Life is Like a Pomegranate

"Life is like a pomegranate." You might have heard this before, but do you understand what it means? I am going to give you my perception of this phrase. It came to me while preparing an afternoon snack, a pomegranate.

The pomegranate is a berry fruit, full of fibrous chambers that hold the seeds. Each seed is surrounded by a tart juice, the delightful edible part of the fruit. To get to the seeds, you have to open the outer skin. When I was a kid, while waiting for the school bus, we picked the pomegranate fruit off a tree and slammed it onto the concrete sidewalk to break it open. We tore through the pomegranates, leaving our fingers and sometimes our clothes stained purple. This method proved to be very messy but resourceful.

Today, I used a knife to slice through the outer skin, leaning over the kitchen sink while cutting the pomegranate in half. Many seeds in the path of the knife were damaged with the pinkish-rose colored juices squirting carelessly in the sink. Since I wanted to save as many of the seeds as possible I put down the knife, grabbed one of the halves with both hands and broke it into the fibrous chambers revealing beautiful rows of the reddish-purple seeds.

I mindfully picked out the seeds, peeling back the fibrous walls that divided them and dropped them into a bowl. When I hurried, a few seeds went flying; some on the floor, some on the counter and staining anything it touched a pinkish-rose colored hue. To avoid this, I took my time and filled my bowl with a luscious amount of the reddish-purple seeds.

Much like the pomegranate, life is divided up into areas or lessons. When we slice through the day, carelessly at full speed, pieces of life around us get damaged or displaced; sometimes completely obscure. If we continue to cut through life, so many details are missed. Things around us get tossed aside, people may get hurt and the reminiscence of the stress will stain the body with illness and the soul with low vibes.

Take your time and live in the moment. Grab onto life with both hands, allow it to break in the natural places and reveal the true beauty around you. Be consciously are aware of the details around you, mindfully peeling back the layers of the day and picking through the tasks. Those little details and the attitude you carry with you will make a huge difference with your physical and mental wellness.

BE alive, joyful, fruitful and if life is too tart for you, add a little sweetness to it with your own smile.

Tradition: Is There Another Way? ~ Guest Writer, Adrienne Williamson

Quite often, we find ourselves stuck in a routine; we feel obligated to follow traditions and stay within the box. Whether it be through culture, religion, industrial, scholastic or family we are defined by what we have been taught to follow or believe. It is absolutely ok to get out of the box. In fact, I highly recommend it.

My friend, Adrienne recently posted about this in her status. I felt she explained it well and I asked her permission to share it with all of you in this blog.

By: Adrienne Williamson, Artist and Owner of Dreamin Bohemian

Memorizing "facts", staying inside the box and following traditions are all well and good as they give order to one's life and a kind of security of sorts....but watch out for the time when those very same things eventually become oppressive. The "facts" are changing all the time. The "facts" vary depending on ones' perspective. When your life begins to not work any longer....keeping with tradition and following someone else's rules are like beating your head against the wall.

We all need to take responsibility for our own LIVES, our own HEALTH, our own well being, and think outside of the box when something isn't working. Just because a big group of "authoritative" people say something is bad for you, so only do this...and that "this" benefits them-- MAYBE there is another answer out there.

I know, for a fact, that there is NEVER ONLY one way to do something.

I used to think that I needed THE perfect art supplies or I could not create whatever it was that I wanted to create. My mom once told me, an artist will paint on whatever they have, if they are an artist. An artist will create. And Creating has nothing to do with staying inside a box. I worked in a rug weaving studio once for a year or so, and there, she only used ONE kind of yarn on a specific brand of loom. I was only 20, and I thought, that that must be what I needed to have in order to weave. Then I worked for another weaving studio that would mix all different yarns together to get what he needed to create a very similar item as the previous studio.
That was a light bulb moment.

If the same is true for art....then the same is true for all aspects of life. As art imitates life.

I get so saddened by seeing posts of people who are stuck. Stuck with everything from an attitude about the government, or medicine, or healthcare, or their body, or their kids...even their allergies, or the way they fix their hair...live their life. We aren't supposed to live a miserable life. We are supposed to embrace life and live and learn. THERE are OTHER WAYS TO LIVE.

Color outside the lines, think for yourself. If you are not happy, change. Take control of your life and make it what you need it to be to find your peace.

Expand your mind. Try new things.

Get out of the box, get out of your comfort zone, break your routine and dare to think and create something new.  

 

Dogma and The Power of Belief

I recently watched the movie, "Dogma," a religion satire (1999) with some thought-provoking quotes. My favorite quote from the movie- Serendipity: "When are you people going to learn? It's not about who's right or wrong. No denomination's nailed it yet, because they're all too self-righteous to realize that it doesn't matter what you have faith in, just that you have faith. Your hearts are in the right place, but your brains gotta to wake up." 

It is not about whose religion is right; none of them are right. They are not entirely wrong either. Each has pieces to the universal puzzle. What most people fail to remember is that religion was created by man, to keep control of the masses through fear.

It does not matter if your faith or belief is in a deity, a talisman, a crystal, a stone, or even a lucky coin. The real power is the in the belief. It is that absolute belief the mind directs to the external is what makes it real. The thought is the driving force of the energy; and when it is matched with heart-felt emotions, the energy force is magnified.

The truth is that anything is possible through conscious thought and belief. Quantum Physics is providing scientific tangible proof of this. This is also how prayer works; along with karma, the law of attraction and the golden rule. The same ancient concept with different labels. What you are within is what manifests into physical reality. Thought begins it, emotions amplify it and action increases the momentum. You will attract the energy you send out.

We are all connected at the highest conscious level; like one big brain. When you consciously make an effort, thoughtfully, emotionally and physically to be an example of love, kindness and compassion, then we have the ability to shift this world out of fear and into a love state. No more flags. No more division. No more ethnicity. No more judgement. No more fear... Just LOVE.

A Stress-Free Zone; Keeping Personal Space Sacred ~ Guest Writer, Sheri Beecham

Everything outside of your consciousness is a manifestation of your thoughts. You will attract what you think. Your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. If you find your self in situations or surrounded by people who appear to be negative or destructive in their behavior, look into yourself and ask yourself why you are attracting this. What is the lesson you are learning?  

I have asked my friend, Sheri Beecham, to be a guest writer; she gives her perspective and thoughts about keeping your personal space sacred.

By Sheri Beecham 

Our outer personal space is an extension of our inner world and who we are. Just as we would not want to invite unsavory individuals into our home, likewise, we would not wish to invite them into our inner circle. Think of your inner circle of relationships as more intimate, those who cherish you such as friends and family; the ones who get to know the "real" you and what you find important, what gives you joy.

Toxic individuals can be harmful to our health, harmony, happiness, growth and success in life. They are frequently dramatic, chaotic, attention-seeking, ego-driven personalities. These can be either acquaintances, co-workers, friends and even family. They may or may not be aware of their unhealthy patterns of behavior, which often times may due to any number of real or imaginary excuses.. Negative raising or environment, jealousy, resentment, their own unhappiness, mental illness, fear-based agendas such as seeking to remain within their comfort zone and avoiding change, or even fear of losing you or your approval.

Types of destructive behaviors include but are not limited to: gossiping, creating or being involved in scenarios of unnecessary drama and chaos, constant discussion of problems and negativity, hurtful remarks, cynical and critical attitudes and sarcastic negative responses, judgments, name-calling, blaming and belittling, manipulation and control issues, to the occasional greater extremes of abuse, physical harm, etc. Indulging in these type of relationships will cost you your health, peace of mind, happiness, self-esteem at the very least and possibly more.

The best solution to handling toxic individuals is not to allow them in your space in the first place; however, sometimes for whatever reason, be it work, family associations, etc, it may not be practical, feasible nor desirable to completely cut someone out of our lives, in which case... You may try bringing the issue to their attention first and discussing their harmful behavior. If this does not work or elicits an unfavorable response to progress, don't play tug-of-war with argumentative personalities or enable their ego-driven agendas. Take nothing they say to try and push your buttons personally, and understand that personal attacks intended towards you are a reflection of the aggressor and their reality, not yours. You can choose to ignore them, but do not allow yourself to be manipulated, or engage in destructive behaviors. If you MUST deal with them to some degree, allow for a delay such as a cushion of space/time before dealing with them (such as pausing for a moment before responding, or removing yourself from the situation for a period of time, if needed), and do not allow yourself to become emotionally enmeshed but remain calm and centered. YOU be the one who controls the conversation by changing subjects, veering from certain topics and laying down boundaries of things which will and will not be tolerated for discussion.

Ultimately, you must decide if the price is worth the long-term investment. It is better not to allow toxic people in your space. If someone is consistently negative, sapping your energy, health, peace of mind and bringing you down, if they are disrespectful, do not honor you or your journey/growth and will not accept you as you are, and especially if abuse or physical threats of harm are involved, it is better to love them unconditionally from afar. Pull the plug, release them on positive terms and part ways, and allow them the space to seek help. It may be the very lesson and opportunity that is needed. Healthy relationships are empowering connections that build one another up, inspire, encourage, support, respect, nurture and love, and allow one another the freedom to progress and the space to BE.

Disclaimer: If you are in a physically abusive situation, or you have been exposed to credible threats of harm or violence, please seek professional guidance. NEVER remain in a place where your safety and those of loved ones are threatened.

--Sheri Beecham

One of the things I always tell my students is that no one can MAKE you angry. Just like no one can MAKE you happy. Your attitude is always YOUR choice. You can not control others, but you can control how you respond to others. When you choose to separate yourself from a negative situation and remain optimistic, taking responsibility for your own thoughts, emotions and actions; those situations will either transform to a positive or will dissolve away from you... Your life is yours to control.

This Message Is Brought To You By... ???

I am deeply disturbed by how many people have fallen prey to channeled messages. Any "channeled" message that does not empower you to take control of your own life, your own thoughts is a false message. And this does not necessarily mean messages that have been channeled by a spirit or alien being.

I am talking about ALL messages and quotes, through out history that have supposedly given its followers something to look forward to. Honestly, do you really believe you are here to just be a pawn? Is your soul purpose to follow along with everything, not think and be a sheep? Or are you here to learn the value of the human experience and take control of your own thoughts?

Organized religions of all times and in all regions have been guilty of this since... forever. Before you discredit this, consider the concept. Ancient societies did not understand the world the way we do now. Religions were "invented" to explain what could not be explained and to keep control of the population. Fear-based beliefs are an easy way to get people to submit.

The rise of "New Age" philosophies forced those who attempt to control the general population to come up with a new way to control the masses. The beliefs of alien beings, the Illuminati and conspiracy theories provided the opening.

Most commonly used is a mind-numbing trance tactic. Whether it is through videos or in person, your physical senses are enticed. The site sense is mesmerized with pretty pictures of scenery, graphic art, stained glass windows, laser lights, etc. The sound sense is stimulated with harmonic music. In person, especially in group settings, music may include singing along. Harmonious sing-a longs work by getting everyone in synch with each other.

In person, other physical senses may be put into play. Fragrances stimulate the smell sense; scented candles, incense, and perfumes have been used. The touch sense is simple with comfortable seating, sometimes with soft materials. The taste sense is the least used but not unknown. Remember communion? Wine or grape juices? Just saying.

These tactics are used to get you all cozy and comfortable, feeling calm and ready to listen and absorb anything that is said. I am not saying that every message is wrong. What I am saying is if the message is repeatedly using words and phrases like, do not fear... do not worry... (He/I/We) will save you... must destroy... the message is false. Even by using the word, "not" these are negative words and programs the mind to consider these negative ideas.

This was best said by Cameron Day:

"In the future, when you read a message that tells you that there is no need to take action, no need to delve deeper into accessing and embodying your true self, that your inner work is done and you only have to wait for blessings to be bestowed upon you from an outside, higher authority, my hope is that you will not choose to believe this type of disempowering manipulation.
I hope that you will instead reclaim all energy that you had previously put into those false, yet somewhat comforting belief systems and instead choose the path of the Initiate, recognizing that YOUR truth comes from deep inside of you where your Higher Self resides.  I hope that you will disengage from false prophets who try to convince you that you need to be aligned with an external group in order to ascend to the next level."

If it encourages you to tap in to your own innate inner power, provides a positive and thought provoking outlook and/or stimulates you to take action with the intent of love, then it it a good message. If it does not, move on.

 

Use your own mind and think! Know that YOU are in control of you. LOVE. Give love. Think love. Be love. No labels. No judgement. Just kindness and compassion. LOVE.

When I say, "Live. Love. Laugh." That is literal. You think, so you live. You have feelings, so you love. You have a physical body, so use it to laugh. (thought-emotion-action) Mind-soul-body.

The Indigo Child's Survival Guide

A Personal Relationship Is Your Mirror... You Attract What You Are.

Relationships are complicated, especially in this day and age. What most people do not realize is your partner will be a mirror of you, at least the mirror of the person you are at the time you came together. As you grow or not grow, the relationship will change. Sometimes that change will bring you closer together and sometimes it will distance you from each other. Either way, the relationship is a lesson to guide you to becoming who you are meant to be.

I want to share with you the long lesson I had to learn with my ex marriage and how I came to find my true love. Marriage has been labeled a sacred bond between two people. Bound by a legal contract that should not be broken (according to many religions). But when is it acceptable to break that bond?

I was married for 12 years and 7 months. At the time we met, I was not exactly an "innocent" person and I was definitely drawn to the "bad boy" image. It was a short time of dating, a short engagement with a wedding in a small chapel in Las Vegas. After that was when he let his true colors show.

I am a very controlling person. Over time I have learned to back off of others and allow them to choose their way. But back then, I liked things done my way. This controlling image of me was reflected back with his demands. I always went along with his ideas, rarely speaking up for what I thought or wanted. The few times I did, his response was usually, "I don't care." So I just went along with what he wanted most of the time. It was easier than having an argument or being verbally and emotionally abused.

I was always happier when he was on the road with his trucking job. When he was around, I did what he wanted. By myself, I was able to do my thing. I was living two separate lives. You would think I would have realized my unhappiness with him sooner, but I had some major lessons to learn. The main one being to stand up for myself; to be the real me and stand up for what I believed.

I spent all those years with a man that I thought I loved. I will spare you the details but the years were full of Harley rides, river trips, trucking, drug abuse, and abusing each other. That part I will share. I was tired of the verbal, emotional, mental and occasionally physical abuse. Did I leave when it began? No. I understand why so many abused women do not leave their partners. It takes a lot of courage to walk away and be on your own when you have become dependent on this person. I ended up fighting back; sometimes I even started it. Which, I know, made me the bad person and I paid for my karma. 

I did not like who I had become. It was not the real me. I was just a shell of a person that hated her marriage. When I finally had the courage to leave, I did it in a hurry. Grabbed what I could, packed my truck and left. A friend's Dad was kind enough to give me a place to stay while I worked to rebuild my life. I did write an earlier blog post that explains a little about what happened during this time. "Life Sometimes Kicks You Down... You Can Get Back Up With The Right Attitude" 

I climbed my way out of the darkness. I was back on the rise, finding myself. I learned about Law of Attraction and began to adjust my way of thinking. I even managed to manifest a house. (You can read my story here: "Law of Attraction Case Study").

I was ready for another relationship so I "asked" for my prince charming. Well, he showed up and was an important part in helping me find who I really was but he was not my match. He did match what I needed at the time. Then I figured I just wanted to have fun, and asked for a "young hot lad" to play with (lol). That young man did show up in my life and I learned a few more valuable lessons. This one was definitely not my match. This turned out to be, in many ways, a karmic retribution for me to stand up for myself.

I found peace when I listened to my own heart. I found myself. I remember the moment I was looking at my reflection in a mirror and saw something in me that I had not seen before. I said to my reflection, "Oh, there you are." I found myself and I was happy with who I was. I spent most of my time helping others. I was enjoying the beauty in everything around me. I chased butterflies and dragonflies, snapping photos. I even co-authored a book (The Indigo Child's Survival Guide).

My Knight found me. A friend from the past I was reconnected with online through a mutual friend. I stayed authentic, showing him the real me. The more we talked, the stronger our connection grew (and still growing). I attracted the mirror of me, only this time he was the mirror of my true self. I can honestly say, I did not know what true love was until he became a part of me. He was the biggest risk of my life and the best decision I ever made.

My knight, my love and I balance each other in every aspect. Most of our likes and dislikes are the same. Our views and beliefs generally match. And where we are different, we are both open to and respect the others' thoughts. He is my match. I would tell you more but I am saving that for another blog write up. *wink*

I leave you with this advice: You will attract what you are. If you are looking for love, you must be love. Every thought you have, every emotion you feel, every action you take sends out a frequency of energy. That frequency is like a call sent out through the universe and you will get back a matching frequency. When you are your true authentic self, you will attract into your life the person that matches you. Quite possibly your twin flame.

So just be yourself. 
Be love.

Should Everyone Become a Vegetarian or Vegan?.. Guest Writer, Črt Milatovič

Many people have assumed that I am living a vegetarian lifestyle because of my spiritual beliefs, love for animals and just basic assumptions. Truth is, I tried a vegetarian diet for a year for my own personal reasons. In that year, my total body weight had dropped to a very unhealthy level for my age and the amount of physical activity I put out daily. I could not consume enough calories, proteins and minerals to keep up with my metabolism; my body requires meats.

Since then, I have learned to trust my cravings; the body knows what it needs. I do my best to avoid frozen, processed, canned and fast foods. My diet varies but kept as fresh as possible. Now, many of you may argue that eating meats is just wrong. And when others have said this, I would think, "Tell that to the Eskimos or the Native Americans." We are all made differently, with different needs.

I have asked my friend, fellow Indigo and chef, Črt Milatovič, to be a guest writer and share with you his thoughts about eating meats and a vegetarian or vegan diet. Here is his story:

In course of my life, I have been approached by many people. Vegetarians, vegans and all sorts. Of course for me, they were "preaching" to me that I should stop eating meat, that is the way and so on. But I took this knowledge, analyze it as I do with everything and see for what I had to know. In high school I was learning to become a chef. I learned how whole food industry works, I had practice lessons in various hotels and restaurants and see how everything works in the nutshell. What brought me to this point which is now.

We live in a times where people are becoming more and more vegetarian and vegan. But why is that? And why do talk so much about not eating meat? It is an interesting subject for me. I don't eat as much meat as I used to. Not because what I have been told but simply because I am listening to my intuition and my body. Vegetarian/vegan lifestyle is all fine, but we have to see that not everyone's person is wired the same as we do. Some people choose it because of the animal farming and slaughter houses. Some people are disgusted by meat. Others can't go on just vegetarian/vegan diet because of ther body is not meant to be like that. But here is the other side of the coin most people don't see it. 

Animals are far more intelligent and aware than human beings. The animals accompany us on this wonderful journey we are experiencing. And all these animals actually have a free will and choose and allow to be slaughtered. It is experience they are going trough in this life they are experiencing right now. Some won't agree or understand, but that is alright.

As same as animals, all the plants and vegetables and fruits are here alive. Yes you heard me, them too. So they too have feelings. They also sense us. And they too choose to be eaten. Now many people would say that scientifically it is proven otherwise. Perhaps, but here is lot of things that normal science can't prove. 

Everything on this planet is alive, from the human being, animal, plant, a crystal, grain of sand or just bare earth. We are all on this planet having together an experience. So next time you having a meal, just remember to be thankful for the food you eat, may it be just vegetables, fruit or meat and have a wonderful experience.

Guest Writer

*Thank you, to everyone who has dropped in to read my blog. If there is a specific topic you would like to read about or have any questions, you can email me at mamaindigo12@gmail.com

Empathy 101: A Basic Understanding of Feeling Others Emotions

Have you ever walked into a room and felt tension in the air? Have you ever become angry with someone because they were yelling at you? Have you ever felt like crying because someone else was crying? Have you ever been hugged by someone giving you their love and felt warm and full of love? Have you ever laughed so hard that your sides were hurting because everyone else around you was laughing that hard?... Congratulations, you have experienced empathy.

Do not confuse being sympathetic with being empathetic; there is a difference. To be sympathetic to someone means you have a general understanding of what they are experiencing and you show them compassion, providing comfort and reassurance. To be empathetic means you feel their emotions, literally. If you have had a similar experience then feeling their emotions will probably be even stronger. It is the ability to feel other people’s energies, or energies of a particular environment.

What I hear most from people who are aware of their empathic abilities is, "Ugh! I can't take it! I can't stand being around all this negative energy from everyone. I've had it!" Hold on now. Do you realize that right there is sending out more negative vibes? First and foremost, you must be able to take control of your own emotions. You can not shut down your emotions, you only ignore them. What happens when an animal in a cage that has been ignored and it gets out? You feel something. Recognize it. Know it. Own it. Control it.

Once you can recognize and control your own emotions, including your outward reaction to situations, you can learn to control your empathic gift. It starts with creating a "shield" (for lack of a better term). The armor of light you can surround yourself with like a bubble that can not be physically seen, only felt. It is your "personal space" that only those you allow to penetrate can get through. 

Creating the "Shield"

Calm your mind and center yourself. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth; taking long deep breathes. Much like what you would do in meditation. You can do this with your eyes open or closed, which ever you are most comfortable with. See the light within you, that little glow that is the essence of your soul and push that light outward. Surround yourself with your light. You can make the shield as thick as you would like it. After doing this, pay attention to how you are feeling. I bet you are already feeling calmer and more relaxed.

The shield can be used to control what you feel from others. It does not have to be "full shield" or "no shield." You can extend your shield out to others like reaching your hand out to touch them; all it takes is the thought. You can receive emotions as well as send out emotions. Be careful what kind you send out; you certainly do not want to create more negativity. I have created some practice exercises to help you learn how to control empathy.

**NOTE: You can choose who you connect with. You are not invading their privacy. If they do not want to be felt, they will be shielded. We each feel others emotions without realizing it. With these practices, you can learn to control and how to recognize where the emotions are coming from, along with sending out.

Practice Exercise #1

1. Center yourself, calm your mind and shield up.
2. Choose one person and extend that shield out to them. Feel that one person’s emotions. Pull your shield back to you.
3. Extend your shield back out to that person and send them a “virtual hug,” positive vibrations. And watch the expression on their face.
4. Pull your shield back to you and choose another person.

Practice Exercise #2

1. Center yourself, calm your mind and shield up.
2. Walk in to a public place. Push your shield outward. Fill the place with positive vibes.
3. Put a second shield up around you by finding the light within you and push it outward, keeping it close to your body.
4. Anyone who is giving off negative vibes, put another shield around them with mirrors inside towards that person; their negativity will reflect back to them.

Practice Exercise #3

1. Center yourself, calm your mind and shield up.
2. Stand still and focus on energies in front of you. What do you feel? Sense?
3. Focus on energies to the right. To the left. Behind you. Focus on one area at a time.
4. Practice clockwise, counterclockwise, random-wise ;)

If you realize you have this gift, which I believe everyone has the capability, then you can use empathy to help others and raise the vibes on the planet. Here is an example of what I have done with my own empathic gift:

One night we (my Love and I) went out to dinner. Near the end of our meal I was overwhelmed with emotions with a part of me that wanted to cry. I realized it was not me. I was fine, it was someone or more than one person in the restaurant. At first I looked around, connecting with different individuals, feeling their emotions. But then I decided to just "send it out" and fill the room with good vibes. I sat there quietly humming a little tune, pushing out "happy vibes" in all directions around me. My Love touched my hand and asked me if I was ok because I was so quiet. "I'm working," I told him. With him holding my hand, it was a boost of energy and I was able to send out more. When we got up to leave, I walked past one of the waitresses sensing that she was the one who wanted to cry. I wrapped her up in a "virtual hug."

Most often, when I go out into public, I make a mental effort to send out good vibes. I will walk around smiling, giggling and humming under my breathe as I feel my energies spread out. By the way, smiling, laughing, singing, and dancing are a few things you can do to raise your own vibes. You can help make a difference just by keeping your own vibes up and help to raise others.

The last time I went to a street fair, I walked against the main flow of the crowd sending out the vibes. It was very cool to watch people's expressions soften and many of them smile as they passed me. If you don't believe this is possible, go out and experiment with it. All I ask is that you keep your heart and mind in a place of joy and love. Spread the love and raise the vibes.

Part 2 of Empathy has been written: "Using Empathic Abilities in Your Daily Life"

 

To learn more about grounding, centering and clearing negative energies, I recommend the book "The Indigo Child's Survival Guide" Co-authored by Baker from bakerthebrand.com, Sim1 Indigo from healingsoulstice.blogspot.com and myself. Everyone can learn from this book, we wrote it to help. 

Living A Positive Life... Your Attitude Is Your Choice

Living a positive life is a choice you can make. The way you perceive situations and the attitude you carry with you is your decision. As I observe the world and listen to people talk about their lives I can not help but wonder why so many of them complain about their situations. I used to be one of them. One day, I woke up and simply decided to change my own attitude.

You are probably wondering how a person can just decide to be happy; it is really quite simple. Is it easy? No. It is something that does take a little work and a whole lot of practice. But just like anything that is worth doing is going to take some effort. With enough practice, eventually it will become a natural response like breathing.

It begins with being grateful for what you have. When you appreciate what you have, you can then begin to deserve what you want. Look around you. You have a place to sleep. You are wearing clothes. If you are reading this right now then you have some sort of internet access. What else do you have? What if you had less? Show some gratitude.

Now that you are beginning to be grateful for what you have you have already begun to shift your thoughts to the positive. How you phrase things also makes a difference. Choose your thoughts and words carefully. Instead of saying, "I hate it when..." it is much better to focus on what you like or love about something. Consider, "I love it when..." Your attitude and perception is always your choice. By focusing on what you love, you will attract more of what you love. Your thoughts begin it, your emotions amplify it and your actions increase the momentum.

 Happiness is not a destination; it is the journey.
To be happy is a choice you make. 
Your attitude and perception is under your complete control.

And you are on your way to living a positive life. What else can you do to to make it better? Are you going to stress over things that already happened? Or stress over things that have not happened yet?  You can not change the past and the future is ever changing; so enjoy what is right there in front of you in the present time. Just live in the moment.

The best way to enjoy those moments is to laugh, and laugh as often as possible. Laughter is the best medicine for the soul. It naturally heals the body. Laughter also raise your vibes as it overrides all other emotions. If something goes wrong in your day, find the humor in it. Almost anything can be found to be funny. It is all a matter of how you view things. Shift your perspective.

Yeah, things are going to come up, little issues that might rattle you. Shrug it off and go with the flow. Sometimes things happen to change your path; just roll with it. If you can change the situation, then handle it. If not, do not worry about it. Believe that everything will work out for the better. You may be amazed at where it will lead you; especially if you keep a positive attitude. It IS your choice.

To learn more about living a positive life, you can read my article
"5 Simple Steps to Living a Positive Life" at Baker The Brand Dot Com

If you are looking for a guide book to help you find your own path, learn how to pay attention to the signs the universe puts in front of you, along with taking control of your own mind while listening to your own intuition, I recommend "The Indigo Child's Survival Guide." It is not just for Indigos; anyone can learn from this simple to understand and a quick read guide book.

Assault Is A Behavior, Not A Device.

When I was a kid, my parents did not allow us to play with toy guns; not even water pistols. Back then I did not fully understand their reasoning but now I get it. Guns are not toys. Growing up this way taught us to respect guns. My brother later joined the U.S. Marines and became an expert shooter. I remember him once saying that because of how we were raised, he learned to respect the use of the weapon.

Because of recent and past events involving mass shootings by a disturbed individual, their has been a surge of discussions regarding if gun ownership in the United States should be made illegal. I understand that many of you are upset and scared for the safety of you and your children. Do you really believe that banning people from owning an assault weapon will stop those who pay no attention to the laws? Laws only keep honest men honest.

By no means do I condone the shooting of another living being for sport or hate. I certainly do not condone murder. I do however believe that every man (or woman) has the personal right to "bear arms" especially in their own home.

I recently saw a picture posted on Facebook that was a sign board placed in the front yard of a family. I do not remember what exactly it said but it stated that the family was against gun ownership and they did not have one either. Wow. Does that family realize they just advertised to everyone driving by that they are unarmed and breaking in to their home would probably be fairly easy. "We don't have a gun so come on in, we won't shoot you. Come take our things. You can hurt us, too, because we won't shoot you." Seriously folks, use your head on this one.

Look at history... The disarmament of the people by its government is quite often the precursor to a dictatorship and even genocide. With the way the United States government has been operating, it disturbs me to think of the possibility of what could happen if the citizens, the law-abiding citizens, are disarmed. If you do not like guns, do not own one. I personally, do not like guns. I have had them pointed at me on a couple of occasions. And both times, it was not by someone who legally obtained it nor were their intentions "law abiding" in how they were using it.

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."  - Thomas Jefferson

My Dad and I often disagree on many issues but I am glad that he and I agree about this. He posted this recently and I wholeheartedly agree with him. Number 10 is my favorite:

 Firearms Refresher Course!
1. "Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." - Thomas Jefferson
2. "Those who trade liberty for security have neither." - John Adams
3. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
4. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
5. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
6. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
7. You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.
8. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
9. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
10. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
11. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
12. The United States Constitution (c) 1791. All Rights Reserved.
13. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
14. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you NOT understand.
15. Guns have only two enemies; rust and politicians.
16. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
17. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

What are we teaching our children? What were you taught? Is it ok to love one kind of person and not another? Is it morally right to hurt someone because you didn't like what they said or did? Are you spreading hate and anger? Or are you part of the solution and spreading love and kindness? WE are responsible for how others are treated. WE are responsible for teaching our children what is right.

You can take away every weapon known to man and people will resort to using their fists and throwing stones. TAKE responsibility for YOURSELVES for once. STOP pointing the finger at things, laws and others... EACH AND EVERYONE OF US IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS WORLD. Be the change and lead by example.