If you’d like to radically improve your own ‘personal’ economy, stop what you are doing and listen to the latest Co=Creation Cafe call: Abundant Blessings—Activate Your Money Mojo with special guest, Janet Carol Ryan.

Imagine this… you are about to sit down at your desk to pay your bills. What is your state of mind and being right now? Are you in the flow of divine good, at ease and with a feeling of eager anticipation? Or is it more like a burden, a chore, or worse… is there a feeling of dread, resistance and fear coming over you?

As students and practitioners of metaphysics we know the fundamental principle, that ‘where attention goes, energy flows’ ‘what we think about, comes about’, and that the inner beliefs and attitudes around money or anything else in life are reflected in our outer experience. But does all of this come to a screeching halt when there is a stack of bills in front of us? When the ‘rubber hits the road’, are you running thoughts of scarcity and lack, or even resentment about the mounting demands on what suddenly seems to be a very limited resources? That will be the subject of our next call with special guest, Janet Carol Ryan, a licensed metaphysical counselor based in Northern California, with clients all over the world.

Janet is “Your Partner in Possibilities” —she helps people break through limitation with the practical application of universal principles in everyday life. She teaches classes and sees clients in private practice, and has produced two empowering CD’s - Abundant Blessings (for healing money issues) and Flower of the Heart (a meditation CD to facilitate our inner connection for heart-centered living).

Listen to this call online or download an MP3 file athttp://affirmingspirit.com/Co=CreationCafe/ccc_archive.htm

See links related to the call at http://cocreationcafe.wordpress.com/2008/11/16/abundant-blessings/

Enjoy, Nancy

Do any of these sound familiar?

• Whenever a police or fire truck siren is heard, you tense up and worry about who they were responding to and where the catastrophe is…

• When watching the news, every story breaks your heart to hear…

• You avoid the newspaper and nightly news because you can’t bear to hear another negative story about the economy, the environment, and/or politics…

Recently, I have made a conscious decision that has made a real difference in how I experience my life: I consciously choose to imagine that whatever I witness is truly a wonderful thing, a great gift, and amazing opportunity.

For instance, instead of tensing up when I hear sirens, I now feel gratitude and appreciation in my heart for the folks who dedicate themselves to defending, protecting, and saving others’ lives and properties. I wish them God-speed in their efforts as the sirens pass by, and I imagine them arriving at the perfect time to help whomever/wherever they are en route to and feeling great joy in their accomplishments. Hearing the siren gives me a chance to remember the brave folks risk their lives to help others and send them positive energy to do their jobs well.

Now when I see depressing news stories, I ask myself, “Where is the blessing and opportunity in this? What is the best possible outcome?”

It has been said that every negative holds the seed to an equal or greater positive.
When the stock market plummets, wealthy investors get excited about buying into bargains while the middle class gets bogged down in fear and sells what little they have. The wealthy look for opportunities where the rest see fear and despair. Perhaps that depressing news story actually holds a tremendous seed for an equal or greater positive…but you’ll never know if you never look for it!

I keep in mind that when others experience a hardship or difficulty, it is something they have attracted into their life for a reason: A chance to experience a learning opportunity, or a new reason to give back to those that help them, or a cause to motivate them into action, or a reason beyond my personal comprehension. Unless I was personally involved in creating the hardship or difficulty for them, I am really just an observer of what other people have attracted from past thoughts and vibrations. As Abraham-Hicks would say, it’s not my pie. I need to focus my attention on and take responsibility for my pie and let others take responsibility for their own pies.

Sometimes, however, we become observers of other people’s hardships and difficulties for a reason that is specific to us: A reminder for what matters to us,  or a chance to change our own consciousness on a given subject, or a reason to motivate us into compassionate action. There are as many reasons why we need to observe someone else’s difficulties as there are humans on Earth.

The bottom line is, you have a choice: Feel bad (sad, angry, frustrated, irritated, miserable, etc.) about what you observe, or find a reason to feel good (appreciative, loving, grateful, compassionate, etc.) about what you observe. Based on what we know about the Law of Attraction, if you consistently find a reason to feel good then you are vibrating at a higher level and therefore have more power to be of real help than if you are feeling bad. When you are vibrating higher, the solutions that come to you will also be of a higher vibration. Higher vibration solutions provide win-win situations that help everyone involved. From that standpoint, you are of more help to yourself and others when you consciously choose to find the silver lining and feel good.

If this idea resonsates for you, try this exercise for yourself to see if it makes a difference.
The next time you feel yourself tensing up and getting dragged down into negativity when observing, ask yourself: Is it possible to imagine a better outcome? What opportunity does this experience offer? How can this situation be a blessing for everyone involved?

Share your example. Click on Comments below and tell us how you consciously choose to imagine a better outcome or finding the opportunity in your life.  

If the title of this post seems shocking or incorrect to you, then you are exactly the person who needs to read this entire post. Keep reading…

In western cultures, many are taught to believe that if anything happens to you that can be categorized as “bad”, it sucks and you rarely can do anything about it so it should be avoided at all costs. People struck by fear of such experiences buy insurance to protect themselves.

In eastern cultures, many are taught to believe that every life is destined for hardships, that they are unavoidable…that the noble seek them out, dwell in and suffer through them in order to grow in character. People struck by fear of such experiences perform rituals and buy objects to protect themselves despite the inevitability.

What if there is another reality…a greater truth?

What if the truth is: Everything you experience, regardless of how it is categorized (good, bad, happy, sad, miracle, or tragedy), is actually a blessing that will improve your life in unforeseen ways?

Think about the current struggles in your life. How would you live your life differently if you began making the assumption that each struggle is actually a great blessing for which you are grateful?

We know that what we think about, comes about. That where attention flows, energy goes. What does your future hold for you if you are always fearful, angry, frustrated, and worried? In contrast, what future experiences are you attracting if you are happy, grateful, and appreciative?

How would you live your life differently if you knew that a dire medical diagnosis would teach you to value life, help you overcome phobias, live more fully, learn about your body, and make great new friends? That’s what happened to my friend who was diagnosed with a life-threatening blood disease for which there is no known cure. She embraced a positive attitude and asked family, friends, and church members to pray for her. All those positive thoughts focused on her well-being: Her disease is now in remission, which her doctor previously didn’t think was possible! Without the initial diagnosis she would not have lived through such a rich and rewarding experience, nor experienced the miracle of others focusing positive thoughts on her (prayer).

How would you live your life differently if you knew the financial nightmare you are experiencing would actually teach you how to ask for help (and get it), teach you how to receive, and allow others the experience of being your angel? That’s what happened to someone dear to me…always the giver, it took a difficult experience for her to allow others to help. In realizing that she and others were benefiting from this ’struggle’, realizing the blessing and becoming truly GRATEFUL for it, her financial situation turned around almost overnight!

How would you live your life differently if you knew that a sudden job loss actually allowed you to refocus your career on what you’d rather be doing, gives you time to decompress before starting anew, and puts you on the road to a better career with higher income and better quality of life? This is what happened to me…TWICE! The first time, I started a new job (at a temp agency) the next business day making 50% more than I was before, and jump-started an entirely new career. The second time, the severance package allowed me to start a new business with greater earning potential, and flexibility to work from home as I raised my son. That was more than 14 years ago! Now when I hear someone has been laid off, I call them and congratulate them on this wonderful new opportunity in their life.

Still not sure you can view your hardship as a blessing? Then you need to watch this video about Baby Eliot, whose parents made a bold choice: To view their son’s genetic death sentence as an opportunity, not a tragedy. Regardless of your views (pro-choice or pro-life), it cannot be denied that we all have a choice how we view our life experiences. You can dwell on the anguish—or you can make another decision…

If nothing else, I hope you will pause to rethink how you feel about your life and your experiences. I know this to be true: From the moment you begin to see each life experience as a blessing, an opportunity to grow and be blessed, it will begin to morph into exactly that…thrilling you in ways you may never have previously expected!

Nearly two years ago, I was struck by this epiphany and it has changed my life completely! Everything I experience is now a blessing…either obviously so, or in choosing to find the silver lining.

Is there an experience in your life that you can begin to see as a blessing? Please take a moment to share it with us below.

The special for today’s call is Co=Host Secrets: Nancy Barry-Jansson Revealed!

In part 1 of this 2 part series, Melissa Quiter’s background, inspiration, and manifestations were revealed (Oct. 18th call). For part 2, Melissa returns the favor by helping listeners get to know me, Nancy Barry-Jansson.

To download or listen online, visit the Co=Creation Cafe Archives.

To submit question, comments, or continue the conversation, visit the Co=Creation Cafe Blog

Enjoy!
Nancy

Recently, one of the members of an online group focused on discussing positive issues made this comment:
It’s a struggle not to soak up the negative. I try to follow world and national events, but if you look at the homepage of the major news sites, like Fox or CNN, it’s fairly gruesome. Any thoughts on this issue?
What struck me about this question is that many people are feeling this way, taking on the news issues as their own personal problem, and feeling overwhelmed, negative, frustrated, angry, and trapped. The truth is that every situation that is experienced is created by the people involved, which doesn’t necessarily include you. If you can watch/read/hear the news consistently without feeling negatively stressed or overwhelmed, then by all means, keep doing it. However, if you are a person who takes on the world’s problems as your own, obsessively watching/reading/seeking the news is adding more stress to your life than is healthy or necessary. For our own health and well-being, it is important for each person to know their tolerance level and protect themselves, if/when necessary.

There are many ways that one can deal with the overwhelm and negative affects of the news. For example, something that can really help is putting yourself on a news diet.

In 1991, I made a decision that completely changed how I looked at news. At the time, I was a newly-single mom with a 2 year old working full-time outside the home. My newspapers went unread day after day, not from lack of interest, but from lack of energy to read them. After 6 months, and piles of newspapers growing around my apartment, I said, “ENOUGH!”. I recycled the newspapers and canceled my subscription. The relief from feeling pressure to read the paper (and extra money) was greatly appreciated! I was surprised how wonderful a simple decision could be in improving my overall quality of life.

Since I was working full-time, most of my evenings (during which the nightly news airs) fell during dinner preparation or dinner with my young son, quickly followed by bath time, and reading time. There was simply no time to watch the news. By the time the late news came on, I was sound asleep in bed recuperating my body for the next day. The funny thing is, I didn’t miss it! If there was something to know, I somehow heard about it. I also had more time to read books of interest, and it was easier to stay motivated and uplifted. Life was much less overwhelming, and my previously worried mind began to relax, fill with positive possibilities and creative ideas. I’ve never looked back, and during times like this…I’m in a much more stable, happy, and relaxed state of mind than those who are addicted to the news.

My initial ‘news diet’ was imposed by circumstances, less a conscious choice than one of necessity, but anyone can choose a news diet–for a day, a weekend, a week, a month, or more. You don’t have to wait until you are feeling overwhelmed.

Try this for a weekend or a week, and see how you feel as a result:

1. Choose the most uplifting TV shows to watch (or none at all), or watch only uplifting DVDs (no commercials convincing you that you are ill or lacking in some area).

2. Set aside your newspapers until the news diet is over. After that, you can decide whether to keep them or recycle.

3. Keep good reading books handy so you always have something to read when you are at home or in the car. Your local library is a great place to pick up books you have meant to read in the past.

4. Change your browser’s home page to  your favorite search engine or a blank (empty) page. Make a conscious choice ahead of time to stay away from news channels on the web.

5. If you are not already doing so, consciously choose a time and place to meditate. If you are new to meditation, just set a timer for 3-5 minutes and allow yourself to sit in a quiet place with your eyes closed. Allow your mind to wander, and soon it will quiet down. Once 5 minutes is easy, you’ll find yourself wanting to meditate longer and longer.

6. If you haven’t already created a set of personalized affirmations, this is a good time to do it. Sign up for my free Six Steps to Powerful Affirmations eCourse that will walk you through the process. Write them down so you can read through them any time throughout the day. Soon, they will pop into your head on their own, replacing less positive or powerful thoughts.

7. With a quieter mind, focused on positive thoughts, you will find it delightful and fun to spend a few minutes each day visualizing a better life experience. Imagine your affirmations as if you are living them now, and revel in the feelings that come up for you.

Try these simple steps and see how it impacts your life. You can always turn on the news when you feel more calm, ready to hear it (but not absorb it into your being). Remember, where your attention goes, your energy flows…You are always attracting to yourself that which reflects what you are paying attention to. Do you want to attract what you see in the news, or something different?

Do you have other ways to deal with the overwhelm and negativity of the news? Click “Comments” below and let us know what works for you.

The latest Co=Creation Cafe call is Co=Host Secrets: Melissa Quiter Revealed has been posted for your enjoyment.

Melissa Jean Quiter and myself, Nancy Barry-Jansson, have been recording our free Co=Creation Cafe calls since July of this year to offer positive conversations of energy, emotion & inspiration. So much of what we discuss on these free calls comes from our own personal experiences applying Law of Attraction and other metaphysical techniques, so we realized it was time to let our audience know a little more about our experiences that make us who we are today.

In Part 1 of our 2 part Co=Host Secrets series, I interview Texas-based Transition Coach Melissa Jean Quiter. Melissa talks candidly about her life, and shares her influences and inspirations. We are all on a journey, a work in progress, and Melissa shares her journey in this week’s call.To listen to the free call online or download the mp3 by accessing the links at http://affirmingspirit.com/Co=CreationCafe/ccc_archive.htm

You can be notified of upcoming calls as soon as they are posted by signing up for our RSS feeds email notification or feed reader notification. Just visit Co=Creation Cafe and look for the RSS feed links on the bottom right, just under the search bar.

Enjoy! 

If you have subscribed to the Co=Creation Cafe RSS feeds (feed reader or emails), then you have already been notified of the latest calls.If you aren’t signed up for the RSS feeds, check out what you’ve been missing:


The September 20th call was Formula for Manifestation Magic  with Transition Coach Melissa Quiter walking listeners through the process of manifesting.

The October 4th call was  Use Your Emotional Blocks to Build a Successful Life with yours truly, Nancy Barry-Jansson, leading the discussion on ways to uncover and utilize our unconscious beliefs to create a better life.



All Co=Creation Café Calls are free to listen to online or download (mp3), so take a moment to consider some new and wonderful possibilities for your own life! Be sure to visit the Co=Creation Cafe Blog to submit questions, comments, or continue the conversation.

If you are ovewhelmed by the news in today’s media, and nearly everyone around you seems to be complaining abut something…their relationships…their jobs…the economy…Take a breather to listen to the latest Co=Creation Café. Melissa Quiter, a Texas-based Transition Coach, and myself, face the issues that are most common in today’s world and show you how a simple shift of your perspective can bring much needed relief, and positively change your life as a result.To listen to these free calls, visit this page.

You can also subscribe to the RSS feeds for Co=Creation Café so you can be notified by email or see the updates in your favorite browsers. As always, we are happy to continue the conversation with you on the C0=Creation Café Blog. After listening to the call, click the link under the audio player that says Comment on a call or submit a question right now!

Enjoy!

Wow…it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted to this blog, but believe me, I haven’t been sitting on my…ahem…laurels. Nosiree! In addition to creating the latest AffirmingSpirit 2008 Autumn (Quarterly) Newsletter, and managing my presentation business, I’ve been living the law of attraction, applying the techniques, and following inspired action when called to do so.

Case in point: A few months ago I began thinking about a book in my library that I had read about 10 years ago. The book is Manifesting Your Destiny by Wayne Dyer. When I read the book 10 years ago, it didn’t seem to hold any surprises or be terribly impressive, but it did seem to suggest ideas that seemed humanly impossible such as asking for what you want with passion, then forgetting about it and not caring if it comes into physical reality…Yeh, right. At the time, I seriously thought herding cats and training a flea circus would be easier than forgetting about something I truly want!

Anyway, a few months ago I would begin to think of this book out of the blue, and every time I passed the bookshelf it sat on, I felt compelled to pick it up and read it. This is weird because I already have tons of stuff to do, so re-reading a book that didn’t really impress me the first time around seemed odd. Finally, one day, I gave in, and sat down to re-read the book…and was blown away!

First, this was the book where Wayne Dyer switched from writing primarily about psychology (his background) to write about mostly spirituality. In the past year, I learned that Dyer had been profoundly influenced by the teachings of Abraham, but I was unaware of Abraham when I originally read this book. Now, ten years later, and well aware of the teachings of Abraham, I found Dyer’s book completely aligned with those teachings…and therefore, much easier to read.

Secondly, I came to a realization: When I originally read the book 10 years ago, I was not consciously aware enough to understand the depth and importance of what I was reading in that book. Now, however, the words penetrated my psyche and made so much sense.

It’s a good thing that I decided to read that book again. I got so much out of this book the second time around that I simply couldn’t understand, let alone appreciate, the first time. It wasn’t until I read that book that I realized how much I have grown consciously in the past 10 years.

The same is surely true for you…we are all continually growing, evolving beings. Books that didn’t impress you 5 or 10 years ago, may be just what you are ready to receive now. In the spirit of recycling, take a journey through your bookshelf and see if there is something you’d like to revisit. You might be pleasantly surprised to see how much you have grown.

Let me know about how you’ve grown in consciousness…submit your comment below!

The recording for the fourth call in the Co=Creation Café series is now ready for download.

No matter where you are in your life, there is one constant truth that I believe applies to every soul that comes to this earth experience. We each have a unique gift, a contribution if you will, that we came to share.

This call explores what life purpose really means, how it can show up in your life, how to discover it if it seems to be hiding and how to start taking small action steps to start living it.

If you are bored, exhausted and ready to connect to the deepest part of your soul, this call is for you! To listen to the call now, visit the Co=Creation Café archive page.

After you listen, share your stories, insights and experiences on the Co=Creation Café blog. We all grow through each other!