours, for days or for years that our lives would be SO much better IF ONLY ____________(fill in the blank) had happened or hadn’t happened? “I would be expriencing so much more JOY, so much more WHOLENESS, so much more INNER PEACE and so much more LIFE…IF ONLY.”

Or conversely, I would be experiencing so much LESS pain, so much LESS suffering or so much LESS inner turmoil IF ONLY______________(fill in the blank) had happened or hadn’t happened. Continue reading »

INNER PEACE: Being with “Uncertainty”

When it comes to maximizing one’s “inner peace quotient,” it’s essential to learn how to “be with” those aspects of life which are most challenging.

We must learn to “be with” disappointing others, being judged, imperfection, chaos, another rejecting us, a lengthy to-do list, unmet goals, unconsciousness, weakness, time, mistakes, suffering and UNCERTAINTY.

Most human beings, myself included, LOVE to be “in control.” Perhaps this gives us a sense of security in this ever dynamic and changing world. But, with all the UNCERTAINTY that exists, it makes it one of the most challenging aspects of life to “be with.”

Uncertainty can range from mildly annoying to all consuming and stress-inducing. Of course, the MORE stress, frustration and inner turmoil you bring to yourself, the more sabotaging it is (i.e. aging us, creating disease in our bodies, making us grumpy, etc).

Sometimes uncertainty comes with ONE potential happy ending, and ONE “not so good” ending.

Here are some examples:
Continue reading »

INNER PEACE: 3 Common Traps Unknowingly Zapping Your Personal Energy

Energy conservation is one of the biggest conversations of today. Yet, few are talking about conserving the most precious resource of all — your personal energy. And, you need it more than ever before. Especially if you value inner peace.

Everyday there are countless demands vying for your personal energy and attention. How much energy do you need to sustain your household, finances, health, families, businesses, marriages and friendships? How much more energy is needed if your intention is to thrive in these areas? Throw in a surprise health emergency, uncertainties with the economy or another family crisis and you’ll soon be running on empty. Perhaps worse, you’ll be cranky, argumentative and snappy with those you love.

As important as personal energy is, we all know how easy it is to waste precious energy with procrastination, fear, stress, worry, preoccupation or emotional reactions. It happens, doesn’t it?

These three traps could be unnecessarily zapping precious energy from you. Energy that could go toward growing your business or navigating your biggest challenges. Energy to ENJOY your life more fully and more peacefully.

Once aware of each trap, you can choose to bring your attention and energy back into the present moment where you’re best able to make powerful choices.

Trap #1. Artificially Speeding Things Up.

You artificially try to speed things up when you resist the here and now, while simultaneously wishing for a future that can’t occur in this moment, but — that inevitably WILL come to pass as part of destiny.

It’s a lot like trying to force bread to bake before its perfect time. You can pace, open the oven door, hope or pray, but in the end the dough becomes bread when it does. And, by artificially trying to speed things up, we may actually be slowing the process down!  Continue reading »

Inner Peace Quote: The World is What You Are

“The world is a great mirror.
It reflects back to you what you are.
If you are loving,
if you are friendly,
if you are helpful,
the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you.
The world is what you are”

—  Thomas Dreier

Inner Peace Quote: Steven Covey

“I’m convinced that we can write
and live our own scripts
more than most people will acknowledge.
I also know the price that must be paid.
It’s a real struggle to do it.
It requires visualization and affirmation.
It involves living a life of integrity,
starting with making and keeping promises,
until the whole human personality the senses,
the thinking, the feeling, and the intuition
are ultimately integrated and harmonized.”

— Steven Covey

Inner Peace Fuel: Veggie Smoothies – The Breakfast of Champions

Veggie Smoothies?

I know. It doesn’t sound instantly appealing.

But, it does scream, “healthy, healthy, healthy!”, doesn’t it?

I stumbled upon veggie smoothies through the fabulous world of social media. One day, while recovering from a minor surgery, I asked my Twitter friends what the best vegetables were to juice to help me heal more quickly. @Revell of http://www.revvellations.com, @HeleneLaurence of http://www.harmonyloft.com and @sunkitchen of http://www.lifecyclevideo.com all chimed in — and my education began.  First, I learned, it is the “greens” which are most healing…parsley, cilantro, cucumber, celery, kale, etc.

Our exchanges lead to learning a new abbreviation…GS.

GS = Green Smoothie.

I prefer to call them “Veggie Smoothies” — sounds even healthier to me, without focusing on the green color

Instead of “juicing” vegetables…you simply throw all the vegetables into the trusted blender (Vitamix is the best!), and flip the switch (with the lid on, of course!)

THREE advantages of Veggie Smoothies over Juicing:

1) You get ALL the nutrition and fiber. Nothing to throw in the garbage or disposal.

2) Faster to prepare. Simply chop and toss in your blender (it doesn’t have to fit into the juicing slot)

3) Clean up is WAY easier than a juicer.

In an effort to boost my nutrition and increase vegetable intake, after sitting on this wisdom for several months, I started making veggie smoothies.

Now, I’m addicted.

My “inner peace quotient” isn’t quite the same without my morning “Veggie Smoothie.” Knowing I’ve fueled my body with nutrients leaves me feeling fabulous about myself. I launch my day with energy. And, it’s the FASTEST way to ensure I’m getting my vegetables.  I love salads, but they do take longer to prepare — and even longer to consume (lots of chewing involved, ya know?).

It also ensures everything, ah, uh, er “keeps moving.”  You know what I mean?  I’m talking about BM’s or Bowel Movements. Nothing interrupts my inner peace more than being constipated .  In fact, the more inner peace takes a nose-dive, the harder it can be to “keep things moving.”

Not a pretty conversation. But, it’s true, isn’t it?

Well, Veggie Smoothies help.  A LOT.

Are you getting inspired to make a Veggie Smoothie?

Here’s the combination I like best.

Mary’s Veggie Smoothie

1/2 cucumber
1/2 red pepper
1/2 lemon
1/4 avocado
1 celery stick
1 carrot
Handful of parsley
Handful of cilantro

Chop coarsely, and toss in your blender.  Then add about 1 cup of liquid (either water or apple juice).  I also add an optional 1 teaspoon of lemon flavored fish oil (for Omega 3’s).  Occasionally I throw in a few dried cranberries. Lately, I’m tossing in two scoops of Aria Protein Powder (Vanilla Flavor).

NOTES: The apple and lemon hide any of the “green” flavor.  I do find it plenty sweet with simply water.  So, if you’re watching your sugar intake, go with water only. The sugar from the apple, carrot and red bell pepper is plenty! My preference is organic whenever possible.

If you run out of a particular vegetable, it still works.  Mix and match the vegetables suits your taste, but remember the greens are what brings the BEST nutrition. I’ve also added tomatoes, arugula, cabbage, and mixed green salad.  I also tried wheat grass a couple times, but WHEW…be careful, it’ll give you a jolt like caffeine if there is too much!

Thanks again to Revvell, Helene and Kellie for your tutelage via Twitter! I’ve come a long way, eh?

Would love to hear your comments about making “Veggie Smoothies” and learn what other ingredients you enjoy.

Veggie Smoothies are inner peace fuel. Try one tomorrow.

Inner Peace Quote…Thoughts Become Destiny

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

– Sri Sathya A Sai Baba