“Staying loose is part of living in the present moment.”

Your readiness to move is part of your wisdom and gives you the power you need to live your best life. In the 76th verse of theTao Te Ching, Lao-tzu describes the flexibility that living things possess: “All things, including the grass and trees, are soft and pliable in life.” He contrasts that living pliability with the dry and brittle quality of death. Choosing to remain flexible is choosing life: “A tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind.”

“A tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind.”

You may have been taught that strength is measured by how “hard” you are in your thinking or how inflexible you are in your opinions and that weakness is associated with those who bend. But when confronted with any stressful situation, keep in mind that being stiff won’t get you very far, whereas being flexible will carry you through.

“Our minds and our bodies need flexibility to thrive.”

Change the way you think about strength. Aren’t the physically and mentally strong those who can bend and adapt to life—especially as we age? The more you think in rigid ways, refraining from considering other points of view, the more you’re liable to break. As Lao-tzu reminds us, “The hard and stiff will be broken,” while “the soft and supple will prevail.” Our minds and our bodies need flexibility to thrive. When we see ourselves as flexible and supple, we are able to bend in harmony with our Divine source. By listening, yielding, and being gentle, we all become disciples of life.

Dr Wayne Dyer Ph.D., is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. He’s the author of 30 books, has created numerous audio programs and videos, and has appeared on thousands of television and radio shows. Wayne is coming to Australia for his “Wishes Fulfilled – Mastering the Art of Manifesting” event on January 18, 2012. CLICK HERE for more details.

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I travel all over the world, meeting thousands of wonderful people during my lectures and demonstrations. I am acutely aware how easy it is to feel lonely. While traveling may seem romantic or exciting, it can also be an isolating experience.

The difference between solitude and loneliness

Everyone feels lonely at some point in their life, and it’s a universal emotion. We not only feel it on a personal and emotional level, but we feel it deep within our soul. We all need human contact and companionship, to be touched, to be held, to laugh, and to share our feelings, so it’s important to reach out to others. It’s part of how we evolve, learn, grow, and mature as a human as well as a soul. I want to stress that there’s a major difference between being alone and being lonely. You could be alone in a remote cabin deep in the woods, hidden away from civilization and still be at peace within yourself and your solitude. To understand loneliness, you have to understand where it’s coming from and what’s causing it. There are so many different forms of loneliness that can cause pain.

“While traveling may seem romantic or exciting, it can also be an isolating experience.”

If you’re alone, it may be self-imposed or the result of a number of reasons. Every reason will be totally individual, and each solution will be unique. If you’re suffering from loneliness, then do something about it now. Take the responsibility and reach out to others. When you spend time being lonely and don’t invest time in doing anything about it, you risk falling into the mind-set where you end up focusing on the negative, or worse still, you start beating yourself up.

Equally, you can fall into a trap of blaming others for your loneliness. Don’t relive the past over and over again in your mind, as this is precisely why you’ll attract what you’re trying to avoid. There may be some emotional healing required before you begin to feel good about yourself, or if you’ve been let down or hurt in a personal relationship, you may need to learn to trust people again. If you’re not used to being alone, you may need to learn coping skills so that you enjoy being alone. There’s so much support out there, so don’t suffer alone, as I urge you to reach out and ask for help. If you don’t identify what may be causing your loneliness, it’s easy to fill the void with less-healthy remedies, such as drugs, alcohol, bad relationships, or just working all hours. None of these solve the problem – they’re only a temporary solution.

“There’s so much support out there, so don’t suffer alone, as I urge you to reach out and ask for help.”

What you can do to help yourself

I’m a big advocate of support groups for like-minded people, where everyone shares in each other’s story. The love from a small group can be amazing, whether you’re lonely because you lost your spouse or you’ve been through a painful separation. We are all connected in this universe and as a soul, we feel each other’s pain. God put us here to share and to be with each other, as well as to help one another. Remember this goes back to serving your soul purpose of being all that you can be, and helping humanity in a positive way. I also try to push people to try something they never have before. I took a cooking class once and “yes” I was nervous I was alone, but by the end of the classes I had new friends that I still keep in touch with!

Two ideas to help you with loneliness:

• Volunteer your time: Nothing makes you feel better than when you help another. The benefits work both ways, having a positive affect on you as well. I’m constantly in awe of people who freely volunteer their time. They seem to have ample amounts of compassion toward others, as well as such tolerant and patient natures. When you volunteer your time, you develop a deeper understanding of the world and the benefits can be wide ranging, from enhanced interpersonal skills to improved coping skills. When I am not working as a medium, I volunteer at a local veterinary office. Not only do I work with the vet and meet new friends, but the education I am getting is excellent!

I’m blessed with the opportunity to speak to thousands at my lectures, and I often say: “When you volunteer your time, you get bonus karma points in your favor!” You never know who you are going to meet, and I truly believe that like-minded souls are bound to come together!

• Become a leader within your community: If you have a business or professional skill, I urge you to join a local neighborhood organization that would benefit from your professional input. Lori, a friend of mine, has a real passion for the arts. She volunteers her time and professional experience to the community art gallery. She helps to organize the art show every month, and sits on the board to ensure the shows are well attended. Although she’s relatively new to the area, she has quickly become a valued member of the community, always talking to someone new. Not only is she spreading and sharing the beauty and talent of the artists, she’s nourishing her soul with the joy of helping others.

No matter what you do or how you work on your loneliness, the point is that you do something that moves you in the right direction toward healing, liking yourself, trusting others, and learning to live a full life. No one else is responsible for your happiness, as it’s really up to you. When you begin to move beyond aloneness, and understand that you’re always connected to your soul, which in turn is connected directly to God the Divine Source, you’ll soon discover that you’re never really alone, but in fact, you’re connected to the whole universe and everything in it.

John Holland is an internationally renowned psychic medium who has spent more than 20 years investigating and developing his abilities as a spirit messenger. When John lectures to full-capacity audiences throughout the country, he refers to himself as the cable between the two phones: “I’m just the middleman.”

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Louise and I spent almost a year traveling throughout the US and abroad, speaking at events, teaching together, and enjoying quiet meals where we talked about everything from how to love yourself and your body, to the benefits of aging, and the simple, daily habits that will truly create an exceptional life. I hope you find yourself in the excerpt below—something you can identify with or a piece of wisdom that’s helpful. And, I hope you’ll pick up a copy and enjoy the journey with us!

“We are powerful, creative beings who determine our future with every thought we think and every word we speak.” This was the first thing Louise said when I turned on the voice recorder at the start of our next session.

We were sitting opposite each other, stretched out on a long window seat in my hotel room, overlooking the city of Toronto below. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon. As I considered Louise’s remark, I realized that, at its core, this message is one of the most important: In our purest, most positive state of mind, we are powerful creators of our very best lives. When we think good thoughts, we feel good. When we feel good, we make good choices. When we feel good and make good choices, we draw more good experiences into our lives. It really is that simple . . . and elegant . . . and true.

Science tells us that energy waves are the “stuff” of the Universe, and that every breath we take and every thought we think has a direct effect on something or someone in it. The chair I sit on, the keyboard I use to write, and the beautiful magnolia tree outside my window are all made of energy. The speed with which an object vibrates determines the density of the form. This energy is directly influenced by the thoughts we think, the words we speak, and the actions we take. These thoughts, words, and actions produce feelings; and our feelings become the currency with which we purchase our life experiences.

As Louise and I talked about the ways in which our thoughts influence our lives, I became even more aware of how significant and powerful this concept really is. So much of what we both believe, teach, and practice in our own lives is based on a concept that is still seen by many as far-fetched, New Age, or simplistic at best. For a moment, as I transcribed these words onto paper, I felt compelled to search the web, my personal library, or the minds of my colleagues in the scientific community for solid evidence to back up our ideas. But I don’t do that anymore. I no longer defend the spiritual principles that have guided and shaped my life. They work and I know it. Louise and I both know it.

As we continued our conversation, it became clear that Louise and I had each been inspired by New Thought writers such as Emmet Fox and Florence Shovel Shinn, who encouraged readers to use the power of thought to change and improve their lives. By applying these principles to our own lives, Louise and I have been able to manifest opportunities and experiences that we believe are proof of how powerful our thoughts can be. And this evidence has reinforced our beliefs.

While science may ignore anecdotal evidence from people who experience the healing or creative power of thought, the stories are important. They are harbingers of change, catalysts for a shift in consciousness that will ultimately shape the way we live. Miraculous stories and extraordinary experiences often precede understanding. They invite us to open our hearts and minds so we can view the world in a new and different way. Then we’re better able to believe in something that existsoutside of our limited thinking. And that’s the point.

Evolutionary leaps of consciousness often begin with ideas that seem magical or astounding. Just think about how crazy the idea of seeing images on a box in the living room must have sounded to people when they first heard about “television.” One wild, seemingly impossible idea changed the face of humanity forever.

You can purchase “You Can Create An Exceptional Life” by Louise L. Hay and Cheryl Richardson here.

This everyday example of the difficulties that can arise when we are offered a gift reveals one of the important principles of learning how to receive the abundance that the Universe holds for us. In order to manifest, to take part in the process of co-creating your life and attracting to yourself the objects of your heart’s desires, you must know that you are worthy of receiving. Manifesting involves using the power of your inner world to craft a fuller relationship with life. You can remind yourself all day long that the same power that brought anything into the physical world also brought you, but if you do not feel worthy, you will disrupt the natural flow of energy into your life and create a blockage that makes manifestation impossible. Remember that you are worthy of abundance.

Feeling worthy of any blessings or desires is a feature of your inner life. Here are the major perceptions of those who know they are worthy and deserving of all of God’s blessings:

• My self-esteem comes from myself. (As a child of God, my worthiness is a given.)
• I accept myself without complaint and without conditions.
• I take full responsibility for my life and what it is and is not. (I blame no one.)
• I do not choose to accept guilt into my life. (I live in the present moment.)
• I understand the importance of having harmony between my thoughts, my feelings, and my behaviour. (This harmony translates into peace and contentment.)

There is nothing your highest self wants more than peace. This peace makes you feel worthy of all of the richest blessings of the Universe, and when you radiate this out into the world, it is returned to you without fail.

Wayne W. Dyer, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. 

For the first time anywhere, Wayne will reveal how to master the art of realising all your desires in “Wishes Fulfilled – Mastering the Art of Manifesting” - An Evening with Dr. Wayne W. Dyer on  January 18, 2012. CLICK HERE for details and tickets.

Your presence instills calmness.

When you coincide with intention, your impact on others has a calming influence. People tend to feel more at peace, less threatened, and more at ease. The power of intention is the power of love and receptivity. It asks nothing of anyone, it judges no one, and it encourages others to be free to be themselves. As people feel calmer in your presence, they’re inclined to feel safe, by virtue of the energy frequencies that you radiate. Their feelings are encouraged by your energy of love and receptivity, causing them to want to reach out and be with you.

Your presence leaves others feeling energized.

When you bring the frequencies of intention into the presence of others, they’ll feel energized just by being in your immediate circle. You don’t have to say a word. You don’t have to act in any prescribed fashion. Your energy of intention alone will make others in your field feel as if they’ve mysteriously been empowered. They’ll want to assist you in fulfilling your own dreams.

Your presence allows others to feel better about themselves.

Have you ever noticed when you’re in the presence of certain people that you feel better about yourself? Their compassionate energy has the noticeably pleasant impact of simply making you feel really good about yourself. You’ll impact others with this energy of compassion as you develop your connection to intention. People will sense that you care about them, understand them, and are interested in them as unique individuals.

Your presence allows others to feel unified.

The effect of being in the presence of people expressing high frequencies is to feel unified and connected to all of nature, all of humankind, and to intention. As you raise your frequencies, your impact on others invites them to be on the same team. You are unified and want to assist each other in the fulfillment of a common objective.

Your presence instills a sense of purpose.

When you’re in the higher spiritual energies, your presence and behavior from a space of love, acceptance, nonjudgment, and kindness becomes a catalyst for others to feel on purpose in their lives. By staying at the higher energies of optimism, forgiveness, understanding, reverence for Spirit, creativity, serenity, and bliss, you radiate this energy.  The people around you begin to feel your quiet reverence and serenity. Your own purpose, which revolves around serving others and therefore serving God, becomes fulfilled, and as a bonus, you create allies.

Your presence allows others to trust in authentic personal connections.

By bringing the traits of intention to others, you allow trust to be present. You’ll notice both an inclination and a willingness on the part of others to open up and confide in you. This is related to the quality of trust. In the atmosphere of higher energy, people trust and want to share their personal stories with you.

Your presence inspires others to greatness.

When you’re connected to Spirit and quietly reflect this consciousness, you become a source of inspiration to others. In a sense, this is one of the most powerful effects that connecting to intention transmits to others. The word inspiration means “in-spirit.” The fact that you’re primarily in-spirit means that you inspire rather than inform with your
presence.

Your presence aligns others with beauty.

When you’re connected to intention, you see beauty everywhere and in everything because you’re radiating the quality of beauty. Your perceptual world changes dramatically. At the higher energy of intent, you see beauty in everyone, young or old, rich or poor, dark or light, with no distinctions. Everything is perceived from a perspective of appreciation rather than judgment. As you bring this feeling of
beauty appreciation to the presence of others, people are inclined to see themselves as you see them. They feel attractive and better about themselves. When people feel beautiful, they act in beautiful ways.

Your presence instills health rather than sickness.

Your connection to your Source keeps you focused on what you intend to manifest into your life, with no energy given to what you don’t want. This internal focus doesn’t permit you to complain about what ails you or to think about disease, pain, or any physical difficulties. Your energy is always on creating love, and expanding the perfection from which you originated.

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Wayne W. Dyer, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. 

For the first time anywhere, Wayne will reveal how to master the art of realising all your desires in “Wishes Fulfilled – Mastering the Art of Manifesting” - An Evening with Dr. Wayne W. Dyer on  January 18, 2012. CLICK HERE for details and tickets.

Clive is a good example of the people I meet who have taught themselves that in order to be successful they must build tough exteriors and harden their hearts. Clive described himself as being “between a rock and a hard place.” I told him that I thought he was suffering from a broken heart and that he was hoping more success would somehow mend it.

“The problem is that if your heart is not open you won’t feel any success you experience,” I said.

In one session, Clive likened himself to the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, who had no heart. “If I don’t get my heart back,” he said, “I may as well die.”

In my Success Intelligence seminars, I present clinical research that proves there is a high correlation between loneliness and diseases such as heart disease. Many physicians identify loneliness as a leading cause of death, describing it as “a killer.” The loneliness they refer to is: (1) an isolation from other people, (2) an estrangement from our authentic self, and (3) a spiritual emptiness and perceived separation from God.

Excessive individualism and the lack of deep intimate attachments is not a formula for success. It breaks up communities and it breaks people’s lives. Excessive individualists seek to make an impression, but not to relate. They want admiration, not intimacy. They want to win, not join. They end up lonely at the top (if they ever get there) and suffer from appalling social illiteracy, poor emotional resilience, no spiritual rootedness, and no sense of belonging. They are on their own, and they are afraid.

I believe that it is a spiritual imperative of every human to overcome his or her perceived aloneness. Separation—the optical delusion—is the mental virus that causes so much fear, pain, and disease. My work with Success Intelligence recognizes that intimate relationships are the basic building blocks of true success and wellbeing.

Success Intelligence Tip – Relationships

Consider this thought: Relationships are the heart of success. How true is this for you?

Review your life and name the most important relationship lessons you have learned. Assess honestly how well you have learned these lessons.

Next, name three (or more) of the most important people in your life and your work.

Then review the present status of these relationships. Score the health of each relationship on a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (perfect). Consider how you could make each relationship even better.

Robert Holden, Ph.D., is the Director of The Happiness Project and Success Intelligence. He will be appearing at I CAN DO IT! in July-August 2011. For details and tickets CLICK HERE.

The problem is that you may not be aware of even a small percentage of the enormous number of beliefs about yourself and the world that you hold. Your beliefs about life and yourself are so ever-present that you often do not even know that they are there. They can be likened to the air that is all around us, but we are rarely aware of it. In other words, the more aware you become of the thoughts, concepts, and perceptions you have about who you are, the more you begin to discern who you really are.

Today, observe your thoughts and the situations around you—become the Sacred Observer. Watch your internal dialogue, and observe the language and words that you use. If you discern that your language is filled with disempowering words, consider substituting more empowering ones. You feel different when you use different words.

Changing your language can change your life. For example:

“I am depressed” can become “I am a little down.”

“I am exhausted” can become “I am recharging.”

“I am pissed off” can become “I am a tad cranky.”

“I am lonely” can become “I am open for love.”

“I am overwhelmed/overloaded” can become “I am stretching myself to discover my capabilities.”

“I have too much to do” can become “I am expanding my horizons or “I’m seeing what I’m capable of.”

“I am okay” can become “I am great!”

“I am all right” can become “I am superb!”

“I am good” can become “I am excellent!”

Be aware of your reactions to the experiences you have on this day. Ask yourself, “For me to feel this way about this situation, what would I have to think and believe about myself and the world?” and write down those thoughts.

Become a silent witness for a day. Without judgment or evaluation, watch yourself, your actions, and your reactions. Observe the language you use. Do you use empowering or disempowering language when talking about yourself or about life? Notice the types of thoughts that you think on a consistent basis. Do your thoughts bring you closer to your authentic self or take you away from your source? Write down your observations in your journal.

Denise Linn, the bestselling author of 16 books, has researched healing traditions from cultures around the world for more than 35 years. She will be appearing at I CAN DO IT! in Sydney and Melbourne July-August 2011. For details and tickets CLICK HERE.

Perhaps your plan for happiness has not worked because there is a better plan waiting for you.

There is an old saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Her your plans.” Making plans and sticking to plans can be very productive and rewarding. Planning is a great discipline that can help to create successful outcomes. That said, life does not always go according to plan. You may have a plan for your life, but life may also have a plan for you. This is not always such a bad thing. For example, I find that most people agree with the statements “I am glad that not all of my plans have worked out” and “Some of the best things in my life were not part of my plan.”

Everybody makes plans, but not every plan works. Just because your plan for happiness does not succeed, it does not mean that happiness is impossible. Your plan is simply not the plan. Perhaps your plan for happiness has not worked because there is a better plan waiting for you. Maybe there really is a better way. And anyway, who ever said that happiness needs a plan? When coaching people, I find that a common cause of unhappiness is holding on to an old plan for happiness that is too limited, too small, too future-focused, and not imaginative enough. To be happy, you have to be willing to let go of your plans for something better.

Robert Holden, Ph.D., is the author of Happiness Now and Be Happy. He will be appearing live at I CAN DO IT! in Sydney and Melbourne. For more information and tickets CLICK HERE.

I find that our emotional climate can either breed or block angel connections. When we have an extremely strong emotion—such as fear, anger, or worry—and we simultaneously appeal to heaven for help, this often triggers an angel experience. However, if we have these strong emotions and don’t ask for help, we can actually block ourselves from hearing their guidance. So, asking is the essential key.

You can request aid from God, Holy Spirit, Jesus (or other ascended masters), the archangels, your guardian angel, or a deceased loved one in so many different ways:

Think the thought: Help me! Heaven hears our thoughts, and responds with assistance.
Speak your request aloud. The words you choose, and the way that you say them, are unimportant. What counts is sincerity.
Write a letter to heaven. Pour your heart out, including all your fears, worries, and hopes. Again, don’t worry about being “proper.” They’re angels, not English teachers.
Invite them into your dreams. Before falling asleep, pray to have a connection with your angels. Invite them (or a particular being in heaven) into your dreams. It’s also helpful to write down your prayer and place the piece of paper under your pillow. Ask for a sign. Ask your angels to make their presence known. Don’t specify how you want the sign to appear. Let the angels surprise you with their method. But do ask the angels to make it a very clear sign that you won’t overlook.
Ask for faith. If you find yourself filled with self-doubt, ask your angels to boost your spiritual confidence. Even if you’re unsure whether you have angels, or whether they really exist, ask anyway. The easiest way is to mentally speak to your angels before falling asleep. Appeal to them to buoy your faith, and to connect with you so that you’re sure of their presence.

You are surrounded by angels, right now. Even if you’re a nonbeliever, you have guardian angels who love you, and who are with you, at this very moment. Close your eyes for a moment, breathe deeply, and feel their presence. If you still can’t sense the angels, keep going. They’re even more motivated to make their presence known than you are. They love you so much, and want to become more involved in your life.

Doreen Virtue is a spiritual doctor of psychology and a fourth-generation metaphysician who works with the angelic, elemental, and ascended-master realms in her writings and workshops. See her live at I Can Do It! 2011 in Sydney and Melbourne. For details and tickets CLICK HERE.

I was excited, nervous, and anxious all at the same time, as it was the next big leap of faith in myself. I knew this was my test to see if I could take my mediumship to the next level. The weeks flew by, and before I knew it, I found myself touching down over the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip.

I was excited, nervous, and anxious all at the same time, as it was the next big leap of faith in myself.

I got to the convention centre and was informed that I’d be going on second. I was relieved that I was not going to be the first one onstage the next morning. I sat in my hotel room for a while, thinking how much I wanted to be the very best I could, and I hoped that my guides would be there to assist me. I knew they would be, but also I knew that if I allowed my nerves and fear to take control, they could potentially paralyze spirit communication.

The next morning I was searching for something to inspire me and to lift my soul as well as those of the 2,000-member audience. It’s always the medium’s job to maintain the energy in a demonstration. If you can get the energy and inspiration up, then the messages from the Other-Side flow with clarity and precision.

As I sat there in the greenroom, I started to receive information in a series of images. In my mind’s eye, I saw what seemed to be a piece of paper being furiously folded. Were they trying to show me a paper plane, a paper toy, or was it just a cutout doll? I was just about to walk onstage, so I tried to interpret what I was receiving as quickly as I could. It finally turned into a beautiful origami swan. I knew immediately that this was the link.

Suddenly I heard John Edward announcing me, and I was on. Putting any fears behind me, I strode confidently onstage and gazed out at the audience. The atmosphere was electric as I gave a short talk about myself, how I work, and what people could expect, as well as what not to expect. I could feel my energy rising, and conscious that I had less than an hour left, I couldn’t wait any longer. The image of the origami swan jumped back into my mind, and at that very moment, I felt a young boy draw close. I knew immediately that this swan was the link to his family. I could feel myself being pulled to the top balcony, so I raised my hand and said, “I have a boy here calling out to his family. He’s so excited to be here and wants to talk to his mom! Would someone in that area understand an origami swan?”

Almost before I’d finished speaking, a woman stood up, frantically waving her hands back and forth and yelling, “Up here, John, I think it’s for me!”

I always make sure people are not reaching for the message, so I asked her, “So you lost a son?”

“Yes!” she cried out.

“Then you understand the origami swan,” I asked her.

To an almost silent audience, she told how her son had suddenly died a few years earlier, and how a friend had given her an origami swan in remembrance of him. She’d even brought the little folded swan to the event and had it in her wallet. All eyes were focused on her as she reached in and revealed the beautiful paper swan. You could feel the love that was being sent to her at that moment from each and every person in that audience.

Later, I found out that in the Celtic tradition, a swan symbolizes the soul — the aspect of all beings that is eternal. I’ve since heard that the woman now receives these precious paper swans from people all the time, and every time she receives one, it’s like a hello from her son.

My soul was filled with energy that special day because I’d sought inspiration to help me raise my energy to meet those on the Other-Side. Spirit had infused me with its own love, enabling me to pass on hope to those people in Las Vegas. I wonder if John will ever know the kindness he showed me by asking me to be part of that event, joining him and the other mediums. This event boosted my confidence to continue my work as a spirit whisperer. Thank you, John Edward.

John Holland is an internationally renowned psychic medium and teacher who will be appearing at I CAN DO IT! in Sydney and Melbourne. For more info and tickets CLICK HERE.