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 .

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.

*~*~*

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 .

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

*~*~*

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 .

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.

*~*~*

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 .

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.

*~*~*

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 .

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!

*~*~*

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 .