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“The true meaning of humility is knowing that the personal self is a vehicle of a Higher Power.” -Sir John Templeton

When I look back at my life I can see clearly a progressive desire in me to not have to be right or control people, things or situations and instead to let go and choose to be peaceful. There have been plenty of times in my life when I allowed my ego or my personality to seek control, to want to be right and even to feel superior. Fortunately, the more I understand that there is a Higher Power that wants to support me, the more I want to practice humbleness, and the easier my life gets.

It is when we think that we have to do everything by ourselves, without asking for Higher divine guidance, that we make mistakes and get tired of experiencing things not working out in our lives. When we think that we have to control external circumstances or people, it is when we have an invitation to practice humbleness.

The practice of humbleness, among many benefits, opens our hearts to consider other ideas or options and specially to be willing to become a vehicle of God’s love in this world. Everyone benefits when we step into our true purpose, which is to be channels of divine love. If every day we consciously decide to practice humbleness and open our hearts to God’s guidance and love, little by little we become a mighty vehicle of our Higher Power.

Here are some tips on how to practice humbleness:

• Meditate regularly. Your consistent practice will give you the opportunity to calm your mind and your emotions.
• Give thanks continuously. For everything and to everyone give thanks. Live in a spirit of gratitude.
• Pray and ask for divine guidance. Praying for ourselves and for others helps us to deepen our devotion.
• Praise others and recognize their strengths. Always look for the positive in others and in yourself.
• Be a good listener. Avoid talking about yourself. Let others share about their life experiences.
• Do sincere frequent introspections. Be willing to recognize limiting habits and to change them to positive ones.
• Be willing to recognize your mistakes. Accept your part on it and apologize when you make a mistake.
• Treat everyone with respect and dignity. Be compassionate and kind.
• Be willing to help others. Service is the greatest way to practice humbleness because we stop focusing on ourselves to help others.
• Take responsibility for your life experiences. Have the humbleness to remember that life challenges help you to grow and to become a better person. Do no try to change people or circumstances, avoid blaming others or playing victim and instead do your best to change from within.

Above all, remember that in the eyes of God we are exactly the same, created in His image and likeliness.

Affirm: Humbleness opens my heart

In divine friendship,

To read this month’s Love in Action Newsletter, click here

I recently saw a message that read: “Negative thinking can never make your life positive.” This is so true because what we think about, what we focus on, expands. We attract that which we give our energy with our thoughts, our words and our attitude.  Every day we have a choice to focus on what will bring us happiness.This is what Oprah Winfrey says about this topic: “What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it. Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life.”

The secret is in being conscious about our attitude, about seeing the glass half full and knowing that there is always a solution to every problem. Yesterday I had the opportunity to practice this with an experience that I had. I was at Ananda Village and without realizing I parked in an area where there was a lot of mud. I am in the process of moving to a new home and I went into the home to do a few things I needed to do. Then, when the time came for me to leave, I got into my car and to my surprise the wheels were totally trapped in the mud. A friend saw what was happening and got out of his truck to try to help me. He tried going in reverse and the car moved a few inches but then it slipped to the side near a tree, so close that it was almost touching the tree. My friend said, don’t worry, let’s call someone to bring a tractor.

It was interesting how I was able to remain calm and have faith that nothing was going to happened to the car. I focused on a positive outcome, even though I did not have a clue how the tractor was going to move the car sideways without it getting scratched.

While we waited for the tractor, my friend came with his two lovely kids, Jay and Tulsi. I asked them if they wanted to see the inside of the new house and they were all excited. Being with those kids at that moment was a gift from heaven. Then when the tractor came we were all so curious about how this episode was going to turn out. My friend hooked a cable from my car to the tractor and then, like a feather, the car was moved to the side without it being scratched. Then the tractor moved the car in reverse and place it right there where there was no mud. The kids and I really had our mouth quite open. I really believe that the reason everything turned out so perfectly well is because I did not panic and I focused on a good final outcome.

I invite you to set up the intention to observe yourself closely and when you are tempted to focus on negativity, immediately shift your energy and focus on the goodness in your life. You can reframe your story using “The Pivoting Process”:

Step 1: This is not what I want
I state here what I want to let go – Right now I let go of …. Example: “Feeling fearful”
Step 2: What is it that I want?
I ask myself what I want – What I want is …. Example: “To feel confident”
Step 3: Create an affirmation of what I want …. Example: “I feel confident that this situation is going to turn out successfully

Affirm: I focus on the goodness in my life

In divine friendship,

The year 2021 just started and now we have the opportunity to start a new beginning. As I was thinking about what this means to me, I was reminded that if each one of us sincerely gives our very best, then collectively we create a better world. Giving our very best invites us to be a constant expression of kindness, caring, honesty, generosity, forgiveness, joy, compassion and all the qualities that demonstrate the love of our hearts. The secret is that we have to be willing to put the effort and not to fall into the opposite behaviors. This new year gives us the opportunity to start clean slate.

As we commit to being consistent in the expression of these qualities, the wonderful news is that not only we impact our external world, but also, we are the ones that benefit the most. Remember, the law of cause and effect is working all the time. What you put out, comes back to you. Give your very best and the universe will return it back to you.

Giving our very best also means that when life hits us with challenges, we have the choice to respond with wisdom and courage instead of fear, doubt, guilt, blame or judgement. We must be willing to examine each situation and see what is the lesson that it’s trying to teach us. It could be forgiveness, or acceptance, maybe setting up boundaries with respect, or even deeper faith. What’s important is that there is a lesson behind the experience, then there is homework to do. It is like being in the university of life, which comes with studying and assignments. The more we are willing to do our part, the more we will be able to enjoy a harmonious life filled with love, peace and joy.

To support yourself in giving your very best, here are some ideas on how you can do it:

• Be willing to take action. It has been said that the best way to let go of a negative habit is by not giving it energy and by replacing it with a good new habit.
• Develop your faith. Have a constant relationship with your Higher Power. Become strong like an oak tree. Storms come and go and it remains untouched.
• Feed yourself with spiritual food. Read or listen or watch spiritual inspiration to keep you centered and focused.
• Seek the company of positive people. Surround yourself around people that are committed to their own path.
• Journal and honor your emotions. Write down your feelings and let them go. Then focus in creating a new experience.
• Focus on gratitude. Every time you are tempted to complain about something, think of ten things you are grateful for.
• Be diligent about the energy you are sending out into the world. Observe your thoughts, watch your language and pay attention to your attitude. They are creating your daily reality.
• Set up positive intentions. Wake up each morning affirming: Today I will give my very best. YES, I can!

All these ideas above are ways to invite yourself to give your very best. The rest is the dominion of the Universe. Have faith that at the end everything will work out for your highest good. You do your part and God takes care of the rest.

Affirm: I give my very best every day

I wish you have a very blessed new year,

In divine friendship,

It is amazing how, without realizing it, we block our own good by not feeling deserving of what God wants to bless us with. Not only we are deserving of love and affection but also, we are deserving of living and abundant and joyful life.

The consciousness of the masses has influenced us to be poor receivers, to feel unworthy when someone gives us a gift or a compliment. If, deep inside, we don’t feel, we are good enough, we are going to block the blessings that want to manifest in our lives.

It is important to become aware of the limiting beliefs hidden in our subconscious mind, and the unconscious ways we might be rejecting the gifts that want to come into our lives. One way we might be doing it is by not being good receivers. For example, when someone gives us, a compliment, or thanks us for something, out of modesty, we deny it when we respond with a negative comment like it is not important, or is nothing, or you are being too kind.

Our expectations, whether positive or negative, determine, to a large extent, wealth or poverty, success or failure, satisfaction or disappointment that we receive from life. In order to receive what we desire, we must become “good receptacles”. Here are 6 tips to being good receivers:

1. Embrace your Self-worth: You are a child of God created in His image and likeness and it’s your birthright to prosper and to enjoy the good things that life wants to offer.

2. Keep a Positive mental attitude: It is very important that we direct our mind to focus on thoughts that affirm abundance of health, harmonious relationships, prosperity, and well-being. Our thoughts are creating our reality moment to moment.

3. Learn to receive with joy: Be a joyful receiver. Celebrate that someone has thought of you to give you a gift or a compliment. Open your heart and mind to receive with joy and gratitude.

4. Give thanks in advance: Pray giving thanks in advance for the good that is coming to you. Use the power to decreeing a thing before it becomes manifested. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

5. Focus on the source of all abundance: Remember that God is the Source of all your abundance and as you focus on Him you will find out that His abundance is unlimited and that he really wants for you to live an abundant life. The secret is that you must cooperate by deepening your faith and opening your heart and mind to receive.

6. Use affirmations: Affirmations are positive declarations made in the present time and with feeling and conviction. As you repeat them consistently, they will replace any negative beliefs hidden in your subconscious mind and you will experience the manifestation of what you are decreeing. Here is an example from author Louise Hay that will help you to be a good receiver:

“I deserve life, a good life. I deserve love, an abundance of love. I deserve good health. I deserve to live comfortably and to prosper. I deserve joy and happiness. I deserve freedom to be all that I can be. I deserve more than that. I deserve all good. The Universe is more than willing to manifest my new beliefs. And I accept this abundant life with joy, pleasure, and gratitude. For I am deserving. I accept it; I know it to be true.”

To read this month’s Love in Action Newsletter, click here

To become the best possible version of yourself it is important to examine your life and be willing to change those aspects of your personality that might be blocking your self-growth. As you do this with a sense of self-compassion and eagerness, you will feel empowered to take action and then you will start witnessing the positive results of your actions. This is what taking responsibility is all about. It is not about feeling guilty, or criticizing yourself, or feeling ashamed. It is about loving yourself to the point that you want to let go of anything that blocks you from becoming the best version of yourself.

As you take responsibility for every aspect of your life, you let go of the temptation to live life as a victim. You learn to change yourself instead of trying to change the people and circumstances around you. Your positive attitude will make you stronger and more prepared to face anything life throws at you.

Here are some 7 ways to become the best possible version of yourself:

• Celebrate what you have already accomplished in your life and continue to strengthen the positive aspects of your personality.
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• Be willing to be honest as you look at your life and see the areas where you might be blaming others, or playing victim. Remember it is an invitation to see your part in it so you can work on that aspect of your personality. Write down the steps you are going to take to change your behavior. It could be forgiveness, or acceptance, or setting up boundaries, or more love and compassion. Start working on changing one behavior at a time.
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• Use affirmations to turn any negative thoughts into positive. Remember that your thoughts are creating your reality. Make sure they are positive.
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• Let go of criticism either of yourself or others. This is how you open your heart to love.
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• Identify with the higher aspects of yourself. Your Soul is already the best version of yourself, waiting for you to recognize and awaken in you the love, peace and joy that are your soul’s qualities. Every day, strive to move in the direction of your Soul’s essence.
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• Recognize that any challenges in your life are for your own benefit. They test you to see how you are either responding with peace and love to them, or reacting with blame, anger, fear, or doubt. To become the best possible version of yourself it is crucial that you learn to respond to your life experiences with an even mind and a loving heart.
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• Use empowering practices that help you on your journey to becoming the best possible version of yourself: Meditation, praying, good reading, uplifting videos, keeping good company, walking in nature, listening to music that expands your consciousness, allowing a coach to support you, using affirmations, and living in gratitude.

If you feel you need support in shifting from a negative habit to an empowering one, I am available to support you with a coaching session or with a series of Life Coaching sessions. We can meet by phone, Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. Please visit my website or reply to this email for more information and to schedule a session.