Warren Buffett - How to Stay Out of Debt Forever

Great video from a financial guru

Meditation's Beneficial Magic

By Timothy Connolly

Meditation in the Mind

More and more these days we see countless recommendations to practice the age old art and science of meditation. Most, if not all, extol its seemingly magical power on the human psyche through its purported benefits. These recommendations and claims have stood the test of time- they are universally accepted and well justified. For eons past those who came before us have spoken volumes regarding this great gift we all posses but today sometimes, we neglect to use. Why now are we again reminded of this? 

All of us are participating either aware or unaware. in a quantum shift bringing at times, tumultuous changes in all areas of our society and world structures. No one is exempt from the effects these rapid changes bring. While universally experienced, these trans-formative energies are individually unique and processed differently depending on a person's outlook. With a little discipline and practice we can apply this gift of meditation to help balance stress levels, reduce mind-movies which seem to play nonstop to bring increasing levels of joy, clarity and purpose into life.

While it's true that meditative practices are known by many names in virtually all cultures each with various forms of practice, finding one that will work for you is quite easy. Best of all, this gently leads us ultimately to a special place we often desire and want- greater understanding and acceptance to life's mysteries.

So, let's briefly explore the subject for the sole purpose of learning how to reap many beneficial rewards available through meditation. Besides, it is true, the best things in life are free. So let us begin to clear our minds of useless, wayward abstract thoughts having no justification to control or dictate our life's direction. We will find meditation allows you in the purest sense, to create your own life's experiences. (More discussion about that possibility a bit later). For now, consider that during meditation you can replace, and clear out unwanted thoughts with life affirming versions gaining- a true, lasting peace of mind, body and soul. Meditation is your gateway offering all that and more...you can even create some magic in your life through this simple process!

As you may have heard or if you are already a dedicated practitioner, individuals report profound psychological, physical and spiritual well-being as they practice meditation daily. What then is meditation really all about? For beginners, how can one start? And how far can I go with sincere dedication? In this article are going to examine a few areas- some historical background, benefits, science of the mind and advanced possibilities.

History to Date

According to many archeologists, meditation pre dates written records. It could be easily envisioned a person entering an altered state of consciousness by simply gazing in the mind-stilling flicker of fire while taking no thought. The earliest documented record of meditation comes from India in their Hindu scriptures called tantras. These records date back over 5,000 years coming from the Indus valley and were combined with what is referred to today as yoga. Along with expanding trade, cultural exchange was also carried westward and meditation practice was soon embedded in eastern thought and spiritual practices.

With the advent of Buddha around 500 AD, many diverse cultures began to develop their own interpretations and specialized meditative techniques. Some techniques still in use to this day are said to deliver incredible mind-over-matter powers and supernormal skills that transformed the practitioner. Today, these are devout individuals and are not necessarily monks living in some remote mountain monastery. They are everyday people like you and I. Of course advancing through time, the long history of meditation is no longer only attributed to the Hindus and Buddhists. Not to be left out, Christianity, Islam and Judaism also participate in the perpetuation of meditation each with its own take on the practice.

However, historically these religious faiths do not dominate in their teachings and practices a culture of meditation when compared to the Asian traditions. Meditation finds its place here in our Western culture in the early 1960's into the '70's. This was a time when much of our culture was being tested, demanding to be redefined. Meditation found fertile ground in which to flourish and expand. Some could say it was the "hippie" revolution which inspired to embrace acceptance of foreign ideas but only ones that possessed real substantive value. It was not long after that when the Western medical and scientific community began to conduct research and studies on meditation. And what did most studies if not all, to varying degrees find?

You guessed it- significant health benefits. One of the most important aspects of meditation is how it releases stress from our bodies. This is achieved by bridging the gap between our conscious and un-conscious selves, situations or non-justified thoughts that ferment stress become less significant and actually lose their power. Through meditation, it does not take long before you feel more peaceful and relaxed about everything. What happened to cause this nearly miraculous change? Studies have proven that meditation raises serotonin levels which directly affect our behavior and emotional temperament. Conversely, low levels of serotonin lead to depression, headaches even insomnia. All symptoms associated with stress.

Today, our western civilization with all our "advanced" knowledge has re-affirmed the ancient knowledge and understanding of meditation's therapeutic power to help alleviate mental and physical ailments. And this was just the infancy of discovery or shall we say re-discovery of unlimited powers available inside each of us. Today, mediation without question is a universally medically accepted form of holistic healing used worldwide. Meditation could be summed up as a natural mechanism within each of us that enables the spirit within, the higher, true self to bridge the communication gap into our physical aspects grounding us in unconditional love.

Rebirth through Breath

Beyond all the medical community assertions lies a vast segment of the population seeking additional benefits when practicing meditation. How can what appears initially only to be a physical act, effect our true inner being so profoundly by simply clearing our conscious thoughts and focusing on our breath? Well the secret really is in our breath. When you first start a meditative practice at face value, it appears really easy. Yet, early on many are easily frustrated because they have really never truly attempted to quiet their thoughts while awake. Successfully navigating the mental mind field of what apparently appears to be non-stop streams of thoughts popping up can at first be a daunting task. Be forewarned this is a common occurrence and quite normal and there is a solution. It's funny actually once realization sets in that you really are like two individuals within a single physical body. And that is not far from the truth.

I, like many who meditate found out early on one key to successfully get beyond this mental speed bump is to acknowledge the thought. Proceed to then dismiss it entirely or agree to revisit the thought after the meditation session and return the mind's focus to your breathing. I have used this method to great success getting past the egos gate keeper role which it often plays.

You may find this method helpful as well if not, find what brings your focus back without distracting thoughts. Again, breathing's role is of utmost importance in this whole process because it is the gateway bridging the physical body with the spiritual body. The goal here is what I refer to as the death of thoughts through focusing on your breath. Becoming more sensitive of taking no thought along with staying present in the moment by the simple act being consciously aware of your breathing, an amazing inner rebirth begins. Next, we define some good basic steps for all meditation practices.

Meditation 101

Chances are in your life you have unknowingly experienced moments in a purely meditative state. The odds are that when this occurred, you found yourself outside in nature. In nature we more easily find resonance with a deeper more real aspect of ourselves which often comes alive in the natural environment.

Perhaps it occurred while relaxing on a beach watching the hypnotic like waves repetitively washing ashore or possibly noticing the invisible wind rustle leaves on a tree as warming sunlight bathed your face. If you recall during these moments, you found a completely relaxed feeling immerse your entire being because you were free of distracting thoughts. This is what being in "the moment" is all about. It is as if your mind tunes into the higher natural frequencies of life which for the most part, are virtually non-existent inside buildings and such. Yet, with focus, proper intentions and processes we can escape these limitations imposed in man-made environments. Of course meditation can be greatly enhanced when it is practical in natural surroundings.

The whole concept of meditation takes on various identities depending what an individual's intention is while performing a chosen meditation. Some may want physical or mental relief, others, answers or directions for a better life. Either way, choices are clearly individualized. Find yours since this goes a long way in helping you along the path aided with a unique, personalized purpose. Define it for you! To begin a meditation, a few simple rules are universally accepted. These generally are-

1) Break away from distractions. Turn off the outside electrical/technological intrusions like phones, computers, TV's etc. A quiet, calm peaceful place is preferred. At first, commit 10 minutes or more with no interruption.

2) Posture is important in that you must be comfortable. Preferably this is with your back upright and your spine to you head straight. Normally a seated position on the ground is preferred with hands in your lap; it can also be done in a chair. Lying down initially is not suggested as you body can assume a sleep mode.

3) Close your eyes gently, relax your jaw and facial muscles. Do a "body scan" looking for any muscle tension that may exist releasing any found. Continue relaxing now for a few moments allowing your body to become comfortable. Be observant of bodily tension arising. The key is to physically relax.

4) Slowly evacuate your lungs completely. Gently inhale and exhale through your nostrils with a deep (from the belly) rhythmic cycle filling your lungs to capacity and expelling the air completely. Slow, long in and out breaths are ideal. Pausing momentarily at the end of each in and out breath. Focus on the feeling and sounds during the entire cycle.

5) Activate the heart-mind connection which provides an initial thought-clearing mode. Do not attempt to suppress these thoughts. Acknowledge them. Briefly as thoughts arise, dismiss them by surrounding any with the six heart virtues of: appreciation, compassion, forgiveness, humility, valor, and understanding. Another very powerful technique is to apply unconditional love (without a judgment position) to any thoughts that may arise, release them and return focus to your breathing.

6) Steadily and incrementally increase the time duration spent in your practice. As the moments of time lengthen between arising thoughts, you are now well on the way to higher levels of meditation. Remind yourself to notice and appreciate the beneficial by-products you have regained.

Eleven Benefits of Meditating Daily

Here's a short list (certainly not all inclusive) of the benefits that come from a daily meditation practice-

1. Your life becomes significantly clearer and calm

The hustle and bustle of everyday life is choking our minds of the peace we deserve! Our technology advancements shouldn't suffocate our minds; it should allow us to achieve more peace. Meditation helps put those events in perspective for our daily tasks.

2. Your blood pressure is lowered

Science has proven it, meditation lowers the blood pressure, which in return is related to your stress levels and stress management. Much better than taking pills to lower your blood pressure!

3. People around you enjoy your company

Regular meditation leads to higher/positive energy that you are consistently tapping into. This effectively makes you very pleasant to be around, and people like that! People naturally gravitate to the people who make them feel good.

4. Your connection with God is strengthened

Spiritual awareness is strengthened with a daily meditation practice. You naturally become more aware of your surroundings, and higher awareness always leads to a deeper connection with God. The trees begin showing personalities, and the landscape takes on different meanings... all through a deeper awareness.

5. You achieve several hours of sleep in one 20 minute meditation session

Another scientific fact is that meditation is known to put you into a deeper state of rest than deep sleep. Deep sleep is associated with a delta brainwave. Deep meditation can drop you into that delta brainwave rapidly, achieving the effects in a shorter amount of time.

6. Problems that seemed very difficult suddenly have clear solutions

For every problem a solution exists. When your mind is clear and you're in a state of peace, solutions appear. Being in a state of peace just naturally attracts solutions and pathways into your field of view.

7. Your productivity sky rockets because of your ability to have clear focus

If solutions to problems appear more frequently when meditating daily, then imagine what happens to your everyday tasks. Solutions to everyday life become more and more obvious. And you begin to take note of these subtle changes as your spiritual vision grows clearer and wider.

8. Your life expectancy increases

Science has shown that regular meditation will increase your life expectancy. It's pretty obvious to see... less stress and more peace promotes healthy cells and healthy cells regenerate healthier cells. And likewise, stressed cells regenerate more stressed cells. So live longer by choosing more peace in your life.

9. You effectively reduce stress in your life

Speaking of stress, meditation has a profound effect on reducing stress in your body. Because meditation promotes peace and inner calm, stress dissolves dramatically from this meditative process. Again, science has proven it.

10. You can visualize powerfully when combined with positive affirmations and meditation

Meditation is powerful at clearing the mind and focusing on simple things... like breathing... or a flower. But, it can be used for so much more! To powerfully manifest your desires, you must get into a clear connection with the source of manifesting (God/Universe/Ethers). If your spirits are on high while you visualize then the communication channel for manifesting positive events in your life is strengthened.

While meditating I like to repeat affirmations, otherwise known as mantras, to help focus my energy into the positive. These statements can be as simple as "love" or "I am love, I am joy, I am peace".

11. You feel fantastic throughout your day!

And finally, when you meditate on a regular basis, you just feel fantastic. Plain and simple. You feel good. Everything else is details.

Science of Meditation's Magic

Today there is a great deal of scientific studies validating in a laboratory setting, that while in a meditative state, significant changes occur with our brain activity. Just as to why brain frequencies are altered is not yet fully understood. Neuroscientists hypothesize that our brain is actually rewiring connections sculpting new avenues of brain circuitry seen during magnetic resonance imaging.

Could we simply be accessing the higher mind which subdues the thinking, egoic-centric mind where boundaries of self-consciousness disappear? Seems very plausible. Regardless of the exact reason for this profound change, some other "super consciousness" force appears to be altering the way our brain functions while in a meditative state.

Dr. Gregg Jacobs who was the assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a senior research scientist at Harvard's Mind/Body Medical Institute now practicing at UMass Memorial Medical Center, published a book in 1993: The Ancestral Mind: Reclaim the Power. This book was the subject of a Time Magazine article back in August 2003 offering insight into the science behind meditation. Based on his research he made some interesting observations and statements referring to what he labeled: the Ancestral Mind and the Thinking Mind.

Dr. Jacobs argues, the scientific research implies our emotional well-being is being greatly hampered by the over-reliance on our dominant Thinking Mind- the verbal, rational, analytical and problem-solving part of ourselves. Over vast ages of time we have severed communication with an equally important part of our makeup- the Ancestral Mind. To me, this speaks of becoming a more fully balanced human being, maximizing the potential of consciousness. While that statement may not be in scientific jargon, the implication is the same.

The Ancestral Mind: Reclaim the Power Book blurb-

Dr. Jacobs offers a practical program for re-engaging with this indelible part of our being, explaining how to access life-enhancing positive emotions while minimizing negative ones; connect with a more intuitive intelligence and foster a deeper, expanded sense of daily awareness; and achieve a more integrated concept of self through a closer harmony of intellect and emotion.

What is Happening In your Brain During Meditation?

Scientists have only recently developed tools sophisticated enough to see what goes on in your brain when you meditate. Below are a series of three interactive graphics from the 2003 Time "The Science of Meditation" article showing brain activity changes that occur during meditation. Clearly some profound changes occur within the brain. Our brain appears to interact and be directly influenced by our higher-minds and consciousness itself.

• Frontal cortex - is the most highly evolved part of the brain, responsible for reasoning, planning, emotions and self- conscious awareness. During meditation it tends to go offline.
• Parietal lobe - processes sensory information about the surrounding world, orienting you in time and space. During meditation, activity in the parietal lobe slows down.
• Thalamus - is the gatekeeper for the senses. It focuses your attention by funneling some sensory data deeper into the brain and stops other signals in their tracks. Meditation reduces the flow of incoming information to a trickle.
• Reticular Formation - receives incoming stimulus and puts the brain on alert, ready to respond. Meditation dials back the arousal signal.

After training in meditation for eight weeks, subjects show a pronounced change in brain-wave patterns, shifting from the alpha waves of aroused, conscious thought to the theta waves that dominate the brain during periods of deep relaxation. Even people meditating for the first time will register a decrease in beta waves, a sign that the cortex is not processing information as actively as usual. After their first 20-minute session, patients show a marked decrease in beta-wave activity.

Consciousness Directs Matter

Are you ready to dive into infinite possibilities of the more unique, inherent benefits of meditation? How far can one go into the universal domain to retrieve enhanced power to intentionally co-create in this world? And no, you don't have to become a Zen Buddhist monk. Rather than go off into the quantum realm too far, allot is becoming understood within the research community about the creation power of our thoughts.

This knowledge is equally important to understand and apply its power when practicing meditation. Deliberate thought combined with meditation is an extremely powerful combination. By now everyone has got a little taste of the premise in the movie "Secret" regarding the subject of manifestation or as I like to label it- "deliberate intentions of thought". While this subject matter may seem new and novel to a whole segment of the population, like meditation, it has existed for a very long time. Ever heard the famous quote from Napoleon Hill in his 1937 book titled- Think and Grow Rich? It sure sounds like it could be in the Secret:

"What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Interestingly enough in the book, Mr. Hill did not expressly reveal the step-by-step process to create circumstances which aligned with ones invocation of a positive mental attitude. He left that for the reader to discover. However, he did provide clues and examples which he documented through interviewing over 500 successful people while researching his first course study titled: The Law of Success. He went on to describe this idea as a "Definite Major Purpose" in order for the reader to be challenged and ask the question- In what do I truly believe? His philosophical perspective was that 98% of people had no firm beliefs leading them to be handicapped in achieving what they want in life. So yes, change your thoughts, change your world.

I mention Mr. Hill because he clearly proved the absolute power of deliberate thought to create your desired life. And this approach succinctly aligns with the infinite possibilities afforded in meditation. Just as a professional stage hypnotist can temporarily manipulate someone's actions by accessing and placing suggestions in a special place within their psyche, similar gateways or altered states of consciousness are possible during meditation. Our subconscious minds cannot distinguish between the physical "reality" we are witnessing and merely vivid thought projections. It is here that during certain meditative states one can interject desired images powered by emotions, or predefined affirmations by purposely focusing intent, expediting their arrival in the physical.

I personally believe the reason time appears to collapse between the desire (intention) and actual delivery is directly related to the reduced level of mental (Thinking Mind) resistance we hold while in certain meditative states. We receive sooner that which is wanted in our life because of the drastically reduced counterproductive, opposing beliefs or thoughts. During meditation these contrary brain wave thought forms are minimized thereby allowing quantum mechanisms to more fully dominate.

Call it magic or a miracle or quantum physics in action, but despite of the term used, it is real. This premise is exactly the conclusion Mr. Hill wanted his readers to arrive at. Of course, meditation is not directly mentioned, only alluded to, but clearly meditation accelerates this entire creative process by reducing resistant thoughts which hinder progress. Regardless if while meditating you receive an urge to take a specific action which leads to a solution or chance meeting bringing you closer or delivering entirely a previously specified outcome, the objective is manifested.

The only prerequisite is that you must clearly define exactly what you want. Remember- "Definite Major Purpose". Begin to let yourself feel (believe) what you will experience when the object desired has arrived and let the universal powers do their part. You will quickly find this power is quite useful in improving your well-being when practiced routinely with meditation.

A New Direction Awaits

In closing, meditation is a wonderful gift that is available to all who seek. But, one must seek that which is worthy of attention. As we have learned there are many beneficial reasons to practice this lost but reemerging art. And apparently, the distraction and conveniences of this post-industrial age have dulled a part of us that has never forsaken us and remains vigil in wanting to empower us to our full potential. Just think, this is only breaths away!

As our socioeconomic landscape is now being radically redefined as we step further away from a primarily consumerism driven lifestyle, meditation can play a significant role in this era helping us to become more balanced and grounded. Many are awakening to the fact that a life based solely material gain to achieve a state of happiness is fraught with dangers and distorts real, lasting values. Material affluence is not a problem, but trying to live a life where that is the primary focus distances us further from our higher nature. We have many choices demanding our time and attention today, to sacrifice a critical activity like meditation which could alter and improve your life beyond where you find yourself now, would be a tragedy.

If you do not currently meditate on a regular basis, please consider doing so as this is a proven way for greater well-being, enhanced health and vitality in addition to becoming more at peace with the world surrounding you. Start today and thank yourself for directing you here- all is purposely directed!

Tim's writing expertise and intuition for understanding arcane, non-mainstream subject matter including esoteric topics begun at the age of 14. It is through his expansive career in finance which affords Tim a unique ability to apply a professional, down-to-earth approach when writing about the science of spirituality.

Please visit- http://www.shiftoftheage.com for additional articles complete with accompanying pictures and any embedded video offering you more wisdom during these chaotic, transitional times we face.

(c) Copyright 2010- Timothy Connolly, All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Timothy_Connolly/809593

The power of vulnerability | Brené Brown

A great talk TED talk, and take a look at the book!

How to Free Yourself of Negative Thoughts | SuperSoul Sunday

Great video from Oprah Winfrey

Why You Are The Way You Are

THE 6 FACTORS THAT ARE BEHIND EVERY EMOTION AND BEHAVIOR
by Tony Robbins

Why do people overeat, or overspend?

Why do people resort to conflict, or violence?

Why do people take drugs, or even take their own life?

Why do people crave attention, or yearn for love?

Whatever people do, they have a reason. They may not know what that reason is – at least not consciously. In fact, quite often people act and behave in ways that may seem irrational and inexplicable. And there are a million stories of why people do what they do. But all these stories revolve around just six primary driving forces, which Tony calls the 6 Human Needs. (Listen to the podcast episode on this topic.)

The 6 Human Needs are fundamental to every single person. No matter what country you are from, what your socioeconomic status is, no matter your race, your religion, your color, your creed; no matter what your goals, desires, values, morals or dreams are – we all share these same needs. And if you want to understand yourself on a deeper, more meaningful level, then you must begin with understanding these needs. Because once you do, you will understand why you act and react in certain ways. And that awareness is a key step to making a pivotal shift in your life so that you can overcome obstacles and embrace opportunities to ultimately find absolute fulfillment.

Click here to Take The Assessment and find your Top Two Needs

Oprah Winfrey: Take Care of Yourself

13 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Every Day

Don’t get stuck in an unhealthy daily grind. Here’s how to work “me time” into your busy schedule.

It’s 7:30 a.m. and your alarm is blaring. Squinty-eyed, you reach for your phone, fumbling to swipe that horrible noise off, sinking back into the mattress, your eyes fading to black again… until you shoot straight up, eyes wide open, realizing you’ve already pushed snooze three times. You’re late. So you bolt out from under the covers and, like a blur, get dressed and go to work.

You’re at the office (finally), and a million emails have rudely generated in your inbox, so you start shooting off responses, only to reply to the ones that come back seconds later. You only get up when nature calls and your stomach yells for food. Another blur and it’s already dark. Time to climb back under the covers…

Sleep, wake up, work. And repeat. That’s a daily grind that will have you burning out the next time your alarm goes off. There’s more to life than work. How can you make sure you’re getting a healthy dose of “me time”?

We asked the Young Entrepreneur Council, “What is one thing you can do every day to take care of yourself, before your work?” to find out.

1. Set specific time slots when you don’t work.

Focusing on work is a great excuse for not taking care of yourself. I have set specific time slots where I won’t work and will instead spend time on my family and me. These slots are first thing in the morning (before 8 a.m.) and dinnertime (5 to 8 p.m.). Except for events I must attend, these slots are sacred times for me to spend with my family and not work. Setting this up has been life-changing.

—Joshua Dorkin, BiggerPockets

2. Start your day off with meditation.

I start every morning with a short 5–10-minute meditation using an app called Beditations. The meditation helps me visualize the things I’m most grateful for and allows me to minimize negativity and distractions. I find that early morning meditation increases my self-awareness and helps me put into perspective what really matters. I also tend to be much more positive, energetic and happy.

—Kristopher Jones, LSEO.com

3. Work out.

I get up early most mornings and head to a free, outside workout called F3. Aside from obvious health benefits, it clears my mind and gets me in touch with the outdoors and in the company of good friends to start the day.

—John Dillard, Big Sky Associates, Inc

4. Get enough ZZZs.

The scientific benefits of sleep are innumerable. More sleep equates to more happiness, better health and improved decision-making. Not to mention that it detoxes the brain. In order to do your best work, it’s critical to consistently recharge your batteries.

—Ryan Stephens, Ryan Stephens Marketing

5. Write a poem.

It sounds silly, random even, but this is something I’ve done every day that has dramatically reduced my stress while simultaneously opening my mind to many details in the world and opportunities that I would not have otherwise noticed. Start your day by writing a poem—even something as simple as a haiku.

—Matthew Manos, verynice

6. Keep a journal.

Life is very busy. My journal is in bullet-form so I can jot down things I did, people I met, how I felt, etc. It’s been a great outlet to help me be present, remember the little moments and sort out challenges in both my personal and professional life.

—Kate Levenstien, Cannonball Productions

7. Talk to friends and family.

Your friends and family are your biggest supporters. Even if you are having a very stressful and busy day, pick up the phone for a few minutes just to say hi to Mom or your best friend, and just talk about the good things that are happening in their lives. It will keep you grounded.

—Faraz Khan, Go Direct Lead Generation

8. Wake up slowly.

It’s not unusual for me to answer 10 to 15 emails before even getting out of bed in the morning. But starting the day off like this often sets a negative tone for the day, and truthfully most issues can wait. I’m learning that I’m much happier when I take 30 to 45 minutes to wake up slowly and shower before checking email.

—Jesse Lear, V.I.P. Waste Services, LLC

9. Read something fictional.

Refresh your mind by taking an afternoon break from your workflow and escaping to another world. Reading fictional stories stimulates the right side of your brain, sparking creative thought. That stimulation can make your day go a little smoother by thinking differently, solving problems in abstract ways and, most importantly, rejuvenating your soul.

—Mark Krassner, Knee Walker Central

10. Do yoga.

I have always been a very active person. I played water polo, swam, surfed, tried every sport out there. But in the last few years I started doing yoga a few days a week and it has changed my life. It’s the only place my phone is completely off and my mind is focused on myself only—no clients, employees or projects. It’s the easiest way to reset your mind and body in 60 minutes.

—Torrey Tayenaka, Sparkhouse

11. Listen to a podcast.

I find that one of the best practices to get fresh air and stimulate my brain is simply to take a walk and listen to a podcast with the podcast app that now comes standard on the iPhone. Do yourself a favor and listen to something non-business-related. For a little health or mindfulness, my favorites are Bulletproof Radio and Buddhist Geeks.

—Matt Wilson, Under30Experiences

12. Put yourself on your schedule.

When you put yourself on your schedule, you won’t have meetings and appointments that prevent you from taking care of yourself. I prefer to put myself as my first appointment of the day to make sure I don’t get caught up in the day and decide to skip out on important things that keep me grounded, like exercise and meditation.

—Natalie MacNeil, She Takes on the World

13. Make time for play.

Before becoming a father, I would have given an answer like many others: workout, meditate, yoga, etc. These are all exceptional ways to nurture yourself. After becoming a father, the greatest joy I can experience is playing with my children. It’s like taking that deep refreshing breath of sea air after a hard workout, but better.

—Derek Fitzpatrick, Ios Optics

More great articles at: https://www.success.com/

The Power Of Play: Ian Livingstone at TEDxZurich

Another great TED Talk!

Intuition and the Healing Power of Play: Part II Play = Joy = Abundance

By Kumari Mullin

Your body cannot heal without play.
Your mind cannot heal without laughter.
Your soul cannot heal without joy.
- Catherine Rippenger Fenwick

And I would add "your prosperity cannot heal without time off." So even though I am in the midst of launching a new program and it seems counter-intuitive when I have so much on my plate, I have gone to the beach for a quick swim several times this week because I am finally appreciating the direct link between play and inspiration, creativity and productivity.

The energy of play is aligned with the energy of abundance. I have asked many successful teachers, authors, and coaches what they felt was their "secret sauce" for success. They unanimously shared that when they finally began to take more play time for themselves, their business and success soared.

One motivational speaker confided that years ago when she was a realtor, she made the unpopular decision to only work Monday to Thursday, and take time with her family on long weekends. Even though she wasn't working the prime time weekends doing open houses, this was the turning point when she really started making serious money as she felt refreshed, renewed and super focused when she was working. Basically, it returned her to a healthier balance, and she was happy again!

Marci Shimoff, perhaps one of the bestselling self-help women authors of all time, shared how she planned a week long silent retreat on a remote island nearly a year in advance. However, she almost canceled the retreat as she was launching a new book, thinking it was crazy to go away at such a critical time in her business.

Yet Shimoff reminded herself that she scheduled the retreat knowing how critical it was to take time to unplug. On day two of the retreat she was totally rewarded, as she received the inspiration for Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul which led to six bestsellers and sold over 13 million copies.

In his book Play, author and psychiatrist Stuart Brown, MD, compares play to oxygen. He writes, "... it's all around us, yet goes mostly unnoticed or unappreciated until it is missing." This makes sense when we consider play is art, books, movies, music, comedy, flirting and daydreaming, writes Dr. Brown, who worked with renowned playful physician Patch Adams.

Healing Benefits of Play

Personally, since I have committed to playing this summer, I feel much better in my body. It is easier to follow my intuition about what food my body is craving, and I freed up time to overcome my resistance to cooking, and explore new recipes so I can prepare healthier meals. My relationship with my partner is also so much lighter and enjoyable as we share more fun moments together.

These benefits and more have been well documented. In the article "The Importance of Play for Adults", Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. shares that play can:

- Relieve stress. Play is fun and can trigger the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals that promote a sense of well-being and can even relieve pain.

- Stimulate the brain. Playing chess, completing puzzles, or pursuing other fun activities that challenge the brain can help prevent memory problems and improve brain function.

- Boost creativity and problem solving. Play can also stimulate your imagination, helping you adapt and problem solve. You'll learn a new task better when it's fun and you're in a relaxed and playful mood.

- Improve relationships and your connection to others. Sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy with others. Developing a playful nature can help you loosen up in stressful situations, break the ice with strangers, make new friends, and form new business relationships.

- Keep you feeling young and vital. Playing can boost your energy and vitality and even improve your resistance to disease.

Tips to Add More Play = JOY to your Day

Play is a fertile field for joy to blossom. Yet we often think we have to take a long vacation and wait for once a year to actually play. In his book, Dr. Brown writes that a little bit of play can go a long way toward boosting your productivity and happiness. So how can you incorporate more play in your life? Here are a few tips:

- Change how you think about play. Any time you think play is a waste of time, remember that it offers some serious benefits for both you and others. Remember that play is important for all aspects of our lives, including productivity, creativity and relationships. Give yourself permission and schedule some play time daily. 

- Play with children and pets. Playing with kids and animals helps us experience the magic of play. I have even witnessed puppies playing with older dogs who were arthritic and depressed, and it gave them a whole new lease on life.

- Bringing the element of play into daily tasks. During the day, I may run outside for a few minutes and sniff a flower, or walk barefoot in the grass. I love to add music to mundane tasks like paperwork and kitchen chores, and even dancing doing dishes. I sing songs and affirmations while showering which always lifts my spirit.

Now that you are aware of the myriad benefits of play, no more excuses. What are some ways you can add a bit of play to your day?

Kumari is an internationally acclaimed intuitive healer and master coach, best-selling author, spiritual evolutionary and animal mystic, Kumari's deepest joy is empowering healers, coaches, health professionals and conscious leaders to unwrap their innate intuitive, manifesting and healing gifts.

Visit http://www.KumariHealing.com for FREE audio training for greater Clarity, Ease and Empowerment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kumari_Mullin/359845

The Power of Play | Charlie Hoehn | TEDxSantoDomingo

Why do so many of us hate what we do?  Take a look........

Intuition and the Healing Power of Play

By Kumari Mullin

"Don't question why she needs to be so free
She'll tell you it's the only way to be... "
-Rolling Stones, "Ruby Tuesday" lyrics

Knowing how important it is to maintain a high vibration and be in balance on every level, this summer I dedicated to saying yes to anything that felt good and made me happy. It was not a conscious choice at first; it was a deeper longing in my being to unplug from all the "doing" and feel... FREE. I wasn't feeling burnt out exactly, I was feeling something deeper stirring, and the normal busyness was not allowing the new level of self-nurturing, balance and integration to emerge.

While being drawn inside to a deeper listening, I found it wasn't enough to just sit quietly and meditate, or even to channel. My inner child was calling out to PLAY. My creativity was craving new expression and freedom. In short, my normal busyness and my packed schedule was not allowing enough space for my Soul. For me and many other seasoned light warriors I've spoken to, self-nurturing and play IS the missing piece to anchoring in the paradigm shift to higher levels of consciousness right now. I felt like a new space is opening up and we have to learn to walk all over again.

My strong sense of Higher Purpose that has driven me since I can remember began to fall away, as I gained a foothold in the fullness of this Presence, that kept demanding that I play. When did play become such a no-no? Who knew play could be so hard??? 

This may sound like it would be easy but the real truth is we get very attached to our busyness, our productivity, our "doing". As I chose to wander the new landscape of my Being-ness without the Busy-ness, I encountered many layers of thought that were totally plugged in to unconscious fears rooted in unworthiness.

Maybe you can relate to the myriad ways my self-worth was intricately woven into "working." I noticed the thought patterns of "I am not deserving of being supported if I am not working hard; I am lazy if I am not moving enough; if I am playing I should be more physically active; my money will suffer if I am not working long hours" and on and on.

Healing Gifts of Play

Committing to more play time has brought me many gifts in new awareness, deeper integration of the new energies I am sharing, and a level of self-loving that I am now not just teaching and giving, but truly receiving and living.

Though I totally ADORE what I do, it is really intense at times and I was not always conscious of how much energy and focus it takes. I had not always given myself enough space to truly balance my needs while taking on others' needs, even though it often totally uplifts me in the moment. I felt being a healer and mentor was my Soul Purpose and therefore I "should" be happy and grateful for serving in this way (which I truly am).

Yet the very way I was holding and feeling my "purpose" had to shift. The underpinnings of a sense of missionary zeal that I had to accomplish something incredibly important and if I didn't, well, the sky would fall or something began to feel off. It sounds laughable when I say it like that but many of you may also feel such a sense of urgency that it weighs quite heavily on your shoulders at times. Not exactly "grace and ease" and the incredible lightness of Being...

Real Play Requires Intuition, Trust and Presence

Devoting myself to play demanded that I be truly present in each moment. What my body wanted yesterday to feel good, was not the same today. What inspired me when I was 20, 30 or 40, may no longer be holding lasting joy for me now. The way others choose to play often doesn't fit for me.

This level of Presence was a calling or practice in itself. It requires enormous flexibility and tuning in with responsive attentiveness to my feelings, my energy, even my mood, without judging. My mind chatter that kept popping in needed serious weeding, and dropping all the "shoulds" requires a lot of courage.

I had to revisit my Trust and Faith which I always thought was very deep. Did I really believe in a universal abundance and flow, or did it only happen when I "earned" it by working hard? Did I have faith in my connectedness to Source in every decision, in every breath, that if I lived true to my inner knowing, I would not only survive, but truly thrive? Am I truly loved for who I am, not just what I do?

Permission to Play

As we near the close of summer I am beginning to rest in the knowing that my very presence, right here, right now, in this body is not only ENOUGH but a total BLESSING. At times I can tune into each step, each breath and trace the healing energy of this life force from Source gracing Mother Earth through me. Wow.

How would your life change if you began to accept this perception that your very presence on the planet JUST AS YOUR ARE... is enough? Is a blessing?

What would you let go of? What would you choose instead? How might your values and daily activities shift? What inspires your child within?

My intention for all of you, actually my Healing Rx (aka Prescription) and "Divine Orders": Play More!

Kumari is an internationally acclaimed intuitive healer and master coach, best-selling author, spiritual evolutionary and animal mystic, Kumari's deepest joy is empowering healers, coaches, health professionals and conscious leaders to unwrap their innate intuitive, manifesting and healing gifts.

Visit http://www.KumariHealing.com for FREE audio training for greater Clarity, Ease and Empowerment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kumari_Mullin/359845

Why we do what we do | Tony Robbins

Great content, as always!

Decluttering Tips for Pack Rats

By Jesse Badolato

It's very easy to assume that anyone who lives in a decluttered, organized house was born organized and always lived clutter free. However, some of the most organized people I have known started out as disorganized pack rats.

I'm also a former pack rat. People I've met in the past few years are often surprised to find out that my space used to always be very cluttered and disorganized. Because I work to live clutter free, I know that if you set your mind to getting rid of your own clutter, you can.

If you're a pack rat looking to put some order to your house, these tips can help the process along:

Start Small

Decluttering a house is hard. Decluttering a room is easier. Decluttering a desk is even easier. Divide the space you need to declutter into smaller and smaller sections until you can look at a section and say, "I can tackle this!" Work on this space, then move to the next.

Track Your Progress

Take a camera and snap a few pictures of your space before you start. When you finish decluttering a section, snap another picture of that area. When you compare the pictures, you'll be able to see the decluttering progress that you've made.

Get Rid of the Obvious Trash First

The first thing you should do when you declutter is take a trash bag and get rid of the obvious trash. Junk mail, packaging, last week's shopping list - trash them. You will instantly see some progress in your decluttering project.

Start With the Noticeable, Then Move To the Hidden

It is easy for pack rats to start emptying out all of the dark corners and hidden spaces when they declutter. However, if you already have clutter sitting out in view, this only adds to what you need to work on to have a visibly decluttered space. Start with what you can see. Then tackle your hidden clutter zones one at a time.

Keep Fewer Multiples

Do you really need six travel cups and four weeks' worth of socks? Much of the extra unused stuff in our lives is easily obtainable again if we find that we need it in the future. If you have more of something than you use, thin it out until you only have what you actively use.

Just Start

It's easy to get involved in planning your entire course of action for decluttering your home, but if you spend all of your time planning and don't get rid of stuff, you will be no better off than before you decided to take the decluttering plunge. Start now by finding five things you don't want to keep, or by clearing the junk mail off of your desk. Doing something small is better than doing absolutely nothing.

There are also a couple of things that you can do to help you keep your space decluttered over time. These tips take some dedication, but will help you long-term.

Don't Try to Change Overnight

You didn't become a pack rat in a day -- it was a habit that you built up over time. So, for long-term results, don't worry about trying to change yourself in a day or week. Work on finding and changing the little habits that all contribute to your pack rat nature. If you work on changing your habits one at a time, your progress will be more sustainable.

Learn About Your Buying Habits

A decluttered space is energizing, but if you are still following your old clutter-building ways, that space will fill up before long. Pay attention to the reasons why you buy things. Do you buy new things to cheer you up? Or do you feel a thrill when you find a new yard sale gem? I used to compulsively browse through craft stores and used book stores when I felt bored. Learning why you buy and keep things will make you more aware when you're about to buy something that will quickly turn to clutter in your newly decluttered space.

When you're a pack rat, decluttering your house may seem too big or too involved of a task. But if you break the process up into sections and learn a few things about yourself, you can not only get rid of the clutter, but keep it away.

Jesse has worked to eliminate clutter from her life for the past several years. Over time, she's gone from being a pack rat to loving a neat, clutter free living space that she can come home to and be comfortable living in. Visit [http://declutteringmyhouse.com] to learn how you can not only rid your house of clutter, but also keep it that way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jesse_Badolato/787608

Oprah Winfrey on Finding Your Purpose in Life and Living Your Dream

Take a look and Find Your Purpose today!

8 Small, Everyday Actions to Improve Your Health

by Robyn Passante

1. Eat eggs for breakfast.

Eating protein first thing in the morning will keep you fuller longer and stabilize your blood sugar so you won’t crash later.

2. Sit less.

(particularly in front of the TV). When you’re watching TV, your metabolic rate dips below regular resting levels, closer to sleep levels. Swap 30 minutes of your regular TV viewing for walking.

3. Go nuts.

Food fads come and go, but nuts pack a tried-and-true powerful punch of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. A handful is just enough to keep calories down and energy up.

4. Single-task something.

Pick one important task and fully focus on it for 10 minutes. Notice when you have the urge to switch to something else, and pause mindfully without following the urge.

5. Incorporate self-care items on your to-do list.

Booking intentional recharging activities into your daily routine cuts down on the perceived need for self-rescue (“I need a drink” or “I need a treat”) that happens late in the day.

6. Meditate daily.

Start or end your day with five to 10 minutes quietly focusing on your breathing.

7. Add physical activity between work and home life.

Take a brisk walk to your car (parked as far from the office as possible), do a set of planks or push-ups when you get home, or crank up the tunes and dance around the kitchen. Physical activity can reduce work-related stress.

8. Don’t go to bed grumpy.

Research shows going to bed in a bad mood not only affects your sleep, but also is predictive of chronic health issues 10 years later. Mentally list three things you’re grateful for before turning out the light.