An interesting conversation came up the other day.  A friend shared that she saw a TED talk by Gero Miesenboeck where he said, "The critic is a key ingredient in what makes us intelligent."

The Critic.  Our Critic is often referred to as [...]]]>

Image by Buster Benson via Flickr

An interesting conversation came up the other day.  A friend shared that she saw a TED talk by Gero Miesenboeck where he said, "The critic is a key ingredient in what makes us intelligent."

The Critic.  Our Critic is often referred to as our Judge.

Judgment is something we’ve been told is bad.  We want to release our Judgment.

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

Judgement often goes by another name…one we don’t give it as often.  Discernment.

They are two sides to the same coin.

When we observe something we can look at it through the eyes of Discernment, or through the eyes of Judgment.  One walks freely, and the other carries a heavy backpack.

We do live in a word of choices.  How we look at these choices is important.

Which Eyes do you look through?  Discernment or Judgment?

Dream BIG!

Velma Gallant
The Queen of JOY!

PS ~ Don’t forget to check out who’s on tap for Welcome Changes Radio!  This coming Tuesday is “Mary Rivas ~ Going Beyond Common Meditation – The Shamanic Journey”.

PPS ~ November 23rd is a very special show too!  We’ll be changing the time of our show as our guest will be in the air when our regular air time is.  I’m excited to have Mike Dooley on Welcome Changes Radio again.  The show will be at 6PM ET, so make sure you mark this in your calendars!

A few weeks ago I was the guest on Queen of Dreams [...]]]>

Faith is raising the sail of our little boat until it is caught up in the soft winds above and picks up speed, not from anything within itself, but from the vast resources of the universe around us.  ~ W. Ralph Ward

A few weeks ago I was the guest on Queen of Dreams Radio with Tina Ferguson.  The topic of our discussion was “Faith:  Trust on Steroids”.

It was an amazing discussion!  We discussed many aspects of Faith.  What is it? Faith in self…Faith in Divine.  The Dog Chasing his Tail aspects of this discussion too. 

Faith isn’t always easy.

Our Faith can be rocked when things are tough, and that’s when we most need to have faith.

What if you took on a project you were SURE was guided?  You were so confident that you were heading down the path you were meant to go, and it just didn’t work out?  How do you trust your intuition after that?

That’s when having Faith is valuable.  It’s knowing that you intuition was correct, even if the results from acting on your intuition were not what you expected.  That’s sometimes hard to do! 

I invite you to listen to the show.  Then, come back and share your thoughts. 

Here’s a direct download link for the mp3 of the show.  (You can right click and choose save…then you can keep it!)

Before I close out today’s share with you, I want to remind you regarding our Autumn Dream Camp.  This one has a very special energy brewing.  It’s for those of you who are tired of living in the future or living in the past, and are ready to live in the NOW. 

Have you been meditating, healing, learning over the past number of years, and find yourself living out of your body more often than in?  This is the Dream Camp for You. 

And when you do go to register, use this Coupon Code.  59off

Enjoy!

Dream BIG!

Velma Gallant
The Queen of JOY!

The laws we abide by are meant to keep the community safe.  Those Rules do have their place.

The Rules I want to talk about are those self-imposed ones.  These ones often transform into Limitations.

Lets take Tools for example.  Tools come into [...]]]> The world is filled with Rules.  Some have value. Some don’t.

The laws we abide by are meant to keep the community safe.  Those Rules do have their place.

The Rules I want to talk about are those self-imposed ones.  These ones often transform into Limitations.

Lets take Tools for example.  Tools come into play to support us to achieve things more easily.

I have a wonderfully full toolkit!  It contains things like my Journal, meditation, exercise, and diet.  I’ve learned various healing modalities.  I’ve read numerous books.  I’ve attended workshops, training programs, and much more!

Tools are fantastic!  They can and often do allow us to achieve things more easily!

And, sometimes, they shift from being a Tool into a Rule.

When this happens, the tool no longer supports.  It becomes a limitation.

Let me give you an example.

When a Hammer becomes a rule, you use it when a Screwdriver may work better.  Or, you always use a Hammer, but don’t have one today.  You can’t fix it.  You don’t have your Hammer.  Or, you have a delicate task, but you’ve always used THIS Hammer, so you use it anyway, and it doesn’t work.

I love my journal, but sometimes, it just doesn’t fit.  Could be any number of reasons.  I’ve left it at home.  I’m driving.  I hurt my hand.

I love meditating.  I do have a favourite meditation, but what if the active meditation of walking or knitting is more appropriate for today?  Do I go to my favourite meditation because it’s always what I do, or do I move naturally into the active meditation?

A full toolbox is a good thing.  The question is, which part of you pulls the tools out day to day? 

The Mind is brilliant at gathering data, and categorizing things.  It can effortlessly pull up this information when needed (and even when not needed).  If it needs a tool at any point, it will search the data banks for information.  If it doesn’t have a specific tool come up, it will grab the one that has been used the most.  Simple.  Logical.  Tools become Rules.

The Spirit is brilliant at seeing / feeling / knowing / sensing the Big Picture.  The data doesn’t always match what the Spirit knows.  When it reaches into the tool box, it uses it’s knowing, it’s intuition, to pick the appropriate tool.  There is not always a logical, linear reason.  The Tool remains a Tool.

Which part of you has domain over your toolbox?  Your Mind or Spirit?

Have your Tools become Rules?

“In one instant you can change the world.  If man were to [...]]]> Some people say “I am just one person” when they think of creating change.  It seems like a daunting task.  What kind of effect could I have on the world?  The truth is, each I does have an effect on the world.

“In one instant you can change the world.  If man were to change his mind; one mind at a time, a chain reaction (like nuclear fission) would occur.  Human minds like ours, are all joined.  It is a belief in isolation that creates the limits.  Simply let them go and a far greater world is yours, ours, and in the communion of spirit as it has always been.” ~ Premiere Edition (Prima) through Liz Mitten Ryan

The beauty of this is that it can take some of the pressure off.  It’s not your responsibility to change everyone’s mind.  It’s not your responsibility to make anyone else do anything.  You’re only responsible for changing your own mind, your own way of BEing in this world.

JOY Challenge:

What is one thing I can be, do or have differently that will contribute to the peace, love and joy of the planet?

Suggestions:  It can be as simple as recycling or composting.  It can be volunteering, contributing to a food bank, or even meditating on world peace.  It doesn’t matter what you choose.  It all makes a difference.

Then, all of the sudden, things stop!

Where did my sense of direction go? Why don’t I know what to do? There has to be SOMETHING for me to do! Did I lose [...]]]> So many times in our lives, we think we are “on our way”. Things are moving. We are moving.

Then, all of the sudden, things stop!

Where did my sense of direction go? Why don’t I know what to do? There has to be SOMETHING for me to do! Did I lose my purpose? Was I on the wrong track? What happened?!

A sense of panic comes in. When there is no action, we feel lost and perhaps even stupid or useless.

Our River of Life has reached a calm pool, and we’re busy freaking out! Sails go up and down. The Paddles come out, and we paddle on this side and that. New fangled motors are tested. Nothing moves. It’s like there’s an anchor on the boat, and we can’t see the chain to pull it up.

These moments, too, are opportunities. Those calm pools along the River of Your Life are equally as important and valuable. Life should not be white water rafting all the way through!

When we are in action, we feel useful and on purpose. These times of in-action are times when we can redefine and rebalance. They are times to refuel and rejuvenate.

The question becomes, “What do we do when we have nothing to do?”

Here are some places you can explore when you’ve reached one of those calm pools in Your River of Life.

Trust.

These silent times are exactly perfect too. What if you trusted that The Universe has everything under control?

Let’s take the analogy of planting and growing a garden. You prepare the soil by adding nutrients, clearing away the weeds, and making the rows or raised beds to plant your seeds. You pick the seeds you want to plant. A plan is made for which vegetables go where. The dirt is parted, and the seeds sprinkled. You gently cover over the seeds and begin to water.

For the next while, all you need to do is water, and pull the occasional weed that pops up. You don’t see any action or movement. Things are quiet for the time being, and yet, beneath the surface there are all kinds of unseen action!

The seed expands and pops open. A tiny little root begins to squirm its way through the dirt, sucking up all the incredible resources you worked into the soil, and drinking the life-giving water. Before long, its fingers begin stretching up, building up strength to pop through the surface and peak out at the sunlight.

Can you Trust that in these times of silence that the seeds you’ve planted with your thoughts are germinating like the seeds in your garden? Or will you rush around uncovering your seeds daily to see if they are growing, and preventing them from growing?

Trust that all is well. Gently water your seeds, and pull the occasional weed. Enjoy the sunshine and trust. The Universe does not stop he growth of the seeds in the Garden, and it does not stop the growth of the seeds you have planted either.

Nourish.

Use these times as opportunities to take good care of You.

Chances are, when things were moving you were so busy you were not doing those small things that keep you rejuvenated. “I don’t have time,” is often how you would put yourself off. Things were moving! How could you have time to exercise, eat right, or meditate?

As with the garden, those busy times were important, and those times of watering and patiently waiting are equally important.

These can be times to set up new habits of self-care. Here are some new habits you can add to your daily routine.

Meditation. Meditation does not need to take a full hour of your time. It can be as simple as sitting quietly for 5 minutes, and you can add an extra 5 minutes into your shower. There are many forms of active meditations, including walking meditations. Puzzles are wonderful form of meditation. Your focus is only on the puzzle, and all other thoughts move into the background.

Journaling. Journaling can be as simple as writing 5 gratitudes per day. You can write your intentions or desires. Write your joyful experiences. Gather affirmations and quotes that inspire you. Joy Journaling is a fun and creative way to use your Journal.

Exercise. This can be as simple as adding in a 10-30 minute walk each day. There are so many fun and creative ways to exercise. There are a variety dance classes offered. Gyms are offering cycling, kick boxing and much more. You can take up a martial art. There are also creative blendings of exercise forms being offered, such as Nia. Take this time to sample a few until you find one that is fun for you.

Nutrition. When you have more time available, you can get creative with your eating. You do not need to cook all day to get a quality meal. Sometimes taking the time to explore your grocery store or specialty shops in your neighbourhood can open up new creativity in your kitchen. Explore your library or local book store for cooking ideas. Take this time to find some quick and easy recipes you enjoy so when things do get moving again, you’re ready!

Life is like a River. There are times when the waters are flowing with speed, and there are other times where we come into the calm pools and can see the fish and plants growing on the bottom. Take the time to look into the pools. It’s so much more enjoyable than franticly paddling your canoe and missing all the beauty and joy.

Pull your paddle back in the boat. Stretch back and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. The River will speed up soon enough, and when it does, you’ll be full of energy and ready to go!

*~*~*

Velma Gallant, “The Queen of JOY!”, is an author, international speaker and Lazer Clarity Coach. She hosts her highly acclaimed internet radio show, Welcome Changes Radio where she interviews exciting and dynamic guests such as New York Times best selling author, Neale Donald Walsch, Mike Dooley from “The Secret”, and many more. Velma coaches Executives and Entrepreneurs to lazer in on what’s vital to create and experience Joy-Filled Balance in their life and work. Velma can be contacted through her website, http://www.WelcomeChangesRadio.com.