Disable the Downplayer

I confess - I am no good at receiving compliments. I've trained myself to say 'thanks' instead of 'it's nothing' but I'm still usually in shock. Love my article? But it's just what I do day in day out. You find my coaching insightful and powerful? But I just tell it how I see it. Love my presentation? But public speaking is so easy!

And I know how ridiculous this all sounds by the hundreds of you I can hear scoffing at the last point. Public speaking is not easy - not by a long shot.

So why do I downplay?

I am caught in the trap of the false virtues - modesty and humility.

And I suspect I am not the only one!

Why are modesty and humility 'false' virtues?

Because they do not serve our life purpose.

Let me explain. This is what happens when we downplay:

We think, "I'm not good enough. I am not deserving of this."

When the downplayer is turned up high, all we are doing is vibrating unworthiness. We are rehearsing and reinforcing 'not good enough yet'.

And if my purpose is to help leaders transform the world by first transforming themselves, how on earth is that going to happen with the vibration of 'not good enough'?

It ain't working. It won't work. Ever.

To inspire others to transform their awareness and personal influence I need to have my confidence and self-worth dialled up high - powerful positive energy is engaging, influential, and contagious.

'Not good enough yet' is not.

Humility and modesty are false friends - they unhinge our personal power.

How do we disable the downplayer?

After all it's culturally ingrained to be modest. Arrogance is loathed and condemned. In Australia if you brag you are seen as someone who Big Notes and needs to be cut down to size. There is even a saying for this: 'the Tall Poppy Syndrome' - all poppies that rise above others need to have their heads chopped back.

No wonder we are keen to downplay when threatened with such malice!

But playing small, thinking small, and feeling small serves no one, no cause, no thing.

Big thinkers, strong leaders, need to think Big, feel Big, play Big in order to get Big Results.

Downplaying is small thinking, small feeling, and leads to small results.

Here is the first distinction needed to disable your downplayer:

1. Appreciation is not arrogance. When I appreciate the fact that I love writing and generally what I write is pretty good [whoa - see how I did that?? 'generally what I write is pretty good' - downplayer on!] Ok try again - what I write is powerful and engaging, I am not sitting in arrogance but appreciating my strengths. I am not narcissistically gazing at my reflection, but acknowledging that my strengths serve my purpose in the world - to inspire others in their own transformation.

Arrogance would be something like, "I'm a sh*t hot writer and you're not. Nanananapoohpooh."

Appreciation does not raise you above others - it raises your vibration. Thus you are more influential and positive.

2. Turning up your "Up-player" makes you a vibrational match to your vision and makes room for it to come in.

By practising appreciation and dialling it up a notch, I am tuned in to success and accomplishment - exactly the environment I want to create for me, my results, and those of my clients.

Here's an example of how to do it: Next week I have been invited to speak to a group coached by Mark Joyner (personal development guru with massive following and huge acclaim). Wow! That is awesome! I am so cool! I attract the top end Big Guns in my field - that's who I play with now! I am delighted to share my powerful message of personal transformation using my unique and practical system. I am a guru too. I am an amazing guru! I have the talent and vision to uplift thousands and I am attracting these opportunities daily.

Phew. That wasn't as easy as it looked! But I am totally committed to my vision of helping leaders transform the world by first transforming themselves. It's a high energy, big playing field and I am stepping up as a key player.

What about you?

What accomplishments and opportunities is it time to up-play? Share them here on the blog - inspire us!

With love and appreciation,

Zoe

Related posts:

Are You aware of Your Vibrational Signature?

How to Crack The Set Point

Resources:

Three Pillars of Personal Power

What's your favourite part of life?

Me on Tathra beach at dawn - lovin' life

That's what I asked my honey this past weekend on a trip to the coast.

"What do you like most about life?"

I was getting ready to hear "golf, surfing, the beach" and already had my answer lined up:

"the ocean, sunny days, swimming, skiing, hiking, nature, whales, dolphins..." I could fill a whole journal with what I love about life.

Rob's answer came back short and sweet:

"Being happy."

What? Being happy is what you like most about life?

Wow.

That is probably the most profound and simple answer to life's quest for meaning I have ever heard.

You see, Rob is happy most of the time. He hums in the shower. He has fun at work (and he's a divorce lawyer for goodness sake! He spends his day handing people a box of tissues and splitting up their assets and care for children. Not the most uplifting work, but he is happy doing it!)

Rob's recipe for happiness is simple: 'what's the point in being miserable?'

So he chooses to feel happy. Every day. No matter where he is, what he is doing, or who he is with.

He doesn't need to earn millions. He doesn't need to have a fancy car (though he covets a Maserati bi-turbo spider).

He doesn't even have to live by the sea, though this is is favourite place in the world. A morning surf before work is the thought that gets him licking his chops like a cat with a canary.

So while he indulges his fantasy of driving a slick machine an frolicking with wild abandon in the surf, Rob is happy anyway. Happy now, happy later.

He chooses happiness itself, not circumstances as his source of joy.

Who knew I was married to the Dalai Lama?!

Sometimes our greatest teachers are much closer than we think.

Here are some photos for you to perk up your day:

humpback whales by Tathra - waving a fin

Mum and bub moving out to sea

bub's flick of the tail

How to Trust Your Vibes in Business

I love this article from one of my mentors... Enjoy!
Zoe

How to Trust Your Vibes in Business
by Christine Kloser

Before you read another word... pause and take a deep breath. This is how you begin to trust your vibes in business. Simple? Yes. Effective? Yes. But, how can a simple breath help you trust your vibes? That’s what I’ll be sharing with you here in this article, because in order to succeed as a conscious entrepreneur you’ve got to become an expert at trusting (and listening) to your vibes.

One thing I continue to hear from entrepreneurs is they are so busy working on projects, taking care of clients, marketing their business, etc. that they barely have time to eat, sleep and BREATHE... forget about creating time to meditate, or journal. I have news for you. It’s impossible to trust your vibes in business, when you are completely disconnected from yourself because you “go, go, go” all the time.

I’ll assume that you’d like to learn how to not only trust, but hear your vibes (your inner wisdom) more clearly. So, I’m going to share how I do this in my own life, in hopes it will help you, too.

Step 1: Breathe
Give yourself the gift of deep, conscious breath. If you are holding your breath, or completely unaware of it throughout your day, it’s a sure sign you are disconnected from Source, and your “vibes” won’t have any space to enter.

Step 2: Realize You are a Spiritual Being
Next, in order to connect, listen to and act on your vibes you’ve got to embrace the truth that you are a Spiritual being, above and beyond anything else. In this understanding, you realize that you are never the one “in control”... rather you are an instrument being used to fulfill Divine Destiny on earth. In this experience of surrender, you become more conscious of what is truly unfolding in front of you.

Step 3: Become Still
In a world of ever increasing speed and activity, it’s nearly impossible to hear (or trust) your vibes when you are operating at the “speed of life.” You must become still. You must allow your mind to become quiet so your heart can be heard. When I talk about stillness, I don’t mean sitting down to watch TV, eat dinner, sip tea or anything else. What I’m talking about here is sitting down with your eyes closed for at least 10 minutes a day... without moving a finger. When you bring your physical body into stillness, it allows your mind and heart to open to what is present beyond your physical experience of life. And, this is where you can begin to sense your “vibes.”

Step 4: Do Only That Which Brings You Joy
A simple concept, but challenging to do when the phone is ringing, email is piling up and projects are behind deadline. (I understand... I experience these feelings myself sometimes.) But, the concept of living in JOY and the reality that this is actually your NATURAL state of BEING is at the essence of journeying through life trusting your vibes. You are not meant to struggle, or work hard doing something that doesn’t thrill you. Your Divine nature is to experience joy, so begin to look for those things that bring you joy. And, pursue those avenues. Following your joy is a great way to trust your vibes. Joy will never steer you down the wrong road.

I could write an entire book on this topic (perhaps I will some day), but for now I wanted to give you these four easy steps to begin with. Trusting your vibes is a key element to succeeding in the new model for conscious business success. So, set aside some time for yourself today to breathe, be still, and... follow your joy.

If you want to discover exactly how to do this, and how it relates to boosting your bottom line, be sure to attend my once-in-a-lifetime Freedom Formula Experience... where entrepreneurs discover exactly how to integrate practical business strategies and guiding Spiritual principles that put more purpose, passion and profit into your business, no matter what’s happening in the economy. www.TheFreedomFormula.com/experience

© 2008 Christine Kloser

Christine Kloser, best-selling author of The Freedom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to discover how to integrate more spirit into YOUR business, then you’ll want to get my F-R-E-E_ CD, “The Top 3 Ways to Tap Into the Biggest Trend in Business Ever.” You can request this special CD by visiting www.FreeedomFormulaExperience.com.

John McCain: prosperity evil-doer?

Boy there sure are some histrionics coming out of the US Presidential race. And yes, we're even hearing it down in far-flung Canberra Australia. The latest hoopla over John McCain's 7 or 8 houses is a case in point.

After all, how dare he own so many houses?

Why are people so outraged that McCain has a plethora of accommodation? Surely people admire his capacity to attract and accumulate wealth - so much so that he is not even hung up on the details of exactly how many houses he actually owns.

However judging by the media frenzy and Obama's scathing sarcasm, this is exactly the wound the Democrats are throwing salt in to: many Americans do NOT have a wealth consciousness. Many Americans really are struggling to make ends meet. Many Americans really do believe that having more than one house is selfish and even downright 'obscene'.

And that is exactly what is keeping the majority of folks in struggle-town: these long rants about McCain being 'out of touch' are really expressions of many people's own fears and debilitating beliefs.

These are the beliefs that say:

• "Wealthy people are out of touch"
• "That rich guy has no idea what it's really like to work for his money"
• "It's harder for a rich man to get through the eye of a needle than enter the gates of heaven"
• "Money is the root of all evil".

Obama's campaign has stirred up the great 'us and them' deception: there is the 'us' - the hard working middle class - and the 'them' - the companies that pay paltry wages and exploit our labour for profits.

We've got the same dialogue in Australia: it's the "Battlers" against "Big Business". The David/Goliath myth. The big guy/little guy thing.

The thing is, there is no 'us' and 'them' - there is only US. We ALL have the opportunity to create and attract as much wealth and opportunity that we can imagine.

Perhaps you've heard these excuses:

• "I haven't got the education"
• "I was born on the wrong side of the tracks"
• "I came from poor people"
• "I've got to work hard to make my way"
• "There's only so much room at the top"
• "In companies, it's always the sh**t that rises to the top"

These are just that - excuses.

Or rather, BELIEFS.

And beliefs are simply ideas that have been repeated over and over until we believe they are true. Unfortunately for most people these beliefs are absorbed subconsciously from their parents, teachers, schools, and communities, until eventually you have a whole sector of the population has these self-limiting arbitrary notions strangling their perspective, and hence their enjoyment of life.

And this is where Obama and McCain missed a huge opportunity.

McCain might have clued in to this and responded to the accusations with:

"Yes I have an unusual number of houses. I consider myself fortunate to have been raised with an entrepreneurial spirit and have mastered wealth creation. This is the same kind of prosperity thinking and strategies that I want to bring to my Presidency so that ALL Americans can shift their limited experiences and enjoy super-abundance like myself and my family. I am here to teach Americans the real truth about prosperity - on the ground, in schools, and in businesses. This is after all, the Land of Opportunity - I am living proof - and I want this for ALL Americans."


Obama for his part, instead of stirring the flames of anti-wealth fear-mongering, might have responded:
"Yes it's incredible that McCain has that many houses. This is after all the Land of Opportunity. But where he's failed miserably is that he has not shared his wealth, knowledge, or know-how in a way that benefits the majority of Americans. I am here to tell you that I bring a new era of education that is about empowering ALL Americans to create their own prosperous futures, not just for those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth."



Americans, and the rest of the world if you found yourself indignant at McCain's assets, could have asked,

"Wow! 7 houses? Or is it 8? More even? How the heck did that guy do that? I wonder what I could learn from him? I wonder if I might be able to attract that many houses? How can I find out about this? Isn't it great that I live in a country that has libraries where I can start to learn about wealth creation for free. I really am wealthy!"

Folks, recognising that you have limiting beliefs is half way there. Changing them takes some effort and persistence, but it can be quick. I've outlined in great detail how you can overhaul your limiting beliefs in my popular program The Three Pillars of Personal Power.

In the meantime, if you found yourself freaking out at McCain's housing, then it's time you started asking better questions - about you, your beliefs, your potential, and what you really want. Because you really can have it all. Now that's a much better thought than, "what the heck does he want 7 houses for!"

Zoe

Success: It's An Inside Job

Hi there groovers

I am back from glorious Byron Bay where I am pleased to tell you my boogie board skill are improving dramatically. Even Rob was surprised with my efforts - I was 'out the back' with the Big Kids and catching some pretty darn big waves. Yay for me ;)

Since I launched my Inner Circle Success Coaching Club, I've been mulling over the meaning of success and how it interferes with your life.

SUCCESS. Even the word is a little slippery! The word means something different for each person: for some it's a million dollars in the bank. For others, it's being able to take a day off once a week. For yet others, it means being able to groom your pet cat without losing an eyeball.

Fact is, if you want success to be meaningful for you, you've got to focus on the REAL ball game.

Success is not about things.

Success is about feelings.

When you are 'successful', it is by your own definition. And if you want to be a real success, you've got to define that definition so it actually helps you get where you want to go.

And the only way to get where you want to go in a hurry is by doing everything possible to empower yourself.

So it makes sense if you define success in a way that makes you feel AMAZING, POWERFUL, STRONG, UNTOUCHABLE, and UNSTOPPABLE. With those kinds of feelings and that kind of kick-butt, take-no-prisoners attitude, then the world is your oyster.

So what' a good success definition?

One that you have total and complete control over.

Let's try some on for size. Fill in the blank:

"I know I am successful when..."

I earn a million dollars OR I contribute my very best each day to the world.

I have the big house in Yarralumla OR I love where I am right here right now, every day.

I am the recognised expert in my my field OR I learn and teach something powerful each day.

I have a hot sexy body OR I treat my body with respect and care and love.

See the difference?

The first ones are all external markers, and you don't have exclusive control over them. Plus, you're hanging out for an outcome that may be years away in order to feel successful (read: feel happy).

Folks, life is about living NOW, today. So choose your thoughts, focus, and feelings TODAY that feel good, powerful, and unstoppable.

Here's to your success, in all manners of speaking.

Zoe
p.s. How's YOUR Booty Bootcamp going? More videos and posts coming this week.

Busting Beliefs with Booty Bootcamp: Back on - Weeks 3 & 4

If you are receiving this post by email, please watch the video here:
http://zoerouth.blogspot.com/2008/06/busting-beliefs-with-booty-bootcamp.html

Good ole vision boards

I was asked this week about vision boards for a Health and Good Medicine magazine. Here are some of my answers of one of the more popular manifestation strategies as made famous in The Secret.

Here are my answers:
What is a vision board and how does it work?
A vision board is a place where you can assemble images, words, drawings, and objects that represent your desired intentions and goals. You can use a pin board, or a piece of cardboard to glue images on to, or even a computer program complete with video and music.

Vision boards serve two purposes:
1. To maintain your focus and attention on your desired goals
2. To keep you excited about your desired goals.

Vision boards work by keeping you in resonance with your goals. What does this mean? You will attract what you want a lot faster when you have your focus firmly on what you want AND feel excited about it. The emotions you feel consistently are the language of energetic attraction: energy of a particular vibration is attracted to energy of the same vibration. When you feel good, you attract more people, things, and circumstances that also feel good. If you feel lousy, grumpy, and angry, guess what? You attract more of the same. This is what the expression 'these things come in threes' is all about.

How you feel is more important than anything else in the manifestation process.

What should we put on our vision board?
Anything you like! Anything that makes your heart sing, feel alive and excited is fair game for the Vision Board.

How important is it to be realistic about what we put on there?
There are no limitations as to what you 'should' or 'should not' put on the vision board. Being 'realistic' is only a matter of perspective and most people dream far, far too little for themselves. Here is the main rule about vision boards that is not often explained well:

If you look at your vision board and feel deflated, or worried, or pessimistic, then you will attract people things, and circumstances that reflect that emotional vibration. In other words, unless you feel great when looking at your vision board, then the vision board is being counterproductive: you can't attract what you desire in a state of doubt, stress, or worry.

So here are your choices if you do feel stress worry, or doubt about your vision board:
1. Change what you've got on there so you do feel excited and confident about creating this experience in your life.
2. Change your limiting beliefs about what is possible for you, and more importantly, what you believe you deserve. In my program The Three Pillars of Personal Power, I explain 21 ways to change beliefs quickly and permanently. Using affirmations is one way, but this takes quite a long time to effect change. PSYCH-K (www.psych-k.com) is my preferred method. This is a kinesiology-based process that works in five minutes or less. It's really quite impressive. I've used it to change beliefs about all sorts of fears including procrastination, self-doubt, self-worth and much more.

Beware the 'naysayers'. This is where the 'be realistic' sentiments often come from. These are people who might scoff at your vision board, roll their eyes or call you a woowoo fruitloop. You can either change your beliefs about needing other people's approval, avoid these negative folks, or move your vision board away from the critics.

What are your best tips for creating a vision board and making it work?

Whether you use vision boards, treasure boxes (same idea - just put your images/postcards/magazine clippings/objects in a box that you label the 'magic box' or something similar), or letters to yourself, or visualization, these manifestation strategies are really one of the LAST things you should be doing in the manifestation process.

The manifestation steps are:
1. Get clear on your FOCUS. This is all about how you want to FEEL when you achieve your goal. This is the real intention.

2. Clean up your vibe. Clear any limiting beliefs you may have about achieving this goal - like 'I don't deserve it', 'I'll never be able to do that', or 'I have no idea how to get that'.

3. Get in resonance. If your goal is to feel freedom and you want to express that through the experience of owning a brand new Maserati spider sports car, then find ways of feeling freedom now. For example, you might express freedom now by going for a walk in the park, or having a snooze, or surfing, or finger painting, or vacuuming nude (a very fun way to feel freedom!)

4. Keep your focus. This where your vision board or other manifestation technique comes in. Your vision board is used as a trigger to keep you excited on your goals, and a reminder to keep your focus on opportunities that will lead you towards this goal.

5. Amp up your vibe. This means upping how good you feel on a daily basis by expressing genuine gratitude for all the big and little things in your life now. Laughing and goofing off are also excellent ways to amp up the vibe.

6. Give up deadlines. As soon as you start wondering 'when' or 'how' things are going to happen for you, you are killing your attraction vibe. It also shows that you are not firmly in the present moment - the now is where all the power of attraction really lies. So stop regretting the past or fantasizing about the future - bring your appreciation and attention back to the present moment. This may at first seem to contradict the notion behind the vision board which is after all a collection of images about something you desire to occur that has not yet occurred. However consider the distinction: worrying about how things are going to happen, or feeling excited about how things may happen. One is about struggle and anxiety, the other is about delighted anticipation. This is really the old cliche, 'it's all about the journey, not the destination'. I would amend this a little to: 'It' all about enjoying the journey AND the destination.' Anthony Robbins calls this 'happily achieving' versus 'achieving to be happy".

7. Enjoy the miracles. Manifestation happen each day. Most people are oblivious to all the fantastic and fabulous things occurring all around them each day that are already showering them in wealth, abundance, and prosperity.

Any manifestation strategy you use ought to be fun an light-hearted. So have fun!

Zoe
p.s. Caught a cold after a weekend at the beach so Booty Bootcamp was very passive - using my mind strategies more than my active ones this week!

p.p.s. Less posts this week as I have been working like mad on my new Inner Circle Success Coaching Club - launching officially next week. But take a sneak peak anyway (couldn't help myself! I am sooooo excited about this!)

Booty Bootcamp Week 2 - letting go

If you are receiving this post by email, please watch this video here:
http://zoerouth.blogspot.com/2008/05/booty-bootcamp-week-2-letting-go.html

From booty to looty - Law of Attraction tips for the butt and wallet

Booty Bits
Hope your booty has been shakin' all over in a good way. This first week was all about picking your intention, and getting a clear picture of what that looks like - hot pants, sailor pants with Fred Astaire buns, and a sexy little dress.

Next you've got to connect with the 'why' of your new booty. In other words, how do you want to feel with the new booty? Fun, free, sexy, strong, excited, confident? This is your real focus. Connect with the feeling of shaking that little butt, and then connect with that feeling over and over each day - in moments unrelated to your booty shaking and shaping. Got it? Good.

'Looty' bits - stuff about 'loot', money, cashola
Just in from the mailbag:

"Hey Zoe,

Hope your wonderfully well. Can I ask a minute of your time please on how you would have handled this situation?

I entered a competition to win an Audi TT one of my cars on my vision board. I had a call from the department today that set this competition up. They were trying to get me to enroll onto their euro millions lotto syndicate. £11 per month. Currently I only work 6 to 8 hours each week as a music lecturer, although a damn fine wage, its not enough to cover all my monthly expenses. I told them this, that I have to balance things carefully.

I was trying so so hard not to put out that feeling of lack, but sometimes it just cannot be helped. I am now beating myself up about the conversation.

Just such a difficult one, I try not to focus on the money all the time, and stay in the current moment, not looking ahead and worrying like usual.

Can you help? I know your words of wisdom are amazing." - Darren

From the coach:
"Hi Darren

Cool email! This is what I see in it:

1. The universe is responding - it sent you the contest with your car in it.
2. Your conflicted vibe about money put some obstacles in there to challenge your beliefs around money - this is an opportunity to reaffirm your intentions and desires.

To shift your vibe on this situation, always ask yourself, 'what's great about this? what's perfect about this?' and you can shift from there.

And by the way, it's not the money or lack of money that is causing you grief - it is only the stories that you tell around it. Money is just energy - it flows and ebbs like all other energy forms. It's the stories we attach to money that cause the suffering. Stories like, "If I don't earn enough money I am not a good person, I am failure."

The emotional stories we create around money get in our way of managing money properly and create a lot of unnecessary angst.

If we drop the stories around money and treat it like something without any emotional charge, then we will go a long way to dropping the fear and worry around money (and therefore clearing the way to attracting more of it).

Take for example this story: "I need money to live." Is this true? When you look at the nuts and bolts of this statement, you can say 'no - it's not true - I can live without money - there are ways of getting your needs met without having money."It feels true to us because of the emotional attachment to the concept of 'money'.

Let's try this statement again with something else (which is just energy - just like money) - something like 'underpants'.

Try again: "I need underpants to live." Clearly this is ridiculous! You do not need underpants to live. Underpants make living more comfortable, but are not required. Just like money.

Substitute 'underpants' some more for money and you'll see how ridiculous your stories really are. For example, "I have to balance my underpants carefully - there are not enough underpants to cover my monthly underpants." And you can see how funny this is!

There may not be enough underpants to cover the underpants going out the door, so you just need to adjust your underpant usage.

When you de-personalise money (there is so much emotional junk attached to money - it is all tied up to our sense of worth as human beings) - then it makes it so much easier to make pragmatic decisions around the management of your wealth - and to feel a sense of fun and practicality about it.

So if you an detach and depersonalise the meanings around money, it is easy to make decisions without the angst (such as saying 'no' to the monthly subscription - the underpants are currently allocated elsewhere) - and this lessens the resistance to bringing in more underpants.

cheers

Zoe"

Later, from Darren...
"Aww Zoe,

Thats amazing!! Thank you so much. Really really mean that. Made me laugh and smile so much.

I was also a little skeptical towards the lotto, because I asked for some information to be sent to me, and they said we can't send you anything until you give us your sort code etc. Also made me question the situation a little. But hey, gotta stay open minded.

But thanks once again. Made me look at it so much differently now in such an amazing way.

All the best for the weekend ahead. Here's to you!! I do shout your praises a lot to many people I meet.

Regards, Darren"

My pleasure Darren!

Law of Attraction and losing weight

Ok - I'm putting it out there.

I have three main areas of focus for this year: Business, Baby, and Body.

Business? I just hired a virtual assistant, and have an ambitious and exciting plan for the year. I am totally pumped.

Baby? The IVF process is long and drawn out, but we have progress, and a plan. Plus I keep overhauling my vibe and cleaning up old beliefs around hospitals, being a mum, pregnancy, motherhood and so on. So I am feeling more ready than ever. Plus I am practicing releasing the need for the outcome. IVF is a great teacher this way!

Body? I've had some excellent results using the PSYCH-K process for manifesting better body. I've cleaned up my vibe, and overhauled some limiting beliefs. I lost 5% body fat in six weeks and can now do 56 pushups on my toes - yup! Real ones. 56. No typo!

But now I thought it might be fun to manifest a butt that is shapely and smooth like a stripper's. You know what I am talking about! A booty to shake with confidence in a bikini!

But now I want some friends to play with! So calling all Booty Shakers and Muffin Top Makeover wannabes - let's have six weeks of booty busting and belly flattening - the Law of Attraction way.

Whose game to join me?

Welcome to the Law of Attraction Booty Boost Bootcamp!

Law of Attraction and how to deal with a fear of cold calling

Hi there gang,

Here's another one from the mailbag:

"Dear Zoe,

My biggest challenge is I found a business that is totally in alignment with who I am and what I want to be but it involves cold calling and I freeze when it comes to calling them back.

I have a real phone phobia and I do not know how to get past this I know this sounds ridiculous but it has been going on for 8 months and I refuse to give up - any ideas?

With gratitude, Jen"

This is a good one! I just attended a PSYCH-K workshop this weekend and it goes through this very thing - dealing with phobias and fears and so on. I am going to be helping someone with a fear of flying this Friday.

So the best thing for this issue is to use the PSYCH-K process to balance your subconscious response to the idea of cold calling. In the absence of a facilitator right there with you, here is a good way to shift your vibe around this issue.

Let's do a visualisation exercise of what you want i.e. confident phone calling. This programs your subconscious to identify what you want and to re-wire your cells for resonance with your goal.

So you start by identifying the overall goal - to be able to make phone calls easily and effortlessly or something like that.

Next, you identify images of you doing this task - ie. you see yourself picking up the phone, smiling, without any hesitation. Maybe you see yourself looking at your sales statistics and seeing big results there, and so on.

Next what do you hear people saying when you've achieved this goal? Things like, "wow - you sure have a knack with people - your sales are awesome!"

What do you say to yourself? Maybe something like, "This is so easy! I am having so much fun!"

Next section is the kinesthetic part where you get in touch with the feeling side of things. Close your eyes and get a sense of the feeling you desire, where you feel it most in your body, identify its color, shape, texture, temperature, and so on.

Now choose the belief statement that summarizes the truth behind this goal. Maybe something like, "I am confident and engaging" - you'll know what it is as it will feel natural and obvious to you.

Ideintify any 'issues' you see that might arise from you achieving this goal. Maybe people will be jealous, or you'll get too busy. If these are pretty big problems, you can go back and change some of the detail in the visualisation to handle this objection.

Test your resistance (test your beliefs using a pendulum or self muscle test) to see if you resonate with the new belief statement. If you still have resistance,then you can do a balance with a PSYCH-K facilitator to address the limiting beliefs that might still be there.

Once you complete the visualisation however, this is often enough to get a vibrational shift to line you up with your goal.

Have fun with this!

Zoe
P.S. I offer PSYCH-K Laser Coaching services to blast through these types of limiting beliefs. You can get real long-term shifts in a flash. Check it out here.

Compass Bearings - the one question to ask for big results

Compass Bearings Vol 6.10, May 12, 2008. ISSN 1834-4267 Compass Bearings is for funky, evolved professionals who want personal growth breakthroughs that really work. You are on our list because you signed up for one of our programs. To change your subscription, see link at the end of this email. Sign me up for this ezine. Your one question for big results In this edition: Main article: Your one question for big results Stuff to expand your consciousness: Inner Compass Bookshelf Book Review: The Sixth Wife by Suzannah Dunn Laser thoughts Canberra Corner: Canberra Furnished Accommodation Note from Zoë Hi there There's much to share with you this week. This edition is jam-packed full of goodies. Compass Bearings has been awarded the Avatar Award for "having displayed excellence, clarity and a non-compromising stance when assisting in humanity's spiritual awakening." So now you know for sure you are in good company :) Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey. I've discovered that the typical reader is a woman in her 40s who runs her own service-based business. The most popular topics were 'Making the Law of Attraction Work for You Once and for All', and 'Prosperity Mindset Makeover', followed closely by 'Notes from A Coach'. The least popular? 'M is for Marathon' and 'Attract a Mate'. When I told my mentor the results she said, "No kidding. People don't want to run 26 miles and find a boyfriend - they just want you to tell them how to lose weight and make more money." Now I know! Thanks guys! Look out for some products to suit your needs in the coming weeks. Zoe P.S. Are you on Facebook? I'd love to connect with you there. Please add me as a friend, leaving me a note telling me you are from Compass Bearings. The One Question You Need to Ask I had an amazing time last weekend at the PSYCH-K workshop in Sydney. It was even better than I'd expected. We learned some fantastic techniques to shift focus and beliefs in record time. It's truly amazing. How do I know it's so awesome? As preparation for interviewing a Virtual Assistant to join my team, on the trip to Sydney I made a list of all things I love to do in my business, and all the things I loathe - things that I avoid like the plague, even though I know these tasks will dramatically shift the end results in my business by thousands of dollars per month. Things like inquiring about using a venue for a workshop I'd like to deliver. Yes it's embarrassing but true - I have a massive block about picking up the phone to ask about this. Don't know why - it just is. That's the thing about fears and doubts and worries - they make no sense, and you know they make no sense, but they're still there, like a sore that just never quite heals. At the PSYCH-K workshop I did a few balances and visualising around the topic of things being easy and effortless in my work. No fireworks, no big deal. Did I feel different? No, not really. If anything, I felt a bit tired at the end of the weekend. Come Monday morning, I cruised through my task list and found myself pulling up outside an office block I'd been meaning to look in to for, well, for years. In five minutes I was back in the car with all the information I needed. It wasn't quite suitable. Then on my way to the gym I had a few spare minutes so I ducked in to the hotel next door and asked them about rooms for event hire. They had exactly what I needed for a reasonable price (more than reasonable). Later, on the rowing machine, I started laughing to myself. Who was this person? I couldn't believe the shift. What was most amazing, is that making the inquiries felt like no big deal, like it had never been an issue, that I had always been this confident. It simply was who I was now. The person who would rather put their head in a bag full of old peanut butter and rotten apples at the very thought of having to make such a call - she was gone. Poof. Did not exist anymore. That is the power of PSYCH-K - make quick and easy shifts in a matter of minutes for a lifetime of changed feelings and thoughts, bringing fabulous new results. And it works on 'big' stuff too. I've been guiding people through the process on issues like weight loss, money stress, cold calling angst, and personal resilience. There's an awful lot of shifting and groovy stuff happening. Even if you can't attend a PSYCH-K workshop yourself, you can always do a laser coaching session with me and I'll help you zap some limiting beliefs in a flash. Check it out here. But here's my secret weapon to help anyone make shifts right here, right now: Say you've done nothing but stress and worry about an issue (like losing weight) and you cannot shake the irksome need for your body to be different. No matter how much you challenge your thoughts, practice being grateful, look at your vision board, you still feel a desperate sadness at the state of your physical form. You're so focused on what you don't want, you have no idea what you really want. The one question to ask for big results is this: "What do you want instead?" Simple, yet powerful and profound. This guides your brain and subconscious in a new direction. Then keep the momentum going with these: What do you see yourself doing when you've achieved this goal? What do you hear people saying to you? What do you tell yourself? What feeling would you feel when you've achieved this goal? Have you ever felt this way before? Close your eyes and think of how it felt when you felt that feeling before... Where do you feel the feeling most in your body? If it has a shape what shape is it? If it has a colour, what colour is it? If it has texture, what does it feel like? If it has a temperature, what is it? Write all these answers down for future reference. What you are doing here is re-programming your subconscious to guide you in the direction you desire. When you give it visual, auditory, and kinesthetic markers, it knows what to do - it will trigger these new positive responses when you next think about your goal. You will think, feel, and act differently about your goal. You will now be on auto-pilot for success. Cool, huh? I thought you'd like it being so easy! Here's to your success, Zoe Stuff to expand your consciousness ATTENTION CANBERRA folks: Eureka Mindset Mastermind For a handful of people, there is an opportunity to work with me and a small group of like-minded entrepreneurs and managers to overhaul your success mindset. Check it out here: http://www.innercompass.com.au/content/view/220 Starts next week! So get in now before you miss out. Inner Compass Bookshelf Because there are so many new readers, I thought I'd give you a quick guide of what is available for you at Inner Compass. F*REE Articles - on success, law of attraction, prosperity F*REE e-Course, Mojo Turbo Booster - boost your money vibe Absolute Productivity - a holistic self management program, online self-study program Maximise Your Money Mojo - change your relationship with money, online self-study program Three Pillars of Personal Power - comprehensive premiere block buster program to bust all your limiting beliefs, online self-study program Law of Attraction Superhighway - for coaches: learn how to incorporate law of attraction principles in your coaching work. Hint: it's more than just vision boards! Laser Coaching - get your stuff handled, once and for all From across the road...resources I recommend For overhauling your prosperity mindset: Wealth Beyond Reason - The most comprehensive system out there with tons of cool extras. Check it out. For attracting a mate: coaching colleague Anisa Aven has plenty of experience with this, you'll love her stuff. Book Review: The Sixth Wife by Suzannah Dunn I took a break from personal development reading this last week for a bit of mindless entertainment. You guys know that I am a huge Star Wars fan. But did you know that I was also a Tudor era fanatic? I love historical fiction from this time period. This book by Dunn is a good read, a la Philippa Gregory style. She lacks the depth and richness of Gregory's writing, but this is a pretty good book on an often overlooked queen from Henry VIII's time. Laser Thoughts "You are what you are because of the conscious and subconscious choices you have made." - Barbara Hall "Raise your sail one foot and you gain ten feet of wind." - Chinese Proverb "Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit." - Bernard Williams Canberra Corner: Canberra Furnished Accommodation Coming to Canberra or have friends or colleagues visiting? Check out Canberra Furnished. Laurie McDonald runs this swish little operation. The properties are all in great central locations, furnished with quality everything (including an espresso machine), at really competitive rates. Forget hotels - live like a local. About Zoë Zoe has paddled 30 weeks by canoe in Northwest Ontario, run 6 marathons, hiked hundreds of kilometers in Australia's outback, worked ten years at Outward Bound, survived cancer, married a fair dinkum Aussie bloke, and wrestled a 6 meter crocodile. It's all true, except for the crocodile part. Law of Attraction Block Buster Coach Zoe Routh helps funky, evolved professionals create their own best life following the Law of Attraction. Blast your limiting beliefs to success and get out of your own way now. Fun, freedom, and adventure: live a life that rocks your socks. It's time.

Are you in this 1% of people?

Did you know that less than 1% of the population does it?

Run a marathon, that is.

I guess you've got to ask yourself, 'why?' They've got to be mad after all.

This weekend more than 1100 of those mad people lined up in Canberra to have a go at running the 42.195 km beast (that's 26 miles for you Imperialists).

Rob and I were out there volunteering at the 5km drink station then at the finish line catching the wobblers and removing timing chips.

It was really a beautiful site (I don't mean the wobblers, or the pukers, or the smelly sweaty bodies - and we had all of that!) I mean it was a beautiful site to see so many people of all shapes, sizes, ages undertaking a mammoth task like running the
marathon.

The wheelie guy - how tough is it to push yourself 42.195km using just your arms?Ouch!

What's beautiful about it is that for someone who has never run the distance before, it takes an enormous leap of faith and courage to undertake something that at first seems incredibly daunting.

You've got to overcome your own mental hurdles first, well before you lace up your sneakers for your first plod around the block.

Running marathons is about redefining who you are - what you think you can and cannot do.

It's funny listening to people talk about the marathon who have never done it. They almost all say, "I couldn't do that...I'm too short/tall/heavy/lazy/fill-in-the-blank".

Even Rob, when I first met him and I was training for my fourth marathon, said, "I can't do that - I work late and can't get up in the morning."

I just looked at him. The only thing stopping him from tackling an enormous achievement was his own fear. And a crappy excuse.







7am and waiting in the rain for the first runners to arrive at the drink station

I didn't need to say it - I worked long hours too, had a 45 minute drive every morning to Outward Bound, and still managed to get up and run for an hour or so each morning, and three hours on the weekends.

If you want something, and believe you can do it, then you just do. You find a way around the time, the body, and any other limitation your fears might chuck at you.

And I was certainly not built for it either: short at 5foot 4inches, round and solid with more than my fair share of boob, I'm built like a bellydancer, not a runner. And I've run 6 full marathons.








Rob has since run three marathons! No more excuses. He set out to discover what he was made of, and came up trumps. That's what you get for living with a success coach ;)

Just like the 1100 other folks trudging it through the pouring rain this weekend. As they shuffled across the finish, they stepped in to a new version of themselves: a version that says 'I can'.



The rain let up and gave us a real show - spectacular rainbow over the national Parliament

And I've just completed my own mini-marathon.

I've taken everything I've learned about the Law of Attraction, marathoning, and changing beliefs and shaped it in to self-study course called the Three Pillars of Personal Power.

And here it is, just for you, to help you bust your own limiting beliefs to get to that start line, whether it is in business, or in life, and say, "I can", "I am", "I will", and "I'm doing it"!

Check it out here.



Have a good one,

Zoe

What are you hooked on?

My friend who is a fertility specialist said to me, "Some people have challenges in their education, or in their career, or in their health. You have challenges with fertility. We all have challenges, and it's sad that so many people have fertility issues, but hey - that's how I make a living!"

That's one way to find a positive spin on fertility issues: I am keeping doctors in business.

Not that I think doctors really want people to get sick, but they need folks to get sick so they can do their thing - provide their service, and feel good about doing something good. They need sick people so they can feel good. Hmmm... it's a strange energetic connection, don't you think?

I have a friend in Melbourne who is an ambulance attendant. He told me about a busy day recently when there were several major car accidents in a tunnel. My response as one of concern that this might be overwhelming for him, and he said, "No way! it's exciting! Those days are fun!"

Car accidents=fun.

Hmmm...

I don't think doctors or ambulance attendants really wish illness or accidents on people just so they can earn a buck and get a thrill. In fact, I think they just expect these things will happen, and therefore they have a role to play in the unfolding of events. They do not need to wish these events to happen because they just know they will.

I wonder what would happen if we started to expect health? Expect driving safely? Just knew we would get home safely each day? Would there be no more doctors? No more ambulances? No more drama?

In my coaching work, I used to work with people who were overwhelmed, swamped and struggling. I needed people who were struggling to fill my business. I got a thrill out of helping them, and they payed my bills.

But then the energy of needing people who were overwhelmed really got to me. I found it draining. So I changed my focus. Now the clients I work with are funky, fun-loving, love to learn, love to grow and expand and achieve, and are looking for fast, amazing breakthroughs so they can create even more amazing things in their lives. The energy is so different to dealing with overwhelm. I expect great results for them, and they do too. We are a 'problem-free' zone and by goodness that is a fun way to work!

And I wonder what would happen if doctors started focusing on how to build healthy individuals with amazing bodies, instead of getting excited over diseases and rare conditions? Or if ambulance attendants were there to help people boost their energy levels instead of rescuing them from failing ones? Or if lawyers were there to make laws that rewarded good behaviour instead of punishing poor choices?

I wonder...

All it takes is one person to shift their focus.

Got any other focus-makeovers? I'd love to hear them!

Yummy goodie to end the year right

It seems like I get asked every other day to promote someone else's book, product or 'rare opportunity'. It gets a little tedious.

However, Suzanne the Connexion Specialist, wasn't taking my polite fob off lying down. I said I did not like to promote anything unless I'd read it first. So she sent me a copy - by courier all the way to Australia - so I could take a look at this book she was raving on about.

It sat on my shelf for a few days and then I started reading it. And kept reading it. So far - it's amazing. Really! It's a spiritual cum Law of Attraction business prosperity book that is right up my alley, except for the almost-religious bits. Though this part is light on, and he makes a clear statement for spirituality rather than religion per se.

I am sure you will enjoy this book.

Then she sent me the promo text too with all the now-customary bonuses. Here are the goodies:

With the purchase of Steve’s new book The Prosperity Paradigm, you will receive the entire Enlightened Entrepreneur Coaching Program worth $4997.00 through the end of December.

This includes:
How to Discover Your “Soul Purpose”
How to be More Productive
How to Experience Greater Health & Happiness
How to Become Truly Wealthy
How to Harmonize Spiritual with Material Wealth
How to Create Permanent Wealth

Hmmm...Looks like I'll have to buy another copy just so that I can get the bonuses too.

Take a look for yourself: www.ProsperitySteve.com

The Secret - first class style

"The Secret doesn't work," said Rob as the airline attendant rebooked our flight.

We'd spent the best part of a three-hour drive talking out how cool it would be to get an upgrade to first class. We got up that morning at 3:30am to make the drive from Canberra to Sydney knowing our flight to New Zealand had been canceled. Our best chance of getting to NZ on time for our friends' wedding was to make it to the airport early and sneak a spot on another flight. And while we were at it, why not an upgrade? We had fun imagining all the goodies we'd be showered with once ensconced in the plush seats, champagne in hand.

Alas, the next flight was in the afternoon, meaning a six-hour wait in the airport, and no - there was no upgrade.

So where was the Secret in action? Obviously our upgrade failed. The Secret must be a crock, so grumbled Rob. I just laughed and reminded him that the Universe does not always follow our time frames, and wait and see. We might indeed get boosted to first class after all.

We didn't. It was a regular flight, followed by a gung-ho customs agent who searched every item of our belongings and hosed down all of our footwear to prevent any nasties creeping on to New Zealand soil.

Not exactly a first class experience.

Then there was the motel. The brochure labeled the rooms as 'basic'. They were certainly basic, that's for sure! Our room boasted all sorts of odd furniture, obviously collected from various garage sales. At least it was clean.

After kicking off our shoes and a cup of tea, Rob said: "You know what? We've been upgraded! This is the family unit - we're just meant to have a room with an ensuite - this is a full bedroom, ensuite, and kitchen!"

Hilarious. That Universe Guy sure has a sense of humour! It wasn't first class on fancy-pants airline Emirates, but it was an upgrade. Rob was a believer once again.

As for me, I learned that I needed to be more specific in my requests. Also, when I really thought about it, even when I was doing all the visualising with Rob, part of me did not really believe that an upgrade on a fabulous airline would happen. An upgrade at a crappy hotel? Ok - I could see that happening. But First Class on an airplane? Hmm...it seems there are some limiting beliefs to purge here! Perhaps I've got a block around deserving luxury, or maybe there are still some prosperity issues to resolve. In any case, I am sick of cattle class, and totally ready for that upgrade. Time for some personal development, a little EFT, and some scripting.

Next time it will be first class all the way home to Canada. That's 40 hours of travel in total luxury. Yeah - I can dig that!

What a croc

These are my new crocs. Ok, cheap imitations.

Two years ago when Crocs burst on to the scene my revulsion was palpable. They are by far the ugliest thing I have ever seen. Still are, by the way.

But people kept insisting on how comfortable they are. For an outdoor educator, they were perfect: they're a mostly covered shoe (suiting OHS requirements), water-resistant, and dry quickly (good in preventing footrot).

I did not care. Nothing was going to persuade me to get a pair of these over-priced hideous plastic foot buckets.

Then all my in-laws got a pair. Even the 70 year old grandparents. Even the 7 year old niece. She got a lovely pink pair.

I started to think that these croc things might not be such a bad idea. When no one was looking, I slipped on a pair. They were comfy! Oh no. I wanted a pair. Now.

So this is how people come to change their beliefs: sheer volume of advocates make it ok. This is how intelligent, discriminating people start to wear ridiculous things: think leg warmers, bell bottoms, neon, caftans, piercings. Somewhere down the line initial revulsion is muted and overcome. The benefit (comfort, distinction) overrides the otherwise reasonable objections.

I can't help but think this is how other crazy beliefs get normalised too. Things like apartheid, genocide, torture, racism, the death penalty. When enough people do it, and justify it, then somehow reasonable people let go of their intuitive abhorrence and come to see it as 'ok'. Sometimes their natural compassion is beaten out of them. Sometimes it is brainwashed out of them. Deep inside however, there is still a vestige of humanity that may rise up and denounce this kind of abuse. This is what I hope to connect with when I pray for someone lost to themselves.

Does this mean that every fashion victim will become a baby-killer? Of course not. It's just that it's important to be aware of how easy it is to slide from revulsion to acceptance to collaboration. We need to question our beliefs and see what they really mean. Our gut feeling will tell us the truth if we listen.

So will I get rid of my crocs? Nope. I weigh up the cost: visual pollution, maybe the occasional snicker from the yet-unconverted critic. The comfort and convenience is worth it. There is not much at stake with this belief. My Higher Self is ok with this. No tugs in the belly over this one.

Crocs - roam free!

Burning down the house

"Isn't it funny," said John, "how when you stop needing money, that's when it just falls in your lap?"

Yes, it is amazing how the universe responds when you let go of your desires - when you stop needing them, with that awful desperate energy.

But how on earth do you get to that point of letting go, of not needing anymore, especially around money - that old bugaboo?

For John, it took his house to burn down in the 2003 Canberra fires for him to realise what was truly important: being alive, with the people he loves, and his trusty Labrador pooch. Everything else was replaceable, or unnecessary.

John has rebuilt his house and it now has a zen-like feel to it. There are no knick-knacks, no clutter, nothing but the essentials. And he's delighted with it - he is peaceful in his home.

And his business brings in a cool million dollars per annum. Effortlessly.

So aside from burning down your house, how do you get to that point of letting go of needing something (especially moolah)?

For me, it's about awareness, the now, and gratitude. That's how I've turned the tap on for my own prosperity.

I used to be really hungry for coaching clients, always checking the numbers (bank account, number of subscribers, hits to the website, number of coaching hours completed). As if some mysterious symbol plucked off the keyboard would suddenly make it all ok.

When I turned my awareness to this behaviour I realised how awful it really felt: worry, guilt, desperation. Not exactly attractive! And people can smell this kind of yuckiness a mile away.

I know you 'get' this. You know people who have that 'desperate' vibe flashing on their forehead, and you just want to run a mile. I'm sure you've heard people talk about the experience of, "when you stop looking for Mr/ Mrs Right, that's when they turn up."

I 'got' it too, but never figured out how to really step in to it to that knowing. There's a big difference between 'understanding' and 'knowing'. Understanding is intellectual and knowing oozes from every pore in your body.

Eventually I decided that worrying about money, or worrying about coaching clients, was no way to live. Constant stress? No thanks. Nothing was worth that. I had my cancer experience to remind me of why I didn't want to go back there.

So where did this leave me? It left me now. It left me the present moment to enjoy and savour. If a yucko vibe creeps in, I can release it by changing my focus, breathing the energy out, or using EFT to purge the belief system feeding the negative thoughts and feelings. I always come back to my true intentions: to feel peaceful and happy. Nothing else really matters.

"But what about the results?" I hear you saying. "What about the money?"

Once I started feeling genuine gratitude for everything in my life, and in particular the clients I coach, that's when things shifted. Feeling grateful is such a fantastic feeling - a true elixir. I got hooked on gratitude.

And surprise, I started to attract all sorts of cool people and experiences. Just last week I signed up three new clients, and this morning I've had one referral and another inquiry. I have a dozen coaches wanting to partner with me on my LOA for Coaches project, and I've booked in a lucrative training contract. Things are flowing. Scratch that - things are flooding my experience.

And it's not about the money; it's about the vibe. The vibe of flow, focused intention, peace and gratitude.

Got it?

All the good stuff to you,

Zoe

How to end suffering

*This is an excerpt from Compass Bearings, where you can get the free Law of Attraction Checklist when you subscribe. Check it out.

Last week Justice Terry Connolly, a prominent Canberra judge, passed away from a heart attack on a morning bike ride up Red Hill. He was 49. He left behind two teenage daughters and a grieving wife.

When someone dies young it causes us to stop in our tracks and wonder. Did he do everything he wanted to do in his life? Did he die happy? And then thoughts turn to our own life: if I were to check out tomorrow, would I be happy with my life? Would there be any regrets?

These kinds of events, death and illness, are a call to savour precious moments. They remind us we never know how much time we have left on the planet. All we have is the moment we’re in. And this is the secret to happiness: it is the mind that makes that moment a heaven or a prison.

When I start working with a new client they sometimes feel imprisoned by circumstances. They want to change the job, the relationship, or the neighbour’s barking dog. They soon discover however, none of these are the real cause of suffering; it is their thoughts about the job, the relationship, or the dog that cause the suffering.

This is good news. You can’t change anything or anyone else, but you can change how you think and feel.

This is the tricky part: how do you change a belief that you’ve held close for so long? Some people are so attached to their beliefs that they wear them like a badge of honour. They display them proudly, a raison d’etre. Take for example, an angry young man I met recently. We’ll call him Doug for fun.

Doug told me, “All business owners are thieving bastards.” He said a great many other things about the state of the economy, the rich getting richer, the unfairness of workplace legislation, and so on. He was really worked up about it: red-faced, gesticulating, and grimaces. When I suggested that if he changed his focus and challenged this belief about nasty business people that he might have a different experience, he looked horrified. “But it’s the truth!” he said.

Yes, it is. But it’s his truth, not mine. I don’t believe that business owners are out to screw the punters and wring them for all their worth; I believe that business people intend to offer products and services of value to their customer, that they care about the quality of their work, and generally want to help people get what they need. As a result, my interactions with business people are delightful, engaging, and supportive, while Doug’s are full of complaints, disappointments, and getting ripped off.

Doug would not question his beliefs about business because this would mean challenging his own sense of purpose. With no corruption to denounce, what would he do with himself? Well, he could enjoy his life a little more for one. He could create something positive to share with the world that brings joy instead of anger. However Doug could not yet see there could be purpose in peace instead of suffering.

And if it was Doug who pushed himself up that hill on his bike and fell to the ground, would he be happy with his life? Could he look back with gratitude, peace, and fulfilment?

When I put myself in that position, roadside and looking at the end, I want to feel that I enjoyed every second, that I loved myself, I loved my life, I cherished each day as a special gift. I don’t want to lie there thinking, “I wasted all that time feeling miserable about that darn dog.”

There’s only one way to free myself from regret: forgive myself of any past anger, resentment, and fears and end the suffering. I choose thoughts and beliefs that feel good, and guess what? They bring experiences that also feel good. What I sow, I reap.

Please, don’t let yourself suffer for one moment longer. Challenge the beliefs that cause anger and sadness, and choose new ones that bring joy and freedom. Life is all too short: let yours be sweet.

Zoë
P.S. If you know someone out there who needs this article, please send it to them.

Springtime wattle - photo by Rob