Inspired In Action: 2006

December 20, 2006

A Welcome Change

How do you feel about change?

Does it excite you or scare you? Does it depend on the kind of change?

It seems that the majority of people don’t like change. If we maintain the status quo, there is nothing to fear.

What I have found, though, is that we cannot avoid change. It happens as surely as the hands on the clock change with each ticking second.

The automatic fall-out of that is that many people live in fear.

What if change was something you welcomed? What if your perspective shifted around change? What do you think would happen then?

Is it possible the changes would happen more effortlessly? If the changes happened more effortlessly, is it possible the changes might actually feel good?

And if the changes felt good, would you actually welcome changes?

That line of thought came full circle, didn’t it?

Change is something we cannot avoid. The more we try avoid it, the harder the change will slam us. Certainly being slammed does not feel good!

The next big question is, how do we welcome change?

The first step would be to accept that change is automatic*.

*Tip: Notice how I used the word automatic rather than inevitable? Automatic feels better to me than inevitable. As you make your shifts, choose words that make you feel better. It makes all the difference as you move through change.

This gives you permission to change, and the resistance to change will automatically begin to fall away.

When you are open to change, everything flows more effortlessly. Opportunities begin to present themselves. Things show up that move you through the change effortlessly, and, dare I say it, with more Joy!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could Joy-fully welcome changes?

What about the possibility of change actually being Fun**?

Is it possible that change could be an Adventure**?

**Tip: Notice again how I’m playing with words? I like fun and adventure, so connecting these words to change definitely makes me feel better about change.

Are you open to accepting change? How do you choose to experience change? Will it be something fun? Will change be an adventure for you?

How do you choose to welcome change?

*~*~*

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, and Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes". Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com .

December 14, 2006

Grow Your Imagination

The opportunities of man are limited only by his imagination. --Charles F. Kettering

It all begins in the imagination. The computer I’m writing this article with started out in the imagination. The music I’m listening to started out in someone’s imagination.

The car, the house, the shoes, and even the business you work for (whether it’s yours or someone else’s) started out in the imagination.

I hear it all the time. People want more money. People want more things. People want to experience bigger and better. It seems to me that if this is what is wanted, the best place to start is to grow the imagination. If it can’t fit in my imagination, it can’t fit in my life.

Let me say that again.

If it can’t fit in your imagination, it can’t fit in your life.

All too often we shut our imagination down. If I don’t dream about it, I won’t be disappointed when I don’t get it.

The truth is, if you don’t dream about it, it absolutely won’t happen. It all starts in your imagination.

Are you willing to peak through your fingers and begin to imagine? If so, let’s get started. Let’s play with these questions together.

1. As with anything that grows, it begins with a seed—an idea. What is it you’d like to be, do or have?

I want to live in Maui.

2. The seed needs to be planted in soil. Soil is what carries the water and nutrients to the seed. The soil I use is my Journal. I plant the seeds of my imagination there. I write them as intentions or desires.
I bought a journal. It’s my connection to my imagination. I write my desire, “I want to live in Maui,” in my journal. The seed has been planted.

3. The seed needs nourishment. Give it water and food. Give it attention. Write more about it in your journal. Add details. Create a Vision.
I walk on the beach each morning. It’s a refreshing and invigorating way to start my day. My feet are bare, and the water washes up on them. The water is warm. I can feel the bubbles on top, and the sand slipping away beneath my feet. The sound of the ocean is relaxing. The breeze across my skin is soothing. My walk is a meditation. I enjoy every second of my walk. I don’t rush it. I savor it. By the time I am done my walk, I’m ready for my day. I’m grounded. The ocean has washed away any worries I may have had. I’m free.

4. Keep watering and feeding your seed. Remember, the seed begins to grow beneath the surface. Roots form long before a sprout reaches above the soil. Add details.
As I continue adding to my vision above, I’ll add in things like what I’m wearing, how I’m feeling, scents in the air. I may find something on the beach during my walk. I may see dolphins jumping or the spray from a whale surfacing. Add details from all 5 of your senses. The experience should be like you’re watching your movie on a high definition TV (HDTV). Make it a Technicolor vision.

5. Plant many seeds. A garden does not have just one plant. Write all your intentions and desires in your journal. Plant all the seeds of your imagination. Don’t keep them hidden in your mind. Let your garden grow!
There are a number of places you can plant the seeds of your imagination. The Journal is one. It’s a very powerful tool. The Vision Board is another.

The most important thing you can do is give yourself permission to imagine.

Give your imagination the freedom and space to grow.

*~*~*

December 4, 2006

Evolution

Evolution seems to be the theme right now. Everywhere I look I’m seeing the word.

It got me to thinking how much I’ve evolved over the years. When I was looking forward, it seemed to be taking so long. When I look back, it amazes me how quick it truly was.

The events of my life created transformations I could have never predicted.

The abuse in my teens created an insecure young woman, and as the wounds healed, a strong, wise and warm woman emerged.

The marriage in my early 20’s transformed me too. It was entered into while I was healing the wounds and was insecure. It was trying at times. I thought I wanted someone to take care of me. Eventually I realized I wanted to take care of myself. It built my strength and courage.

As you look back on your life, notice your own evolution.

There were events which created wounds. There were events that opened old wounds allowing for them to finally heal.

There were burdens and sufferings that, though painful, opened your heart and built your strength. A courageous, strong and divine being has emerged from it all.

I see it in you. Do you?

I really want you to look. Look past the pain. Uncover the truth…the truth of you.

You are Divine!

*~*~*

Watch for the next It IS Divine! teleclass here. http://www.welcomechanges.com/itisdivine.html

*~*~*

November 26, 2006

The IF in Life

Life is full of IF’s.

Usually it’s “If only I could/would have…” or “If only it/I wasn’t…” Have you felt those “If’s”?

What if you could play with the IF in Life?

What if you could make a game of the IF in Life?

IF can be a possibility thing of looking forward, if you choose it to be.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to play the “What If Game”.

It’s a perfect way to begin thinking of possibilities before you believe in the possibilities.

Did you know can begin making shifts before you believe? It’s true!

Many Guru’s teach that Belief is an important component of creating the life of your dreams.

They are right, AND you can move towards your dreams and intentions before you believe.

How? One way is to play the “What If Game”.

How to Play the What If Game

You will be using your intentions and desires for this game. It’s also a great way to get clear on what your intentions and desires are.

Simply add “What if” to the front of your intentions when you write them down or speak. For example, “What if I was a successful business owner?” or “What if I had an active and healthy lifestyle?”

When and Where to Play

The best place to play your game is in your Journal. Your Journal is the most powerful Abundance Tool in your toolkit.

This gives your intentions their first physical form. It begins the creation process. You also have a record of your intentions that you can go back on. This will give added focus to your intentions, and also allow you to celebrate as you notice how many of your intentions come into reality.

The next best place to play your game is verbally. Many times we have tasks that occupy us physically, but we can still play mentally and verbally. These tasks can include things like walking, driving, or washing the dishes.

How often to Play

Add the “What If Game” to your daily routine, and you will notice changes quickly.

You will notice how your thinking begins to shift. You will notice more possibilities in your daily life.

Why is this valuable?

Possibility thinking shifts your vibration further up the scale, and the higher your vibration, the more magnetic you are to your desires.

Simply put, when you think of possibilities, you feel better. When you feel better, more good things happen.

What if your life was full of possibilities?

It is—if you want it to be.

*~*~*

November 20, 2006

Being 40 - What's the best or best to come?

November 24th is my birthday, and I turn 40.

Once I hit 35, I began dreading turning 40. I was going to be ... da da da ... OLD!

I've had conversations with my Mom where she shared that "Life began at 40".

This is my Mom, by the way. Isn't she beautiful?

Anyway, a thought occured to me, while I was writing my newsletter, that it would be a wonderful conversation to talk about what's great about being 40.

So here's the questions:

What's BEST about being 40 (or more)?

-or-

What are you looking forward to when you are 40?

Here's some of my answers.

I know what I like better.
I am stronger in standing up for what I want.
I like myself better.
I'm more confident.
I care less about what others thing, and care more about what I think.

I am looking forward to your answers. Have fun!

Dream BIG!

Velma Gallant
Abundance Coach
http://www.welcomechanges.com

Ask Yourself – It’s All About You

Are there things in your experience that you do not want, and you’re not sure why they’re there? Are you unclear how to change or shift those experiences?

When I feel this way, it always comes back to one thing. It’s all about me. It’s the same for you too. It’s all about you.

That sounds a little bit weird, and it’s true. Let me explain.

People who were (and are) important to me did not respect my business. There were no tangible products they would buy. They wouldn’t hire a coach. I worked from home. That’s not a “real job”.

Over the years, I have come to understand that how people treat me was often a reflection of how I treat myself.

I had to ask myself, how was I not respecting my business? Was I treating my business with the consistency of a job? Did I set specific hours? If I set certain tasks for myself, did I follow through? Was I putting things off? How could I respect my business (and myself) more?

Some of the things I shifted were giving myself a specific work space, and actually going there to work. I blocked things off in my calendar, including my “me” time. I printed my calendar and stuck it on the fridge so others in the family were aware of my schedule.

What’s one thing in your experience that you’d like to shift?

Do you find people do not respect your time? Ask yourself, are you respecting your time?

Do you find other people overstepping your boundaries? Ask yourself, do you honor your boundaries?

This type of self-coaching question can lead to some pretty incredible shifts if you’re willing to look there. This self-coaching can apply to all areas of your life, including relationships, business and health.

As you move through your day today, if you experience something “not quite right”, check in. See if there’s a self-coaching question you can ask yourself.

It’s all about you! Ask yourself.

*~*~*

November 19, 2006

Permanent Changes

I heard a new quote the other day, and it made so much sense to me!

Practice Makes Permanent

What a brilliant way of looking at it!

I’ve heard of “Practice Makes Perfect”. The one thing I wasn’t keen on with respect to that quote is the “perfect” part. It’s so easy to get caught up in the perfectionism trap. I prefer not to use that word.

One part of my life where I see the power of this quote is with my habits.

I’ve found that the best way to change my bad habits is to create a new habit that supports me and my goals, and the best way to create a new habit is to practice it lots. I definitely want my new supportive habits to be permanent!

Are you ready to make a new, more supportive habit permanent?

If so, I have a valuable and simple exercise for you.

Here is a list of materials you’ll need.

1. Journal – You’ll need a place to write your intentions and experiences. Pick something you’ll enjoy writing in.

2. Calendar – Experts agree that it takes 21 days to create a new habit. You’ll be keeping track!

Something important to remember—only choose one habit at a time to play with. This will allow you to keep focus on your intention. Tackling too many habits at once will spread your attention thin.

In your journal, as your self the following questions:

1. What’s one habit I have that I’d like to transform? (Hint: This will usually come out as a “don’t want”. For example, I don’t want to eat bon-bons every day.)

2. What new, supportive habit would I like to replace it with? (Hint: You can usually take the “don’t want” from question 1 and give it a 180 degree flip to find your do want. For example, I eat well every day, and treat myself to a bon-bon on Sundays.)

3. What’s one thing I can do today to practice this new habit? (Hint: Pick an action you feel good about. Write it down in your journal. You do not need to do the same action each day. Sometimes changing things up can make the transformation more fun.)

You will be repeating Step 3 each day for a total of 21 days.

On your calendar, put an X on each day that you practice your new habit.

There is one important detail to this part of the exercise. If you happen to miss a day, the count of days for practicing returns to one. What this means is if you miss day 8, you will be starting again at day one the next day. I want you to get through 21 consecutive days of practicing.

I can already see a few faces being made about this part of the exercise. “You said it was simple!” Yes, I did. It is simple. Being consistent may be simple, but it isn’t always easy.

If you’re one of the faces I’m seeing, ask yourself this question. How much do you want this new habit?

Too often we are the ones that hold us back from achieving our success, whether it’s creating new habits, or achieving any number of goals in our life.

If you find yourself missing days, and are still determined to make your new habit permanent, I invite you to write the following question daily in your journal:

4. How much do I want this new habit?

To recap, to create a new habit, ask yourself the three (perhaps four) self-coaching questions listed above. Write the answers in your journal. Answer question 3 (and 4 if necessary) in your journal daily. Mark off each day in your calendar until you have 21 consecutive days completed with this exercise.

There is one last thing that you’ll need to do each day. This, to me, is the most important step.

Celebrate! Each and every day that you complete the exercise Celebrate! At the end of the 21 days, have a HUGE Celebration! Give yourself a gift. Pat yourself on the back. Phone a friend or two up and brag! Send me an email and brag!

What’s one new habit you’d like to create? I’m seeing you already there!

*~*~*

November 6, 2006

Are You Doing it for the Right Reasons?

It wasn’t what I expected, and I’m glad.

I went to a Toastmasters event this weekend. I listened to a speaker regarding the “basics”. I had thought, before I went in, that I’d be getting a lot of technical how-to’s with respect to public speaking. It’s what I thought I was looking for too.

He ended up sharing some of his journey with Toastmasters, and how Toastmasters changed him. He thought he was in it for the glory (he competed) and he learned his craft very well.

What he didn’t expect was that Toastmasters would change him on the inside.

He shared that the most valuable lesson he learned from Toastmasters was that when you speak, you need to do it for the right reasons. It isn’t about the glory in the competitions.

It’s about your audience. It’s about what you’re sharing with them, and what they are getting out of it.

One of the things I wasn’t sure I’d like is the technical stuff in Toastmasters—the counting of um’s and uh’s, evaluating grammar, and things like that. I didn’t want to study a dictionary and learn new bigger words to dazzle people with my intelligence.

After the workshop, I asked him about this. He shared that when he speaks outside of Toastmasters, he’s not as careful about these things. He also told me that if I’m not a “big word” person, not to try and do this. People will know. If I were to use big words to dazzle, then the content would not be coming from my heart. I wouldn’t be sharing the information for the right reasons.

I felt so good after this conversation! I had always felt that my um’s and uh’s, and little grammatical blunders actually made me more human. I felt it helped me to connect with people. I felt it helped me to share my message from my heart. I wasn’t trying to impress people. I was just wanting to share what I was learning in hopes it would support others.

When you’re out there in the world, doing what you’re doing, are you doing it for the right reasons? Are you sharing your message? Are you sharing your message from your heart?

*~*~*

It IS Divine!

Whatever it is you are experiencing right now is Divine.

We all have those experiences that seem to turn our lives upside down. They come. They go. We go on.

In each of these experiences there is a gift.

Sometimes it’s better learning who we are. We desire something better. It ignites our passion and our purpose.

No matter what, we receive a gift.

Isn’t that funny? Many of us would benefit from more practice in receiving. Is it possible that these experiences come so we can learn to receive?

I believe this is true. It has been that way for me.

Take a deep breath right now.

Notice how you automatically receive the breath without thought or judgment.

Notice how you automatically exhale (give) the breath without thought or judgment.

Picture your heart.

Notice how it automatically receives the blood without thought or judgment.

Notice how it automatically gives your body life-giving blood without thought or judgment.

What would your life be like if you gave and received without over-thinking or judgment?

We do give without over-thinking more effortlessly, though we often give with judgment. For example, when we give without receiving, we judge the fact that we are always giving.

We are left gasping when we do not receive. Receiving is blocked by over-thinking and judgment.

Picture your lungs stopping immediately after the exhale. “Oh! I can’t do that. Someone else may need this air more than I do. I’ll do without.”

That would not make sense, would it?

This same thought (judgment) stops us in our tracks before our hand extends to receive.

I want to ask you this question again, but with a twist.

What will your life be like when you give and receive from a place of love and flow?

Imagine looking back on your experiences from that place of love and flow. You see the gifts. You see how they were important in your growth. You see how beautiful you’ve become as a result of these experiences.

You’re an amazing person, and It IS Divine!

Are you ready to receive the gifts of your experiences?

*~*~*

STOP!

Stop the Roller Coaster NOW!

Your life is NOT meant to be a never-ending circle of overwhelming highs and crushing lows.

Imagine flowing through life, having fun, and squealing in excitement as things unfold effortlessly before you.

You are living your purpose. You follow your passion. You help others. It feels sooooooo good!

You have had glimpses of it. You know you are here to make a difference.

You know there’s a reason for what you’ve experienced, and your purpose is important. It may even scare you, yet it feels right.

It IS Divine.

Join me on November 14, 2006 for It IS Divine.

Who is this class for?

* Have you had life altering experiences that may have crushed others, but you pulled through?

* Do you feel that you’ve gone through this for a reason?

* Do you feel it’s time to step into your purpose no matter how scary it may seem?

If you answered yes to any of the above, please accept this gift. (This is your chance to begin practicing receiving!)

It IS Divine is a 1 hour teleclass on November 14, 2006 at 9:00 PM Eastern / 6:00 PM Pacific.

What will you get from this class? You will:

* See the courage it took for you to move through your experiences.

* Notice how Beautiful and Divine you are!

* Peal back the pain and find the beauty that lies beneath (picture pealing the bitter orange peal to find the sweet fruit).

* Understand that what you experienced was something of value and not a burden.

* Feel the Freedom that comes from owning your experiences and your Divinity.

* Renew your courage to step into your Divine Purpose.

Visit http://www.welcomechanges.com/itisdivine.htm to register for the teleclass today!

Dream BIG!

Velma GallantAbundance Coach
http://www.welcomechanges.com

PS If you’ve had life transformational experiences and you’re ready to receive the gifts, this teleclass is for you.

PPS Please feel free to share this article and the gift of this teleclass with anyone you feel would benefit. Gift them with the opportunity to practice receiving too.

October 27, 2006

It’s not as Bad as You Think!

It’s so hard when contemplated in advance, and so easy when you do it. –
Robert M. Persig

How many times have you put something off because you thought it was going to be difficult to accomplish it?

How many times have you finally done it only to find out it was easier than you thought?

Here are two acronyms for the word Fear.

False Evidence Appears Real and Future Event Already Real

Both speak to how our Fears are based on our thoughts about something that has not even happened.

It often is our fear—perceived difficulty—that keeps a particular item on our to-do list for longer than necessary.

When we moved, I had what appeared to be hundreds of boxes packed in my little office that needed to be unpacked and cleaned out. It was a daunting task, or so I thought.

I decided I couldn’t live without my office, and broke down the goal into bite-size pieces with the help of my coach.

I have 3 boxes left now. The pictures are hanging on my walls. I can actually work in there, and feel good!

The most valuable realization I got from this experience was that it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

What task have you been putting off? Can you break it down into smaller more manageable tasks?

Chances are it’s not as bad as you think!

*~*~*

October 20, 2006

I’m Changing my Processes ~ Are you?

Every single day we move through this Divine life of ours, we are growing and expanding. Things we thought yesterday begin to shift to the thoughts of today, and continue their change on to tomorrow.

I used to use a process; I’m sure you’ve heard it before. It was called a Dream Board.
I’m changing the name.

My Dream Board is now a Vision Board.

Why am I changing the name? Why am I changing my process that’s been working?

Because it is my belief, it is my INTENTION that this process work better--work faster.

I was watching The Secret. (Have you watched it yet?)

My son was watching it with me for just a moment. He heard about making lists. He wanted me to help him write his list. He’s 5.

So he could be a more active part of making his lists, he’s starting his Vision Board. I’ve started a new Vision Board too.

For those of you who are not sure what I’m talking about, here are detailed instructions for you.

1. Get some poster board or a cork board. If using the poster board, you can get your favorite color. You can get a color that represents something for you. My favorite color is purple. A very rich color. ;-) Green is the color of money. You get the idea.

2. Fill up this board with pictures or thoughts of things you desire. I have a Million Dollar Bill I got from a workshop. That’s going on it first. Then a picture of the beach on Maui.

3. Put up your Vision Board in a place where you’ll see it every single day. I’m putting mine in my room. That way I see it every morning when I wake up. I see it every night.

4. Spent 5-10 minutes every day seeing and feeling you having those things on your vision board. What is it like? How do you feel? What’s fun about it?

5. Stop. Once you’re done visioning, move about your day. 2 hours of visioning is NOT more powerful than 5-10 minutes of visioning. This is much like homeopathy. Less is more. (Not none is more, or more is more, but less is more.) There is more power in 5-10 minutes of intense, pure vision.

So why am I changing the name of this process from Dream Board to Vision Board? Dreams are just that--Dreams. Vision is real. I want my intentions to be real, not dreams.

If you want your intentions to be real, you may want to create your Vision Board today. And when you do, make sure you include all 5 steps. They are each important. It’s like your car operating on one less cylinder. It looses power.

Are you ready to move from Dreaming to Visioning?

Create your Vision Board. You are what you think. You are what you see.

*~*~*

May 24, 2006

Shift Your Focus Step by Step

"If you want to sail your ship in a different direction, you must turn one
degree at a time." -- Brian Tracy

As we move through life, we ride the waves of emotion. One moment we're riding high on top of the wave, and other times we're at the bottom wondering if the wave is going to come crashing down on us.

Law of Attraction: What you focus on and the emotion behind it is what you bring to you.

If you've been studying Law of Attraction for a while now, you are aware of how your thoughts create your experience, and when you're at the bottom of the wave, all you really want is to be back on top again.

Focus

When we are the bottom of the wave, the best thing to do is keep your eyes where you want to go, and take it one step at a time towards your focus.

Easy to say, but is it really that easy to do?

Many times we get caught up focusing on the fact that we aren't at the top of the wave, or the lack of having the thing we desire.

For example, rather than focusing on having the bills paid, we focus on the fact that the money to pay the bills isn't here.

Emotions

Your feelings or emotions are your clear indication as to how "magnetic" you are to your abundance. The better you feel, the more magnetic you are.

Our emotions generally follow along with where we are on the wave. In other words, when we're on top of the wave, our emotions are high. Our emotions are ones like joy or bliss. When we are on the bottom of the wave, our emotions are low, such as fear, frustration or anxiety.

Solutions

So what do we do when we're on the bottom of the wave? How do we shift our focus and our emotions?

Here are three specific actions you can take to begin shifting your focus and emotions in the direction of your desires...back to the top of the wave.

Ask yourself is "What's one thing I can do right now to make myself feel just a little bit better?"

This powerful self-coaching question addresses your emotions, and also gives you the permission to baby step your way up the emotional scale. You are not expecting yourself to move from overwhelm to bliss. You are simply moving from overwhelm to anger, for example.

Purposeful movement.

Purposeful movement is doing something that requires your full, undivided attention. It's something you can "loose" yourself in, thus taking your attention off of what's not working for a short period of time. This also can move you from a low emotion to a neutral emotion, which is clearly moving you up the emotional scale. Examples of purposeful movement are hobbies such as woodworking or cross-stitching. Another example may be exercises like running, yoga or weight lifting.

Dump and Flip.

Take a piece of paper, and fold in in half length wise. This will give you a left and right side of the paper.

On the left side of the paper, dump out all the crap. Write out all your frustrations and fears. Write out whatever it is that angers you in this moment. Get it all out of you. It's important to acknowledge these feelings and get them out. Do not stuff these things down or hide them away.

On the right side of the paper, give each dump a 180 degree Flip. For example, if you're worried about the bills, the 180 flip of that would be "My bills are paid quickly and effortlessly."

Now comes the fun part. Rip the paper in half down the fold. Take that left side of the paper (the Dump) and get rid of it. You can rip it up, flush it, or burn it. Do whatever you choose to get rid of it.

With the right side, keep it. This is a vision. Read it every day, at the minimum once. Read it more often if you have time. It should take you approximately one minute or less to read through this. Once you're done reading it, put it down and move on with your day.

You can keep these Flips in your daily journal if you keep one. You can create a journal for them. Use this tool as often as needed.

As we move through life, and ride the waves, there will always be times when we are at the bottom of the wave. And that's okay.

What matters is how long you stay at the bottom of the wave, and what you do to support yourself to get back on top.

When you have tools at your disposal to support you to step your way back to the top, guaranteed, it won't be long before your riding high on the wave of life once more.

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma [at] welcomechanges [dot] com

~*~*~*~

Want more tools to support your Abundance? Perhaps hiring a coach may be for you. If that's something you're seriously considering, I invite you to take advantage of a complimentary 30 minute conditional consultation valued at $85 US. Request your consultation today.

~*~*~*~

"It’s difficult to fully articulate the value you bring to me, but … I’ll plunge right in and do the best I can. In the few short weeks we’ve been working (or better said, I think, playing the abundance game) together, I continually see evidence of gathering abundance in my life. You are the best coach I’ve ever worked with -- unfailingly generous with resources, able to generate suggestions that really work, and a delightful source of loving, abundant energy. I especially enjoy your idea of continually celebrating. What a wonderful way to keep one’s energy vibrating to a prosperous tune. I am celebrating you, your work, and the value you bring. Here’s to joyous results!" R.L., USA

May 16, 2006

Conversations of the Mind

"The most important conversations, briefings, meeting, and lectures you will ever have will be those you hold with yourself in the privacy of your own mind."
~~Denis Waitley

One of the most important things I have learned is that in order to have Abundance in my life, abundant thinking must become a way of life.

It's much like nutrition and fitness. As you make the changes in how you care for your body, they become a way of life if you want your results to be permanent.

Law of Attraction: What you focus on and the emotion behind it is what you bring to you.

The Law of Attraction applies to those conversations we have with ourselves as well. Quite honestly, those conversations you have with yourself have an incredible and lasting effect on the results you experience in your life.

When you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, what is the conversation you have with yourself?

Do you look at your physical flaws and list them off to yourself?

Do you list all the things you didn't get done the day before and berate yourself?

The morning conversation with yourself sets the tone for the rest of the day.

An obvious example is if you have a "good hair day", your day usually goes very well. If you have a "bad hair day", your day usually goes down the tubes.

I have an invitation for you. When you wake up tomorrow morning, and for the next 30 days, speak kindly and with loving intent to yourself.

Choose one of the following activities daily for this 30 day exercise, and do it each morning while looking in the mirror:

1. Tell yourself 3 things that you like about yourself.

2. Tell yourself, "I love you."

3. Tell yourself 3 things you did great, either from yesterday, or very recently.

You may choose a single activity for the full 30 days, or you may choose a different activity for each day. Do this in whatever way feels best for you.

You may feel uncomfortable speaking kindly to yourself at first. That's okay!

Many of us have been so unkind to ourselves each day that being kind may feel a little weird.

I guarantee if you play through this discomfort it won't be long before it feels good. Within a couple of weeks, you'll begin to notice you have more "good days" than "bad days", and your energy levels are rising. You'll be surprised at how many more things you achieve. You'll notice more things that you like about yourself.

I'll bet that when you make it through that first 30 days, you'll feel so great that you'll want to make this exercise a part of your daily routine.

Are you up for it the challenge? I'd love to hear what happens to you by the end of the 30 days. Send an email through to 30daychallenge @ welcomechanges.com and share your story.

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

May 8, 2006

Follow Your Nose...It Always Knows!

The actual quote from Tucan Sam is "Follow my nose, it always knows". But that's OK. I really like how I tweaked it, and I'm going to leave it that way!

Wherever your nose is pointed, is where you are going.

Where is your nose pointed?

Have you been spending a lot of time looking at your past?

Have you been looking at what's not working?

Have you been looking at what's been frightening you?

Wherever your noise is pointed, is where you are going.

Looking at your past, you're heading for more of the same.

Looking at what's not working, you're going to get more of what's not working.

Looking at what's frightening you, you're going to get what's frightening you.

It's really that simple.

The Simple Solution, is to point your nose in the direction of the things you DO want.

Sometimes Simple isn't always easy though.

What you need to do next is learn how to point your nose in the direction of what you do want, when what's in your face are things you don't want.

Here are 7 things you can do to when your nose is pointing somewhere you'd rather not go.

1. Make a list of what IS working right now.

A lot of times this list starts out slow. It may take you a minute or two to put the first thing down on paper, but before long the things start rolling off.

2. Make a list of gratitudes.

What is in your life right now that you are grateful for? I'm grateful for my health. I'm grateful for my son's hugs and kisses. What are a few things you could be putting on that list?

3. Pick an intention or Mantra, and walk or bike to the rhythm of the Mantra.

This could be something simple like, "I choose Joy" or a favorite inspirational quote. With spring happening, you can go outside and get some fresh air at the same time. You don't have to do it that way, though. You could get on the treadmill or a stationery bike.

4. Do a craft or hobby.

For the ladies, this may be something like crocheting or cross-stitching. For the men, it may be carving or wood working. Others may enjoy playing music, singing or reading a book.

5. Spend time with those you love.

For me that would be my family. Play games or read with the kids. Take the dog out to the park and play frisbee. Go swimming, go hiking. Go to a park with the little barbecues and take some hotdogs and marshmallows with you.

6. Pamper yourself.

You don't have to get fancy with this. Give yourself a foot spa. Soak your feet, scrub them with a foot scrub, and then put some peppermint foot lotion on. Ladies, you can paint your toes too if you like. Or give yourself a sea salt or bubble bath. I set up my bathroom with music, a good book, and a cup of tea. Sometimes I don't want to read and I set out the candles.

7. Meditate.

There is no one right way to meditate. If you've never meditated before, you can use a guided meditation. You can listen to soothing music and sit quietly in a chair in a quiet room. You can sit on the bottom of the tub, close your eyes and have the shower rain down on you. It's all about how it makes you feel, so try a few different ways until you find one that fits for you.

Now you have some ideas on what you can do to stop your nose from pointing in a direction you don't want to go, and that's good.

Next you point your nose in the direction of where you do want to go.

How do you do that? I'm glad you asked!

Here are 4 things you can do right now to point your nose where you want to go.

1. Create a Dream Box.

Get a box that makes you feel good. It could be as simply as a shoe box that you decorate up with things that make you happy. It could be a music box. The point is to use a box that makes you happy when you pick it up and open it. Fill that box with pictures or words that represent the things you desire or intend. If you want to travel, put pictures of places you want to go. If you have a dream home, put a picture of that in there. For the home you can put pictures of the rooms inside as well. If you want horses, put pictures of horses in your Dream Box.

2. Play the "I Like" Game.

This game was created with my son. Before going to bed, we'd take turns telling each other the things we really like. It almost always started with "I like playing the I Like Game." It also included "I like you." You can play this game with someone you love, or can simply make a list of the things you really like.

3. Make a list of the things you would like to be, do or have.

There are a few ways to do this. A couple of the ways I've done it is starting out each desire or intention with one of the following:

a) I have a burning desire to...
b) I want...
c) I intend...
d) Wouldn't it be nice if...
e) I see...
f) I have/am...

With this list, it's all about the feeling. If saying "I want" doesn't make you feel good, you may like "Wouldn't it be nice if" better. Play around with the different ways of phrasing your desires until you find one that feels good right now.

4. Hire a Coach.

Some of the many things a Coach can support you with is creating visions, setting intentions and goals, and giving you another perspective on what you are experiencing or would like to experience. Sometimes all it takes is another pair of eyes or a two degree shift in perspective to get your nose pointing in the right direction.

No matter who you are or what you do, pointing your nose in the direction of Joy is a sure win.

Follow Your Nose...It Always Knows!

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

May 2, 2006

It's all about the Now!

"I can feel guilty about the past, apprehensive about the future, but only in
the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major
component of mental wellness."
~~Abraham Maslow

This quote fascinates me. It clearly speaks about the importance of the NOW, and also speaks to how many of us look at our past and future. Quite often it's with apprehension.

The truth is, how you feel about your past, no matter what happened, is all about perspective.

I speak a lot about perspective. It's probably one of the most important skills I've learned that has shifted my life from scarcity to abundance.

When I speak about some of the events of my past, I have heard from some, "oh that's terrible" or "how awful".

I rewrote my past. Or at least I rewrote how I felt about it.

Now when I look back, I see specific events that molded and shaped me. They prepared me for where I am now. I gained courage. I learned compassion, both for others and for myself.

I didn't always look at the events of my life that way. I felt grief. I felt guilt. I felt shame. I felt rage.

When you look back on your past, how do you feel?

How can you rewrite your past? Can you shift your perspective and allow yourself to find the gifts?

I wonder if you realize how magnificent you've become as a result of your experiences?

You can look to others for support to rewrite your past. Sometimes another pair of eyes will help you see things just a little bit differently.

One benefit to rewriting your past, is that when you look into the future, your perspective will shift there too.

I find that our future is usually written with the same pen that wrote our past. In other words, if we are fearful about our past, we quite often are fearful about our future.

If you've rewritten your past and have found the gifts, that pen won't write as fearful a future either.

All of this allows us to live in the Now more effortlessly, and with more joy.

What's one story from your past that you are willing to rewrite? Oh, and guess what. You get to be the inspiring hero in this story. ;-)

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

April 16, 2006

Dumping the Inferiority Complex

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
--Eleanor Roosevelt

This is the exact quote I used to begin the transformation process of my life.

I was in a marriage that was steadily going downhill. My confidence was at an all-time low. My life didn't feel like my own. Conversations with my partner included "you can't do..." and "you have to do..."

I don't even remember which magazine I found the quote in, but I cut it out and taped it to my mirror. I looked at that quote every day for two years.

By looking at these words every day for that two years, they started to take root. What sounded reasonable at first soon became my truth.

"...without your consent."

What an interesting thought! We have to consent to feeling inferior. We have to choose to own someone else's thoughts about us and make it our own in order for it to be.

What if you chose not to consent to it? What if you just decided that what someone else thought about you was not your truth?

What would your life be like?

Would you take a chance that your ideas could succeed?

Would you try something new?

Would you talk to people you've never talked to before?

Affirmations like this can be valuable. They do take root over time if you look at them daily.

Are there areas of your life where you feel inferior or less than confident?

You may find value in printing this quote out and putting it up on your mirror too. Let it take root in your heart and mind.

Dump the Inferiority Complex by dumping other people's ideas about you.

Choose your Truth.

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

April 10, 2006

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

“Our environment, the world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our
attitudes and expectations.”-- Earl Nightingale

It's been said before. The people around us are our mirrors.

The qualities in your friends that you love are qualities in you.

The qualities in those who frustrate, anger or upset you are mirroring you as well.

Yes. They are your mirrors as well.

A friend of mine reminded me of a wonderful exercise. (Thanks, M.)

I began thinking about how this little exercise could be used quite effortlessly in a "Dump and Flip" type of exercise.

I guess what I'll call it is the "Mirror and Flip". ;-)

Take a piece of paper, and fold it down the middle. On the left side of the paper, you will write (in pencil) those things people are "doing to you" or "not doing to/for you".

An example would be "my clients don't respect my time".

Now erase "my clients" and put "I". You end up with "I don't respect my time."

You may be thinking right now, "I do respect my time. That's why it frustrates me when my clients don't."

Let's take some time to think about this. If you truly respected your time, would you not put rules and boundaries in place? If your clients are calling you on Sunday, and Sunday is your family time, would you not set your phone up to automatically go to voicemail so you will not be tempted to answer?

Another example. "My spouse doesn't treat my business like a business." Are there ways that you don't treat your business like a business?

I have found that 99.9% of these things which frustrate me about others are truly a mirror for me and how I treat myself or those things that are important to me.

The next portion of the exercise is to take the Mirrors from the Left side of the page, and Flip them.

So "I don't respect my time" would become "I respect my time". "I don't treat my business like a business" would become "I treat my business like a business".

There is one more step to this exercise. It's a self-coaching step that you can incorporate to begin to make shifts on these "mirror moments".

For each of the Flips, ask yourself "What would it take to have me ..." and finish it off with your Flip.

For example, "What would it take to have me respect my time?" You may decide that it's turning the ringer off on your phone during your off-hours.

This little exercise should take no more than 5 minutes of your time, the possibilities of growth and change are incredible.

The next time someone does something truly frustrating, get out a piece of paper and play with the "Mirror and Flip" exercise.

You'll find some really great awarenesses, and through self-coaching will make wonderful shifts in your expectations and experience.

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

April 2, 2006

The Struggle

I was inspired by this article and wished to share it with you.

The Struggle

What do butterflies have in common with the human spirit? Meet Maggie, a middle aged wife and mother who was about to find out.

Maggie wasn't rich like a millionaire or poor in a manner of being homeless. She was living an average comfortable life. It was made even better when a beautiful baby girl came her way. Maggie and her husband made sure their daughter had her needs met and they were still able to take a yearly vacation by the beach.

Maggie was a partner in her husband's business. They both had a different set of duties which kept everything in balance. One day a devastating blow came to her husband's business, and over a three year period the business dropped out of site. Her husband had to totally reinvent himself and was yearning to fulfill a dream with a new vocation. She was happy for him and supported him fully, but still the money was not coming in.

Maggie began to feel guilty that she wasn't contributing with any kind of income. It had been a long time since she had worked outside the home and had to work for someone else. Needless to say she was scared but still had faith that everything would be OK. She began job hunting and found it somewhat difficult in filling out applications, especially the part asking for job references. Keep in mind that she was self-employed with her husband for almost 20 years. It felt as though that didn't count for anything as she was never called for an interview.

At the time she was job hunting her mom became more ill than she had been and ended up in the hospital for a week. Once Maggie's mom returned home she became her mom's helper one day a week. She did the shopping, changed sheets, vacuumed and did other things that her mother was not able to do anymore. Of course her mom would pay her for her time and labor but she still felt she needed to find another source of income.

One of the first applications she had filled out finally came through. She passed the interview with flying colors and was told she was "exactly" what they were looking for. Although it was only part time it was exactly what she wanted. It was important for her to be home when her daughter arrived home from school. She was told they would be in touch when the schedule was ready. Knowing she had the job made her feel contented and productive again.

Within a few weeks though, she received an e-mail saying that the company had changed the job into a full time position and she was not qualified. Maggie was devastated. She felt betrayed and felt she had been lied to. That evening she was alone as her husband and daughter had gone out for the night. She welcomed the aloneness and wanted to drown her sorrows in a hot tub of bubbles.

As she knew she would, she began to cry, softly at first just from the sheer pain of being rejected. Three long years of struggle had finally caught up with her. Then she became angry; angry at everything from the circumstances that got her there, to God himself. She cried harder and yelled, "What do you want me to do?" She really felt that God had abandoned her.

When she was able to cry no more, she became exhausted and gave up. It was at that moment that a silent idea came to her to offer other elderly people home care assistance.

Using another talent for computers she printed off some flyers and cards and distributed them to her church, grocery stores and even placed a small ad in the newspaper. Within a week she had procured two new clients.

Now, even though she's not a CEO of a major company or a power player she feels happy and productive again. So, had God really abandoned her? Let's look at nature for the lessons and the answer.

Before a butterfly can emerge out of it's chrysalis it has to go through a lot of struggling. Yes, struggling. Each time it lunges out to escape, acids are being removed from its wings. If someone were to come along and break the chrysalis open for it then the butterfly would die from those acids. In essence the struggle is necessary for the butterfly to survive. Then in the stillness, when the struggle is over, the butterfly can come out and share its beauty with the world.
We as humans are not any different. There are times that we need to struggle, to rid ourselves of the acids that make up sadness, fear, and anger. It is only at this time when we are exhausted and still that we begin to hear the Universe whisper to us.

Tony Masiello, © 2006

Tony Masiello is a Speaker, Author and Consultant. You can learn about is e-book, Whispers From The Universe at: www.whispersfromtheuniverse.com or visit Tony's website at: www.universalinsight.com

March 26, 2006

What's the Plan? -or- 3 Critical Components to Include in Your Goal Plan

"A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline."
--Harvey Mackay

We all have had dreams at one point in our life.

Some of us have chosen to allow our dreams to fade to avoid the disappointment of potentially not reaching them.

Others continue to dream, but don't take action on them, either hoping they'll just show up, or not knowing how to take action on them.

And even others take those dreams and turn them into goals, all with the simple action of making a plan.

Taking a dream and turning it into a goal by creating a plan is important, and there are some very important aspects to include in your plan if you want to succeed.

Here are 3 critical components that you will want to include in your goal plans:

1. Accountability - Whether it's to a mastermind or a coach, there must be accountability for taking the necessary actions.

2. Support Systems - There are things in place which support you through the lower energy portions of your goal plan. Perhaps it's actions that are more difficult. Or perhaps it's a unexpected set-back. No matter what it is, with a support system in place, you can keep the momentum going through to completion.

3. Milestones and Celebrations - Throughout the Plan there are milestones or achievement markers. It's those places in the plan where certain aspects are completed. Each of those milestones includes a celebration or reward. This again supports you to keep momentum and excitement as you achieve each step in your goal plan.

As you outline your goals and the steps to achieve them, be sure to include these 3 critical components. You will more than triple your chances of success in achieving your goals. Guaranteed.

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

March 10, 2006

Taking Chances

"Behold the turtle: He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out."
James Bryant Conant

Do you hold back from exploring new ideas and activities?

Do you automatically go for what you already know and are comfortable with?

Do you stay in your safety or comfort zone?

The thing about hanging out in safety zones is that you will never receive more than what you already have.

Do you desire more freedom and joy in your life?

Your desires are not going to make their way into your life if you continue doing the same safe things.

Have you ever heard it mentioned before that you can't expect different results if you keep doing the same things?

This definitely applies to taking chances.

Other ways to put it is stretching yourself, stepping outside of your comfort zone, or stepping outside of your box.

I personally like to refer to it as stretching my comfort zone. It feels better to me.

Fear can often hold us captive if we think about stepping out of that comfort zone completely. Yet if you think about, stretching a bit doesn't feel as big or overwhelming.

Here is an example from my own experience. I'm moving into more public speaking and mini-workshops. I've been stretching towards this for a while.

It started out with attending teleseminars, and speaking up from time to time. Next, I interviewed someone else over the telephone. They did most of the talking, but I asked the questions. I did more interviews, held my own one hour teleclasses, moved onto being interviewed, longer telecourses, radio shows, etc. Each action stretched me just a little bit more. And now I'm ready to go live!

I like to use a visual of a balloon.

When you take a balloon out of the package, it's hard to blow up. You may pull on it to stretch it and make it easier to blow up. Once you let the air out (kind of like setbacks), the next time you blow it up, it's easier. Each time the air gets let out and you blow it up, it gets easier and easier to do so.

Each time you stretch your comfort zone, it gets easier. You build your confidence. You give yourself more successes to build on.

Are you considering adding a new aspect to your business?

Are you thinking about starting a business so you can leave your J.O.B.?

What would it take for you to get started?

What would it take for you to commit to stretching yourself, even just a little bit?

Don't wait anymore. Get started now.

You can do it!

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

March 2, 2006

Baby Steps

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."
-- Mark Twain

Many use Goals to move forward in life, yet there are many that have given up using Goals all together.

Why?

Sometimes it's because once the goal is set, looking at what needs to be accomplished to achieve the goal puts them into overwhelm.

Sometimes it's because the goal isn't achieved quickly enough.

Whatever the reason, there are many great people out there who haven't discovered their greatness because they stop setting goals.

It is important to set goals, but it's also important to put a support system in place to help you keep your momentum.

One of the really important parts of goal setting, and it can be applied to other areas of your life is Baby Steps.

Baby Steps can be used in two ways.

First, and most obviously, it's breaking your goal down into smaller, more manageable pieces. You may even want to set sub-goals to move your way to your ultimate goal.

Why is this important?

It helps to prevent you from moving into overwhelm. It can be like putting blinders on or using tunnel vision as you move forward.

If achieving your goal requires that you learn something new, Baby Steps is very important again.

What I mean by this is giving yourself permission to do things one step at a time, and allowing yourself to fall down too.

As a baby learns to walk, it starts out as a crawl. He pulls himself up on the coffee table. Soon he's furniture surfing! This process goes until he takes his first step, then two, then five. All the while the little guy is falling on his bum. It doesn't take long, though, before he's beaming from ear to ear as he toddles to one of his parents.

Do we get angry with the baby when he falls? No!

Do we berate him if it takes more than two or three tries before he starts to walk? No!

Do we tell him he'll never make it because he crawls rather than moving straight from rolling over to walking? No!

So why is that we, as adults, expect ourselves to learn something new immediately?

Where did the permission to practice go?

Do you have some goals you've put up on the shelf that if you looked deep inside you still want to achieve?

Are you ready to give yourself to take the baby steps required to achieve your goals?

Reach up there and grab that goal again. It's time you rediscovered your greatness.

You truly are magnificent.

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

February 23, 2006

Who do you hang with?

"Keep away from small people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
--Mark Twain

Monitoring who you spend your time with is as important as monitoring where your thoughts are.

What you focus on an the emotion behind it is what you bring to you.

How do you feel when someone belittles your ambitions?

How does it change your focus?

I'd guess it makes you feel not quite so good about your ambitions, and changes your focus to what's not quite right with your ambitions.

Have you ever heard that you should spend your time with people who are where you want to be?

I think the quote above speaks to that very clearly. If you spend your time with people who are abundant, and living a life of freedom and joy, they'll make you feel like you can live that life too. They will keep their eyes on the possibilities with you.

Sometimes, though, the people in your life may be the ones who belittle, and they are still important people in your life. They may be family. They may be life-long friends. What do you do then?

It's very simple. You get to choose who you share your ambitions (intentions/desires) with.

You can choose not to share those ambitions with them, so there is no opening for them to belittle.

Save your ambitions (intentions/desires) for those who will hold the vision with you.

Don't feel you have to eliminate these small people from your life completely. That's truly not necessary.

What is necessary is that you include more of those people who are living the life you dream of, and see your greatness.

Take some time to choose who you'll spend most of your time and energy with. Choose people that make you feel great. You deserve it!

~*~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

February 9, 2006

Don't Worry About Thinking Positive

You've been playing with Law of Attraction. You know that your thoughts create your experience. The only thing is, you've been experiencing some in-your-face challenges lately.

Likely your first thought is "think positive". You try hard to feel good about whatever it is that's bothering you, and it's pretty much impossible.

Don't worry about thinking positive. There is obviously a lot of emotion involved, and it's all OK.

Yes, the law of attraction does state that what you focus on and the emotion behind it is what you bring to you, but here's a little trick for ya.

You can focus on something that's a "vibrational match" to what you want.

What that really means is that your only job is to feel good. If it doesn't feel good to focus on this situation, find something else to put your attention on that does feel good.

Babystep your way to feeling good. What's one thing you can do to feel just a little bit better?

Have you ever noticed that when you or someone you know is stressed, they have the cleanest floor? For some reason, getting down there and scrubbing takes your mind off of whatever has got you uptight. You may not be right up there dancing, but you are feeling better. You've shifted from feeling bad to feeling neutral. A definitely movement up the emotional scale.

There's nothing wrong with keeping yourself busy to take your mind off of things. Your real job is to feel good. There's nothing in the "rule book" that says you have to force yourself to feel good about something you just don't feel good about right now.

~*~*~

Velma Gallant is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Abundance Coach. She's a co-author in a best-selling book series with Mark Victor Hansen, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer called "Wake Up Live the Life you Love: Finding Personal Freedom". Velma is the creator of Living Abundant Joy where she interviewed 19 outrageously successful speakers, marketers and coaches on Abundance. She publishes a weekly e-newsletter called "Welcome Changes", which reaches over 45 countries around the world. Velma coaches entrepreneurs and business people to be abundantly successful in both business and life. You can visit Velma's website at http://www.WelcomeChanges.com, or reach her by email at velma@welcomechanges.com.

Hello...How are you? Have you been OK?

It's been a very long while since I posted here, and I've been missing this place!

The last six or so months have been very busy, but in truth, it's been a good busy.

We've had birthday celebrations for our whole family, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas since the last time I posted here.

I've been doing a lot of learning and exploring too.

Oh! And I have a new hobby as well! I've always been fascinated with Crystals, but never took more than a cursory look at the hobby. I've got quite a beautiful crystal collection now. I've taken a crystal workshop. I've begun looking at playing with crystal beads too.

At the end of January we finally were able to see the fertility doctor. We've been trying to add a second child to our family for well over two years. We're not getting any younger here, so we thought we'd check into getting some professional help. ;-)

I've been exploring a few new programs, and reading some really great books lately too. I'll put some "reviews" here in a bit.

OK...that's it for now. I better head back to the action steps I've outlined for today! I've already finished my meditation this morning, and I'm about 1/3 through my list. So doing pretty good!

Have an absolutely fantastic day. Hope you pop by again soon!

Warmly,

Velma

December 20, 2006

December 14, 2006

December 4, 2006

November 26, 2006

November 20, 2006

November 19, 2006

November 6, 2006

October 27, 2006

October 20, 2006

May 24, 2006

May 16, 2006

May 8, 2006

May 2, 2006

April 16, 2006

April 10, 2006

April 2, 2006

March 26, 2006

March 10, 2006

March 2, 2006

February 23, 2006

February 9, 2006

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