This is such a great affirmation.  The entire thing is probably a bit too long to memorize, but just the beginning of it is pure greatness!  This is by Ester & Jerry Hicks.

Life Will Always Be Working Out For Me. . .

I like understanding that things are always evolving, and while there are many things that could be better where I am, it is not really a problem because “where I am” is constantly changing to something better. I like knowing that as I look for the best things around me where I am, those things become more prevalent in my experience.  It is fun to know that things are always working out for me, and as I watch for the evidence of that . . . I see more evidence of that every day.

Life Will Always Be Working Out For Me!

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One of the things that yoga has taught me is to be nonreactive.  I’ve learned, and am still practicing, that if my body is in an uncomfortable or stressful position that I should take a deep breath and relax into the sensation rather than freak out!  I practice developing a calm, nonreactive mind, and in doing so I feel confident, strong & peaceful.  In this confident, strong & peaceful state I realize that I can handle anything.  I realize that I have more power in letting go, than in fighting.  I realize that my yoga practice is just as much mental as it is physical.  I can do this.

Nope...not me!

I’m sure we’ve all had thoughts like this:  “Yea, you better get out of that pose, you’re going to hurt yourself”.  “How much longer are we going to hold this, I’m about to die!”.  Or, “I can’t do this any longer.  Why is this crazy ass teacher making us hold so long?  She’s not doing this pose, so she has no idea what we’re going through.  I can’t do this”.

I’ve noticed that when thoughts like this go through my head it just makes the pose so much worse.  Taking a deep breath and just allowing the sensations to be there, without judgment, opens me up to a more peaceful world.  It takes me deeper within myself and I begin to feel a sense of calmness.  When I get to this calm state, then I find this intelligence and it guides me.  That’s what tells me if I really need to come out of the pose because I may injure myself, not my mind.  My mind will make up all kinds of things!

So I’ve learned this and continually practice it on my mat, but what’s really cool is that I can take what I’ve learned on my mat and use the same principals in my normal everyday life.  When life throws me an unexpected curve ball, how am I going to react?  What am I thinking?  Am I dwelling in how awful things are (or could get)?  Do I want to bail out or hide and ignore the situation?

When that curve ball first appears my immediate reaction might be to cuss, pout, be bitter, mad, or sad, but soon (if not immediately) I remember my yoga practice.  I remember that I have more power in my peace, than in my rage.  I remember that no matter what is going on around me, my strong, positive mind will make it all better.  I remember that if I can just connect to my inner intelligence, I’ll know what to do.  I shift my perspective and look for the bright side in the situation, or if I don’t see a bright side at that particular moment, I realize that regardless everything will be okay.   Just like on my mat, my hip isn’t going to fall off…Everything will be okay.

**Hell no, that’s not me in the photo!**

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Day 21.

I can’t believe it’s been 3 weeks since I started this challenge.  Life goes by way too fast, which is why there’s no point in stressing, worrying, doubting, complaining, etc.  It’s all a complete waste of time.  Just think how different your life would be without doing all those things.  How different would your life be if you enjoyed every moment…if you took in all the little things that life offers you at that moment (good and “bad”) and were just totally grateful for it?  That’s what this challenge has helped me realize.

I’m understanding that what I consider problems or issues or stress or crazy situations is just my perspective of it.  When I shift my perspective to a more positive one, I get different results.  If I just shift my perspective to a grateful one, it changes the entire circumstance.

This challenge has made me feel better, and I’m so grateful for that because I know that feeling good is what it’s all about.  Don’t we all just want to feel good?  Doesn’t our life basically boil down to that one statement…I want to feel good!

When I would get irritated with toys strung all over the house, I would think how grateful we are to have all these toys.  When I want to honk & cuss at the car in front of me for not going fast enough, I would think how grateful I am for being safe and how grateful I am that I get to go wherever it is that I was headed.  When I had to make a choice, I was grateful that I get to make a choice and that I have options.  When I didn’t feel like making dinner, I was grateful that I had food to make, that I had a house to cook it in and clean dishes and gas to heat it.

This feels good!

This gratitude challenge has made me stop, take the time, and write about my gratitude.  I’m so thankful I did.  It puts things in perspective.  I realize more and more everyday just how great I have it, just how great my life is.  It has given me peace, and allows me to just relax and take it all in…to enjoy the now moment.

This feels good!

As you know (or maybe you don’t), I’m a HUGE believer in the Law of Attraction, where like attracts like.  When I have a feeling of appreciation it’s an energy that I radiate.  That energy is drawing to itself more energy of the same quality, so more things are coming into my experience for me to be appreciative of.

This feels good!

The challenge ends today, but I will never stop being grateful.  I will continue to write in my gratitude journal, and I will continue to be open to receive more good things in my life.

WOW – THIS FEELS GOOD!

(And thank you so, so much to everyone that reads my blog!)

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Day 13 of the 21 day gratitude challenge – I’m loving this challenge, but wow it is a challenge!  I’m not used to blogging so much, but glad (and thankful, of course) that I am.

So the assignment is this –  Pick three friends or family members you see regularly. View their actions and gestures through a positive lens, assuming their goodness and witnessing their best intentions.  –

Nearly all my family and friends are positive people.  Of course they have negative thoughts at times (who doesn’t?), but for the most part they’re positive.  When they’re not, they become aware they’re not (which I think is what’s important!).  I’m extremely grateful to be surrounded by their light.  I think we all help each other shine brighter!

In watching and listening to some of my family and friends here’s what I’ve discovered.  It’s enlightening to witness when life gives you lemons.  At first there may be some bitterness, some stress and some anxiety but in the end it always works itself out.  I’m fortunate (and oh so grateful) that I learned this and grasped onto it a long time ago…so I rarely get stressed.  I just sit back and wait for the lemonade!  But, I see this happening with people around me (and in myself at times)…  A life situation arises (not enough money, not enough time, etc) and at the moment it seems horrible…maybe there’s some bitching, complaining, and just negativity.  We all handle stress in a different way.  At a point, though, there’s a shift.  We see just a little glimpse of light in the darkness and there’s hope.  We start to see a little more lightness and the positivity comes back…more hope, more faith, more confidence, more smiles!

I think that entire process is pretty cool.  I see it play out in different people and with different situations.  For some, the gap between the “horrible” situation and the glimpse of light is wide.  It takes a while.  And in some (depending on the person & the situation), the gap is much shorter.  I’m so thankful that my gap is typically really short, and I’m thankful that I have gotten to witness this and write it down.  I think it totally helps it stick.  It helps me remember that there will be light, there will be lemonade!

So thank you to my family and friends for letting me learn from you.  Thank you for being who you are, for having genuine goodness in your heart and for having only the best of intentions.

I’m thankful for having such positive people in my life.  I’m thankful that we all have hope and faith, and I’m really grateful that I’m aware of this!

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We all know how crummy Mondays can be…especially rainy ones!  So last night before I fell asleep I decided to imagine how great my Monday was going to be.  I envisioned everything I was going to get done and how productive and efficient I would be.  I felt what my day would feel like, and what a good mood I would be in.  And guess what??  It worked!

I had an amazing day.  I had a lot of catching up to do…paper work, pay bills, get organized, phone calls, etc., and I was able to get most of it done.

I felt great paying bills, knowing that I have the money to pay them and they’re all on time (some even early!).  I’m so grateful for this.  I’m grateful that money flows in and money flows out.  I have tremendous appreciation that we have the means to pay our bills and that our credit score is excellent.  Thank you!!!!

I also had to make a few phone calls.  Those kind that are easy to put off; knowing that you’ll be on hold forever and that the person on the other end could dispute what you’re requesting.  BUT I got them done!  I decided before each call that I was going to be positive, kind, patient and thankful.  It really helped.  I felt great for being so nice and I’m sure the person on the other end appreciated it too.  Everyone was so helpful and my requests were made.  Thank you so much to all the customer service type people that helped me today, and thank you, God that I’m not one of them

Thank you for the positive day I had today.  It feels refreshing to get caught up on paper work type stuff, and like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  I’m thankful for all the people that helped me today.  I’m reminded that treating people the way I want to be treated is definitely the way to live.  I always try to do this, but today I was really aware of it and I’m so glad and thankful I was.  It made my day a whole lot easier.

Mondays, I love you!

***********************************************************

Day 12 of the 21 day Gratitude Challenge…when will you start?

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My list of things I currently have that I’m ever so grateful for.

–These are in no particular order–

• My friends.
• My house with warm, clean beds, hot running water, full of great furniture, a playroom filled with toys, a pool, a fantastic neighborhood and schools, and most importantly, a place I call home!
• My car.
• That I have a solid marriage.
• My kids.
• My family.
• My Mac.
• My camera.
• My faith.
• That I have support.
• My health.
• That I am inspired.
• My motivation.
• My breath.
• My awareness.
• My ability to always see the bright side of things.
• My clothes.
• My hair, eyes, and sense of feel.
• My jewelry business that’s doing really well.
• My yoga and yoga students.
• That I get to stay at home with my kids.
• That I am free.
• That I have good food to eat.
• That I get older and wiser.
• That I live a dream life….my dream!
• That I have an amazing body to carry me around in.
• That I’m laid back.
• That I know who I am, and have confidence to just be me.
• The love in my heart.
• That I am able to give.
• That I am open to receive.
• That I get to make this list!

THANK YOU   THANK YOU   THANK YOU   THANK YOU

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So it’s day 2 of my 21 day gratitude challenge.  Here’s the ABC’s of all I’m grateful for today!

A – Apples are so juicy & delicious.

B – My husband, Ben, is an all around great guy!

C – My Car.  I love my Car.

D – I appreciate all the Dollars that flow in and flow out.

E – Everything I have in my life, the good & bad, is a blessing.

F – I Feel great.

G – We have Groceries in the house.

H – I absolutely love the House I live in.

I – I am thankful for who I am.

J – I’m so grateful that I get to make Jewelry and that people buy it!!

K – Katrina.  I like my name

L – For the Love I feel, that which I give and receive.

M – Max and Miles, my sweet sweet boys.

N – I’m really thankful for Noses.  I mean it would be really strange if we couldn’t smell, & even stranger without one on our face.

O – Oxygen.

P – I am Physically healthy.

Q – I’m thankful that I don’t Quit too easily.

R – Rain.  I love a good thunderstorm!

S – Sunshine.  It’s makes everything so pretty.

T – I appreciate the Truth.

U – I’m really thankful for Umbrellas.  What a great invention.

V – Velcro shoes for kids, when you’re in a hurry, rock!

W – The weather today is just amazing.  I’m sitting outside as I type this and absolutely enjoying the moment!

X – X-rays.  What would we do without them?

Y – Yoga.  It has totally opened my internal world!

Z – Zebras!  Because their stripes are just too cool.

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According to Webster’s, appreciation is defined as an expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude.  But more than that, it’s a feeling!  It’s a feeling of being in awe, a feeling of something having great value, and a feeling of positivity.  When we have true appreciation, we are energetically vibrating at a high frequency.  When our energy is vibrating at a high frequency, we attract more of the same…which means we attract more things to be appreciative of.

I think Abraham-Hicks says it beautifully:

The key to experiencing the absolute absence of resistance; of achieving complete alignment with all that you have become and all that you desire, and of bringing to your physical experience everything that you desire – is being in the state of appreciation.

Here’s a few ways to appreciate.

1.  If you normally have a negative emotion about something, start to feel appreciation for it instead.  It may take some time, but eventually that negative feeling will fade away and your appreciation of it will become more dominant.

2.  Feel appreciation for something you want to have in your life.  While you may not currently have your desire, act as if!  Appreciate as if you’ve already achieved it.  The Law of Attraction doesn’t know time.  It only knows the present moment, so in this moment act/think as if you already have what you want, appreciate it, and you will attract it.

3.  Write in a gratitude journal.  Write down things you have that you are grateful for, as well as things that you want.  Read back what you wrote down, and when you read it really feel the appreciation.

Another thing you can do to cultivate a sense of appreciation and to keep that feeling alive throughout your day is to use one of my “Be Charmed” charms.  I have one on my purse and use it as a reminder to be present, connect to my Self, and just Be, but now I think I’ll use it as a reminder to feel appreciation!

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I was going to name this post “A Little House Cleaning” because really that’s what I should be doing BUT I would first like to tell you a bit about what else I’ve been doing.

At the beginning of this year I got involved with an organization called Spirit Jump.  I’ve blogged about it before so maybe you’re familiar.  If not, you need to read my blog more!  (HA Just kidding, or am I?)  No really, if you’re not familiar with Spirit Jump it’s an organization designed to “jump” or lift the spirits of cancer patients by sending them cards, gifts, and positive energy.  I have teamed up with a new found friend, Cherise, and together we have been able to send 10 or more pieces of jewelry per month to people that need “jumps”.  It’s been so much fun doing this and I can’t thank Cherise enough for all the financial help she has been able to provide.  It’s been really amazing and I just hope that the people on the receiving end are getting as much out of it as we are!

Besides the overall greatness of feeling good for giving, I’ve also recently been featured on a couple different blogs.  One of them is Foxy G Knits.  Lois, of Foxy G Knits, does a weekly tribute to different artists that pay it forward.  She calls it “Art from the ♥”.  I am honored to be one of Foxy G Knits featured artist!  You can see my feature here.  Thank you so much, Lois, for the write up!

Lois is an artist herself.  She hand-knits, one-of-a-kind shawls, wraps and scarves.  And she pays it forward to.  She sends hats and scarves to homeless shelters.  What a great idea!  Check out her beautiful creations!

Another blog that I have had the pleasure of being featured on is “Our Daily Blessing…Life“.  I met Amy through Spirit Jump.  She is battling cancer right now, and one of her sons has had 15 brain operations.  She blogs about her life, and all she’s got on her plate (4 kids and a 21 year marriage).  I have so much respect for her.  I can’t even imagine doing all she does!  She is as positive as she can be, and I truly have a lot of compassion for her and her family.  She is actually doing a giveaway…that giveaway being a $45 Self Symmetry gift certificate!  Get the details here.  I’d love to have you win.  Plus, it’s a great blog to follow!

That’s a little of what I’ve been doing lately, and why it’s been a while since I last posted.  That, and I’ve been cleaning…yeah right!

So my point here is that when you give what you can, you get a lot out of it.  I’ve not only been featured on these fabulous blogs, but I’ve been selling a lot of jewelry, getting custom orders, feeling good, and just enjoying my life!

If you’d like to be a Spirit Jumper too.  It’s so incredibly easy.  Visit their website, get on their email list, and start sending jumps!  You’ll be glad you did

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One of my favorite book of poems is by a guy that I randomly met at one of the yoga studios I taught at.  He wasn’t a yoga student (of the studio), but he was there promoting his book at an event the studio was having.  His name is Dan Coppersmith.  I was trying to find my favorite poem of his, but I literally could not pick my fav.  They are ALL so good and beautifully done.

I’ve had this book for 5 years or so, and I always go back to it.  At times, I read from it to my yoga students and when I do I always have someone ask me what I was reading from.  So…I randomly picked one today to share with you.  Here it is:

Food For Thought

Sometimes we whine
Gripe and complain
Singing the victim’s
Familiar refrain

Blaming the world
For all that’s wrong
Each new day
The same old song

It’s a trap we crawl into
A place where we hide
Keeping our spirit
Stuffed deep inside

Somehow forgetting
We determine our fate
That the life which we lead
We chose to create

Each decision we make
Each thought we embrace
Affects the complexion
Of the world we face

If our food for thought
Is a negative meal
That is what
We will taste as real

If we dwell on anger
Injustice and pain
We’ll tend to attract
More of the same

If we suffer, hopeless
At the mercy of all
We are the ones
Keeping us small

Placing the blame
On somebody else
Puts the solution
Outside of ourselves

Recognizing
We are Source
Awakens the captain
To master his course.

Dan Coppersmith

I highly recommend this book.  It’s called “The Elusive Here & Now”.  And, as a bonus, Dan is an amazing nature photographer and the book is filled with beautiful pics.  You can click here to buy it.  Or, go to his website (which I have been browsing and loving) and look at all the amazing nature shots he has gotten!

Have a great weekend you guys and don’t forget…You are the captain!