Stepping Up & Stepping Out

Is there anything better than the feeling of stepping up, knowing that we are doing what our hearts tell us to do? Is there anything better that stepping out and living the life we have been aiming for? Is there anything better than telling and living the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Honesty is the key to everything in life. Before we are honest with ourselves, no steps will be meaningful in the long run. When we have the honesty though, we can continue walking courageously with hope and faith that as long as we are honest we will be carried by life along our road.

Just for this day, let us all be honest, let us all be loving towards ourselves and others and let us all take one step towards more freedom, a deeper serenity and a more sustainable future. Let us all know that there will be peace as long as we continue to wish and work for it.

Simple Basics of Gratitude

• Mantra: Do good. And have a great time doing it.
  
  
• Focus: Start today. Go anywhere you want. See a sun where others see clouds.
  
  
• Mission: Yes, we can. Whatever we want, if we want it. Bring a lot of love, work hard and focus on progress rather than perfection.
  
  Today is the Day.

The Lift Game

The Lift Game is a game that we can play wherever we are and whatever we do. All that is needed are other people. The game is all about making people happy and the more depressed or angry the person we meet is the higher scores we get when we find a way to lift his or her day and make happiness out of those negative feelings.

Yesterday I had a really hard target in a supermarket, but I finally succeeded when we both – the woman behind the counter and I – realized that it is much nicer to be friends than to be enemies. I asked if she had a tough day and she told me about her morning that didn’t start very well, and we started sharing all things that can go wrong every morning if we let them to. When I left I felt like I had won the lottery. Not because I was the one making her smile but because it is so easy to feel happy and fully alive. All we need is a little courage and a willingness to prove that this world is a wonderful place to live in.

To be hostile and ‘closed’ is to make enemies and to open up and take every opportunity to really see and meet someone is to make friends. We can have friends in every corner of the world if we want to. It is all up to us to define the word friends and to walk that extra mile to make it something that is ours to keep

With Faith All Things Are Possible

I believe that each of us has the potential to create personal miracles, and to spread these miracles throughout the world to help others. When we recognize our own unique personal power, we then can become a source of inspiration for those around us. But we have to be a living example before we can 'give anything away' to others. As a drop of water in the sea spreads outward, that’s precisely how we spread our message by living our lives the way we were meant to live them.

I think we were meant to be radiant, healthy, creative, active, happy and full of love and energy. And I believe that that is the 'natural state', not feeling a bit depressed, tired and lifeless. Everything that is less than our own definition of 'perfect' is the head telling the heart a lie and ourselves believing it. We don't have to struggle in life. We don't have to worry. We don't have to stay at a job that doesn't bring out our full potential.

The 'thing' is to understand that this day is all we have and that this day also is a miracle. As long as we think that we have forever, we avoid figuring out our priorities. As long as we think that 'tomorrow' will be the day, we won't appreciate the day ahead of us fully. When we turn our minds from daily life we see how fleeting it is, what a gift it is to have lungs to breathe with, arms to use and a creative mind to accomplish all dreams with.

We need a leap of faith to be able to enjoy every day. Knowing that it might be the last can help us to live as if it was our first. Knowing that life will carry us along the way as long as we continue to take the steps can help us to actually take those steps needed. With faith all things are possible.

When we believe in the good, we will recieve more of the great. When we see all the happy faces on the streets instead of the suffering, that is what will stay with us through-out the day. When we make an effort to help others, smile at them and see them for who they are, life will smile back threefold at us. And all starts with faith. Faith in life, faith in ourselves, faith in our capacity and the willingness to carry it out to the world.

Teaching By Being

"I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman who teaches by being" Maya Angelou

I couldn't agree more.

One Person Can Bring Peace to the World

Peace is up to us. We can't wait for someone more powerful to deliver peace. We are the powerful ones who choose peace in every thought and action. Global peace is a personal choice, day by day. Are we going to add to the fighting in the world or offer up something greater?

Others may want to waste their precious time focusing on the ugliness in the world. Be the one who focuses on the positive, watch magic happen. Our thoughts are powerful. What we pay attention to expands. Notice peaceful people and places, tune out violence. And remember that more people are at peace than at war all across the earth. The world is evolving and becoming a brighter place.

Next time conflicts surfaces in our lives, we can keep breathing, stay calm, thoughtfully speak our truth and listen to others. We can realize that our frustration may be about the situation, not the person. We can set the intention to find a resolution, try to find the humor and agree to disagree.

We can get to know the genuine in others. Meet people of other cultures, religions, and backgrounds and find shared experiences, hopes, and beliefs. Connect on that holy ground, and peace will flow out from those moments. Wars break out over our evening meals - or in the world - when we try to control someone else. We can accept that we're only responsible for our own values, beliefs, and choices and do everything to bring peace to the world.

Martin Luther King Day

Each year on the third Monday of January (January 21st 2008), schools, federal offices, post office and banks across America close to celebrate the birth, the life and the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.

It is a time for the nation to remember the injustices that Martin Luther King fought. A time to remember his fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all races and peoples. A time to remember the message of change through nonviolence.

Remember, celebrate, act - a day on, not a day off. Although many people see this day as a day without work or a day to hang out with friends, it is much more than that; it is the celebration of equality, the celebration of freedom, and the celebration of a wonderful man who made a difference in this world by believing in peace and justice.

Daring to Think for Ourselves

We often hope that someone else is going to care for us more than we care for ourselves. That someone will come and tell us what magic answer that we are lacking. We consciously choose to stay blind and deaf. We become compelled to follow someone else’s instructions and perform actions which do not make much sense to us. We give our power away and submit to other’s authority, and forget we have all the power we need already – within ourselves.

We need to take conscious actions instead of constantly and blindly following the advice of somebody “who knows better” to feel happy, joyous and free. No one else can think for us, we have to find our own ways, have faith in what we believe in and every day take steps towards reaching that dream of ours, no matter how big or small.

The first step is to dare change and challenges. When we do we automatically grow into the people we were meant to be. We need a purpose that is ours and we need a narrow road to walk on in order to dig deep into the things that truly matters. Being selective and purpose driven is the only way in order to reach that point when we feel that we are actually thinking for ourselves. When we act not for pleasing someone else or for showing the world something but out of pure happiness of doing what we love doing.

Dedicate Your Day

When you wake up, make a decision to dedicate the day ahead of you to someone or something. Let it be peace, your family, nature or a special someone. Whatever you do during the day, act in a way that honours that person or belief and when the day comes to an end, evaluate how it affected your actions, thoughts and behaviours.

Surprise People

• Surprise your partner by inviting a homeless person for a cup of tea and some rest
  
  
• Surprise your body by giving it only organic, vegan, green and raw food
  
  
• Surprise your neighbours by saying more than good morning
  
  
• Surprise your friends by ‘being your highest’
  
  
• Surprise your enemies by responding with love and forgiveness
  
  
• Surprise your society by always picking up the litter
  
  
• Surprise the planet by being responsible for every action you take
  
  
• Surprise yourself by learning something new every single day

Random Acts of Kindness

Each day, look for every opportunity to do something good for people around you, especially those you don’t like. Ask yourself what one action you can take today to raise your level of consciousness.

Select one person in your set of relationships and – for one week think positive about that person daily and perform small acts of kindness for him or her every day. After the week, take time to reflect on what you learned from the experience.

Also – identify one or two areas in which you must make some changes to continue growing into the person you want to be.

Bring Truth-tellers Into Your Life

Feedback is a gift. If somebody gives you a gift, say thank you and ask them to tell you more about what you can improve and what they see that you don’t. The more you feel like it is not a gift at all, the more thankful you should be to the person giving it to you.

We all need truth-tellers who can help us keep on course and who doesn’t fear the rejection and the risk it is to tell the truth about something. To be a truth-teller you have to be brave and to have them in your life you have to be brave. The truth doesn’t always please you, but it always makes you grow.

Be open to feedback from other people and be willing to disclose your vulnerabilities to other people. Life becomes real only when we dare to risk appearing foolish, when we reveal the truth and when we live a life that is transparent and honest.

Building Blocks For Deep Friendships

Deep, constant and godly friendships don’t just happen, they are built. The cardinal principle to have lovely friends is to be such a friend. We build beautiful relationships by focusing on giving more than we hope to receive. What do you want to give?

• Time. We must be willing to spend time with our friends. If we don’t want to we either need to make new priorities or, if we don’t choose to make time we probably don’t desire them.
  
  
• Communication. Conversation is the way we discover more about a person’s heart, mind, soul, thoughts and spirit. We also need to share laughter and tears to build a deep relationship, not only words.
  
  
• Thankfulness. If you haven’t said ‘I love you’ to a dear friend yet, go ahead and do it. Express your appreciation in all the ways you can.
  
  
• Tolerance. Let your friend be who she or he is, put up with a occasional bad mood that is a result of being too tired or stressed out. But also, tell the truth when he or she is acting like a child. Saying no to dysfunctional behaviours is saying yes to deep and spiritual relationships.
  
  
• Touch. Hug your friend, pat him or her on the back or give the biggest kiss on the cheek. Touch is healing and so is the act of kindness.

Ways To Feel More Alive

• Smile at and talk to strangers
  
  
• Start a breathing practice and connect with your spirit
  


• Express gratitude before every meal
  


• Take a media fast, the longer the better
  


• Sit under a tree for an afternoon
  
  
• Tell your friends how much you love them
  


• Serve others to forget your own problems
  


• Care for the animals, the earth, the water, the trees and the mountains

Words Can Heal The World

Words to carry with you through the day:

• Clarity
• Freedom
• Perspective
• Depth
• Mindfulness
• Truth
• Presence
• Energy
• Flow
• Vitality
• Courage
• Fearlessness
• Honesty
• Consistency
• Generosity
• Healing
• Love
• Peace
• Trust
• Serenity
• Faith

Nothing Tastes as Good as Healthy Feels

• Go green. Go vegetarian, vegan or raw. Gobble up all those veggies and join the tribe of vegetarians, improve your health while enhancing the lives of everyone in the world.
  


• Cut the alcohol. Sober is cool and you don't really want to poison your body, do you? The journey toward health begins with a commitment to be the best we can be.
  


• Buy ecological food. If there is a will there is a way, and it is worth it.
  


• Drink fresh water. Water flushes unwanted toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp.
  


• Breathe fresh air. Breathe deeply, appreciate the moment and your lungs will thank you.
  
  
• Quit smoking. Smoking is a slow and ugly way to die.
  


• Dance. Move your body and your heart will follow. Sweat once a day to regenerate your skin. Stretch.
  
  
• Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health.
  


• Choose a positive thought. Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself and the more you like yourself the healthier you feel.
  
  
• Love.

Simplicity

Simplicity is about freedom. Living simply does not mean sacrifice or hardship. It’s about owning our own lives and about getting rid of everything that doesn't align with our purpose, values and messages. It means focusing only on the things that are important in our lives.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said that perfection is reached when there is nothing more to take away, not when there is nothing more to add. More stuff does not equal more happiness, and less stuff actually makes it easier to feel fulfilled. The most important things in life are not things and that which matters the least should never give way to that which matters the most.

• Unsubscribe to everything that you can think of unsubscribing


• Buy less stuff and give everything you don't need to someone who actually needs it


• Do less, focus on a few activities or projects that really matter to you


• Say No to television. Turn it off. Throw it out. Break the addiction. Television is stealing your life


• Get rid of all excess in life and live in true abundance instead

Ways To Feel Good

• Engage in others and in the game of life
  
  
• Find, honur and express your values
  
  
• Allow others to be right
  
  
• Resolve all your issues
  
  
• Let go of addictions or attachments to substances, people, or behaviors
  
  
• Live your message and be true to yourself
  
  
• Make sure you have empowering key relationships in your life
  
  
• Have your needs met once and for all
  
  
• Remember that life is not only about you
  
  
• Experience as much as you can

Live in Peace

• Live with respect for others and for nature. Choose a simpler and more responsible lifestyle and let the word simplicity guide you whatever you do. Live in a way that respects all living beings whatever their ethnic origin, sex, citizenship, and belief system. Try to live in harmony with nature.
  
  
• Work with others to create a better world. Help people who are less privileged than you, talk to your neighbours about how you can make your neighbourhood more conscious and connect with those sharing your visions.
  
  
• Evolve your inner self to evolve those around you. Use the example and the guidance of your own consciousness to motivate your family and friends, and to help children to discover and to adopt ways of living that will result in a more peaceful world.

Act As If

Act as if you already had everything that you ever dreamed of.

• Be healthy and eat, honour your body and behave like a healthy person would do.
  
  
• Be rich and give of your time, wisdom, love and money.
  
  
• Be courageous and make that shift taking you from poverty to abundance in all areas of your life.
  
  
• Be wise and use your time and energy only for things that matters deeply.
  
  
• Be loving and show the care that you always longed for yourself.
  
  
• Be joyful and look for the good in everything and everyone crossing your path.
  
  
• Be grateful and thank every person that has made a difference in your life.
  
  
• Be free and know that freedom is all about choosing the right thoughts, replace old behaviours with new confirming ones and making a choice to be fully alive for the rest of your life.