Tag Archive for energy

Develop Creative Ideas- And Make Them Your Own

June 27, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments

Creativity is a word that’s familiar to you. You probably use it from time to time. But do you understand it?

Creativity is about imagination, newness, freshness, and ingenuity. Yet it’s tempting to copy creativity from others. Below you’ll find some ways to fuel your creativity ‘engine.’

 

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Creative genius. It’s all around you. In the phones and other tech devices you use. In the music you listen to and the movies that keep you riveted to the screen.

picture of creativity

And maybe you have the mistaken opinion that only a select few are able to unleash a steady flow of creative genius. It probably comes from the idea of ‘personality type.’
 
This makes you think personality and style of working are set in stone.
 
That’s not true at all. Your so-called personality type is only a set of behavior patterns. You took these on to help you meet the different challenges of your early life.
 
You can change those patterns.
 
The fact is, creativity is very much like a muscle that needs exercise to give you great results.
 
If you don’t practice harnessing creative thinking, this skill will atrophy. And the ‘muscle’ will become weak.
 
But keep it working and it will come to you whenever you call.
 
So how do you unleash your creative thinking? Well, the first thing to do is to become a human leech.
 
No, we’re not talking about sucking the blood out of every living being in sight. We’re saying that you should take in as much knowledge and learning as you can find.
 
Read everything available — good and bad. And keep your mind open to the infinite possibilities of the universe.
 
The more you know, the more you’ll want to know. And the more your faculty of wonder will kick in.
 
Prepare to be amazed at little facts that add a bit of color to your life.
 
Focus on a creative activity every day. Yes, it’s an effort. But even doodling is a creative activity.
 
Don’t let anything hinder you.
 
Sometimes daydreaming is a creative activity. But if you’re new to creative thinking you might need concrete evidence.
 
When you see it you’ll be able to say “hey, what I’m doing is getting somewhere.”
 
JohnK 6-27-2018
 
 
 
 
 
Image for creativityOverheard: “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without”
 
                       ~ Cecil B. DeMille
 
 
 
 
 

Should I Be Vegan or Vegetarian? What’s the Difference?

June 20, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments
 
 
Vegan and vegetarian. Words we hear pretty often.child eating vegan
But do you know exactly what they mean?
 
And what about their cousins?
 
Words like pescatarian.
 
What the heck? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Today we’ll try to clear the air a bit with a quick look at eating styles. See if any of these fit you. Check out the article below. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Going vegan, or vegetarian is a great way to eat smarter, lose weight, burn fat and feel energetic. Choosing to live a healthier lifestyle starts with your diet.
 
Estimates show that up to 70% of your physical fitness level is a direct result of your diet. So, “Good for you!” for deciding to go vegan or vegetarian.
 
By the way, what is the difference?
 
A vegan is definitely a vegetarian, but not all vegetarians are vegans. And what is this pescatarian thing anyway?
 
Defining the Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian
 
Before you join a club or organization, you first find out what they are all about, right? What do they believe?
 
What are the basic tenets, rules and unwritten laws which govern that organization? Choosing between a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle? Ask yourself the same questions.
 
– Vegan – A person who excludes the use of animals for clothing, food or any other purpose. They do not consume or use any products made from animals.
 
This means they do not eat eggs, meat, milk or any other animal-based food.
 
– Vegetarian – This is someone who does not eat meat or fish. Unlike a vegan, some types of vegetarians eat dairy products, eggs, and cheese.
 
Vegetarians don’t usually concern themselves with excluding animal-based non-food products. These include things like clothing.
 
The Different Types of Vegetarians
 
Now you’re beginning to see the differences. Vegans look at food and nonfood production in a different light. They can be more passionate about the exclusion of animals from the process.
 
Vegetarians pretty much stick to a plant-based diet. But you may find them wearing leather shoes and clothing. Or they may eat eggs and cheese and drink milk.
 
Check out these different types of vegetarians …
 
Pescatarian – This person is pretty much a vegetarian. But, they also eat fish and other seafood products, dairy, and eggs.
 
Flexitarian – If you would like to be an “almost vegetarian”, the flexitarian diet might be right for you. This is a vegetarian who sometimes eats eggs, cheese, and dairy products.
 
They also eat less meat.
 
Lacto vegetarian – As a “lacto” you can exclude poultry, meat, fish and any egg products from your diet. But you can still eat dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, and milk,
 
Lacto ovo vegetarian – Do you love cheese, eggs, egg-based food items. Do you have to have yogurt, milk and other dairy products?
 
When you add these foods to an almost completely plant-based diet you are a lacto ovo vegetarian. 
 
JohnK 6-20-2018
 
 
 
 
 
Image for veganOverheard: “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”
                            ~George Bernard Shaw
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Forgiveness Can Restore Your Life: It’s Your Choice

June 13, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments
It doesn’t take much looking around anymore to find a real need for forgiveness. Society keeps a laundry list of “somebody-done-somebody-wrong-what-should-be-done-about-it” items.
 
Look at your own life. What are you carrying around? More importantly, can you “put it down?”
 
Chi For Yourself answers in the affirmative. Read on to find out how you can lighten the load through forgiveness–
 
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Does it seem that your days are a constant stream of anger and resentment? Is it tough remembering when you were happy?
 
You know, those times when you greeted your days with more enthusiasm?
 
Ah, but that was before my partner (and love in general) let me down!
 
child with forgiveness
 
You may think that holding on to anger and grief grants you a certain power. One that you wouldn’t have if you forgave and let go of the anger and confusion.
 
It doesn’t seem logical that forgiveness can give you a new outlook. An outlook free of constant thinking about how and why you were “wronged.”
 
Forgiveness is not excusing or condoning the act. Nor is it letting someone back into your life.
 
Forgiveness is actually a gift you can give yourself. Doing this will restore your life to a sort of normalcy. You’ll enjoy the good things about life. And, you won’t let the bad stuff get you down.
 
I like to say that we make choices. And forgiveness is a process you must choose. It’s not a sudden awakening that pushes you to let someone “off the hook.’
 
Forgiveness is a powerful ally in your life. It’s critical to restoring relationships and/or carrying on with life. No more wallowing in self-pity.
 
When you forgive, you take a load off of yourself. You rid your mind of thoughts of revenge. You can move forward with a happy here-and-now. And you de-clutter your path toward manifesting in the future.
 
You’ll be surprised how forgiveness can soothe aches and pains. Plus you’ll be able to open yourself up to better relationships.
 
You may not feel able to trust someone immediately. But gradually you’ll experience honesty and respect. You’ll have a newfound trust and openness.
 
You may not be ready to forgive – and, that’s okay. But, you can begin working toward forgiveness and enjoy the journey.
 
Just deciding to forgive starts freeing you from corrosive feelings that bother you.
 
It feels nothing short of traumatic when your life has been rocked by someone you trusted and loved. Forgiveness is a path to restoring your life so that you’re open and your spirit is ready.
 
Choose to experience life again!
 
JohnK 6-13-2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Image for forgivenessOverheard: “Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.”
 
                       ~Indira Gandhi
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash

A Chi For Yourself “Happy Dance”, And Law of Attraction Re-visited

June 6, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments
Happy was the order of the day when Andrew Matthews visited Chi For Yourself. Andrew reminded us that to be happy we have to emulate happy and successful people. And he says that it’s what you feel that attracts the sort of life you have. 
 
Andrew Matthews being happy
 
Andrew Matthews is the author of How Life Works: Why Happy People Are More Successful. How You Can Be Like Them!
 
Listen to last week’s show by clicking on below–
 
 
radio logo for happy
 
 
____________________
 
 
image for haRecently I had the chance to respond to a blog post and I just couldn’t resist. I rarely do this. The writer read The Secret, did affirmations, and felt this “belief” was all fueled by ego wants. The following is an excerpt of my response.  As the saying goes, “Ignorance of the Law is no excuse.”
 
 
 
 
O.K. kids, time to clear this up once and for all… Law of Attraction does not manipulate anything. And, ego is not the driver of LOA.
 
Let’s put away our copies of The Secret and get this thing right. Law of Attraction is more accurately known as Law of Vibration. 
 
This vibration occurs in everything in the universe, including YOU. Work on honing your energy or vibration- think gratitude, love, and so on.
 
You’ll ACTIVATE and work with The Law of Vibration to deliberately manifest. You do this by seeking out ways to optimize your energy and clear the way for the alignment process to work.
 
Universal Law is not about “believing.” It’s not a faith, a cult, a fad, a superstition, or a parlor trick. 
 
It’s not the fast track to a new Lexus or a winning lottery ticket. It’s been around forever and it ain’t goin’ anywhere.
 
Honing this magnetic energy as mentioned earlier can have extraordinary effect. It’s constantly affecting individuals, communities, and even countries.
 
Studies have shown that attractor energies can impact something as basic as water. And, water makes up more than half of an adult male’s body. See Dr. Masaru Emoto’s study
Still having a problem believing this Universal Law business?  Step off of a tall building and see if you believe in another Universal Law- the Law of Gravity.
 
Whew! Law of Attraction is not a threat to you or your religion for that matter. You don’t have to convert to a dogmatic creed, do penance, or sacrifice any virgins.
 
JohnK 6-6-2018
 
 
 
 
Image for happyOverheard: Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.
                     ~Earl Nightingale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Happy Days And How You Can Have Em’: Next CHI FOR YOURSELF

May 30, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments

 

What’s it take to be happy? We’ll explore that question on this week’s CHI FOR YOURSELF.

 

Andrew Matthews being happyOur scheduled guest is Andrew Matthews, author of How Life Works: Why Happy People are More Successful. How You Can Be Like Them!

Andrew teaches how to emulate happy and successful people and that it’s what you feel that attracts the sort of life you have.

 

 

You can listen in this Thursday, May 31st at 4 pm Eastern, 1 pm Pacific time at chiforyourself.com.

C’mon, get happy!

 

JohnK 5-30-2018

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Don’t Let Excuses Destroy Your Momentum

May 24, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments
Are excuses getting in your way? Another week is passing by and you’re no closer to reaching your goal. Or wish. Or dream! 
 
Here’s a gentle reminder from CHI FOR YOURSELF about excuses and what you can do about them. 
 
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Excuses. They’re some of the biggest momentum destroyers. But you can overcome the need to create excuses by keeping moving in the right direction.
 
The smallest actions toward achieving your goal can keep your momentum moving along.
 
You want your action to be consistent. This will keep momentum moving and your goals on track.
 
In time, your progress will become easier and your actions will be done without even thinking. You’ll enjoy the actions much more too. And you’ll become more enthused as you realize one success after another.
 
chalkboard excuses
 
Here are some common excuses. They’re often used to keep you from beginning or following through with a commitment:
 
Time constraints –
“I just have too much to do and can’t exercise (or whatever else you need to do). Everyone has the same amount of time, but they don’t set the proper priorities.
 
Decide what’s most important to you. Then take action after weeding out some of the less important tasks in your life.
 
It’s too difficult –
You may need to break down the goal into small steps so that you better understand and can complete it. Make it a point to study and analyze what you want and how to get it.
 
That may mean going back to school, but if you want it badly enough, it’s worthwhile.
 
Too old (or too young) –
Look at older folks. Some have accomplished what seemed like impossible feats in their later years.
 
And look at those who’ve reached phenomenal success at very young ages. If you have the will and commitment to gather the momentum you need – you’ll succeed.
 
The time isn’t right –
You might think you’ll do it when the kids are out of school, when you retire, or when your finances are in better shape.
 
Chances are, the time will never be quite right to begin the motions to reach your most lofty goals. Begin now – even in small increments – to create the momentum necessary to move you along.
 
What are some of the excuses you’ve used in the past? Did they keep you from completing a project or beginning the process to reach a goal?
 
Decide whether your excuse is valid or a momentum killer that’s holding you back.
 
JohnK 5-24-2018
 
 
 
 
 
Image for excusesOverheard:  “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” 
                        ~ George Washington
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Breaking Up With Busy: This Week on CHI FOR YOURSELF

May 9, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments

 

Being busy has become a status symbol in society. Overworking and under-sleeping are two of the byproducts of this. But what does all the busyness accomplish?

Yvonne Tally on busynessOur scheduled guest on this week’s CHI FOR YOURSELF has written a book that shows you how to reclaim your time and get off the busyness hamster wheel.

Yvonne Tally is the author of Breaking Up with Busy: Real-Life Solutions for Overscheduled Women.

 

 

Be with us for the interview with Yvonne Tally on Thursday, May 10th, at 4 pm Eastern, 1 pm Pacific time at chiforyourself.com

 

 

JohnK 5-9-2018

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Boost Your Confidence by Making Better Decisions

April 2, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments
You’re starting another week. Another week of decisions you’ll need to make. But somehow those decisions don’t get made.
 
It’s one of the more frustrating situations you (and those around you) can face. You can’t seem to make a decision and stick to it.
signpost toward decision
There can be many reasons why you lack the confidence to make decisions in your life.
 
As a child your parents may have made all your decisions for you. And you weren’t supposed to question them..
 
Or it could be that you don’t like the pressure decision making puts on you. You question whether you’re making the right decision. And you’re fearful about how your decision will affect others.
 
You may feel very anxious at the thought of having to make a decision.
 
Here are a few ways to recognize if you’re someone who lacks the confidence to make  decisions:
 
You would rather have someone else make the decision for you –
 
Passing the decision-making process to another could show a lack of confidence.
 
You never make a decision –
 
Other people may be relying on you for a decision, but you let weeks or months slide by without deciding.
 
When you do make a decision, you second-guess yourself –
 
This is another demonstration of lack of confidence in your abilities.
 
Regardless of what led to an inability to trust yourself you can become better if you work at it.
 
Here are some ideas for improving your confidence and making good decisions.
 
Make an “unofficial” decision –
 
This is a decision that’s not yet set in stone. Make a decision, and live with that decision for a day.
 
For example, you’ve decided to upgrade to a bigger house, and you have the money saved up. You find a house that you really like that fits all the criteria you want in a bigger house.
 
It has a big yard, a deck, and an attached garage. But, you have trouble making decisions.
 
You may find that you try to talk yourself out of it. You begin to worry how you’ll afford it, the increased heating and cooling costs, and so forth.
 
This is where it can help to make an “unofficial” decision. You have to decide that you will or will not move.
 
Pick one, and live with that decision for a day. Convince yourself that the decision is a real one.
 
Then see how your decision makes you feel. This can be a good way to test decisions before making them official.
 
Knowing that you can still change your mind, if it doesn’t feel right, can be comforting.
 
Recognize decisions that are reversible –
 
For example, you’re having a tough time choosing a color of house paint. Start by picking some swatches. Then make a decision rather than fretting over the perfect color.
 
If you start painting and don’t like the color you can just reverse course and choose another color.
 
Ask yourself: what is the worst that can happen? –
 
Not all decisions are life altering. If you begin by making small decisions (like choosing which movie to go to) your confidence can grow as time goes on. You’ll be better positioned to make bigger decisions as time passes.
 
Write down the pros and cons of each decision you are considering –
 
It might help if you put your ideas on paper. List what you like and don’t like about them.
 
Seeing rather than only thinking about the options can make it easier to come to a decision.
 
JohnK 4-2-2018
chiforyourself.com home page
 
 
 
 
 
man making decisionOverheard:  “To change a habit, make a conscious decision, then act out the new behavior.”

                       ~Maxwell Maltz
 
 
 
 
 
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Put The Brakes on Complaining

March 26, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments
Young man complainingAnother Monday morning, and it’s a great time for complaining. Gotta wake up so early. Traffic is always a mess. This job is the worst.
 
You may not have a lot of options for improving your situation right now. But, you can change how you look at it
 
This is especially true if you’re a complainer. Let’s look at some ways to ratchet down the tendency to complain.
 
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How To Avoid Complaining
 
Remember the phrase from the poem Solitude, by Ella Wheeler Wilcox? The line is, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone”.
 
The same can be said for complaining. If you’re a chronic complainer, you may want to rethink that tendency.
 
One problem with complaining is that too much of it becomes less effective over time. Are you really unhappy with every situation you’re presented with?
 
It could be a sign that you have other negative situations going on in your life. You need to choose your battles, as they say.
 
Let’s say you have several situations that make you unhappy. Pick the one you most want to focus on for improvement.
 
It will be easier to get your point across if you limit the frequency of your complaints.
 
There’s a right time to complain. But it should be done in the context of offering up alternatives.
 
Be part of the solution and not part of the problem. If you only offer a complaint, how is that helping solve the problem?
 
Offering solutions will show your willingness to have a stake in solving the problem.
 
A good approach is to come up with more than one solution whenever possible. This will help get more people to see your side of the story.
 
If you’re someone who complains a lot, take a step back. Think about others who are chronic complainers as well.
 
How did you react to their constant stream of complaints? Did you think to yourself that the person should try to help solve the problem?
 
If you answered yes to this last question, this is how others are thinking when you complain.
 
Complainers often feel like no one’s listening to them, usually with good reason. And the increased frustration could lead to their alienation from the group.
 
This is not a good situation. Management could be more likely to let the complainers go. Or the complainers might take it upon themselves to leave.
 
Complaining is considered negative thinking, but it’s a changeable habit.
 
Begin that change by shifting from negative to positive thoughts.
 
Your peers will likely find fewer faults with you. And they won’t go out of their way to avoid you if you maintain a positive attitude.
 
If you find that you complain a lot and people are avoiding you it may be time for some changes.
 
JohnK 3-26-2018
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Image for overheard for changeOverheard:  “When you change the way you look at things, the things     
you look at change.”        

                            ~ Max Planck

              
 
 
 
 
 
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Change, The Power Of Self Development, And This Week’s CHI FOR YOURSELF

March 21, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments
Corrine Zupko picture of changeThis week’s episode of CHI FOR YOURSELF takes a look at fear, anxiety, and A Course In Miracles. We’ll welcome Corinne Zupko. She was challenged by anxiety at an early age.
 
But she found a way to heal from rather than just coping with fear and anxiety. That way included A Course in Miracles. 
 
 
 
 
Corinne Zupko is the author of  From Anxiety to Love: A Radical New Approach for Letting Go of Fear and Finding Lasting Peace
 
Hear the interview on Thursday, March 22nd at 4 pm Eastern, 1 pm Pacific time at chiforyourself.com
 
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ARTICLE:

 
Unlock Your Power Of Self Development
 
Life is about change. Even when we’re not aware of it.
 
An honest look at ourselves can assure that the changes take us in positive directions. But the honesty can be difficult since it requires perspective.
 
If you look at a painting too closely you might not be able to appreciate it. Back up a bit and you get a clearer vision of the whole artwork. You see it in perspective.
 
Life can sneak up on you with hints that might help you unlock your power of self- improvement. But until you’re ready for change you won’t see them. And the ready point may happen when you hit rock bottom.
 
It’s a little like the well-known frog principle. If you try placing a frog in a pot of boiling water, what happens? He jumps right out. Why?
 
Because he is not able to tolerate sudden change in his environment. He knows that water is too hot for him.
 
But put him in cooler water then turn the gas on and he won’t move. The water gets hotter and hotter until it’s boiling. You know how the story ends.
 
Your situation may be like the frog’s. You stay comfortable in a bad situation. You may think that one more cigarette or drink won’t hurt. You find yourself addicted and you can’t stop.
 
Pain teaches us lessons. Pain that is strong enough to make us see that our comfort zone is not so comfortable anymore.
 
We can ignore the warning signals for a long time, but finally, something hits home. 
 
When do we realize that we need to change diets? When none of our jeans and shirts fit us.
 
When do we stop drinking sugary sodas all day? When every visit to the dentist reveals that we need painful work.
 
When do we realize that we need to stop smoking? When we develop a cough that will not go away.
 
When do we pray and ask for help? Sometimes, not until we know we are about to die.
 
It’s not easy to change. But change becomes more painful when we ignore it.
 
Change will happen, like it or not.
 
Happy people accept and embrace change. You don’t have to feel unbearable pain before realizing the need for self-improvement.
 
Self-development may not be everybody’s favorite pastime. But if we look at things from a different point of view, we might have a greater chance of enjoying the whole process.
 
Enjoy the process of unlocking your power of self-development. Then expect a better experience of happiness.
 
JohnK 3-21-2018
 
 
 
Image for overheard for changeOverheard: “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”

            ~Stephen Hawking

 
 
 
 
 
 
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