Last year I went to Vegas for the first time.  My girl’s trip was taking me to the Wynn that year and I was thrilled.  Almost everyone in my regular life had a negative opinion of this impending trip.   

I heard; it has bad energy, too much drinking, sleazy people, unclean and immoral and my favorite said to me by my acupuncturist, what good can come of a happily married woman going to Vegas?  Hello projections and opinions – where did these people think I was going to hang out?  Stripe clubs and street corners?  Of course all these negative comments only made me more determined to go…However I was concerned about the cost.  Vegas, unless you’re winning, can be expensive quick – of that much I was sure.  Thus I was confused – should I or shouldn’t I go? 

Meditation helps me to get clear and become quiet – within the quiet I can often hear guidance.  Loudly, clearly the message came through to go on the trip and the money would be taken care of.  My eyes popped open and I thought of course, I’ll throw dice and get a huge tip.  Off to Vegas.

 On the third day in Vegas I was down maybe twenty bucks but I was really enjoying myself.  I loved always dressing up, the shows, free drinks, the shopping, the lights, the dancing, the pools, our hotel…It was fabulous.  As my girlfriend and I walked through the casino that day, a few older gentlemen with piles of chips in front of them called to us to throw dice and I thought – that’s it, my money.  Before I could say a word, my friend waved them off and said to me, “Kelly, you of all people can win here.  Just feel the game call to you.  You know you can do this.”

 I thought, she’s right, I can do this, I can create my own winnings.  Not five minutes later I saw the slot machine for me – Queen of Hearts – redhead like me, nickel slot (I didn’t even know they had nickel slots…)  I pulled maybe three times, probably spent 40 cents total, and $868 appeared.  Happy, screaming day!  We were idiots, giddy with success and the best part – we cashed out and ran up to our rooms to lock it in the safe.  The trip paid for itself.

 I had been so quick to think someone else needed to give this to me instead of realizing I can create it myself.  Amusingly this was the beginning of a wonderful pattern – most of my vacations somehow pay for themselves now.  It’s remarkable really and I feel it is a direct result of being in flow with the universe, an abundant universe that is always looking to support and lift you up. 

 I invite you to slip into your own quiet meditative state and discover what magic is waiting for you…create your own winning today.

Dance – Flip on the tunes, grab your microphone (aka favorite hairbrush) and shake-it!  Nothing and I do mean nothing can change your mood for the better faster than getting up and moving around to a grinding beat. 

 Play – a card game, Wii, draw, cook, create anything…Stop looking at the to-do list and begin having more fun.  How did life get so serious anyway?  Too much thinking, not enough playing.

 Dream – a vacation, a new job, a new beginning…Before dreams become reality, first the dreaming…Do some research online, journal, watch travel DVDs and begin talking to new people.  Expand your horizons, be open – who knows where your dreams will carry you…

 Set an Intention – What is one shift you could make today for the better?

 Forgive – does a name pop in when you see the word forgive?  Is it you?  Forgive yourself.  Remember you’re learning, growing into a better you.  Mistakes are to be expected (opportunities…)  When you really forgive yourself, others can be forgiven too and peace becomes possible again.  (Create forgiveness with meditation.)

 Be grateful – for the air you breathe, the food you eat, the warm bed you slip into each day…be grateful.

 Today is a good day to…be.  Who do you want to be?

January is long.  After all the hubbub of holiday gatherings beginning in November, January can feel an odd mix of relief and loneliness.  The dark days fill with almost endless nights and your thoughts – whirling, spinning in your head…Did he really say that?  What did she mean?  Can you believe that happened – it was horrible…Over and over – examining each incident, every offense, all the words…Why?  You stay connected.

 It may seem strange but the fights, angst and worry keep you in relationship with those you pretend to no longer care about.  Think about it – when you don’t really care, you are neutral.  When you fight/worry over someone, you reactivate connection.  In a way this feeds the connection.  You get to think about them and judge their actions/behaviors from your own other place. 

 Forget the messy business of real communication and speaking to the person, you’ll have the discussion/arguments in your mind…over and over and over.  Imagining what you could have said, what you will say next time, the witty comebacks…and there’s January spinning within.

 I invite you to stop.  Give everyone a break – the holidays can stir up emotions in the most grounded of folks.  Hence emotions can run high during the first few days/weeks of January.  Take a nice deep breath in – down into your belly.  Exhale.  Let’s try one more.  Feel your shoulders relax.  It’s ok, really it is ok.

 This is a time of quiet, a turning inward.  A time when being alone is essential.  This alone time is a chance to rest, rejuvenate and create.  It is the opportunity to slip into your own cocoon of transformation…

 The quiet can be frightening at first.  When it’s quiet you can’t avoid the real issue – you.  Yupe, back to you again.   It’s where the struggle began and where all paths lead back to - you. 

 If you are spinning – write, meditate, seek out support and most importantly, stop.  At some point you have to decide to think about something else, to stop yourself and force yourself to be a different way.  It’s not going to feel comfortable.  Why?  It’s different, you’re doing it in a new way, of course it would feel a bit awkward at first.  But do it a different way anyway.  Within a short time, what was awkward becomes normal. 

 This month use the quiet to discover hidden talents, write, rest and most of all, unlock peace.  Let the quiet tuck you into solitude and rejuvenation – the flowers will bloom in later in Springtime, now is a time to quietly transform…

Please enjoy this guided meditation.  I wanted to provide you a way to quickly ground yourself and provide an easy pathway to peace no what kind of holiday kookiness is unfolding around you…Peace be with you.   

What is the difference between loneliness and solitude?  One is an experience of sorrow and the other replenishment.  Why?  Simply – you.  Yupe, it’s not pretty and you may want to rebel, but it’s true.  You create your reality through choices and the thoughts/beliefs you focus on each day. 

 But here’s the good news – you can make a shift.  Being alone doesn’t have to equal lonely.  Here are a few tips to help you connect to the rejuvenation found in solitude.

 1.       Rest.  I bet you are exhausted and you don’t even know it because you have always been this way.  Lay down on the floor or grass and feel your body supported by the earth.  Close your eyes and breathe in deeply.  Shift your legs gently from side to side – feel yourself really connected to the earth.  Rest.

2.       Read.  Not a magazine, a book.  Fall into another world and give yourself a break from reality.  Explore the world from your favorite armchair…

3.       Journal.  Write about anything and everything.  Instead of keeping your thoughts, fears and dreams locked within – let go.  Thoughts spinning in your mind can trap you into fear, but brought into the light – things can be hashed out. 

4.       Arts.  Draw, paint, play musical instruments – be creative.  When you participate in the arts, you allow your incessantly thinking mind to stop.  If you believe you can’t draw – get a coloring book.  Relax and play.

5.       Nature.  Go for a walk or hike and really examine the path around you.  Do you see any animals?  Are the leaves falling?  How does the ground feel beneath your feet?  Can you smell the changing seasons?  Sink into this moment with all your senses. 

6.       Meditate.  Meditation is a pathway to transformation – changing your thoughts does change your life. 

7.       Garden.  Nothing is more grounding or nourishing then hands in the dirt.  Just because the weather has shifted does not mean the growing season has ended – bulbs.  Plant bulbs outside for spring and indoors for beauty.  Try paperwhites and amaryllis in glass vases and enjoy the magic of new life unfold right before your eyes.

8.       Be still.  Sit by a window and see what is happening in your own backyard.  Does the yard need attention?  Are there any animals?  Birds?  How do you feel within as you look out?  What thoughts pop in?  Are they lifting you up or pushing yourself down?  Can you gently, kindly make a shift?

 Of course there are moments when we may feel lonely, but when these moments stretch into a way of being – unhappiness and isolation are the result.  It does not have to be this way…It begins with you.

Today we are going to try a technique I call active meditation.  This technique guides you into total relaxation as we unlock your own unique gifts.  Discover real answers and support on your path to peace.  Come, let’s begin our journey… 

If you are struggling with where you are in your life right now – I invite you to examine your inner dialog.  What are you thinking about?  Are you worrying?  Are you what-if-ing your days away?  Are you flexible? 

 Maybe you’ve tried manifesting exercises before with what you thought was little success, but guess what?  I’m betting it worked – just not the way you wanted it too. 

 Manifesting isn’t about doing certain exercises or meditations (although they can help!) it’s about your inner dialog.  Are you lifting yourself up or pushing yourself down?  Worry attracts more things to worry about.  Positive thinking leads to possibilities.  Thoughts really do expand.

 Again I invite you to look at your own inner dialog – are you berating yourself for things left undone?  Are you patient?  Do you give yourself a break or are you a relentless perfectionist?  Are you complaining your life away?  Is it someone else’s fault?  Regrets?  Are you calling yourself names?  Do you feel good about life?

 Guess what?  It starts with you.  Somehow, someway you have to make a shift.  What is one thing you can do today to improve your inner dialog?

 Suggestions: 1.       Cues -  place words or pictures around your home and workspace to remind yourself of peace, trust, love…

2.       When you discover yourself complaining – shift your language without yelling at yourself, “Why can’t I do better?”

3.       Journal.

4.       Guided meditation – try I Meet Success or my free download, My Best Self.

5.       Laugh more – it’s a lot easier to be flexible when you are happy.  Connect to friends, watch silly movies (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe), read funny books (anything by David Sedaris) or simply, play.  What did you like to do as a kid and can you do that now?  

 Real change is not waving a magic wand or overnight decisions.  Real change is many, many steps.  It is not sexy or exciting – it’s breaking a habit.  Sometimes one of our bad habits is negative thinking.  It takes time to shift your language just because it takes time for a new language to integrate into your thoughts.  How many years have you been thinking in a certain way and now you would like a new way? 

 Relax, have patience with yourself – you are on you way…

Today we are going to discuss past lives and you will even discover how a specific past life is affecting your life today.  Recently the subject of past lives has been popping up everywhere for me – both positively and negatively and often, amusingly…discover new ways to unlock your life today. 

Let go of the stress and be guided into relaxation easily and effortlessly…

If you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed or a little out of control - try these quick fixes to ground yourself into your body again.

 1.       Breath.  Breathe deeply into your stomach until you feel your body internally relax.  No holding your breath!  Flow.

 2.       Touch.  Massage your lower abdominal muscles.  Rub the space between your stomach and pubic bone in a circular motion – creating heat.  Notice your shoulders relax and your breath deepens…

 3.       Heat.  Place heating pads along your core (front or back) and/or shoulders to release tension.

 4.       Short guided meditation; try my new podcast on the right – guided to relaxation.  Less then 5 minutes to better thinking…

 Let me know if you have any questions…Enjoy.