Make a list of all the things that you intend to accomplish tomorrow, today. Then, stick to the list. Referring to your list is a big help when you’re feeling an urge to do something that’s really not that important. If something comes up – put it on the list. And when you’ve finished a task, cross it off. I love crossing things off!

As long as we’re talking about lists, here’s another tip. Write down your best estimate of how long a task will take. When I’m feeling squeezed on all sides, it’s a huge relief to see that writing a memo or preparing for a meeting will really only take 15 to 30 minutes.

Go to bed 15-30 minutes earlier than usual. Before you go to sleep, think about the GOOD things that happened today. Then, spend a very few seconds thinking about the good things that you have planned for tomorrow. (I know it’s tempting, but don’t start stressing about tomorrow at this point.)

Wear comfy clothes. Give yourself one work-day a week (or more) where you only wear comfy shoes and clothes that you feel good in. You know the ones – the pants or skirt you can go out to lunch and eat a cheeseburger in without being uncomfortable afterwards.

Finally, grab your headphones and listen to music that makes you say “ahhhh”. I recommend any of the plethora of “new age” music selections. Not only can they soothe your soul, they’re very useful in drowning out unwanted interruptions, both at work and at home.

The teacher will appear. How many times have you heard that? It’s almost mantric (mantra + mega-metric) in proportion.

My friends and I say it all the time. Often in response to one of those Universal life “lessons” (read a not-so-good thing) or when a happy synchronistic experience comes about.

Today this hit me at a higher level.

Experiences that enhance our lives and move us further along our path are absolutely everywhere. The question is, how are we looking at life? Is it possible that everything that’s happening is for my own good? The spilled coffee? The forgotten notebook? The noisy neighbor?

Does the Universe really have me in its laser focus?

I’m going out on a limb here and stating emphatically that it does. YOU are the center of the Universe … Yes, YOU.

Today, as you go about your busy life, try accepting whatever the Universe offers you in a spirit of appreciation for the experience. Turn it over, look in the crevices, give it a poke and see what comes out.

No, I’m not talking about the hit song from Faith Hill. Although I could ramble on about how amazing her voice is. That’s a topic for another day.

Nope, here I’m encouraging you to take 5 big, long gulps of fresh — or even not-so-fresh — air. Diaphragmatic breathing is the technical term, I’m told. Whatever.

Just breathe in through your nose. Fill your lungs from the bottom up. Let it out through your mouth. If you’re not accustomed to this kind of breathing, you may be tired after the first few breaths. That’s OK. Shoot for five full in and out breaths.

Stuck in traffic? Breathe.
Waiting in line at the grocery? Breathe.
You come home to dog poop on the carpet? Breathe — just not too close to the poop!

Have you ever experienced unwanted thoughts recycling in your head over and over on an infinite loop? You want them to stop !!!!! but you can’t figure out how?

Picture something in your head. Simply supplant the unwanted thought with a picture of something you like. Flowers work well for me. I’ve even gone so far as to “assign” different flowers to supplant different unwanted thoughts.

For example let’s say you’re having recurring worrisome thoughts about high gas prices. And let’s say these thoughts are not leading to inspiration about actions you can take to conserve energy or reduce your overall cost for gas.

When the unwanted thought arises, simply envision your favorite flower – an iris perhaps. Or a white daisy. Look at the flower, see its petals, its center. Maybe it’s waving in the breeze. Maybe there are a dozen in a vase. I promise you that, after a while, that flower or whatever you choose as your picture, will offer to pop in your head every time you start to worry about the price of gas.

There was a time when I could not visualize. Talk about frustration! I just couldn’t see pictures in my head. Luckily, I found help in the form of Dr. Lee Pulos. If you’re like me and just can’t do it, or if you want to be better at visualizing, I highly recommend Dr. Pulos’ classic program, The Power of Visualization. This audio program literally changed my life. I can still remember the first time, over ten years ago, I actually “saw” yellow helium balloons in my mind’s eye. What a rush!

]]> http://www.newearthwoman.com/visualization/feed/ 1 http://www.newearthwoman.com/inspiration/ http://www.newearthwoman.com/inspiration/#comments Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:49:33 +0000 Patti http://www.newearthwoman.com/?p=6

Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth” provided inspiration for my blog name. His book, “The Power of Now” had a lovely influence on me. Oprah has certainly been a blessing for Tolle, in terms of his financial success.

I have to wonder, though, how he’s handling the other success – worldwide name recognition. My guess is that he is experiencing a lot of ego-related issues coming up for him. Many opportunities to address what he may have thought he conquered long ago.

I find that to be true with me as well. Just when you think you’ve rid yourself of some habit of thought or action that no longer serves you, you’re provided with Universal lessons that point to the places you missed!