Not as I planned - End of week 1

Well ... it is the end of week 1 of my new life and things are definitely moving and changing. Which is great.

Unfortunately not as I had planned.

I was going to be very logical and systematic about it but the universe had other ideas.

I started reading "How to be Wildly Wealth Fast" by Sandy Forester. Instead of reading book from cover to cover and only extracting 1 or 2 items and not doing anything. I decided to read 1 or 2 chapters a night. Meditate on it and plan to do something the next day as revision. Each chapter is only 3 or 4 pages long so it doesn't take long.

First exercise was to design your ideal day. Well my ideal day had not money in it. and I was doing my idea day really but I am still surviving. "Surviving" is a word I use a bit - must work on that.

So I decided to design my ideal profit making day. What would I be doing and make money doing it. No that was interest.

At the same time I have been listening to Derek Gehl and Brett Mcfall and they were talking about doing the profit things first. Do the things that make 80% of your income first. Or work on your business before you work in your business.

So I challenged myself what your happen if I spent 2 hours a day working on products for my business instead of all the other stuff.

Well I open up a word document and starting listing heading and ideas for ebooks and articles I could write. In a way it was getting the information out of my head and onto the paper. Something I had promised myself on Monday.

The list just keeps growing. I was going to write one big ebook with every thing in it but I hate reading big ebook so why write one. Lots of little ebooks with separate topic are more useful to the reader. Articles can spin off from the ebooks or visa versa.

In summary:
I have be doing - Action
I have be getting information out of my head.
I have changed my goals to be more in-line with what I can achieve.
Small bits more often.

How have you been going with your goals?

Leona

Today is the first day of....

Last night I decided (again) that I am going to change my life around from ordinary to extra-ordinary.

I have decided this before but this time I am going to tell you all about it. You can take the journey with me and give me feedback (read - kick in the butt). If you have stuff you want to work through - lets do it together.

I need to work on a number of things - well lots of things really. Maybe I need to starting writing the list of all the ideas in my head - it is so much in my head that my head is foggy.

Then I can play paper shuffle. I can physically sit on the floor and sort paper into piles.

It may not be the most efficient way of putting down idea put I will be about to do some prioritising at the same time. (I know this should be a separate task.)

Major areas are my business and part-time job, my children and me.

When I have finished this I will let you know my next step.

Leona

Things to do before you die

While I was at the dance eisteddfod i got a book out of the library that I was reading just for fun. "Things to do before you die"

It gave me great ideas of things to aim for

• learn another language
• visit famous places
• see the aurora borealis
• drive on a race track

It gave me idea on things that I don't want to do

and want is amazing that some of the the things they suggested - I have actually done

• milked a cow
• scuba dive
• spend a night watching ballet
• read the children's classical novels
• make a sandcastle

This little diversion has given me a push to achieve more goals. Some small, some big and some fun and interesting.

We often have a long list of work related goals and most of them have many steps but I have decided to include some fun little goals to live a little and maybe I can use them as rewards for achieving the big serious work related goals

What fun goals do you want to achieve?

Until next time

Leona

Dance eisteddfod finished now for some real work

It has been a very long time between posts.

I have been very busy with my children's activities namely my daughters dance eisteddfod. It is now over.

She got 2 highly commendeds and a second place for the jazz trio and one first, one second, four thirds and a high commended in group dances. Wonderful results.

Now I can get some order back into my life and get organised. But the back log is huge. seems like the same issues again and again.

Leona

Easter - Resurrection Day

Easter is here. I love easter.

1. We get four day off.
2. The kids get to rest for 4 days - no dance, no school - Term 1 is nearly over and the kids are tired.
3. It reminds me of Easter 2007.

Easter last year I attended my first Christopher Howard seminar and I just zing every time I remember the energy generated over those 3 days. Last year it was held over Easter. Day 3 is usually called Transformation day but as it was Easter Sunday and we re-dubbed it Resurrection day. Because we had cried out our past, celebrated our achievements and celebrated who we are and set our goals for the new us. We were ready to face the world with our new thought patterns and new beliefs.

Even when I crewed in the September I still thought of it as Resurrection day. That's how embedded in my thought patterns it is. Just image what it did to thought patterns I wanted to change.

My kids love Easter because of the hot cross buns and easter eggs. I love Easter because it gives me a chance to assesses my beliefs and refocus and emerge as the person I want to be.

In a month I will be crewing again. Christopher Howard and all the crew will be back in Brisbane April 18 - 20.

I love helping people. I love seeing people breaking life long patterns and emerging happier. The energy created over the very full 3 days is astounding.

I have some free passes valued at $895.00. But Hurry. Next weekend he will be in

• Sydney March 28 - 30, 2008 Enrol Now
• Auckland April 4 - 6, 2008 Enrol Now
• Perth April 11 - 13, 2008 Enrol Now
• Brisbane April 18 - 20, 2008 Enrol Now
• Melbourne September 5 - 7, 2008 Enrol Now
• Adelaide September 26 - 28, 2008 Enrol Now

Enjoy the fun of Easter, play.

Leona

Back on track again

This morning I did my power praxis for Simple.ology again.

I am feel great. Let me explain. I have a great little program called Simple.ology that I list ALL the things I have to do. Everything. I can list everything I think of for now and in the future.

Now that is a long list. It is now out of my head and on the page.

But the beauty of this system in what happens next. You have the options of:

• Do it now
• Delegate it
• Schedule it
• Do it later

The great part is that the items are never lost or forgotten. In the past they were on pieces of paper - lost.

Once I do an item I can tick it off as completed. Simple.

It has some other wonderful tools I will tell you about then another time.

So after all the sorting and chucking of paper for the last couple of days. It is great to list some items that look towards the future and not the past. And tick them off when they are done.

I have decided that Marvellous March will be a the month to simplify. I have sorted through the paper piles and now I am doing the stuff that is left.

Having the reward of seeing the completed item tick is great for the self-esteem as well.

If you use Simple.ology tell me how often you use it and how your productivity has increased.

If you haven't used and want to know more click here to be sent to the Simpleology 101. Don't worry it free. It may look overwhelming at first, but it not, the whole program comes with an easy step by step guide.

Now that I am ready to complete some more things on my list I better get back to it.

Leona

Holographic Universe shock

I have finally read the "Holographic universe" by Michael Talbot. My husband wanted to know why I was reading it now - our copy is 17 years old.

My excuse is that I had better things to do and I was not ready to get down and difficult with quantum theory. Boy, was I in for a shock.

Let me explain. I have read about out-of-body experiences, near-death-experience, UFO and other unexplainable stuff since I was 10, nearly 30 year ago (Oops there goes the secret about my age - I turn 40 this year).

So I believe in other things outside this 3D world. Things that can't be explained by science. And I had figured out that eventually science will answer the questions they are been repeatedly asking.

For example was is the smallest particle - an atom. What makes up an atom - Subatomic particles. etc etc. Science will eventually catchup to the imagination of sci-fi.

So what was the shock I experienced by reading this book. This book was easy to read, why was I putting it off?

This book was a reminder of how wonderful and powerful our mind is. Are we ready to create our world as we want it?

Just think of all those negative things you have in your life - big and small: wars, traffic jams, bills, debt, family feuds, unemployment, sickness, waiting lists.

• What if you could change all that?
• Does that scare you or excite you?

"The Secret" and "The Law of attraction" teased us about what is possible but are you ready to change?

Yep - you have to change what you are thinking, change what you are believing and change what you are doing. What a big ask.

Some people are truly happy complaining about traffic and governments. See the negative world in all it glory.

• Are you ready to change to be better?
• Yes?
• Just checking?
• This is how you do it. Ask?
• Ask yourself what need to change?
• Ask yourself how it needs to change?
• Receive the answers AND
• Do It.

Be the scientist: list the questions and find out the answers. Stick at it until you have the answers, until you have the change.

The Holographic Universe explains placebo effects. Or Fake it until you make it. Step out of your zone try something new. It doesn't really matter if logically it doesn't make sense. We are not working with logic we are working with mind and beliefs. Your belief and hope will make it work.

Step up and change your world, change your thinking and change your world.

One wonderful example of this was a lady who attended the Christopher Howard Breakthrough to Success Weekend in Brisbane in September 2007. This lady was petrified of snakes. I mean she could not even say the word "snake". Within one day and using only one of his techniques about beliefs. She organised for a snake handler to bring his collection of snakes and lizards to the event to prove that she had conquered her phobia. She spend an hour playing with snakes. Amazing.

Leona

Why do Monsters Lose?

My 6 year old son asked me "Why do monsters always lose?". He was very upset and I could see his point of view.

Think about King Kong and Godzilla. I suppose in the animorphs win.

Do we as humans think, or know, that we are so superior that we should always conquer. Anyone who is different e.g. Spiderman or Batman, have a secret life and hide their real identity from the world to retain their power.

Is this a metaphor for ourselves?

• Do we hide our real self for the world to protect who we are?
• Do we believe that if people know who we really are we would lose our power and be ... powerless... normal?
• Do we fight and suppress the animal or the bad bits so we don't have to face them?
• Would we lose our power if we acknowledged the other side?
• Or are we missing out on our true selves.

Our true selves is a balance of right and left, positive and negative, yin and yang, good and bad. By accepting and acknowledging the yucky bits we have more control and understanding of who we are. The monsters lose the power and we lose the fear attached to it.

So imagine the Movie "Godzilla turns over a new leaf".

• The setting is California.
• The evil monster arrives and scared the people.
• The people accept that the monster is trying to scare them but they have had worse in their lives and this huge monster is good for tourism.
• The people have no fear for the monster. They love and accept the monster - even promote the monster.
• Godzilla has lost his power and reforms.
• Godzilla spends his days rescuing ships and giving children rides.

A movie life sci-fi meets chick flick. mmmm. Ratings = 0.

Nobody will want the monster to turn good. It is much more fun if it stays bad and we and spend our energy battling the fear. Slaying the savage beast.

So dear son, The monster always loses because the humans are to afraid to let him win, it is much safer to battle and fight than to change and forgive.

Leona

Are you ready for profound results?

Christopher Howard is Starting his Australia tour soon. Get a free Ticket here.


Not convinced watch this video on You Tube. You will never have a weekend quite like this this. It is fun and you will feel on top of the world.


I love the Breakthrough to Success Weekend so much that I crewed in September last year (2000 people) and I will be crewing in Brisbane, April 18- 20.


Chris visits most Capital Cities in Australia, visit this link to see when. He also has begun in the UK. Over 5000 people attended the London launch last year. for London visit this link.


Enjoy the video, it is only a small fraction of the energy that is generated at this event.

Leona

The Shift movie

Are you ready for a change of feel that a change is coming. Well watch this video.



http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1304995810/bctid1318906013


Leona

How to progress from backlog?

When I have been back from my forced break for 2 weeks now and I am taking it very slow. But my biggest problem is how to get through all the stuff that has piled up over the week I was off line. For days it felt like one step forward and 3 steps back.

I would read heaps of emails and then my inbox would fill up again. So I had to get tough. I have decided that I need to unsubscribe from lists. I do this about every 6 months or so. You might need to do it more frequently.

1. First decide with category emails are coming in:

• friends
• family
• works
• information
• learning
• fun.

2. Set up rules in your emails

• Friend and Family go to a selected folders
• Works can be diverted to dedicated folders.
• newsletters and blog posting can diverted to other folders.

3. Make a list of your most frequent emails. I usually work on 10 at a time.

4. Every time you receive an email from this list read it and decide if this was useful. Tick if it was or Cross if it was not.

5. At the end of a week look at the number of ticks and cross - if you had more crosses than ticks - unsubscribed from this newsletter. It is taking up more time than you need.

Remember some item or programs you download automatically add you to their email lists e.g. itunes. Decide if you really find this useful.

Some emails are from products that have been free. Great marketing tool but does the extra information really serve you now.

Sometimes you have subscribe to 2 or 3 lists to decided which is the best one. If the lists give you the same information but at different times. Focus on what have the best information or the extra information.

There are a lot of decision to be made. Make the time to make the decision and yes it will have to made regularly because our tastes change. What was important to you a year ago may not be relevant today.

At the moment I seems to be unsubscribed from a lot of stuff. And it is taking a bit of time but I am looking forward to next week when my downloaded unread emails no longer reach 3 digits.

If you feel that you still need all newsletters from months and years ago - I suggest that they are either all excellent and constantly change to meet you interests (tell me about them) or you have not changed in your thoughts and ideas. I would suggest to live a little and step out of your comfort zone. Try something different.

Now back to my emails

Leona

Mike Dooley ticket selling fast

If you were thinking of attending Mike Dooley seminars while he is in Australia seats are selling fast.

TOUR DATES MARCH 2008

• Perth - 8th & 9th
• Melbourne - 11th & 12th
• Brisbane 13th & 14th
• Sydney - 15th & 16th
• Auckland 18th & 19th

Some of the VIP dinners are sold out

• Sydney VIP Dinner *SOLD OUT*
• Brisbane VIP Dinner*SOLD OUT*

*Brisbane Workshop Filling Fast*

Early Bird Pricing Finishes:

• Perth This Friday
• Melbourne Next Wednesday
• Brisbane Next Friday
• Sydney Next Saturday

Click Here

7 Universe Laws for a Joyously life

I have received this email from a friend of mine, Ishtar. She is a gifted channel and will be recording these special sessions. Please contact Ishtar for more information. Please read her message below.

The Universal Laws The Secret of Living Your Life Joyously

When I first saw the film The Secret I did not resonate so much with it because I felt it was focusing more on the idea of what we want and desire on a physical level – money, fast cars, big houses, money, relationships, money, big houses, new appliances, better jobs, money – and it did.

I felt that the key to living an abundant life was not solely about what we have or own. I felt there was something missing in this story. And this is what I focused upon in regard to The Secret instead of the message it was giving.

But I realise it focused upon those things to get our attention. So we would listen and sit up and take notice.

And it worked.

Millions around the planet took notice and applied what the Secret taught on the Law of Attraction.

• But how many of you have seen the full benefits or are even still using it today?
• How many of you now have all you want - fast cars, bigger better homes, and oodles of money?
• How many of you have truly manifested joy and happiness in your life?
• How many of you have found it just too hard and gave up or fell into the belief that you couldn’t do it?

This is because the Law of Attraction doesn’t work on its own. There are 7 primary Universal Laws that all work together.

Basically, you can’t have one without the other. In the Secret they did talk about these other laws, but not in detail so most people only focused on and practiced the Law of Attraction. The key is to work in harmony with all 7 Universal Laws and they will support the Law of Attraction and you will change not only your beliefs and the way you think but the way you live your life.

What are these?

• The Law of Divinity
• The Law of Karma
• The Law of Reflection
• The Law of Love
• The Law of Forgiveness
• The Law of Creation
• and the one you know about already The Law of Attraction.

As a Divine Ascended Master Channel I have been guided to offer 6 morning sessions on these Universal Laws. What they are and how you can work with them in your life. Some of these sessions will be in a channel form by an Ascended Master. At the end of each session there will be a channelled Question and Answer time for participants with Saint Germain.

The dates are:

• Saturday February 23
• Saturday March 8
• Saturday March 15
• Saturday March 22
• Saturday April 19
• Saturday April 26

Times: 10am to 1pm. Cost: $20 or $10 concession each session.

Where: 29 Jirrima Crescent Lake Cooroibah (5 mins from Tewantin), sunshine coast, Queensland, Australia

Bookings: Number are limited so booking your place is essential. Phone: Ishtar on 5455 6787 or email ishtar11@bigpond.net.au

ABOUT ISHTAR
Ishtar is a Rainbow Bridge Channel for the Ascended Masters of Shambhala an other celestial beings.She holds the keepership of the Wisdom, Knowledge and Mysteries rays through connection to the Great Pyramid, The Sphinx and the Libraries of Light. Ishtar is an emissary of love and light who works with the brotherhood and sisterhood to assist others to open to the love of the one heart within their being. An graduate of the Gaia Sacred Mystery School, Ishtar holds regular workshops, classes, and meditations groups and channel groups around Australia and at her country property in south-east Queensland in Australia. She also is an energetic healer and is trained in many modalities including Ascension Healing, Crystal Dreaming, Pranic Healing, Reiki, Orion, Aromatherapist, Massage Therapy, Spiritual Counselling, EFT and TFT, Australian Bush Flower Essences and Light Essences.

Randy Pausch video

Brett Mcfall suggested this video in his blog and I just have to pass it on.

You tube video about the last lecture by Randy Pausch.

This is very entertaining full of his life lessons. Grab a cuppa and watch this 60 minute video

Leona

Money a spiritual Journey

I know I have discussed money on this blog before but when i read this comment from Jon Giaan Do You Really Have To Be Selfish To Be Rich? , I knew I had to let you know about his different perspective.

Jon believes, and has a compelling argument for, that:

• Yes, you need to be selfish, and
• The pursuit of money is actually a spiritual journey.

Many business coaches tell us to pay ourselves first and then 10% to charity. Some even remind us that to help the world we must support ourselves first. Help the poor by not being one.

Now this may not happen overnight (I nearly said won't happen overnight - now that's a limiting belief). But is seems to yet another process of changing our beliefs.

He argues that "Money is neither good nor bad, it simply has the power to reflect who you are."

Now that got me thinking about and deal with money. It is a dirty thing that needs a good clean. Don't laugh. Has your mother ever told you wash you hands after handling money because of all the germs on it? But I don't make dirty deals with money nor do I launder it.

Maybe its all about what we focus on. Is money and the control of money a power we have or has something else got the power i.e. the bank, the government, your partner, your family?

Mmmm looks like I will looking at those hidden beliefs again.

Leona

Mike Dooley visits Perth first

'The Secret' is out in Perth

Perth residents will be the first to see The Secret teacher Mike Dooley when he visits Australia next month.

The Secret DVD has caused a sensation across the world. It has been produced in 20 languages and has already sold over a million copies in Australia alone. Featured on Oprah and played in households from New York to New South Wales, it has changed the way thousands of people relate to their world.

The Secret features a collection of inspirational teachers and philosophers who all believe in the universal law of attraction. Used by many prominent people throughout the ages, they teach methods of harnessing the universe's energy to realise your dreams.

International best selling author, adventurer and charismatic speaker, Mike Dooley was one of the teachers featured on The Secret. He has taken his message to packed auditoriums and function centres throughout the world and is currently on his second world tour. His web based adventurers club, Total Unique Thoughts (TUT) boasts over 190,000 members in 182 countries.

Now, he is spreading his wings and flying down under, visiting Perth for the first time at the invitation of Australia company Inspire Your Day (IYD).

IYD's founder and director Tracy Woolley said Mike is the first Secret teacher touring Australia and New Zealand in 2008 and the response has been enormous.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be able to offer his teachings in these one-of-a kind events," she said. "There are still spots available, but they are filling very quickly."

Unlike most famous speakers who focus their tour in Sydney and Melbourne, Mike has agreed to start with events in the west coast after an overwhelming outpouring from his readers there. Perth residents will be the first to see this inspirational man on March 8 and 9 at the Burswood Entertainment Complex. The tour then travels to Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland.

There is nothing old about the material he will share. At the Preview on March 8, before his full day workshop the next day he will explain how 'Thoughts Become Things', how to use the law of attraction to your benefit and how to discover your own infinite possibilities.

"Like the daily Notes from the Universethat I write, the material I'll share on this tour is designed to slip past your defenses, into your heart, and plant seeds that will blossom into understanding, action, and life changes," Mike said.

Whilst in Perth Mike will also be available in person for book signings at Boffins Bookshop, Hay Street on March 8 at 3pm and Sanity/Virgin stores on Monday March 10.

Early-bird discounts for the full day workshop on March 9 are available until Friday February 22.

To book your place visit www.inspireyourday.com.au

You can also listen to a FREE Audio Excerpt of 'Thoughts Become Things' LIVE For a very limited time only (Normally $9.95 US).

For interview opportunities with Mike Dooley and all other enquiries please call Tracy Woolley on +61 7 5476 8600or email tracy@inspireyourday.com.au .

Optimist / Pessimism contimuum

I can across this well written concise article from Life Optimizer Being Optimist: 8 ways to overcome pessimism. from Donald Latumahina.

Here are 8 ways listed by Donald:

1. Find a cause you believe in;
2. Focus on the possibilities, not the impossibilities;
3. Read inspirational stories;
4. Be part of a team;
5. Connect to your cause;
6. Connect to your spiritual power source;
7. Get rid of negative words;
8. Open your mind for unexpected ways.

I look at optimism and pessimism as a continuum from one extreme to another and depending on where you are on this line will depend on what percentage of your focus is optimistic and what percentage is pessimistic.

I think to be optimistic you need to believe in something good or something better. And you will fill your life with the positive things that make you fill good. For example books, movies, friends and physical activities. As the song in the Life of Brian says "Always look on the bright side of life."

Now the downside can be guilt - which is a negative. This negative to balance out or ground you in reality and it can come from family and friends.

Take each day as a step further towards optimism and less towards pessimism. But please don't be hard on yourself if have a "bad" day. It will take time to retrain your brain.

Think happy thoughts

Leona

Women and business

I found this interesting article from Amanda Gome "Top 10 lessons of successful female entrepreneurs"

The article is focused on women entrepreneurs but the main points about women's relationship with money and work is the same whether you're in business or not.

"... the ambitious businesswoman who tells anyone that will listen that money does not matter, shuns any talk of profit and works long hours in low growth or no growth businesses.
Often they start their business because they see a niche and want flexibility and independence. They end up, if they are lucky, barely replacing their salary and wondering what the hell they have done; this was never the plan."

Amanda Gome offers 10 steps to success.
including: Money is good – talk about it, borrow it, control it, embrace it

I myself has had to learnt to talk about money, learn to focus on money as a thing that needs attention. I am still learning what money it and is not. I can balance checkbook and do bookkeeping but in my mind that is just numbers and I find numbers easy. But money is not numbers is has weight and expectations attached. Expectations from family and friends.

Some other points covered are technology, spouse, discrimination, children and guilt.

Enjoy this read and focus on one thing that you can change for a more productive change today.

Leona

Mike Dooley tickets Australia

You saw him as a Teacher in 'The Secret' DVD,

He sends out 'Notes from The Universe',

and says 'Thoughts Become Things',

Now...

See him as a special guest of mine as a result of my association with Tracy Woolley at Inspire Your Day Australia.

Mike Dooley, Adventurer, International Bestselling Author, and 'Teacher' from The Secret DVD is touring Australia and New Zealand in March 2008.
In 'The Secret' Book & DVD, which explains with simplicity the law that is governing all lives, Mike offers knowledge on how to create a joyful life and how your 'Thoughts Become Things'.

The Secret DVD has sold over a million copies in Australia and has been translated into at least 31 languages and the book has more than nine million copies in print worldwide available in 20 languages.

After working and living around the world for Price Waterhouse, in 1989 Mike co-founded 'Totally Unique Thoughts' (TUT) which grew into a regional chain of stores and "Totally Unique T-shirts" reached consumers around the globe selling over 1 million.

In 2000 he transformed TUT into a web based inspirational and philosophical adventurers club which now has over 170,000 members in 182 countries.

Come along to the Previews of Mike's Workshop entitled 'Thoughts Become Things’ or his Workshops the following day 'Manifesting Change: It Couldn't Be Easier' (or both!) in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney or Auckland from the 8th to the 19th of March.

Also, there will be an exclusive VIP Dinner in each city for only 20 people, where you will spend 2 hours socialising with Mike and those in his private party. What an opportunity to meet one of the world's leading inspirational masterminds.

To book your place at one of these once in a life time events just click on this link http://www.autopilotriches.com/app/?Clk=2231364 and you will be taken to the Inspire Your Day website, and Mike's Tour page. Then click on the 'To Book Click Here' link to purchase your tickets for your favourite city.

Oh and I would advise you get in quickly, seats will fill fast!

Tallyho!!

Back on deck

I have been away from my computer and office for a while - hence no postings. I have be in hospital for a stomach operation.

This has been an interesting experience because I have never been so helpless and so dependent on others before.

And now that I am home there is still lots of things I can't do. So I am very reliant on my husband, my mother and children to do things.

So I have to accept help from others.

Regards

Leona

Can intention can change the world?

I love this little video to remind me about my thoughts.

Can intention change the world? by Lynne McTaggart

What's you thought today?

Leona

Testing your goals

"What you need to know is this: before a dream is realized, The soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realising our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved towards that dream. That's the point at which most people give up. It's the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon... Every search begins with beginner's luck. And every search ends with victor's being severely tested." - The alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Sometimes I wonder if my dreams will ever come out or whether they are not what I am meant to doing.

After reading The Alchemist I was given renewed hope that the challenges are put in the way to test whether you have the courage and the determination to keep going.

By being aware of the signs I am given. I have renewed energy that what I dream of is what I should be doing. Challenges are just that, challenges, little side steps on the way to the grand goal.

I have to be more patient with myself and clearer about what the goals are. Then a step by step plan will show the way to get there.

So if you are getting discouraged, take heart the challenges are there to strengthen your path to your dream.

Good Luck

Leona

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I have just finished reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I original bought this book as a recommendation from a Christopher Howard teleconference.

But then my 10 year old daughter stole it and read it. She thought it was "OK". My Mother-in-law wants to read it after me.


Now that I have wrestle it out of the hands of my family. I devoured it.


I can understand why people rave about it. It is a lovely easy read, but the depth of meaning is beyond measure.


It has messages within messages. Each time you read this book there will be a new insight for you. As you grow spiritual and emotionally more of the words in this book will mean something.

Originally I was going to hire this book out of the library but as all 4 copies were out and with reserves on them, I decided to buy my own copy.

That was a wise decision. I will be reading it again and again and so will the rest of the family.

If you want a lovely story about pursuing a dream then read the Alchemist, I recommend it.

Leona

Negative thoughts are learnings

Donald Latumahina has a useful post today about negative thoughts. He lists 20 tips to defeat negative thoughts mostly based on this principle.

I always think that I am a very positive person. But occasionally I do find that am my own harshest Critic.

So Point 1 - Realize that you only hurt yourself with negative thoughts. Is worth reminding me.

Point 4 - Read positive quotes - My favourite quote are send to me via email 5 days a week from Inspire your day. Always uplifting and inspiring.

I key is to turn negative thoughts in learning experiences to grow into a more positive person that I want to be.

Leona

Life lesson in ending stuff

I had an interesting perspective this morning.

I have been doing a particularly difficult 1000 piece puzzle and it has taken me several days to do. I have done all the cathedral and now, all I had to do was finish the sky. The sky was blue and slight change in shade from light blue to dark blue. What made it extra difficult was that the puzzle pieces could easier fit in several places. This took hours of individually placing each piece in place and stepping back and looking at the overall pattern to see it fits.

This morning I packed away a puzzle.

• Yes, I had the skills to finish the puzzle
• Yes, I had the patience to finish the puzzle

But

• I could use my time doing other things
• I could use skills doing other things
• I could use my patience doing other things.

So I decided by weighting up the pros and cons that I should give up on the puzzle and pack to away (or throw it away?) and move on to something else.

My life lesson: sometimes it is better to stop doing something and just move on.

I always prided myself that I finished stuff.... mmm that's sounds like another belief worth tacking.

Oh let's rephrase it - I believe I should finish stuff. Why? Why should I finish stuff?

I had figured out this morning that sometimes the "pushing yourself to finish a task" is not worth all the other consequences that go with it.

I don't mind spending a day or two on a puzzle as a bit of time out. And, now my children are older, I can teaching them how to do difficult puzzles. It becomes a family activity. I am teaching them skills of looking for shapes and recognising patterns. Which will help them looking for things in their rooms. I can always hope.

I can always find the motivation to finish things if necessary. But what about the activities that I still haven't finished, or even better, the activities that are never finish e.g. housework.

Key word here is motivation. Somehow I need to find the motivation to finish the other activities or the motivation why I am still doing stuff.

Lets analyze the first problem: Motivation to finish.

1. What is the activity?
2. Why did I start the activity?
3. Why have I not finished the activity?
4. Has something better come along to distract me?
5. What would it mean to me to finish the activity?
6. Do I need to finish this activity?
7. Can I just leave the activity in the state is in?
8. How can I reward myself to finish it?

Second problem: Why are you still doing the activity? This flows on from the questions above but with a twist.

1. Why don't I want to finish the activity?
2. Do I enjoy this activity so much that I want to keep going?
3. Does this activity pain me and yet I continue?
4. By doing this activity - what is it stopping me doing?

For example: I did enjoy doing the puzzle it was difficult but OK fun. Then it got difficult and boring. But I continued. So...

• What is the activity? the 1000 piece puzzle
• Why did I start the activity? A time out activity with the children to do while watching TV
• Why have I not finished the activity? It is getting to difficult
• Has something better come along to distract me? No not really
• What would it mean to me to finish the activity? I could see the picture complete before putting it away again
• Do I need to finish this activity? No
• Can I just leave the activity in the state is in? No I need to pack it away. I need the room.
• How can I reward myself to finish it? No reward would be strong enough.
• Why don't I want to finish the activity? I bored with it
• Do I enjoy this activity so much that I want to keep going? No
• Does this activity pain me and yet I continue? yes
• By doing this activity - what is it stopping me doing? getting on with the mending and reading list.

By analysing the whole list of pros and cons (I have not listed them all here), it showed me that I am not a failure. Although this is the first puzzle I have given up on. I am not a failure because I made a decision that it is better to end it now and move on instead of wasting time and energy in complete a task I am not enjoying.

How many activities are there that you have that you think you should finish but can't find the motivation to finish them. Do you think you should just stop and walk away?

Leona

Decluttering notebooks of life

I have been sorting through my old notebooks. It is a very interesting process.

As a reformed hoarder I often have a mass culling of stuff and deciding what I need and what I don't need anymore. For me the reasons why I cull stuff is mostly because I don't need it need it anymore or it is no longer important. By getting rid of the old ideas I can make way for the new.

Sometimes I don't need the information anymore, because I have grown and hence is no longer relevant.

As I am going through the notebook crossing out bits and pieces, I stubble on some cherished notes or a poem that I wrote and I need to keep it so I am transferring into another notebook. Occasionally I will find some notes that I want to keep either because I still want learn the information.

It is very time consuming but very rewarding. On the physical level I am throwing out papers and reducing my notebooks. On the mental level I am shedding thoughts and ideas that no longer suit. On the spiritual level I am lighting my connection to the past and trusting that have the information I need.

Many of the notes I am getting rid of remind me that I have grown and I am happy with where I am now. I am becoming the person I want to be.

I am not hanging onto the past as proof of who I am - the past is not me. It is mealy the training ground.

Sometimes I worry that I might throw out something that I might need. But I have to trust that if need to be reminded of that lesson, an opportunity will present itself to learn it.

I am astounded of the variety of sources that I learn my information. I collect information from everywhere.

I know that I am a work in progress and I am pleased to be reminded of the growth I have done. Proof that I will keep growing into the person I want to be.

So have you got old notebooks or diaries that you are keeping. Have you re-read them? Are they still relevant to you? Maybe you no longer need them because you have grown. Be proud of yourself if you have grown. Congratulations. Declutter your life and you connection the past - to free up your future.

Leona

what is spritual "growing up"

As a family we when to a spiritual festival on the weekend and it had various practitioners and healers doing their bits. People sitting in circles and mediating listen to lectures about feminine and masculine energies and heart healing.

But most interested me was my Husband's reaction. He wanted all these "lightworkers" to "grow up".

It has taken me a few days to figure out what he meant. After all most of these people were definitely older that us - so growing up did not mean growing old. Most of these people have had a wider range of life experiences so they should be wiser than us.

I admit, initially I was cranky with him for his negative opinion of "lightworkers". To me, Lightworkers are people who work with light and as all of us work with light we are all Lightworkers. If you don't think you work with light then go turn on a light switch. Presto - worker of light .
Or remember the last time you made someone happy. Pesto - lightworker.

So what annoyed me was the "grow up" bit. After all, I am grown up and I think I am wise, although I do still need things to learn.

Maybe he reacted to all the rituals and the lingo: EFT, Mother Earth, Labyrinth, chakars, drumming, balancing, angles, fairies, crystals, circles, harmony. It is very confusing and initially you may be scared that you will do the wrong thing and send the wrong energy to the wrong person etc etc.

But ultimately you are always in the right place at the right time - even thought at time it doesn't seem like it.

But do we need any of it. This is what my husband meant. We don't need rituals to grow and change ourselves and made the world heaven on earth. We can manifest anything we want easy and effortlessly.

But... you knew there would be a but. But our ego doesn't believe us. It creates doubt. So we feel that by doing a ritual or a prayer we have the right formula to "do good". We feel safe with this ritual or method. We feel that in the act of doing, we make it happen. Everyone has their own methods that suit them. So please accept that people do things different. After all that's what makes this world very interesting.

In truth, the driving force of change and spiritual growth is belief. We can create anything if we believe. Rituals reinforce our beliefs and our dreams.
And consequently, if we don't believe that the psychic surgeon will heal us then she/he won't.

So yet again everything comes back to beliefs. But what is a "grown up" belief? Yep, full circle back to "growing up".

• Are some beliefs more "grown up" than others.
• Can beliefs be ranked according to maturity?
• Are older beliefs better or more grown up e.g. say Shamanism over NLP.?

I think all belief and methods have their place to point like arrows to the next stage in growth. What I have not figured out is whether spiritual growing is like a circle or a mountain, maybe it is a spiral. Going around and around in circles getting closed and closer to the top. The ultimate in grown up beliefs?

Oh dear, now I have enter another dilemma what is at the top? What is our ultimate goal with all these beliefs? I think I will but that on hold for a another day.

Do children have a better grasp of grown up beliefs? Considering that children are better are knowing what their beliefs are and manifesting e.g. money from the tooth fairy. Are they more spiritually "grown up " than us.

What do you think?

Leona

What's my efficient work plan?

When is your most efficient time of day? How do you management to get all the thing done that you should, have to and have got to get done. Add more people to you household (children and partners) or your life (friends clients and networking) and your jobs and to do lists just grows expediently.

So I have a long history of trying to figure out how to get the most out of my day and get the most done. I am constantly re-juggling the schedule. New activities always intervene - like sons drama classes or school holidays or relatives visiting.

I remember when I had a toddlers and a new baby (who feed every 2 - 3 hours), I felt that I had accomplished something for the day if my bed was made. And each week when that go to be a routine then I would add something else into the mix.

A couple of years again I felt that done the clothes washing when there were no dirty clothes, no clothes on the line and nothing wanting to be put away - that has not stopped by the way. My family wears too many clothes.

So how can I chuck, a very technical term, my day and get things done. I have tried different systems and read lots of books. But each stage of my life has brought different challenges and planning solutions.

So the current planning problem is when school goes back, how can I get my work done. There are activities I can do when the kids are around or they can help me with - Housework.

But starting my own home business between school hours of 9.15 to 2.40 (the hours I am actually home after dropping the kids at school) has been stumped. 5 hours for 5 days a week providing I don't do the housework or gardening or socialising or helping in the classroom. and get ALL the things done - emails, blogs, newsletters, accounts telephone calls etc.

I know I work best in the afternoon but smack bang in the middle of that, I have to pick up the kids from school. That that is a big way to upset the flow.

I have tried to schedule 1 hour of emails, 1 hour of writing, 1 hour of accounts but for me it doesn't work. When I have started something I want to finish it and I don't like flitting from one thing to the next. Basically I like project work. I like getting my teeth into something and feel as I have accomplished something, anything.

So I am Trying a new system of 2 hour blocks of work. I even have a timer to tell me when 2 hours are up and then I can have a drink and something to eat.

It's a good theory. At the moment in the middle of typing this - the timer has finished, my kids have returned and told me about their day and we should have afternoon tea, Oh I better do the washing up.

So tell me, what techniques do you use to get things done in your day?

Keeping smiling - I saw the sun today.

Leona

Resolve to Make 2008 Great with Christopher Howard

Guess what

Surveys show that 53% of people set themselves up to abandon their New Year Resolutions within weeks.

Perhaps the reason most people do not stick to New Year resolutions is they forget they are for life, not just for New Years Day or for a few weeks. Whether it’s losing weight or getting fit, making more money, changing careers or creating better relationships - the best intentions soon slip to the same old self defeating habits.

What’s the reason for this?

It’s because people really need to be making a "whole year" resolution. One of the main challenges is people suffer from limiting beliefs such as "It’s too hard" or "I have to struggle to make money" or "No matter what I do I can’t lose weight".

At the Breakthrough to Success seminar people often say they want to lose weight, then if you ask them what their priorities or values are in life, they will say "finances" or "career". If you want to lose weight then health needs to be your number 1 focus. If it’s a higher income you are seeking then career and finance needs to be your top priority.

Knowing what your goals are and the reasons why you want to succeed are the foundations for following through on your resolutions.

Resolution tips for you

1. Set only one major goal or resolution. The chances of success are greater when you channel your energy and focus into one goal.
2. Plan ahead. Take time to reflect upon what you will focus on first. Once you achieve that goal you can then set another goal.
3. Choose new resolutions. If you set the same resolutions each year and nothing changes, perhaps change the resolution or goal so it is more achievable to inspire you to continue. You could set a different resolution that you are confident you can achieve – to build a track record of success.
4. Be specific. Plan exactly what you are going to do and by when. Ensure your goals are clear, concise, using positive language and written in the present tense, e.g. "It is now (future date including year) and I have/I am (end step) …."
5. Give yourself reasons why you can succeed. Ask yourself, "why do I want this goal" and "what will achieving that goal do for me or give me?"
6. Ask for help. Enlist the support of a fitness coach, business coach or mentor - to first set your goals, then make changes to your thinking and habits to ensure you follow through.
7. Take action. Break your goals down to small steps every day. Sometimes a goal can seem overwhelming, if you chunk it down into smaller steps it becomes even easier to achieve.
8. Remember to celebrate your wins. Reward yourself at each milestone to reinforce your new, successful behaviours.

Attending Breakthrough to Success is also a great way to learn the skills for changing your behaviour at the subconscious level and to build momentum towards the achievement of your goals. If you haven’t set your goals for the year yet, then this event will walk you through the process from the very start.

Right now, as you read these words, do you know your ideal future is within your reach? That's right, your ideal future is just waiting for you to come and claim it. And, all you have to do is say "yes"!

Say "yes" and begin a journey that will unlock your inner wisdom and strength.

Say "yes" and join Chris Howard at a live Breakthrough to Success event soon, where he will share secrets of how you can align the enormous resources of your unconscious mind with your conscious desires, so that you will be able to actualise your full potential and create the life of your dreams.

The Christopher Howard Breakthrough to Success event will be jam packed with the latest results technologies to help you pinpoint areas of your life where you are not living up to your full potential. Using the latest accelerated human change technologies, the Christopher Howard Training Team will be your success coaches to guide you in mapping out a blueprint for success. Watch the sparks fly as you gain massive propulsion toward your highest goals and boldest dreams in just one weekend.

We invite you and a friend to join us COMPLIMENTARY. The ticket price is normally $895 to be part of this 3 day event, which is a small price to pay given the massive value people receive.

Click the link below for dates when Breakthrough to Success will be in your city and to reserve your seat at no charge: http://champions.universalevents.com.au/ausbts.asp?cli=CLA1009565 Take action, enrol now and make 2008 great!

If you are ready want to change go. I loved it.

Leona Seib

Children and the money lesson

This morning I had a heart breaking conversation with my daughter about money and what we can afford and what we can't afford. The conversation was not so unusual, Parent have that conversation all the time.

But what was heart breaking was the lessons being taught by me - that my parents taught me. And the lessons being learned by my daughter.

Problem: My daughter loves dancing and she is good at it - she does win awards. But this year she wants to add tap to her repertoire of Classical ballet, contemporary, musical theatre and jazz. Finding that little extra (over $200) just stretches the budget too far. So what am I teaching my daughter:

• You can't afford what you love to do;
• You are not worthy for this extra money; or
• You need to do without something to afford what you want;
• You need to work hard and be poor for what you love.

I would love to teach her that she can have everything she wants. I would love to teach her that anything is possible. ... but. How come there is always a but in there somewhere.

I am reviewing and planning to rewrite the lessons my parents taught me. After all they do not suit me anymore.

The world is changing and I am changing so I would like some new rules for the new world. Want to join me?

So tonight or tomorrow I will have another conversation with my daughter and try to review the problem. Maybe even ask her for a solution. Ask her how we can manifest the extra money we need so she can continue her dream and hopefully we can rewire the learning from generations past so the generations of the future have a better time working at what they love.

Now that would be a better world to live in

Leona

Wecome to Crystal Growth

I had taken my own advice and taken a giant leap into the blogging world. I am pushing my boundaries and listening to my heart not my head or the voice of my partner. So I hope you enjoy this journey with me.

I believe that everyone's personal growth is of benefit to everyone else and the world in general. I don't follow any particular religion or doctrines and my views and reading are very eclectic and all over the place. I do not have all the answers and I am growing spiritual all the time.

So this show provide some interesting discussion points for everyone.

Aim for the stars

Leona