Living Life Abundantly

A course in happiness author Frank Ra inspires us to be happy now here, or we will be happy no where.

He does this with his books, life coaching and his personal development blog.

Frank is a Dharma instructor, life-coach, well-being facilitator, advaitan, being in becoming. He has been coaching and working in eCommunication since late 1995. Frank lived in the peacefulness of his native, pristine Italian small town, where he read about spirituality, Eastern/pre-Socratic/Latin philosophy, and started to practice meditation. Then, he started to travel, and in less than 10 years, visited over 30 countries and 80 cities, cultivating personal/professional development all around the World.

During his travels, he familiarized with different cultures and way of living. And understood we are all in the same boat, figuring out what matters for us in life and how to live life happily. He noticed there is often little correlation between how ‘society’ defines a happy life and how happy each person really feels. He researched about well-being, both in empirical ways and leveraging existing peer-reviewed studies.

Happiness, writes life Frank, is not a place to reach and blissfully sit there forever. According to Ra, “if we are concerned only with happiness, we are going to miss it; if we live our lives in ways appropriate to the context, we are happy.” Frank coined “AmAre” an inspirational framework that helps readers to be happier and purpose-driven. AmAre stands for being:
- Aware and accepting
- Meaningful and motivated
- Active and attentive
- Resilient and respectful
- Eating properly and exercising

Frank’s book is an open-ended work that facilitates the readers’ active participation in thought and action. Because happiness is where you want it to be, and not only where you want to be. “A course in happiness” can be used for personal development, providing 10 ways to be the change you want to see in the world

There are many aspects of society which need to be improved. You can make your voice be heard about it. And you can make our actions speak even louder by being the change you want to see in society. These are 10 steps you can embrace to be the change. They are presented in pairs, because they build on each-other, and make the other step sustainable in the long term. They follow the AmAre approach already mentioned. You can be the change by being:

- Aware and accepting
You explored various aspects of your life. You understood your priorities for this year, and for the medium term. You learned that change is more an ongoing process than a target. Now, you are ready to phrase your change and commit to it. Example: “many people are having a hard time making it to the end of the month. In 2012, I will help by volunteering at the local food-bank for at least 10 weeks per month”.

You accepted that whatever change you want to bring to society, it will require your time and commitment. And joining forces with other beings. Remember to build rituals (actions you perform regularly) to support your change. Example: “To ensure there is space in my schedule for volunteering, I dedicate the first and third Sunday, and the second and fourth Saturday to giving back to society.” Sticking to this ritual may be challenging initially, however by doing what you promised yourself to do, you will be more aware about what counts and how to find plenty of time for it. You benefit from precise rituals, otherwise your daily routine will just carry-on as usual.

- Meaningful and motivated
The timeless “What is the meaning of life?” contains its own answer. Yes, WHAT is the meaning of life. We give meaning to life with the values we cultivate. And how we align our goals, cognition and actions to our values. Choose to be an agent of meaningful change.

Meaning stays. Motivation may raise and decline. And then raise again. Set milestones along the process of being change. Give them full presence, but also remember they are pointers, not an end in themselves.

- Active and attentive
No matter how many recipes you know by heart, the only way to calm your hunger is by cooking. The same applies to life. One small act of kindness is worth more than a lecture on empathy. Act now! There is no need to listen to one more “if only I had this, I could do that!.” Do what can be done now, and for the rest you will have plenty of energies and support, once the time comes.

- Resilient and respectful
Rome was not built in one day… and probably also the process of being an agent of change will take you some time to be fully established. And a lifetime to be kept going! That is why resiliency, the ability of bouncing back on your feet during challenging situations, is so important.

At the same time, every being, even people who seem uncooperative with you, deserve respect. We are all on the same boat, figuring out our present and future, trying to do the best of it.

- Eating properly and exercising
No matter what’s your change, you benefit from feeding your body and mind with appropriate food, in appropriate quantities, and by exercising. This ensures you have full energy to devote to your resolution.

The power of love, determination, pride, committment, hope and faithfulness. There is no greater gift and no greater motivation I could ever give my children or anyone else for that matter. I simply love -LOVE – the implied message of this video.

Your subconscious thoughts determine almost everything in your mind. In order to build a positive mind, you need positive statements. You can create positive subconscious thoughts by consistently repeating positive statements. These statements are positive affirmations.

Positive affirmations will reinforce the new positive image you hold for yourself, once they are instated. Positive thinking will replace negative thinking on a conscious and subconscious level. You will then have access to all of the positive energy you have within and create a new positive reality.

You need to really feel the emotions while using positive affirmations. Experience each emotion fully. In your mind, you must believe that each affirmation is a fact and is true. If you follow these guidelines, your positive changes will happen more quickly.

The first 30 days are usually the make or break when it comes to positive affirmations. It takes about 21 days to make a change in your mental image, for some it may be longer. I suggest 30 to be safe. Writing them down until you know them by heart is a good way to start. If you are using them as frequently as you should, it will not take long.

These simple statements can be used anywhere in your home, car, work, etc. You can use them in the morning which getting ready, brushing your teeth or hair, showering, before you go to sleep or before a meal. Get creative, but remember, the affirmations should be at the same time everyday. This will help create a trigger for you. For example, every time you brush your teeth, after the first 21 days, it will just come automatically to you.

Another thing that will help you change your thought patterns more quickly is to continually remove all negative thoughts you experience daily. If you allow negative thought to dominate, your positive affirmations will not make any progress. As soon as you notice a negative thought, eject it.

It is normal in the beginning to have negative thoughts, and it will take a few days to become conscious of them when they actually happen. What you will find is that in the beginning, after a few hours, you will realize that you are thinking negatively. You will be disappointed in yourself, that you didn’t catch it sooner. But don’t be discouraged, you are already moving in a positive direction, because before now, you didn’t even notice you were thinking negatively. Make sense? After a few days, it will only take you moments to realize and before long, you will notice before you even say it or think it.

My favorite personal development tool is my Ipod. Anyone who is serious about changing their life needs to invest in an mp3 player of some sort. I recommend the Ipod. Why do you need an mp3 player? It can hold thousands of songs that can be organized and best of all, it’s portable.

Sure, other mp3 players play mp3s but I find the Ipods easy to manage and use. Although sometimes I wish I could create play lists on the go. However, the benefits far out weight the drawbacks. What I do is setup a play list for every type of development I want to accomplish. For example, I will setup a play list for weight loss, procrastination, being present or conscious, and other personal traits I want to improve.

When do I listen to these mp3s? Well, whenever I can. Before bed, I usually listen to some type of hypnosis mp3. This helps me relax and fall asleep easily. I can set up a play list that will only play 2-3 mp3s, that way, I won’t kill the battery or have to wake up to turn it off, which is another benefit of Ipod of regular or cheap mp3 players.

When purchasing my Ipod, I decided to get the video one. I think it’s worth the difference in price. I’ve downloaded Oprah’s web casts that she recorded with Eckhart Tolle on his book “A New Earth.” I usually watch them when I am in a waiting room of some sort, or as a passenger in a vehicle on a long trip.

When I went in labor with my last baby, I had setup other movies on it for my husband. He was so happy to have it. He watched it while patiently waiting for the little bambino to come out and afterwards as well, while we were waiting to be discharged. It was great.

Another time it came in handy was when I had car trouble and had to wait to be rescued. That turned into another good time to watch Oprah and Eckhart on the web classes.

Another time I usually listen to mp3s is my drive to and from work. It helps start my day off right and relaxes me after a long and frustrating day at work. Before my Ipod, I would think about my day, what happened, what’s going to happen tomorrow. Even when I went to sleep at night, my mind was consumed with work. I didn’t know how to separate myself.

It would take me take me hours to get to sleep. My mind would be racing about work, I would even dream about work. When I woke upit was work, work, workI hated it. There were too many politics and not enough time.

Now, it takes me less than 10 minutes to fall asleep. From the time I lay my head down, to deep sleep. I am so happy. I get a better night sleep and wake up happier in the morning. I have changed my life for the better.

How to get out of debt seems to be a hot topic today. Why has this become such a huge topic today and how come we as a society are faced with so much of it? People seem to be working harder and harder and making less money that barely seems to pay their bills.

Research shows that over 70% of our society is living paycheck to paycheck. With the rising cost of everything around us; it is extremely important that you learn how to get out of debt. Nothing will ever change if you have no idea what got you in the situation that you are currently facing.

What Causes Debt?

Be honest with yourself about finding out why you are in debt. The main reasons the people seem to be facing this financial crisis is because either they do not earn enough money to take care of the bills or they are spending way more than they earn. It is time that we as a society begin changing our attitudes about money.

It is important that you begin budgeting your money and finding out how your money is leaving your home. The truth is that most people do not know how their money leaves their possession so quickly. People have discovered that as long as it takes them to earn their money; they are spending it a lot quicker.

This reason is huge and many people are facing the harsh truth that they are not making enough to make ends meet. Most jobs in our society just do not pay enough to raise a family and take care of financial obligations. If this is the reason that you are facing your debt crisis; then it is time to increase your income otherwise nothing will change.

You can change your financial situation and it is time to learn how to get out of debt. Our society will not change until more and more people become responsible and take matters into their own hands. Visit our site below and get some great information on how to get out of debt and even increase your income.

Unless you are willing to begin doing something different; chances are nothing is goingto change for you. No matter where you stand today; it does not mean that you have to be in the same financial situation a year from today.

Each year I become even more mindful of the fact that people really do come into our lives for a reason, season, or lifetime.

In evaluating my own relationships its very clear who my reasons, seasons, and lifetimes are and vice versa. As we approach Thanksgiving and like everyone else I suppose… I am deeply introspecting, reflecting, and meditating on everything and everyone that I am thankful for. God is Good! I’m very thankful to have crossed paths with such remarkable people throughout my life and I look forward to crossing paths with many more.

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Author Unknown

“Academic qualifications are important and so is financial education. They’re both important and schools are forgetting one of them.”
—Robert Kiyosaki

“Face your fears and doubts, and new worlds will open to you.”
—Robert Kiyosaki

“Money is kind of a base subject. Like water, food, air and housing, it affects everything yet for some reason the world of academics thinks it’s a subject below their social standing.”
—Robert Kiyosaki Read the full story

Our third meeting of U Grow Girl was awesome!

It gets even better with each meeting.

This month we gained a new member, we are now 5 strong!

We each gave a progress report on our goals, recapped our 1st two meetings, and welcomed and embraced our new member.

We learned about a contest which provides women interested in starting a business with $50,000 in seed money and encouraged each other to participate.

Our growth in our U Grow Girl! Circle of Thought involves changing our thinking to change our lives and life long learning.

Some of our goals include enhancing our finances. So we are proactively changing our thoughts and attitudes about finances and increasing our knowledge and understanding as it relates to financial matters.

We talked about financial empowerment and concepts from Robert Kiyoski’s books. We explored the definitions of:

 

• Asset

• Budget

• Business Owner

• Cash Flow

• Consumerism

• Earned income

• Employee

We also discussed the importance of avoiding cynicism and learning to find the good not just in every situation but in others as well.

In our discussion we also explored:

ASK and it shall be given.

SEEK and you shall find.

KNOCK and the door will be opened.

Our next meeting is December 2nd. Our plan is to continue our discussion about financial empowerment and explore the importance of Sisters and maintaining relationships with girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, nieces, cousins, and extended family.

With each meeting we grow and after each meeting we are all always looking forward to the next. It is a blessing to be in the company of such amazing women.
Team work truly makes the dream work!

Life Is What You Make It!

There is hope. No matter how impossible your dreams may seem, nothing is impossible to those that believe. Do you want more free time to travel and spend with family and friends? Got your eyes on a home or car? Are you contemplating your entrepreneurial skills? Thinking about your life’s purpose? See yourself achieving your goals. Create mental pictures.

Your dream home awaits you, homeownership is within your reach. You have what it takes to start your own business. You deserve to live and experience life abundantly…stress and worry free…see yourself in the picture.

If you have set goals in the past but failed, your strategy for achieving your goals may have been at fault.

Are You a Goal Setter or a Goal Getter?

The difference between a goal setter and a goal getter is a goal getter takes their goals seriously, is passionate about their goals, visualizes themselves as having already reached their goals, and has absolute faith that they will achieve their goals.

The goal setter sets wish list goals that they don’t believe that they can achieve causing them to not take their goals seriously. Consequently, they are unable to visualize themselves accomplishing their goals, they have no faith in their ability to reach their goals, and as a result, the goal setter never realizes their goals.

You have the power within you to become a goal getter. If you have the self-discipline, will, and desire to meet and even exceed your goals, this advanced strategy will change your life starting today.

Your Goal Getter Guide:

1. Determine what you want and need to live a balanced and abundant life. Set goals that include the 7 most important aspects of your life: family, finances, social, physical, spiritual, emotional, & mental.

2. Use time frames to determine short-term, long-term, and lifetime goals. While your lifetime goals may change, it is important that you set lifetime goals because you can use them to effectively guide the direction of your life helping you determine your short and long-term goals. Time frames: 20 year, 10 year, 5 year, 3 year, 1 year, next month, next week, and tomorrow.

3. Put your goals in writing to keep yourself motivated, excited, accountable, and to stay organized. If your goals change rewrite them.

4. Be very specific, concise, and clear about what you want as you write your goals. (Instead of saying I want a house, you say something like my house has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a laundry room, a kitchen with an island, a 2 car garage, with beautiful views from every room overlooking the Pacific Ocean. see the difference? be very specific).

5. Use positive statements when writing your goals to help stimulate vivid mental pictures of your goals. (Instead of saying I will not gain weight, say something like I maintain my health by exercising daily and eating right. get the picture? It’s easy to visualize yourself on a treadmill and eating healthy meals. Its difficult to create a mental picture for not gaining weight).

6. Create a goal board with pictures of what you want to attain. Look at your goal board daily and visualize yourself achieving your goals.

7. Write down your reasons for wanting to achieve your goals and how you will benefit by achieving each one. Write down things that you can do to reach your goals.

8. Rewrite your goals in present tense regularly, as if you have already achieved them. Affirm your written words with spoken words by reading them out loud daily. This will set Universal Laws in motion (The Law of Attraction) while increasing your faith, belief, and resolve.

9. Keep track of your progress and reward yourself for achieving each goal. Be creative, have fun, and turn it into a contest to help you stay motivated and focused.

10. Make sure that your goals are in fact your goals and no one else’s. Your goals must be based on your own beliefs, desires, wants, needs, self-image, and expectations. Only share your goals with supportive people that have their own goals.

Your every day actions should bring you closer to your goals. You must be persistent and you must follow through. It is not enough to put your goals on paper. You must follow up your written goals with action and hold yourself accountable.

Stay focused, positive, and believe that you can achieve your mission. Goal Getters set and achieve their goals and Never Give Up.