What technique do you use to quit worrying?

A client ask me this question recently, so I thought I'd answer it here....

First, let's define worry:

"to feel uneasy or concerned about something; be troubled"

" to cause to feel anxious, distressed, or troubled"

"persistent mental uneasiness"

(answers.com)

Basically, worry is a form a fear.... worry, concern, fear are all synonyms. And they all stem from a feeling of not being in control, or a lack of trust, or for some reason you do not feel safe.

The antidote to worry is trust.

But how do you get to a trusting place when you're mind is filled with worry thoughts?

Like reaching any goal, you begin one step at a time.

The first step is willingness. You have to be willing to release the worry thoughts and let them go. Ask yourself, on a scale of 1-10, how willing are you to let this worry go? If you're not 100% willing to let it go, look underneath to see what benefit you're getting for keeping this worry. There's always a pay off, even if it's just a perceived pay off.

The second step, you have to be willing to trust - trust that there is a Higher Power at work for your Highest Good... Trust that the Universe is FOR you. Trust that it is on your side, always giving you exactly what you need when you need it. Remind yourself, "this too shall pass." Be willing to trust that you are safe, loved, and cared for.

The third step is to spend time in self-reflection. Look underneath the worry thoughts. What's the real underlying concern? What's really troubling you?

You'll most likely find that it's some sort of fear, as I said earlier - fear of not being in control, lack of trust, not feeling safe, or perhaps a combination of these. You must uncover what it is for you.

Here is an exercise to help get to the root of your worry thoughts:

• Make a quick list of the things you are worried or concerned about.
  
• For each worry/concern on your list, write the sentence below and finish it with the first thing that comes to your mind. No judging or editing, just write quickly. Use the word "worried" or "concerned" as it seems best to you.

"I am worried/concerned about __________ because....." (you finish the sentence)

• If you need to write several sentences to "get it all out" that's fine. The main thing is to get all that worrying out of your head and on to the paper. Do this for each of the worry/concerns on your list.
  
• Now, go back and review what you have written. Note any repeated words or themes or Freudian slips. Can any of these be sorted into categories? i.e. family, work, health, etc? Do they seem to point to one major theme or are there several? Do the worries/concerns seem to be more of a control issue, a trust issue, or a safety issue?
  
• After you have analyzed your writings, write a short summary statement about it. For example, "My biggest concern is...." or "I am most worried about...." Note which category best fits: control, trust, or safety.
  
• Now, turn that statement into a positive affirmation. Your statement should be short, to the point, and easy to remember. Here are some examples to get you started:

" I love myself and take care of my body."

"I love and appreciate myself and allow others to be who they are."

" I trust in the flow of life."

"I am one with God and I am safe."

"I now choose to be happy. All is well."

"I do what I can to change _______ (fill in with your situation/worry) and let the rest go."

"The God-Power within me is greater than any obstacle before me." (or you could name your specific concern)

Once you have your positive affirmation, there are several ways to use it. (I would recommend working with only one statement at a time for now.

Here are a few of ways to work with those affirmations:

JOURNALING TECHNIQUE

Write the affirmation down 30 times each day for 30 days. Write quickly, saying the words to yourself or out loud as you write them. Write fast so that your conscious mind has no time to interject it's "yeah-but" opinion. The act of writing fast helps to access the subconscious mind, so in essence, you are "planting" this positive thought into your subconscious as you write.

Every other day as you write your statement, and those times when the "yeah-buts" are strong, add a "garbage column." Write your affirmation, then immediately write whatever comes to you. You may get things like: "yeah, right" "that will be the day" "you must be kidding" "you don't deserve that" "who do you think you are" "not in this life time".... you get the picture. The point is to get those garbage thoughts out of your consciousness! If you don't, they will manifest in some self-sabotaging way.

After you've written your 30 statements, each with the garbage statement, go back and read the garbage column and see if there are any patterns or themes. Think back to earlier times in your life... where did these limiting thoughts originate? Who's voice is saying these things? (A parent or some other authority figure, a relative, or someone else you know?) How has this thought been a pattern in your life?

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL

Say your positive affirmation while looking at yourself in a mirror. Look directly into your eyes and speak from your heart. Say your statement out loud at least 10 times. You are affirming to yourself this is true. Say it as you would to a little child, directly and with passion. Don't allow yourself to look away. Keep your eyes directed at your reflection as you speak these truths to yourself.

Do this every morning as you get ready for your day and every night before you go to bed.

HEAR YE, HEAR YE!

Every time you go by a window or even while driving in your car, shout out your affirmation of truth to the world. Preface it with "here ye, here ye." Pretend you are the town crier spreading the good news!

"Here ye, here ye! I, (state your name) am now...... (fill in with your affirmation)."

For even more power, try saying it in all three persons:

first person: "I, (state your name) am..."

second person: "You, (state your name) are..."

third person: "(your name)" is..."

Have fun with it! You never know, it may just make you laugh and forget all about your worries!! :)

Here's to continuing the journey... letting go of worry... embracing Trust... and spreading the "good news" about YOU!

-Becky

Allowing What Is...

I just discovered this wonderful video this morning...

It's a quick, powerful overview of Abraham-Hicks speaking on our Vibrational Escrow - you know... all that stuff we want but hasn't shown up yet....

They have a way of presenting concepts that is so clear and precise... Listening to it was a happy, "duh" moment for me!

Enjoy!



Here's to continuing the Journey... listening... allowing.... and appreciating what is...

-Becky

Clear the Fear, Embrace Faith

"He who fears something gives it power over him."
- Moorish Proverb

With all the fear talk about the recession and everything, I wanted to do something to help people get out of the fear! and refocus their energy on more life-enhancing avenues of thought.

What you focus on, you get more of...

If you are hooked to the media and their constant bombardments of how bad things are.... then that's what you'll see all around you - only the bad stuff.

And "THEY" will have won - you've bought in to their hysteria-making, which ups their ratings, which helps their business.

It's their business to bring you the doom-and-gloom because that is what sells.

Can you really afford to continue investing in fear?

"There is much in the world to make us afraid. There is much
more in our faith to make us unafraid."
- Frederick W. Cropp

It's time to Clear the Fear and Embrace Faith... faith in yourself, faith in God, the Universe, ... whatever you call that Higher Power ....

But, to get back to Faith, you've got to make room for it by letting go of the fear.

That's what my teleclass on Saturday, March 21 will help you do. We'll go through a very powerful process of releasing fear, reconnecting with your heart, and refocusing on the love that is within and around you.

You'll also learn about the Power of Your Voice and why it's one of the oldest healing tools in the history of mankind.

Find out more or register here. I hope you'll join me.

Here's to continuing the Journey... being in service... doing what I can to help heal the planet....

-Becky

Sound Healing Meditation for Love and Peace

In celebration of Valentine's Day, the World Sound Healing Day, and the dawning of Aquarius, (see two previous posts) I've just created a Sound Healing Meditation using the Sacred Solfeggio frequency for Connecting and Relationships - FA 639 Hz - which corresponds with the Heart Center. These original sound frequencies were used in ancient Gregorian chants, including the great hymn to St. John the Baptist. (get more info here)

The sounds you hear (in order of appearance) are "pink" noise, OM tuner, and the FA tuning fork. The FA tuning fork is played 9 times (symbolizing completion). The whole meditation is 9 minutes. (turn up your speakers... the pink noise is quiet :)

Click here to download…

Meditation Suggestions:

1. Use the beginning pink noise to take three deep breaths and get settled and comfortable.
2. The first tone will be the OM Tuner which is the vibration of the Earth in a 24-hr period lowered about 30 octaves. This is a deep, relaxing sound. As you listen, breath into your heart. You may wish to lay your hand on your heart to help focus your awareness there. Continue breathing with your attention on your heart center throughout the rest of the meditation.
3. As the first FA tuning fork sounds, think of someone you feel a deep connection and appreciation for. Breath in this appreciation, love, and gratitude. Imagine the air you are breathing in and out is the color pink.
4. As you exhale, see your breath connecting with theirs. Feel your hearts dancing in gratitude for one another.
5. If you wish, tone the sound "AH" or hum the sound of the tuning fork. Or just enjoy the sound as it washes through you.
6. Continue breathing and feeling and visualizing, adding more people into your circle of loving awareness.
7. Gradually enlarge your circle to include your city, your state, your country.... and the world. See yourself and the world in peace, connecting easily and effortlessly, filled with love and appreciation and gratitude for each other and for life on this planet.
8. After the 9 FA tuning forks have sounded, you will hear the OM Tuner again. Imagine your world family going back to their lives and you coming back to yours still feeling the connection with them. We are truly all One.
9. Continue to feel this loving connection until the pink noise fades out. Then take one last slow deep breath in and out, saying a prayer of gratitude. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes.

Here's to continuing the Journey... breathing... feeling.... and becoming peace and love.

-Becky

World Sound Healing Day, February 14

February 14 at noon Eastern, join Jonathan Goldman, (master/guru of sound healing) , the Sound Healers Association, and thousands of people as they tone the heart center sound, "AH".

"AH" is a universal, non-denominational heart sound. When you tone (sing) this vowel sound with focused energy, it is extremely powerful.

You're invited to sound the "AH" heart sound for 5 minutes with the intention of Peace and Love at Noon Eastern or at any time throughout the day on Saturday.

You can go to http://www.templeofsacredsound.org/ and enter the Toning Chambers and tone along with a pre-recorded "AH". Or you can download an "AH" sound from the Healing Sounds website.

"In order for compassion and, kindness to manifest on the Earth, it is vital that the Global Heart of the planet be activated as well. This can be accomplished is through sound.In many sacred traditions is the understanding that there is mind, there is body and speech (sound). Sound is the interconnecting linking mechanism between body and mind. With Temple of Sacred Sound, through using Global Sound, we can work with the Global Mind (the Internet) to activate the Global Heart as well as create a direct connect to spirit and to the Divine." (HealingSounds.com)

Here's to continuing the Journey... taking responsibility for BEing the change we want to see... getting involved and helping the world change for the better!

These are exciting times!

-Becky

The Age of Aquarius... It's Here!

Remember the 1969 hit, Aquarius?

When the Moon is in the seventh house
and Jupiter aligns with Mars.
Then peace will guide the planets
and love will steer the starts.

Well, at dawn on February 14th there will be a concentration of cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius and the Moon will be in the 7th house.... (You can get all the astrological details here.

The exciting thing is that the "Universe" will be in perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of love, peace, and the dawning of this new age of spiritual enlightenment.

You are invited to be a part of this momentus event and to set your intention for the future:

At 7:25am on 14th February - and for the 18 minutes of the alignment, you are invited, in the universal heart, to add your own intention for love and peace and to co-create the dawning of the Age of Aquarius to that of the Cosmos. In whatever way feels appropriate for you, you may choose to align with7.25am (UT) or 7.25am your own local time energizing a wave of intention that will surge around the Earth.

Here's to continuing the Journey... aligning our collective intentions for peace and love... helping to set the course for this exciting time of change as we move into higher levels of consciousness.

-Becky

PS. for some inspirational nostalgia... watch the 5th Diminsion perform Aquarius.
Here are the lyrics:

When the moon is in the seventh house

and Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the age of a Aquarius,

the age of Aquarius

Aquarius, Aquarius

Harmony and understanding

Sympathy and trust abounding

No more falsehoods or derisions

Golden living dreams of visions

Mystic crystal revelation

and the minds true liberation

Aquarius, Aquarius

When the moon is in the seventh house

and Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the age of a Aquarius,

the age of Aquarius

Aquarius, Aquarius

Let the Sun Shine in....

Year End Ritual for clearing the old & bringing in the new

2008 has been a time of transition for me, or more accurately, a time of re-transitioning. In my search to find the “Real Me,” my life-journey has brought me full-circle – back to embrace the Musician, the true heart of Who I Am.

It’s interesting that in numerology, 2008 is a “10” year (2+8=10). Ten is the number of completion of journeys and returning to origins… Odysseus wandered for nine years and returned on the tenth. Troy was besieged for nine years and fell on the tenth. Ten is the sum of the number nine of the circumference with the one of the center – being perfection. In the Hebrew Kabbalah, ten is the numerical value of Yod, the Eternal Word, the first letter of the Divine name. To Pythagoras, the number 10 was perfection. Breaking down the 10 further: 10=1= Rebirth – that which stirs and awakens your soul at the time. (1)

2009 is a “2” year which is about duality and balance, stability and reflection. In Hebrew, 2 represents the life-force, wisdom and self-consciousness.(1) It’s also about learning, growing, with new models of partnership and harmony on the horizon. (3)

2009 (2+9) is 11 - which is a power, or master number (double digits repeating themselves). It represents intuition, revelation, artistic and inventive genius, and refinement fulfilled when working with a practical partner.(1) It’s about connection, collaboration, and partnership.

2009, I feel, will be a very important year, and with the energy of the master number, 11, it has the potential of being a very powerful year. So, it’s even more important to close out this year before moving forward into 2009.

Here is a simple but powerful ritual or ceremony (that I learned from my friend and collegue, Lynn Scheurell) to help you bring completion to 2008 and set your intentions for 2009. And if you can do it tonight (or during the new moon phase Dec 27- Dec 30), you’ll have the energy of the new moon of Capricorn supporting you. (Capricorn is very results-oriented and is all about getting your priorities straight, setting goals, and strengthening your resolve.)

Year End / New Moon Ritual

As you go through the steps below, set this intention for yourself:

“I am making a plan for success that will turn my dreams and goals into reality in 2009.”

First, you will need two pieces of paper. On one, write a summary (list or paragraph) of what 2008 was for you and who you were during the year. On the other, write a list or paragraph for who you are becoming and what you are intentionally attracting in 2009.

Then burn the 2008 piece of paper, releasing that energy to the Universe. You can light a red or white candle for this or use a chiminea or fireplace if you have one. Pay attention to thoughts and feelings that come to you as the paper burns. Notice if there are any symbols, shapes or messages in the flames or ashes that have particular significance to you.

When the paper has burned completely, if you used candles, you can blow them out to signify the end of that energy. If you are using a fireplace or chiminea, just state the intention that this energy is complete.

Now burn the 2009 piece of paper. (Relight the candles if you’re using them.) As the paper burns, send out your intentions, being aware of any potential messages coming to you.

When you are done, pay attention to any feelings or messages that may come to you as a result of this ritual. They are likely to be messages for the initiation of relationship between you and the energy of the new year. (2)

Here’s to continuing the Journey… clearing out the old… bringing in the new… as you align with your Inner Essence and live the Truth of Who You Really Are.

-Becky

Sources:
(1) Crystalinks.com – numerology information – http://www.crystalinks.com/numerology2.html
(2) Lynn Scheurell, Creative Catalyst, Soul-Driven Alignments eZine – basic ritual and questions – http://www.mycreativecatalyst.com
(3) New Moon Journal – www.moonsurfing.com

What Does Your Face Say About You?

My friend Lynn reads faces.... no really. It's pretty amazing.... and accurate, too!

Here's what she said about me.....



Those of you who know me.... what do you think? Does what she says match what you "see" in me?

Here's to continuing the Journey... learning and sharing insights for greater self-awareness.

-Becky

Real Change is Up to You & Me

You must be the change you want to see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political and spiritual leader (1869-1948)

Yes, Obama preaches "change".... and yes, some things will change in the next few years - some things will stay the same (same story, just different characters)

This would be true no matter who won the election.

The biggest question of the day is this:

What are YOU going to change?

If you don't change direction, you'll end up where you're headed.
Chinese Proverb, 6000 BC

Real change begins in our heart - in your heart, in my heart.

It starts with taking responsibility for our own world - our inner world and our outer world.

Where you and I stand today is the result of all the little and big decisions we've made up to this point. And if we keep on this same way.... will things be any different next year? in 5 years? in 10?

Sometimes the smallest decision can bring about the biggest change. Sometimes it only takes looking at things from a different perspective.

Sometimes it takes just a willingness....

... a willingness to let go of past hurts

... a willingness to forgive

... a willingness to stop the negative mind chatter

... a willingness to reclaim your personal power

... a willingness to say "no" to whatever you've been tolerating

What one thing can you change today to make your tomorrow different?

Real change begins with you and with me....

If there is to be peace in the world,

there must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,

there must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,

there must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,

there must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,

there must be peace in the heart.

Lao-Tse 600 BC

Here's to continuing the Journey... taking responsibility, and BEing the change in our own world first.

-Becky

Soul of America

This is such an important day, I wanted to create some kind of Something to give encouragement, hope, perspective....? I wasn't sure.

I just felt I needed to DO something!

I had two hours before my next appointment... but all the many ideas were getting all jumbled up and I couldn't get a clear reading on which direction to go.

Then, about 25 minutes before my appointment was to arrive, I was overcome with an urgency to just sit at the piano and PLAY! I was thinking it would be a meditation-type something....

After I finished playing, I realized that I had forgotten to turn on the mic! GREAT!!

With 15 minutes left, I turned on the mic and sat down again....

And something totally different came out.....

The Soul of America...

... a sense of determination... and the whisper.... "I will survive this too"

My gift to you...

Here's to continuing the Journey... following through when inspired... allowing the unexpected...

- Becky

Are You Caught Up in the Fear?

With all this talk about recession, economic downfall, bail out... it's hard to stay positive.

But remember when gas prices were predicted to reach the
$4-$5 mark and everybody was focused on watching the price levels rise, talking about how bad things were getting?

Then, what happened when the "big news" changed to the candidates in the coming election? What happened to gas prices?

They went down!

This is the classic example of the law of attraction: "what you focus on grows." We have many phrases for it - like attracts like - birds of a feather flock together....

Now, the current "big news" Oh-no, doom and gloom story that the media loves to parlay is the recent bail out and impending recession.

But just think a minute.... our country has been through good economic times and bad economic times. And there have been rich people and poor people in both.

What is the common denominator here?

Each person's individual mindset - their attitude, outlook, their approach to life, their way of thinking, their state of mind....

How is your mindset right now?

Are you glued to the TV and the media's hype - investing your time and energy in their latest "the sky is falling" rantings?

Do your conversations with friends and co-workers, family center on how bad things are and how much worse they're predicted to get?

Are you invested in fear - afraid you'll lose everything?

Remember - What you focus on grows.

If you focus on fear, lack, impending doom... you'll start seeing it everywhere, in every situation of your life... the more you focus, the more you see.... it will eventually tail-spin you into a downward spiral of depression and you will suffer mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

I don't know about you, but that doesn't seem like a very fun way to live!

So what can you do?

First thing - turn off the TV! Stop watching and reading about the predicted doom and gloom. Sure, you need to be informed. But being informed and wallowing in despair are two different things. Another thing is.... the media's job is to sell advertising, sell newspapers, boost their ratings... in other words - to make money. (to make money from your fear) They don't really have your best interest at heart.

So, after you turn off the TV, start focusing on Gratitude for what you DO have. If you're reading this, that means you woke up this morning and you're still breathing! There's also a good chance you still have your family. There are still people who love you, and that you love. You still have a home, your work, your talents, your passion.

And if you're life situation is not what you want it to be, what can you do to change it? There's always something you can do differently - even if it's just to change your perspective about it.
Viktor Frankl, survived the Nazi Concentration camps because he refused to focus on the despairing situation he was in. When he saw a flower growing in the mud, he focused on the flower, not the mud.

Then, keep a Positive Money Mindset. Money is just energy. It's a convenient way to exchange energy between people. It's a lot easier to buy a pair of shoes with money than to try to find someone who will accept a handful of tomatoes from your garden in exchange for them.

In fearful economic times, it's tempting to horde your money and not spend it. But this clogs up the money flow - stopping the flow of energy. Sure, saving is good, and being frugal in our spending, making wise investments is good practice in all economic times.

It's the attitude that makes the difference - your mindset.

Are you focusing on the flower or are you focusing on the mud?

Here's to continuing the Journey.... and keeping a Positive Mindset in all areas of life!

-Becky

P.S. Affirmations are powerful tools for transforming our negative thoughts, ideas, and beliefs about anything really - but especially about money. And it's especially important in this economic time to keep focused on the "flower" instead of the "mud".

Awhile ago, I created a Positive Money Mindset CD to help you keep an open, positive mindset about money. It features a series of positive, uplifting affirmations about money, financial success, and prosperity.

You can listen to a sample, or get more information, here:

http://www.spiritualcoachingcenter.com/catalog/PMM.htm

If you'd like a copy, you can order one here:

http://tinyurl.com/6cr75k

I Can Do This

I remember having a semantics argument with my Dad during one of our bike rides to the park. I was arguing that I couldn't dive into a pool because I had had surgery on my right ear drum and the doctors advised that I not dive.

He, however, was trying to address the "I can't" statement verses "I can."

What he was probably trying to get me to say was "I CHOOSE not to dive because of these reasons...." Instead of just a blatant, "I can't."

Of course, there was also a large investment in me affirming that I could not dive.... I was scared to!! And at the time I was probably afraid that if I agreed with him that I COULD dive, then I'd actually HAVE to do it! :)

At any rate.... my Dad taught me a lot about confidence through the years. He always told me, "You can do anything you put your mind to."

So.... I've been working on a confidence project since the first of August, and I finally got this small part of it finished.... This in itself, has been a lesson in confidence! Enjoy....



Here's to learning, growing, and practicing self-confidence every day!

-Becky

In Memory of My Dad

My Dad passed away August 26, 2008 after an extended illness. Please help me celebrate his life by watching this video. His Soul Music is playing in the background. I wrote this for him the night before he died - turned out to be my 'good-bye' to him, as he passed on before I arrived the next day.

Many thanks to the producers of the video, Memories by Design (Spokanne, WA) and to Music Funeral Home (Waycross, GA) for providing this video for us. The beginning and ending slides (and the music, of course) were my additions.



More about my Dad...

In my growing up years, we shared a lot of music together, bike rides, and long talks... When I was practicing piano sometimes, he'd come in with his guitar and his harmonica and we'd play favorite hymns together. I remember bike rides down to the pier or to a neighborhood park. When we went to the park we'd always stop at the quick stop and get an icee. All these events always included long philosophical talks about life, the universe, and everything....

After I left for college the talks seemed to end. I was never home really long enough to engage in "quality time". Funny though, with his passing, I feel closer to him now than ever before. Going through all the pictures to pick out "just the right ones" for this video had a lot go do with that - as well as writing the music.

Here's some of the things he taught me:

• You can do anything you put your mind to.
• Be honest no matter what.
• If you make a mistake, admit it and apologize immediately.
• Allow people to be who they are, especially family.
• Don't give up.
• Lighten up!
• Enjoy life.
• Follow your passion.
• Love deeply with all your heart.

Please feel free to add a comment and share memories of your Dad. My Dad's passing and the closeness I feel to him just makes me realize more that yes, we ARE all connected and that we are never really separated from those we love.

Here's to continuing the Journey... sharing memories... celebrating life...

-Becky

With Freedom Comes Responsibility

... And part of our responsibility as free people is to NOT follow along blindly, but to be informed and to think for our selves and to make up our own minds about things.

Here's some questions to consider:

• What does freedom mean to you?
• Would you say “give me liberty or give me death”? (Patrick Henry, 1775)
• How often do you take a stand for what you believe in – at work, with friends, with family?
• How often do you “go along” with something just because you don’t want to draw attention to yourself, or you don’t want to make a fuss?
• How often do you exercise your “freedom” to say no when you really don’t want to do something you’ve been asked to do?
• Do you take on the opinions and perspectives you hear on the news or read in the paper? or do you investigate other sources and come up with your own opinion?

As you celebrate this July 4th, give some thought to what the words to the pledge of allegiance really says:

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.”

Here’s a word-by-word interpretation of it from the late comedian and actor Red Skelton: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfz2XDXaeqc

The First Pledge of Allegiance:

“I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.” – Francis Bellamy (1855-1931) written in 1892 for a school's 400th year Columbus Day celebration. (listen to more of it's history on my podcast: www.happy-seeds.org)

Other Sites of Interest:

• http://www.usflag.org/ - read "Lesson For Americans" by Mike Dalka (very moving!)
• http://www.poofcat.com/patriotic.html - various commentaries in many forms
• http://www.ushistory.org/documents/ - long list of historical documents
• http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bf.html - lots of flag history and information on many different flags
• http://www.ushistory.org/index.html - lots of info about lots of people and events
• and just for additional perspectives, try a google search on: "pledge of allegiance" socialist (did you know that Francis Bellomy was a Socialist Minister?) or pledge dispute or flag dispute

Here's to exercising Freedom to learn, to grow, and to search for the Truth in all things...

-Becky

YouTube Debut

My word! It's been a long time since I've made a post! :(

I've been busy finishing up projects and removing things from my "plate" so that I can spend the majority of my time building my coaching business.... (which is another story!)

Studying suggestions for article marketing by Matt Bacak (I can't locate the article with his web address at this moment)....

On his list of "to-do's" was to write a short article then record it, make a few PowerPoint slides, turn it into a movie, and post it to YouTube.

I thought, "hm.... I could probably do that. I don't know anything about Power Point or YouTube really (besides watching what other people send me).... but I've been doing podcasts since January, and I'm at least familiar with recording audio and editing it..... so, what the heck!

So 2 days to write the article (was writing it for my ezine also - Create a Happy 'Tude, and 2 days to learn Power Point and a new video editing software, (and messing with Paint Shop Pro.... ugh!!!!) and here we are!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBswZgmnMB8

Let me know what you think!

Here's to continuing the Journey.... learning, expanding, and growing!

-Becky

10 Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress

I've just posted a new podcast at http://blog.spiritualcoachingcenter.com/ where I give 10 tips to help you keep a positive attitude and stay in a light, happy, uplifted state of mind during this holiday season. These tips come from my own experience and from the collected wisdom of the people who participated in my recent holiday stress survey.

A Reader's Digest version of the tips are:

1. Stress happens in the mind. Monitor your thoughts and feelings to stay light, happy, and uplifted during the holidays
2. In all the busy-ness, if the activity energizes you, do it. If it doesn't, don't do it. If it just HAS to be done, deligate it
3. Respect yourself - set boundaries and limits on your finances and on your time spent in tense family situations
4. Ask people what they want for a gift, or if you don't feel comfortable with that, listen to your heart for guidance on what to purchase (within your budget!)
5. Family gatherings are not the time to solve long-standing issues or conduct group therapy sessions, so don't go there!
6. If you can't be with family because of divorce or long-distances, let them know you love them. If they've passed on, celebrate their life & share the good memories. If you're single, find a way to be of service to others less fortunate than you
7. Let go of perfectionism and the idealized "Norman Rockwell" Christmas. Stay connected to what the season is really all about.
8. Expect the crowds to be there. That's just the way it is. Spread happy vibrations wherever you go instead of being frustrated.
9. Give yourself a gift!
10. Take care of yourself - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually

Here's to continuing the Journey... and staying light, happy, uplifted and stress free!

-Becky

New Podcast at Spiritual Coaching Center

I've just started putting my ezine, Create a Happy 'Tude online as an mp3. Check it out at my new blogcast: www.blog.spiritualcoachingcenter.com and let me know what you think.

I'll be putting other podcasts up occassionally. Next one planned is Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress.... coming Tuesday, November 20.

Here's to continuing the Journey... and exploring new ways to communicate!

-Becky

Holiday Stress Survey

I’m gathering research for my first podcast: Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress. And I need your help. I’d really appreciate knowing what stresses you the most during the holidays and how you typically deal with it. The survey should only take you about 5 minutes or less.

http://www.spiritualcoachingcenter.com/holiday-stress-survey.html

Please pass this email along to anyone you think might be interested in participating. I’m hoping to have it ready by mid-November.

Here’s to continuing the Journey…..filing our lives with less stress and more joy this holiday season!
-Becky

Do You Know the Truth? Or Are You a Victim of Zeitgeist?

“And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall set you free.”
- John 8:32 (King James Version)

“How fortunate for leaders that men do not think.”
“Make the lie big, make it simple,
keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.”
- Adolf Hitler

Zeitgeist is a German word for "time-spirit" (geist = spirit; zeit = time) It's generally translated as "the spirit of the times. It refers to the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate, as well as the dominant beliefs and attitudes of a particular period. www.answers.com

If you want to know the truth about our times - these days you and I are living in - I encourage you to watch the Zeitgeist Movie at:
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

WARNING: It will change your life.

Because once you know the truth, or at least have been exposed to it, you can never "not know" it. You can, of course, choose to ignore it, but you can never erase the seed from your mind.

The movie is about 2 hours long but worth every minute.

If you don't want to know the truth, then continue on as you are.... (But read the Hitler quotes again before you go.)

Here's to continuing the Journey.... searching for the Truth about my world, my life, and my Self.

- Becky

911 Remembered...

Where were you then?

How has it affected your life?

What can you do now?

Share your story and your thoughts....

I was in Atlanta, Georgia, in graduate school, working at a large church in downtown Atlanta. We were gathering for a weekly staff planning meeting when one of the staff members came in and told us he'd just heard that one of the Twin Towers had been hit by a passenger plane.

We all just sort of sat there stunned, looking at each other, then unanimously agreed without really saying anything, that we needed to end this meeting and go find out more about what was happening.

I called my husband - who is much more up on current events that me - to ask what happened. By the time I called, the 3rd plane had just hit the Pentagon.

I immediately contacted a couple of friends who worked on Capital Hill to see if they were okay. They were in the process of evacuating the building. Class had been cancelled at school, and anything that needed to be done at work seemed trivial in the light of what was happening...

So I drove home - still in a daze.

If you've ever driven in Atlanta traffic - or any big city traffic for that matter - you know it's sometimes not a very "nice" or peaceful thing. But this day, i remember feeling a sense of courtesy, a sense of neighborliness, a sense of surreal-ness.

That evening I got together with a small group of friends to sort of "debrief" and better understand what had happened. There was a lot of anger in that gathering. There was also a lot of calm. Calm in the sense that, okay, this tragedy has happened. What can we do now?

Several of us felt that focusing on the event, reliving its terror (i.e. watching the non-stop reruns of it on TV) and joining the mass hysteria was not the best thing to do. It would not erase the fact that the events had happened, nor would it help to promote it not happening again. And it would not do us any good physically either!

Instead, focusing on peace and using the event as a "wake up call" would do more in the long run.

Whatever you focus on grows. That is the universal Law of Attraction. It's stated in the Bible as "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."

If you want change - whether it's personal, business-related, the environment, or the world - you will not change it by focusing on what is. That only gives you more of what is.

Change occurs when you focus on the end result - the goal - and then take inspired action toward it. In the case of 911, that means doing your part to promote peace in all aspects of your life - in your home, in your workplace, in your car stuck in traffic, and most importantly, in your heart. That is what's meant by BEing the change you want to see.

How has it affected your life?

In the days following 911, leaders of our country encouraged us to keep going and doing our normal life. This was good in the sense that, when something bad happens, it does no one any good for us to, as I say, "roll over and die." Life does go on and we all have people in our lives that depend on us. Living in fear is counter-productive.

However, going on as if nothing happened is unhealthy and spiritually damaging.
When these "life shocks" happen, the thing to do is retreat a bit and regroup. Look inside your heart and your soul and listen for what it has to say. Open up to the God-voice inside and ask:

What part did I play in this? (physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually)
How can i grow from this experience?

For me, 911 was a big neon sign saying: BE AWARE.

I realized that I needed to be more aware of what was happening in the world, and also that I needed to see people as individual human beings with their own attitudes, hopes, dreams, and struggles.

This was way before I even knew the coaching field existed. Who knows, this may have been one of those "course-correction" events that guided me to where I am today? We are all connected.

What can you do now?

I have referred to 911 as a "wake up call." Let me explain...

In my observations, I believe that, as an American people, we have become complacent and too caught up in the luxuries of life. The notion of taking personal responsibility for our actions and our lives was left behind long ago. We have become an "it's all about me, who cares about you" society. We're like first graders, cutting in line, fighting for the coveted "first in line" position.
In addition, our lives are so busy doing this, doing that, running here and there, we don't have time to think. And even if we did, there's a TV or radio playing somewhere to distract us from our own thoughts. We're so inundated that we buy into what the media tells us, what advertising tells us, and what the government tells us.

There's an old adage my parents used to say:
"Only believe half of what you read and none of what you see."

What CAN you do now?

First of all, don't take everything you hear or read as gospel truth. Do some investigating. Take advantage of the world-wide-web. It's loaded with information - mainstream (what you hear in the media) and non-mainstream (what you don't hear about in the media).

I did a google search on "911" and came up with some fascinating, thought-provoking sites with evidence that all is not what it seemed on that fateful day. I encourage you to do your own search. In the meantime, here are a few of the links that caught my interest:

http://www.911.truth.org/
http://www.911review.com/
http://www.911research.wtc7.net/
www.cooperativeresearch.org/timelines.jsp
www.insurgentamerican.net/intellectual-hardball/insurgent-americans-35-point-practical-guide-for-action/

The point is..... THINK! Ask questions. Tune into your heart, your Higher Self, the God-within.... Learn to trust the inner whispers of your soul.

How about you?