The Art of Silence: Learning when not to Speak, Text, Email, Tweet, Blog, etc.

The art of silence is now more than learning when not to speak out loud. You have to know when not to text, blog, tweet, email or otherwise electronically express yourself, too.

Silence is Golden. This proverbial phrase is so short, yet so full of timeless wisdom. The art and discipline of being silent has been lost in this generation. Freedom of speech aside, people just don't seem to realize that sometimes it is important to just be quiet. The internet and cell phones have made it virtually impossible to resist the temptation to reveal what is on one's mind. While self-expression is needed, there are certain times when you are generally better keeping it to yourself.

Shouldn't You Always Speak Your Mind?

The short answer is, no. Allow me to elaborate. Words are extremely powerful, and they can be used to educate, harm, help, damage, bless, curse, express expertise or reveal foolishness. It is a mistake to let your words run wild when you are hurt, angry or otherwise emotional because feelings can change so rapidly.

This is not to say that you should never speak your mind about things that you are passionate about, but holding your tongue, staying off of the social media, and putting your cell phone down until you have a clear head is a wise move.

If you have something that you feel really needs to be said, wait until the best time. Wait for a time when you know that you will be heard. Speak your mind with intelligence and well-crafted words that people will understand. Your words are so much more meaningful when spoken to the right people, at the right time, in the best way that you can express them. This simply means think before you talk, text, or post.

When it comes to words, quality is much better than quantity. The less you say, the more people will listen.

Why is Being Quiet for a while Such a Good Idea?

Silence Allows for Introspection: Your immediate reaction to certain things may not be the best. Taking the time to think things through can help you to realize your possible fault in a given situation. You might also realize that in the grand scheme of things, there is nothing to get upset about. Maybe the other people involved are right and you are wrong. Perhaps you took something the wrong way.

It will Give You a Chance to Listen: Rather than assume things and take your own interpretation of the situation as gospel truth, hear the other side of the story. Have someone else offer their perspective about the intentions and reasoning behind a situation. Listening is also important when people are trying to help you or offer constructive criticism. Instead of getting defensive, you should consider what they are saying. They could be wrong, but they can also be right. Listen first, then decide.

You can Protect Your Reputation: This is especially true when it is related to business. Blurting out senselessly on Orkut,Facebook or MySpace, or Twittering without thinking first can really make you look like a fool who has no self-control. One proverb says, "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." If people are saying things about you, lashing out at them may not be the best choice. Sometimes if you don't say anything, your true reputation will outshine what other people say.

Silence can Protect Your Relationships: If you aren't careful, you can really make yourself appear to be a hurtful jerk, and you can damage relationships with a single stupid update on your page. Getting on the phone the minute something happens is a recipe for gossip disaster, too. You should be careful with your texts as well. Use discretion about what you say about other people especially when you are upset. If you say something you really don't mean, and it spreads like wildfire, the friendship or relationship can be over before you know it.

Silence Shows Good Manners: If you are in a movie theater, at church, in class, or attending a show or conference it is only polite not to take texts and calls unless it is really important. Talking through these things is really rude, too. It is also rude to talk at an amusement park attraction while attendants are giving instructions. In any of these situations, you are distracting other people, missing out on what is being offered, and completely disrespectful the presenter and those around you. If silence is ever appreciated, it is at these times.

The next time you decide to express yourself, think about how it will impact your life, your loved ones, your relationships, your career and your overall reputation. Express yourself when it is worth it and hold your peace when it's more effective.

Do Your Thoughts Need Polishing Up?

If you have ever seen a geode, you would know they look like an ordinary rock on the outside but when broken open, they reveal a beautiful display of crystals. When polished, wow, simply breathtaking.

Think of your thoughts like a geode that when opened and polished, they are brilliant gems.

So what holds someone back from wanting to discover what's hidden within? Fear.

Apprehension can stop you from delving into yourself. You don't know what might surface or whether you could become consumed with emotions you would rather not feel, or your experience of doing so left you feeling like the ugly rock rather than the beautiful crystal.

Self discovery or awareness is our greatest gift. The more we learn about ourselves, the more joyful and prosperous our lives become.

We no longer need to blame others or situations, but rather welcome, or at least befriend, these experiences and thoughts that are generating unwanted feelings as opportunities to learn about the great mystery of ourselves in life.

Thoughts are very powerful and can either feed our ego's fears, doubts, and anxieties, or nourish our souls.

When you explore an uncomfortable or negative thought, you are polishing it. You are dusting it off and shining it up. How can this not benefit your life and those around you?

When you look at your beliefs, feelings, and actions with a sense of fascination and wonder, your thinking is bound to change.

In a sense we are all geodes just waiting to be opened. Each one of us different and yet all originating from the same brilliant source.

If you knew that something magnificent was waiting for you, wouldn't you want to open it and see what's inside?

When negative thoughts surface, don't try to shove them aside or bury yourself in them, break through them. Believe it's there for you to polish up and let it shine.

Let's say your minds dialog goes something like this, "I should have known better; this always happens", or "Why did I react that way? I know better than that.", or "Should I go or should I stay?", "What if I say or do something and _________ happens?", etc.

Think possibilities within the problem. "This has happened more than once so what's it saying or trying to grab my attention about?" "Hmmm...I reacted again; I'm going to explore this further and discover what's really going on for me". "I could go or stay. Either way, I am embarking on something new. Right now, I'm not sure of a decision so I will write down some pros and cons of both and see how I feel,or continue to be with the thoughts and feelings that are arising". "If I say or do something and _________ happens I will know more than I know now".

These internal conversations can play out in many different ways. The difference is being stuck or being open. That choice is yours and yours alone.

The journey of self awareness continues to grow as we continue to learn.

When you find yourself down, doubting, fearing, lamenting, etc., think crystals inside the rock. Use these very thoughts and feelings to refine and define the spiritual gem that you are.

Choose to be an explorer, at least within yourself.

The insight technique assists you in self awareness, being the crystals within the rock.

How to discover your own special dream

Last week we asked you to think about possibly the single most important question in your life. "What is it that you really want to do ?"

Now some of you will instantly know what it is that you are meant to be doing. For you lucky people, your only questions are how to bring your dreams into reality.

However, in this society, most people only know what it is that they they don't want to do, but are unable to discover what it is that they would really like to be doing.

The two most important steps in living your dreams are:-

Having a really clear idea about what it is that you want to do, and then taking the necessary actions towards achieving it.

Our thoughts generate our actions and our actions eventually become the reality that we live out.

A dream doesn't have to mean some far off and impossible to achieve ideal. Rather a dream is like a seed, which if watered and fed with your thoughts and actions can grow into something more wondrous and beautiful than anything you can begin to imagine. There is such a truly amazing power in dreaming.

Are you still not sure what is your own special dream ?

Here is a wonderful and fun exercise which will inspire you to discover your own true destiny.

Step one:- Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed for at least ten minutes. This exercise can take much much longer, but you need to devote at least ten minutes to this.

Hey! it's your life isn't it ?

Step two:- This is the really really fun part. This is where you get to use your imagination. Just imagine you have a magic bottle and when you rub it out will pop this amazing genie who will ask you what is your wish ? You can have as many wishes as you like. No limitations on money, no limitations on distance, educational background or time. You can have anything at all. Let your mind roam free. Use your imagination. Start to dream.

The most important part of this exercise is to not dream too small. Having an easily achievable dream is not much fun at all. What is the point in having a dream that you will pay the rent on time next week ? Where's the fun in that ? How about a dream that you own a really beautiful house on the water in some special place ? That's a lot more fun. Isn't it ?

One of the greatest tragedies of humankind is not that people's dreams are too big that they can not achieve them, but that they are too small to inspire them. So dream BIG. Get yourself inspired.

Step 3. Write it all down. Have fun, just pretend that this magic genie is going to grant you anything you ask. Want to be a famous singer or writer ? Write it down. Want to travel to far off places ? Write it down. Want a meaningful and loving relationship with someone really really special ? Write it down...... You have to give the genie some instructions to work with !

Now, ten minutes isn't really much time to spend doing this, so take the next week to really think about what fun experiences you would like to have during this precious life of yours. Remember, it can be anything at all. No limitations. Carry a notebook with you, and when at some odd moment a thought pops into your head that you would really like to do something, take out you notebook and write it down. The most important step in bringing your dreams into reality is to first really think about them, and then write them down.

It's a bit like how Sofan creates one of her magnificent paintings. She starts with an idea of something she wants to create. Then she does a rough sketch in pencil on the canvas before she starts to apply the paint. So make your life sketch and you can fill in the details later. The important thing is to have fun while you are doing it.

Eventually, a pattern is likely to emerge which will indicate to you what is your true desire and dream for life. Even if it doesn't emerge, the mere fact that you are "thinking" about your true dream and passion will work to draw this dream to reveal itself to you.

We all have a true goal and purpose in life. Something which goes beyond a mere occupation and enters the realm of the divine. Not everyone wants to be an artist or musician, not everyone want to be an astronaut or a world famous athlete. Your profession doesn't really matter so long as you are pursuing it with love and inspiration. When you are truly living your dream, every day is a new adventure. You will awake full of energy and filled with excitement because whatever happens, it is part of your dream.

So over this coming week, have fun doing this exercise Because in order to take this wonderful journey on the path of life, it helps to know where you want to be going.

May your life be filled with love, happiness and inspiration

How to turn your life into a Work of Art

What is it that you really want to do ?

What is your own special dream that you want to live out ?

Do you believe your life is going to be a masterpiece like the Mona Lisa, or is it some smudged finger painting ?

Ultimately it begins with a choice. It begins with a decision that no matter what, you are going to live your life as a work of art.

Michelangelo said that David was already in the block of Marble before he started carving. All he did was to chip away the marble that was imprisoning the sculpture allowing David to be born.

So too is it with Your own life. You have a special inbuilt potential to be something truly wonderful, something magnificent. All it takes is two very important things :

A dream and actions.

It's just like putting paint on canvas. When Sofan paints, she starts with a clear idea of what she wants to create, a brilliant image shining in her mind. Slowly, one brush stroke at a time is applied until after much time and joy, the painting appears. The wonderful image in her mind comes alive for other people to see and experience.

Every thought you think and every one of your actions is like a brush stoke on the canvas of our lives. To live your life as a work of art it is first necessary to have a clear idea of what it is that you really want to do, and then make the commitment that no matter what, you will take the necessary steps to achieve this dream.

Sadly, most people only know what they don't want to do. They are so busy, so caught up in living their day to day existence, that they are unable to take the time to really think about what they want to be doing. We all need a special dream to spur us on towards actions. It all begins with a dream. Your dream. What is it ?

Knowing what your dream is the beginning of living your life as a magnificent work of Art. So take the time, think about it. Once you truly know what you really want to do, actions follow, until before you know it, your dream is taking shape all around you.

So over this coming week, take the time to think about what it is that you really want to be doing. Truly ask yourself, are you doing it now ? If your answer is no, then you must, ask your self why not ?

May your life be filled with love, happiness and inspiration

7 Key Strategies to Effortless Decision Making

You are faced with a decision. Whether it is personal or professional, it can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, worried or stuck. Perhaps you are apprehensive about the outcome of your decision or whether you should make it or not, or you just don't know what to do.

Think of decisions as change, movement, alignment and opportunities to grow and learn. Often when making decisions we come up against resistance and fear. These are opportunities to stretch ourselves and let go of old patterns or beliefs.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a sign that read "Effortless Decision Making This Way"? Guess what that is. You and your thinking are it! When you question your thinking on what is holding you back then you are well on your way to making a smooth decision.

Here are 7 key strategies to effortless decision making:

1. Are there any other choices other than the decision you are making?

2. Write down the pros and cons of the choice and/or decision.

3. Is the choice or decision in alignment with where you want to be?

4. Is the choice or decision at hand going to improve the quality and relationships in your life?

5. Is the choice or decision going to benefit you in all areas of your life?

6. Jot down what is stopping you from making this decision.

7. Be willing to release what is blocking you or limiting you.

Once you have done the exercise be willing to let it go and trust the answer will come to you easily and effortlessly.

Sometimes you will find that the decision doesn't have to be made right away and if it does, then by doing the above you find the answer appears much quicker by releasing what it holding you back rather than staying stuck.

10 keys to bring more inspiration into your life

Have you ever asked yourself what is inspiration?

When the word inspiration is broken down into it's component parts, it simply means "in - spirit".

When you are living "in - spirit" You feel excited about yourself and your life. You have a special connection with all parts of your mind and body.

The question is how can we connect to our spirit at all times to take that actions that make all things possible ?

Below are ten keys to opening your doors to your inspiration.

1. The first key to inspiration is enjoyment. It would take a spiritual master to get inspired about doing the dishes. So find something that really excites you. It can be anything that you really enjoy.

2. The second key is love. When you are actively pouring love into what you are doing, this will guarantee that you are opening yourself to experiencing more inspiration.

3. The third key is to trust yourself. Listen to that little voice inside yourself and know that this comes from heart. This is called intuition.

4. The fourth key is to follow what your intuition tells you. The more you listen to it, the stronger your intuition will become. If you don't pay attention, that little voice gets fainter and fainter until you can no longer hear it.

5. The fifth key is to keep telling yourself "I can". These are some of the most powerful words that you can ever use. When you say this to yourself often enough, you build abridge between yourself and your inspiration.

6. The sixth key is not to listen to anyone that says "no you can't". They might think that they may not be able to, and try to project this negative belief onto you, but remember to keep telling yourself that, "I can! "

7. The seventh key is to believe in yourself. When you are backed by a strong belief in yourself and your dreams, nothing is impossible.

8. The eighth key is to avoid negativity. Ask yourself, do you really need to read the newspaper or watch the news on TV everyday ? Nothing kills inspiration quicker than being surrounded by bad news.

9. The ninth key is acceptance. Accept that on some days you feel much more inspired than on others. This is normal, nobody can be completely inspired every minute of the day.

10. The tenth key is possibly the most important of all. Take action every day, no matter how small a step it seems. Action is the fuel to the fires of inspiration. Make it a daily practise to keep your fire burning. The taking of actions, no matter how small, will fill you with inspiration for taking the next step.

May your life be filled with love, happiness and inspiration

10 Key Insights to Effective Journaling - Keep Your Visions Close and Your Insights Closer

Studies have proven that people who write or journal daily, are more likely to let go of limitations and succeed at fulfilling their dreams than those who don't.

Why is daily journaling important?

It allows you the space to freely write about your dreams, purpose and visions, your setbacks and challenges, your thoughts, feelings and desires. Journaling encourages you to face your fears so you can live the life you desire and deserve.

Writing helps keep your visions close and your insights closer. Your insights are the key to unlocking what holds you back, keep you stuck or on or off track. Your visions are your hopes and dreams but your insights are the answer to living them with happiness, purpose and prosperity.

Here are 10 key insights to effective journaling:

1. Buy a journal you feel will be comfortable to write in, perhaps with an inspiring picture on the cover, or quotes on the inside. You can even paste on your own vision, picture or words of something you feel connected to or motivated by. This will help maintain your intention on your vision and its importance.

2. Call your journal something creative, like "Living My Dreams", "My Moments or Insights" or "My Creative Life". Naming your journal makes it personal and inspiring.

3. Choose to write in your journal at the same time each night or day. This encourages commitment to you, your thoughts, feeling and visions. It signifies the importance and that you are worth making time for.

4. Categorize your thoughts and feelings with headings. This helps keep you focused and is easy to go back and see what they were on a specific day or month.

5. Start each journal passage with your vision, dream or purpose. It can be for the next day, week, month or year. Be specific with lots of descriptive words. The more specific you are the better the results will be.

Your vision might be, "I exercise and eat healthy each day", or "I am commited to my relationship and I strive to be a better person", or "I easily and effortlessly attract the results I want in my life".

6. Your brilliance can be what you accomplished or achieved during the day. It can be small, big or a combination of both. It can be personal, professional and/or spiritual. This is a great area to really see and be proud of what you completed during the day, week, month or year.

7. Your recycle bin is the space where you can vent and dump whatever frustrations, pet peeves, setbacks, challenges, fears etc. you encountered during the day. They can be in point form or very detailed. *This area is crucial for letting go of the thoughts, feelings and resentment that are keeping you stuck and not in alignment with your vision and who you really are.

8. Your insights are your choices and awareness of how you could of hanlded things differently from your recycle bin. This space enables you to transform old mindsets and limiting beliefs by promoting choices that are in alignment with you, your vision, purpose or dreams. This area allows you to take 100%responsibility for your actions and reactions.

9. Your gifts received is the space you can write about the gratitude and thankfulness for events, things or people in your life, and signs or stepping stones that you encounter.

10. Your affirmation is the closing for the day. It can be one of thanks, insights gained, realigning with your vision or purpose or aspiring to handle things differently etc.

This space is where you can be really creative and inspiring, so let it flow.

You can create new affirmations each day or continue to use the same one. Repeat it often or reflect upon it when you write it.

Journaling is your opened treasure of insights that will inspire, move, motivate, transform and align you with who you really are. You won't just be living life, you will love the moments in the life you live. You will discover hidden gems and precious jewels that live within you so you can shine and shimmer brilliantly in all areas of your life!

Enhance All Areas of Your Life!

Creativity is not only a stress reliever, but it enhances all aspects of your life.

When you let your creativity flow, you are opening doors of opportunity in all areas of your personal, professional and spiritual life.

Creativity can promote: -* Relaxation - * Problem solving - * Income - * Books or newsletters* -Vision boards or DVD's - * Paintings - * Songs - * Poetry - * Inspiration and Ideas - * Soul centered businesses - * Better relationships at work and home.

Is creativity a God given talent? Yes, it is. The good news is we all have it. We just haven't discovered and uncovered how to bring it into play and enhance all aspects of our lives.

1. How do you discover what your creativity is? This is the fun part. Explore, explore, explore.

Try writing, singing, drawing, painting, playing an instrument, meditating, dancing, exercising, brainstorming, woodworking etc. Your creativity has optimum possibilities and potential.

There are so many ways to be creative. Look at the hobbies you like, or things that you feel really energized by, or perhaps something completely new that piques your interest or curiosity. Once you discover which ones you feel connected to, you can uncover how to channel them for the best results.

2. Apply them everywhere and as often as you can in your personal, professional and spiritual life.

Say your creativity is coming up with ideas as well as painting. Perhaps you can use these at the office or home, by painting inspirational words or pictures and posting them each morning or once a week for focusing and inspiration.

3. Drop the expectation of what or how your creativity "should be". Let it evolve. Let it flow. Let it emerge from within and trust what you feel drawn to. Then allow it to shine and radiate in all aspects of your life.

4. How will utilizing your creativity enhance these 4 areas of your life?

Personal Time & Spiritual Growth

Health & Well Being

Money & Career

Relationships

When you apply your creativity to each area of your life you will reap the benefits and rewards and others will also. The more creativity you use, the better the outcomes and solutions will be.

5. Don't stop at one. We all have creativity and generally more than one way of expressing it. The more you open the window to your mind, body and soul's creativity, the more doors of opportunity will open.

When you use your creativity, you are aligning with your true inner purpose. How can your outer purpose and others not benefit from it?

A special thanks to all who recognize their creativity and have inspired, touched, opened and blessed us with your many talents. You too can be one of them!