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Breakthrough! - 3/14/2008 6:54:06 PM

Greatful

Posts: 31
Joined: 12/21/2007
Status: offline

I just wanted to say how GRATEFUL I am for the amazing day I had today.

The reason it was 'amazing' was not because anything in particular happened. Actually nothing really did happen EXCEPT I changed a few things about my thinking.

I have about a half hour drive to my gallery in the morning and today I tried something new (after reading some books about affirmations etc.). Ive also been reading some great books by Dr. Joe Vitale, Marci Shamoff and other spiritually enlightening authors.

I decided to say 'I love you' over and over and over to myself and to whoever drove past me. (This was from Dr. Joe Vitales book). I said it outloud and to myself.

I also did other very positive affirmations like:

'I am totally calm, confident and loving"

'I love my life. It is perfect!'

"This moment is all there is and in THIS MOMENT there is perfect peace'.
(I like to stay in the present moment and it helps me to do affirmations about NOW)..

Anyway. I got to my gallery with this totally calm vibe. I also decided to wear absolutely NO makeup. (I normally wear a lot of makeup but todaY I really wanted to try this TOTAL self love thing!).

As I did these affirmations over and over and over I noticed how much calmer I was feeling. It was said with total sincerity too. They say to get the most out of affirmations you should do them with conviction and sincerity (which I did).

It dawned on me that most of my 46 years my brain seemed to AUTOMATICALLY go towards self hate and self judgement!! YIKES. What an awareness. MOst of my automatic 'thoughts' seem to be negative! I realized this after doing these affiramtions.

I also decided to bring this small mirror and say 'I LOVE YOU" while looking into my eyes during the day. Not many customers came in so I got to 'practice' this alot. THe few customers that DID come in I silently said 'I love you' while greeting them. I even kept my mirror close to my cash register and I saidit first in the mirror..and then greeted the customers.

It was an amaazing day I must say.

I did make some sales but more importantly I stayed calm even when some people came in and didnt buy--or who just walked in and walked out...looking totally bored..(I used to feel sensitive and even nervous around customers which is why I went on the anti anxiety med).lol

I think the more I do these simple affirmations the more I will feel better and better and eventually will be able to get off this medication (which is my ultimate goal).

thanks for listening:)

Michelle

Post #: 1

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/14/2008 7:11:22 PM

arows1faith

Posts: 165
Joined: 6/7/2007
Status: offline

Pleased to make your acquaintance, Michelle. I sorta 'pop in' every now and then and I must say that I've truly enjoyed this post. You make a perfect example of how to change. It must be done internally and allowed to radiate outward; as it seems today's practice affirmed that idea in that you arrived to work with a "totally calm vibe." I don't know about you, but for anyone that has a 30+ minute drive to work, you probably had a better morning than most! LOL

I do love your self-analysis, too! WOW! It is fun to discover something we've been doing our entire lives... and uncosciously, to boot! You have a real gem of insight there - the next time hate or self-judgement come a-knockin' at your door (whether you are able to do anything about it or not), I'm willing to bet the farm that you'll stop and recognize how you affect the situation. Logically, that is as internal as it gets! Stay focused and allow it to radiate outward. Although you should be patient with yourself, too! You have a few years of conditioned behavior to revert (Geez - Don't we ALL! LOL) so keep 'slow and steady' in mind.

I'm grateful you had a breakthrough and an amazing day! Many blessings to you!

Be gr8 to yourself!

Arow

_____________________________

The Goddess is alive and there is magick afoot.
Arow Blackdragon
Valley of the Kings

Post #: 2

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/14/2008 9:20:37 PM

Celeste

Posts: 21
Joined: 3/4/2008
From: Ohio
Status: offline

Gee, Michelle ... that is soooooooo neat! Blessings to you .... Celeste

Post #: 3

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/14/2008 10:18:59 PM

Hildegard

Posts: 2720
Joined: 8/30/2006
From: Chicago
Status: online

Dear Michelle, I am so delighted to hear about your amazing day. Not only the day was amazing, but SO ARE YOU!!

Have an amazing weekend!

Much love,
Edda

_____________________________

Peace and joy!

Post #: 4

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/14/2008 11:14:58 PM

Thankful one

Posts: 1910
Joined: 12/23/2007
Status: offline

Michelle,
You are an inspiration to me. What a nice attitude exercise. I am trying it now and will try it again tomorrow.

Please feel free to share more of these positive affirmation tips when you can.

Post #: 5

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/15/2008 6:50:33 AM

buttington

Posts: 2242
Joined: 6/9/2007
From: UK
Status: offline

Michelle, that is amazing!!!!!!!! Well done. Now you know you can do it, it will get easier. Change really does start from loving ourselves exactly as we are now.

Blessings, and more days like that one.

Jude

_____________________________

Love is the only way

Post #: 6

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/16/2008 9:06:17 AM

Greatful

Posts: 31
Joined: 12/21/2007
Status: offline

Thanks everyone for responding :)

I had another good day yesterday. I know it might take a bit more time to have this new attitude 'sink in' since it took 46 years to get HERE>

Here are some more amazing 'tips' Ive found useful in my new SELF LOVE quest. Thought Id share them with you all .

Have a great Sunday everyone!

How to Love Yourself

Louise Hay offers
these helpful suggestions.
Try them! They really work.

1. Stop all criticism: Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.
2. Don't scare yourself: Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It's a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure (mine is yellow roses), and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.
3. Be gentle and kind and patient: Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient
with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you
really loved.
4. Be kind to your mind: Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don't hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change the thoughts.
5. Praise yourself: Criticism breaks the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.
6. Support yourself: Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends, and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.
7. Be loving to your negatives: Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So. lovingly release the old negative patterns.
8. Take care of your body: Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise can you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.
9. Mirror work: Look into your own eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents looking into the mirror. Forgive them, too. At least once a day, say: "I love you, I really love you!"
10. LOVE YOURSELF - DO IT NOW! Don't wait until you get well or lose the weight, or get the new job, or find the new relationship. Begin NOW - do the best you can.

Post #: 7

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/16/2008 9:40:21 AM

Hildegard

Posts: 2720
Joined: 8/30/2006
From: Chicago
Status: online

Thank you, Michelle, for posting these helpful pointers. They suggest a real change of attitude for many of us who tend to be too self-critical!

Have a great Sunday,
Much love,
Edda

_____________________________

Peace and joy!

Post #: 8

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/16/2008 11:27:17 AM

Celeste

Posts: 21
Joined: 3/4/2008
From: Ohio
Status: offline

Thanks, Greatful --- couldn't have come at a better time on a better day ...:) CB

Post #: 9

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/16/2008 10:27:59 PM

Hope coach

Posts: 449
Joined: 9/20/2007
Status: offline

Dear Greatful
so happy to hear about your miracles of progress and self love. I would like to thank you for courageously sharing your journey and sending me the reminder to reconnect with this work by Hays I will share it with myself and those I share with. Keep loving thoughts for yourself and live 1 day at a time in the moment and you cannot help but give us all your gifts
Namaste
Hope coach
Barbara T

_____________________________

Our Glory Is not In Never Falling
Our Glory Is Rising Every Time We Fall
Confuscious

Post #: 10

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/21/2008 6:32:28 PM

Imenuff

Posts: 822
Joined: 3/23/2007
Status: offline

Dear Michelle, I am sorry for not responding to any of your posts. Things have just been tremendously demanding and hectic this past month. What a special gift you have given all of us with your last two posts. It is always so much easier to see past the faults of others we love than to accept ourselves just as we are. Most of us as young children lived with much criticism and it just seems the natural thing to do to criticize ourselves. May your self love continue to break forth in the newness of springtime and increase with each new day. Most of us need to remember that One voice that always only says - "You are My beloved in whom I am well pleased."

Blessings on you.

_____________________________

Shalom(May you be at peace in Body, Mind,& Spirit)

I'menuff

Post #: 11

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/24/2008 3:30:50 PM

Greatful

Posts: 31
Joined: 12/21/2007
Status: offline

HI everyone! Just wanted to check in here.:) HOpe you are all feeling 'GRATEFUL" these days. I definitely am.

I went to a 4 day artshow this past week to sell my art. I just wanted to say how GRATEFUL I AM today.

The first day went great. My attitude was 'calm', 'peaceful' and 'loving'. I made a lot of sales and felt excellent. (My affirmations and meds are obviously a good combo lately.LOL) I made about 1,200 in sales (which was an excellent total for me at this particular show)---and was feeling so glad to be there talking to customers about my art etc.

Then I went in the second day 'thinking' it would be the SAME but my sales were DISMAL/Horrid actually! Made about $130 in the morning but then had some severe pms cramps and was a bit grouchy and fatigued from the menstrual stuff---so my bf suggested I leave. He noticed that I had started to get a bit irritated and panicky around the customers. ( I was losing my serenity for sure)!!......

SO---- I left the show and just walked around the downtown area (where the show was held). I didnt come back until it was time to leave. My boyfriend said he hadnt made ANY sales all day. NONE! I was pretty down especially since there were thousands of customers there! Its almost unheard of to make $100 all day! Ohwell.. I started getting into the drudges of sadness, feeling sorry for myself, 'unworhty' etc. etc.

I took the third day off to let my boyfriend handle it again.(Thankgod for him!). I needed a day off to deal with my menstrual issues and my attitude too. I laid out in the sun all day and hung out with my cats. I also prayed and did affirmations knowing 'ALL IS WELL". Well ..my bf came home saying again that sales were unbelievalby horrible! He only sold $100 worth again. ALL DAY!

I did feel bad but I also 'turned it ALL over' to God and for some reason felt 'peace' in the midst of it all. Although I couldnt quite understand the reason why no one was interested in or buying my art but my bf explained that they were just not 'buyers' /mainly 'lookers' and not to feel bad or take it personal. he said many of our artist neighbors also said they had sold almost nothing for those two days.

I went back in the last day and .......miracle..... I did AMAZING! (Over 1,100).

My sales actually surpassed last year--which was my goal. Even with the two very bad days in the middle we still pulled off a very successful show.

I just wanted to say how GRATEFUL I AM to be able to make a living as an artist even though it sometimes feels like a rollercoaster ride, and I get quite mooody alot.haa

For many years i was told I was 'crazy'.. 'odd' etc. when I started teaching myself art. (I was 36 years old when I drew my first picture!). I was just really drawn to visual art (no pun intended!) and I compulsively drew pictures and more pictures for about 5 years. I had NO IDEA where it was going to lead me but I listened to the 'voice within' which told me to keep doing art and an 'answer' would come! (This was while I was going through a horribly dark sad time in my life--leaving an abusive ex hubby etc.).

Now Im sitting here after this artshow feeling so darn PROUD that I followed my heart and continued to do art all those years. I am happy to say I pay all my bills and am able to sustain my lifestyle and three cats through my art sales now. It really is an amazing MIRACLE which Im grateful for daily!

(Just thought Id share with you all). It really helps me to have a place to 'journal'. :)

Thanks for being here everyone!

michelle

Post #: 12

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/24/2008 9:10:26 PM

Imenuff

Posts: 822
Joined: 3/23/2007
Status: offline

Michelle, dear, CONGRATULATIONS on your successful show. I smiled as I read

quote:

getting into the drudges of sadness, feeling sorry for myself, 'unworhty' etc. etc.

. Don't you just love this good old personality we have (lol)! Then

quote:

I did feel bad but I also 'turned it ALL over' to God and for some reason felt 'peace' in the midst of it all.

Ahh, to follow that personality to its becoming "redeemed" What a very special description of how to handle all those negative feelings, especially for us. You truly ought to feel proud for following the spirit within when everyone else was so negative. That takes real courage.

Blessings on you and the gift of your art.

_____________________________

Shalom(May you be at peace in Body, Mind,& Spirit)

I'menuff

Post #: 13

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/24/2008 9:52:16 PM

Hildegard

Posts: 2720
Joined: 8/30/2006
From: Chicago
Status: online

Dear Michelle, thank you for sharing your art show experience with us! Congratulations not only on your material success but, even more, on discovering ways to work through your feelings and coming to a place of peace. I am happy for you!

Wishing you much peace, joy and an abundance of inspiration,

Much love,
Edda

_____________________________

Peace and joy!

Post #: 14

RE: Breakthrough! - 3/26/2008 9:28:28 AM

Celeste

Posts: 21
Joined: 3/4/2008
From: Ohio
Status: offline

That's great news, Michelle! As my old aunt used to say, "You done good!"
It takes courage to do the thing you know you must do, to follow that inner-knowing when the world tells you otherwise. It isn't easy being an artist in this "bottom line" world ... Best, Celeste

Post #: 15