Soulful Inspirations

Perseverance

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:49:00 +0000

"Harmonious and Sincere on the inside. Strength on the outside. In this generation, we have to use Perseverance to achieve a goal. Perseverance becomes an action and becomes an energy, which moves one to achieve anything in the world." -Wendy's Grandfather

Live In The Present Moment

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:08:00 +0000

The "What If" Game

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:00:00 +0000

I like to play the "What If" game with myself sometimes. When I am trying to find a solution to a problem or a challenge, I try to ask myself many what ifs, create different scenarios in my head and imagine different outcomes. And one of those what ifs, can be a great solution to your problem!

What if you have a million dollars right now, what would you do? How would you spend it? What kinds of feelings does it give you?

What if you have your ideal career, what would it look like? What would you be doing? How are you contributing to society? Are you passionate and happy with your work?

What if you have a perfect relationship, how does that feel like? What kind of person is he or she? How do you interact with that person?

What if you can be anywhere in the world, where would you be right now? What are you doing there? What are you feeling?

What if you have a magic wand, and you can make any wish come true. What would it be? How does that change your life?

What if there is no war...

What if there is no unclear weapons...

What if racism does not exist....

What if.. what if....

The "What If" game is great for sparking our imagination, and it helps us to think outside of the box. It is a great tool for visualization, and pushes us to imagine something that is outside of our everyday experience.

The truth of the matter is, we have a lot more power in our life than we think. We can create a life full of possibilities if we can be not limited by our vision, and what we think we can or cannot achieve. If we can envision something with the "what if" game and see an end result, we may just find ways to achieve what we dream of. Hey, you may even make a scientific discovery by asking "what if"!

So go ahead! Keep "what if-ing" and imagine the world full of potential and possibilities! Visualize your success!

What is your "what if"?

Take Care Of Our Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:30:00 +0000

Here are a few organizations that are doing good work to take good care of our earth, and animals. Check them out and help them in anyway possible.

Please add more organizations under comments, and I will update here!

Everybody Green
"is committed to assisting in ending further damage to our environment."

GREENPEACE
"Greenpeace is the leading independent, campaigning organization that uses peaceful direct action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems..."

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary
"(WFAS) is a nonprofit organization that provides care, rehabilitation and shelter to neglected, abused and discarded farm animals."

Earth Day Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:55:00 +0000

Today is Earth Day, and I want to spend some time to meditate on our earth. We need to take good care of it, love it, nurture it, and cherish it. As a matter of fact, everyday should be Earth Day!
We can spend a few minutes today, and think of what we can do individually to keep our earth healthy and strong. I am going to start a list here, please continue to add items.

1) Recycle
2) change our light bulbs to energy efficient light bulbs
3) Become a vegetarian, or at least cut down on how much meat we consume
4) Take shorter showers to save water
5) Walk or use public transportation instead of driving
6) Drive energy efficient cars
7) Eat locally grown food
8) Reduce heat or air conditioning
9) Unplug!
10) Talk to you friends about conserving

May we always love and take good care of this earth always!

Love,
Wendy !

You might as well do it with JOY!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:36:00 +0000

You know how there are times when you are tired, and you really don't feel like doing anything, but you feel that you HAVE to: go to work, do your homework, pick up your kids, clean the house, make dinner, have this meeting, go to the gym, talk to your mean boss etc etc)

Well, first of all, you don't always HAVE to do anything in life. OK, ok! I can already hear people going, "Easy for you to say, but I do HAVE to! How am I supposed to pay the bills if I don't work? Who is going to clean the house if I don't? How is this project going to move forward if we don't have the meeting?" Well, the truth of the matter is, most of the time in life, we CHOOSE to do things. There isn't anyone with a weapon behind you that say, "If you don't make dinner right now, death will upon you! Muwhahahahha!!!"

Imagine how different our lives will be, instead of saying, "I HAVE to", or "I SHOULD", we say:

"I CHOOSE to go to work, because I choose to make a living."
"I CHOOSE to go to the gym because I choose to be healthy."
"I CHOOSE to be pick up the kids because I choose to be a good parent."

Or, you can say....

"I CHOOSE to NOT go to work because I choose to make a living doing what I am truly passionate about."
"I CHOOSE to NOT go to the gym because I CHOOSE to get more rest today."
"I CHOOSE to not pick up the kids today because I choose to give myself more time so that I can be a better parent."

So, everything in life is a choice!

And there maybe instances in life (though probably rarer than you think), where you may feel very obliged to do something. And if you feel that you HAVE to go to work, and you HAVE to have the meeting etc, here's what I have to say to ya:

YOU MIGHT AS WELL DO IT WITH JOY!!!!

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:56:00 +0000

I recently saw this story up on a board at a college campus, and I was very inspired by it! I found out that it was put up by a lovely RA called Christie! Thank you Christie for sending this along!

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the Mayonnaise Jar and the 2 Beers. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous, "Yes!" The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions - and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter, like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents."

"Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, "I'm glad you asked. The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers."

What would you do....?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 05:32:00 +0000

"Life Is A Gift"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:07:00 +0000

I got this in an email a little while back. And it's a great learning lesson for us to put things in perspective. Life indeed is a gift and we should be grateful for everything that we do have. We should indeed count our blessings instead of counting all the things that we wish we had. Let's all focus on the "haves" and not the "lacks".

There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind.

She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her.
She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. She was then able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
Her boyfriend asked her," Now that you can see the world,
will you marry me?"

The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind.
She then refused to marry him.
Her boyfriend walked away in tears and later wrote a letter to her saying: "Just take care of my eyes dear, for I loved you so much
that it was I who was the donor of your gift."
This is how the human brain changes when our status changes.
Only few remember what life was before,and who's always been there
even in the most painful situations.

"Life Is A Gift"
Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before you complain about your children -Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep -
Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled,and those who wish they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another -
Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one MAKER.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank GOD you're alive and still around.
Life is a gift, Live it, Enjoy it, Celebrate it, And Fulfill it.

-Author Unknown

A Lesson In Fortitude

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:22:00 +0000

Someone sent this to me, and I absolutely love the pictures and message of courage, persistence, determination, and perseverance. I wish you all these wonderful qualities, and all the success in the world!

Creativity and Imagination Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:26:00 +0000

I am going to talk about creativity a lot since this is a subject that is close to my heart. I am a performing artist, and creativity is a vital part of my life.

But creativity is also a vital part of EVERYONE'S life! You can use creativity in how you run a meeting at work, how to decorate your house, finding new ways to spice up your marriage, gifts ideas, how to teach your children, bringing your career to the next level etc etc etc. It all requires our imagination and creativity.

One thing I know for sure is that if you can see it in your head, then you can make it happen. So visualization is a vital tool to get our creative juices and imagination going. (I will write about visualization in future posts). Here are a few quotes that helps us to be more creative. I have collected these quotes from different authors and books:

"It's not how good you are, it's how good you want to be" by Paul Arden
(Yes, visualize, visualize, and visualize your success!!! Literally see, feel, hear, taste the events that you want happen in your life. Spend sometime and daydream a little! It's totally legal!)

"Don't be afraid of silly ideas"
(I say the sillier the better!!! I am sure that someone thought that being able to fly in the sky was a real silly idea once, or that it is real silly to think that we can reach the moon, even sillier to think that in 2009, CNN and many other people are all of a sudden "twittering"! I mean, even if we talked about twittering two years ago, you would be like, "huh?". Well, all of this happened because people were not afraid of their "silly" ideas. Hey, be "silly"! Great ideas come from imagining the unimaginable!

"Stop worrying about being right"
If we are worried about being right, that's self censorship right there, and that's the #1 creativity killer. Let your ideas fly, regardless of being right or wrong. Very often, the "right" ideas come out of the "wrong" ones.

"If you get stuck, draw with a different pen"
Change your tools, change your angle, change the way you have always done things. Try something new!

So guys, go for it! Go for the wrongs, go for the new and inventive, never before done, and silly way of doing things, visualize the end results!

Wendy the (Inspirational) Trainer

A Peace Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:33:00 +0000

To my very dearest friends,

May you be well, may you be happy.

May you experience life to the fullest, filled with love, good health, and good energy.

May your life be filled with loving firends and family.

May your heart be filled with compassion, and understanding.

May you continue to live the full potential of your life, making positivie differences in this world as you do already.

I wish you peace, serenity, and contentment.

I send you, and the universe my most positive energy.

Have a really fantastic day today, and for many more days to come,

Love,
Wendy

PS Pass this along if you like.

One Small Change A Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:49:00 +0000

Check it out and please contribute!

I believe that if we we each start with doing one small thing a day, we collectively can make significant changes in this world.

There is global warming, people are dying in wars, the animals are going extinct etc etc. There seems to be an overwhelming amount of things that we, as socially conscious people have to worry about. And to tell the truth, it is very stressful, and one doesn't know where to start!

One good deed a day, keeps the world in shape.

In this blog, we are going to share with each other everyday one small thing that we can do individually to improve the world.

I would like to see as much input from everyone and would love to challenge each of us to make a difference. Let's report to each other what changes we have caused! What's the change that you are willing to make today?

What is real to you?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:43:00 +0000

Realness and truth are in the eye of the beholder. We choose our experiences and we also choose the way we respond to it. We can respond positively or negatively. I always try to choose positively, and try to learn from those days that are more difficult to respond positively. What about you? What is real to you?

Wendy the (inspirational) Trainer

My Spiritual Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:26:00 +0000

I wrote this a couple of years ago. It is still relevant today! Sometimes we have to put things in perspective!

If you are reading this, I ask that you please send me some healing thoughts to my lower back. Lower back pain doesn't really seem to be such a big deal compared to many other diseases. But I am a musician. To perform without much practicing (except for mental practice), and feeling unprepared for performances, and the possiblity of being in pain in the performance just overwhelms me emotionally.

I have been suffering from this pain for the last few months now. It got quite severe about a month ago, not allowing me to do much except to just lie around and think. While this has been an extremely frustrating experience, it has also been a very spiritual experience. I know that I was put in this position for a reason- which is grow, to learn, to become even more spiritual for it is in trying times that people grow. And I will be able to share the story after I overcome this hurdle. I feel like this whole thing is a battle of the mind, but not the phyiscal body. For those of you who are worried. Don't. I am starting to heal. I am getting better. I am learning to have faith. But send me good energy anyway!

Ever since my back started hurting, I have started listening to many healing meditations. After each mediation, I started having conversations in my dream-like state with a lady who seems to be what I would call an angel, or a spiritual guide. You may think that I am crazy, or that i am talking to myself. Regardless, weather she is an angel, or my higher self talking, she gives really good advice.

I wanted to share some of these wisdoms with you. They may be applicable to all of our lives. While I understand her guidance, and what I need to do, I am still struggling emotionally and psychologically trying to cope with the pain, the pressure, and the belief in myself. In time, I know that I will really get it.

Here's the first encounter with her:

I have been going through a lot with my health, and also with my job. I was thinking about quiting, or doing less of my job and concentrate more on my performing career, but I was also worried tabout the financial consequences of quitting. And here's what she says.

"There are three criteria to making a decision about your livelihood.
1) Do you have the passion for it?
2) Do you have the talent for it?
3) Is your decision in alignment with your true purpose in life?
If you answer yes to all three questions, then you should go ahead with the decision. Everything else including wealth will be taken care of. But if you answer no to any one of these, you should reconsider.

1) Do you have the passion for it?
First and most importantly, do you have the passion for it? If you don't have the passion, and love for what you want to do, than there is really no point in doing it. You can make all the money in the world with a job, and have no satisfaction from your work and therefore your life. Your life and your work are not so separate for life is part of your work, and work is part of your life. I think the angel is right in saying that we need to do what really calls us, and what makes us excited. Then it is no longer work anymore. What she was saying reminds me of this quote that a good friend of mine shared with me.

"The person who is a master in the art of living makes little distinction between their work and their play, their labor and their leisure, their mind and their body, their education and their recreation, their love and their religion. They hardly know which is which. They simply pursue their vision of excellence and grace in whatever they do, leaving others to decide whether they are working or playing. To them, they are always doing both."
-Zen Buddhism

When one has the passion for something, there is no difference between work and play. If one does not have the passion for something, then it is always work.

2) Do you have the talent for it?
Some talents are born naturally, and some are cultivated later in life. But talent cannot exist without passion, and dedication. Natural born talents also need cultivation in order for it to blossom. Unless one has the drive, and the desire to cultivate a talent, it will always stay at a certain level without any breakthrough. Talents that are cultivated later in life are the same also. It needs passion for it to go beyond its initial stage. The questions to ask ourselves is, do we have the drive, the passion, the skills, to bring our lives to the next level?

3) Is your decision in alignment with your true purpose in life?
Well, it helps to know what your true purpose in life is. If it wasn't for reading Jack Canfields' "Success Principles", I wouldn't have thought about writing down what my true purpose in life is. Some of us walk around not knowing, and searching. Some don't have one. If one doesn't have one, we may start asking ourselves why we are here? We should think about our skills, our talents, and passions in life... Can any of these areas contribute to humanity while we are on earth? Why may it be? Maybe we have more than one purpose, and that's ok. I strongly believe that we are all here for a reason. We maynot know what it is yet, but there is one. And in time, it will be revealed to us in our lives.

Here's my true purpose in life: "To use my creativity, skills, and talent to move people, bring understanding, harmony, and joy"

What's yours?

Sorry to sound kind of preachy. I didn't intend to do that. I just started writing and all this came out of me. It looks to me like this is the beginning of my first book...

Welcome to Soulful Inspirations!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:01:00 +0000

Hello everyone! This is my first blog post on"Soulful Inspirations". I am really excited about my new journey to help each of us achieve our highest potential spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I will be gathering resources to help us achieve our goals, and also putting some of my own thoughts here. You will find videos, links, affirmations, and book reviews and summaries.

For our first inspiration today, check out this affirmation that is sent to me almost daily by Bill Marshall. You can sign up on his website to receive free affirmations delivered to your mailbox: http://www.poweraffirmations.com/about-the-mp3s.htm

"Every cell in my body is now being transformed by my positive feelings, thoughts, and actions."

I really love this affirmation. By the way, if you love affirmations, and you own an Iphone, you ought to download "My Thoughts". They have some pretty good affirmations. It's always good to read a bunch when you are traveling on the train, or if you are waiting for an appointment etc. They have a free version, which is pretty good, or you can upgrade to their paid version, which is GREAT!

http://www.knowledgebrain.com/mythoughtsplus.html

xoxo
Wendy the (Inpsirational) Trainer