I SHAPE MY LIFE

“Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you choose to make. Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you. Tell me what you are committed to, and I’ll tell you what you will be in twenty years. We become whatever we are committed to.” – Rick Warren

Today I make a commitment to shape my life.

Above image by lightgazer

For weekly affirmations and positive motivation visit www.circlethedivine.com

“Commit to living the highest vision for your life, and prosperity, joy, and love beyond your wildest dreams will be realized.

When you follow your dreams, you connect to a wellspring of healing and happiness. Unite your life with Spirit by living the highest vision for your life.” – Susan Santucci

There is so much value in self-assessment. It requires contemplation and reflection – tools that are responsible for the development of self-awareness.

With out self-awareness it is difficult to know where or how we are positioned, nor how to navigate through life’s wilderness.

A great self-assessment exercise is asking “What stands between me and the vision I have for my life?”

If we have the power to make the choices that create the life we have, then we certainly have the power to make the decision to chip away at the beliefs that hold us back.

I choose success, peace, security and serenity. But I have other material goals equally important to me … I choose to write and my goal is to produce books – lots of them.

This morning I took a long hard look at what steps I’ve been taking to achieve my publications, and I’m afraid it’s been very little. I take on too many projects, which in turn steals my writing time. So today I choose to re-access where and how I utilize time.

There are two affirmation cards I keep permanently on my writing desk – SET A GOAL and TAKE ACTION! Two things I’ve been doing for other people, but lately, have neglected doing for myself.

It’s great helping other people achieve their personal and business goals, but it’s important that we also view our own goals and work as being equally important … something I don’t always do.

As I write this post, I am tantalized with a backdrop that is wet, wild and wintery. The wall of my home is glass and, nestled high on an escarpment, I am afforded the most beautiful elemental entertainment of rain, mist and wind, interacting in Nature.

Wrapped again the cold, beside a warm heater, I choose to take time to contemplate, re-access and set new goals.

I have written so much over the years, I could have produced a number of books, but always I divert from editing my own work. I do so much editing and design for other people, it seems like a chore when it comes to my own work. Perhaps it’s time to stop being the editor and, with a sanguine approach employ an editor to start shaping my work!

When I loose sight of the vision I have for my life … I tend to drift aimlessly, which is ok in short bursts, but not long periods of time.

On the back of my SET A GOAL affirmation card, there is a simple direction:

Set a goal, write it down,
and release the outcome.
Small steps make a big difference.

Visit the Affirmation page of this site for some positive direction for the week ahead.

I recently visited abbeyofthearts blog where Christine writes about not finding words and sitting in silence. It is a reminder to me, that I have not sat lately, in the space of stillness … and I miss the nourishment it provides the Soul.

I love it when we transcend the physical limitation of words, transcend the need to use physical functions to give meaning to mystical experiences … when one no longer actively seeks to pray, for in silence, they become the prayer.

The hub of silence presents a beauty, a stillness, where we become the vessel for living prayer. I think this is how God means for us to be. Silence gives birth to creative musing; heals the emptiness and dissolution of meaning often present in depression. Silence melts away our theories and assumptions to provide room for deeper mystery.

In the absence of silence, I have just finished early stages of designing a new website for Bicycling Australia and Mountain Biking Australia and putting together a workshop for Year 11 students who are contributing to the Youth Magazine Project with the Illawarra Ethnic Communities Council (IECC) and Port Kembla Youth Project.

I love involvement in anything that promotes community and stimulates a love for writing and expression through creative endeavors. These multicultural students will learn the art of article writing, photography and editing – all tools that will allow them to put meaning to their cultural experiences.

I have lots of creative projects happening, but in the rush of business, have not been a ‘hub’ for silence in some time.

I am eager for this weekend, it is my intention to slow right down … to sit still enough, quiet enough, long enough, that I might feel the faint tapping of pulse and gentle movement of heart … that I might breathe in the sound of wind and scent of rain.

Wrapped warm against the cold of winter, I look forward to the union of Nature, where I may kneel before the presence of the infinite, that I may transcend the thought of prayer to once again become the prayer. That I may transcend the thought of God and become one with this divine presence.

Have a great weekend … don’t forget to check your affirmation for the coming week.

Above image by Perla

Writers take cake for
money making websites

Tired of dancing to someone else’s tune? It’s no secret that a website is only as good as its content. This gives writers a distinct advantage in producing money making sites. So … if you’ve been distressed because your last freelance web gig hasn’t paid the bills, it’s time to broaden your vision and eat cake too!

Turning your blog into a successful business venture is not only possible, but easy, particularly for writers. Advertisers are desperately seeking sites with quality content and affiliate marketing companies are eager to launch their product from good sites.

Transform your site:

1. Develop a professional approach to your blogging: keep a steady flow of good quality writing, and add content on a regular basis.
2. Market your site: present your content with good design, attention grabbing headings and attractive images.
3. Make the most of your real-estate: clean up your blog and remove anything from your site that’s taking up space and not earning a return.
4. Be selective in the affiliate marketing companies that you invite onto your site: make sure you are offered a good return for the space utilized on your site.
5. Sign up with an advertising program and install the advertising code on your site.
6. Develop a strategy where content attracts advertising.
7. Monitor the performance of your advertising and affiliate programs. Ditch those that are not making money and replace them with something else.
8. Learn how to implement SEO (search engine optimization) techniques.

Most blog for money sites claim Google’s Adsense and Adsearch generate the highest profit. Here are five advertising possibilities to choose from:

1. Google Adsense and Adsearch
2. BlogAds
3. TextLink
4. Chitika eMiniMalls
5. AdGenta

If you target a niche market, don’t be afraid to email relevant companies, invite them to view your site and suggest that they may be interested in establishing a firm advertising campaign with you. Some companies pay bloggers to blog about them a certain number of times each week.

A majority of companies with strong on-line presence offer the opportunity to become affiliated with their business: everything from T-shirts to aromatherapy oils are available. Amazon is one of the more popular affiliate marketing programs, but do some research and find what works for your site.

Once you agree to an affiliation by signing up, the company provides you with a button, banner or advert to place on your site. When visitors on your blog click through to their website and take a particular action: like purchasing a product or signing up for information, the company pays you commission. This is usually paid into a Paypal account.

A Paypal account is a must, this is how most companies pay commission. If you don’t have an account, open one now, it only takes a few minutes and you will need it.

Always explore your options, check how much commission each affiliate marketing program offers and weigh up whether the product is in demand. For those who choose wisely, this can be a very lucrative venture for your website business.

Here are four companies that have strong affiliate marketing programs:

1. Amazon
2. ClickBank
3. Commission Junction
4. Linkshare

If you invest the time developing a good website with a steady traffic flow, you have the potential of being sponsored by a company. If you can pick up a couple of these sponsorships, you are well on your way to developing a lucrative money producing site.

Freelance Writers resource sites:
www.writersfreelanceguide.com
www.creativedetox.com

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Above image: Theresa Thompson
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Shifting our gaze is refreshing for the Soul.

Even killer whales know how important it is to take time out and look up. The keys to creative recovery and personal development are perception and focus. It is about shifting our gaze to encompass a view of our world that is big, bold and beautiful.

Be willing to shift your gaze from the immediate world. As we broaden our vision we allow our intuitive faculties to touch a world greater than our own. A world in which the Soul can be inspired and flourish – Kazi

Our immediate world is the environment around us that is filled with the day to day activity of living. We can often get so caught up in this world that we forget to lift our heads and look around. This simple action is how we shift … more

The words on these cards provide me with daily goals, they help me to maintain a focus on how I can provide safe, nurturing support for my soul.

This morning I have drawn spontaneity, compassion and authenticity – important qualities necessary for soulful creative expression. It does not surprise me that I have drawn the word ‘authenticity’.

The last few days I have been contemplating these two questions: How am I being authentic? How am I keeping my life real?

I grew up in an environment that was at times emotionally uncomfortable, we did not talk much about how we were feeling. This probably had a lot to do with the fact that neither of my parents grew up in family environments where they were encouraged to feel or discuss their emotions.

Im not unique in this situation, many of us grew up in emotionally silent environments. Some were raised in environments where they were punished if they felt angry, sad, mad or just wanted to yell or cry for no particular reason other than release pent up emotions.

Consequently, we are instilled subconsciously with the belief that it isn’t safe to feel or express the entire range of our emotions because we might be considered ‘bad’ or ‘ungrateful’.

As a result, we can mature into adults who are separated from certain aspects of ourselves, or think there is something wrong with us if we feel a particular way. Others spend a life time creating and acting out of false persona’s because they want to be someone or something they perceive as being acceptable to others.

We inherit a conditioned script from our family and culture. Based on this script we cast people in the movie that we call ‘our life’.

The word “authentic” comes from the Greek meaning “one who acts on their own authority”.

To be authentic we must ditch our conditioned script in order to become the author of our own life. 

As authors, it is important that we examine our core beliefs because they provide the basis from which we make decisions about ourselves, who we invite into our life, and how we act or participate in our world.

It is important to examine whether these core beliefs are based on fact, ie. are they real, or are they a product of our conditioning.

There are two paths to authenticity: the inner path and the outer path. The inner path requires more than a state of awareness, it is easy to be aware of who we are, however, feeling safe ‘BEING’ who we are is another story entirely.

So the inner path is about a state of ‘being’ and the outer path requires that we effectively communicate this state of ‘being’ to the world.

To be authentic we must consistently, and with integrity, honor and express our deeply felt impulses … our state of ‘being’.

Authenticity requires daily commitment to who we are and how we feel.

Get used to looking to see how you feel. Don’t assume you know. – Cheri Huber

Today I restore authenticity in my life by allowing myself to feel the full range of my emotions.

I create a safe loving space within myself where I nurture and accept all aspects of my self without judgement.

I refrain from trying to analyse why I feel the way I feel and focus instead on how I feel.

I accept that I cannot use a thought to work out a feeling.

Today I release all expectations of my self and just allow myself to “be”.

I am loving and accepting of myself, I am proud of who I am.

I practise authenticity by keeping my life real. I keep my life – my actions and responses real, by regularly checking in with how I feel.

It is safe and human for me to feel. I channel some of my best creative ideas and changes through what I once deemed negative emotions.

In maintaining a sense of safety, my inner artist in free to play and create art, just for the sake of creating.

Receive an affirmation for the week … CLICK HERE!

Affirmation for today – Click here!

I do not believe we were meant to lead meaningless lives. I believe we are all born with power and with purpose. We step into our power when we connect with a purpose greater than Self. There is a phrase written by songstress Jewel that says “nature has a funny way of breaking what does not bend.” I love this song I play it often, it is a reminder of what happens when we fail to maintain spiritual flexibility – we can snap like fragile branches in a violent storm.Snapping can have the appearance of addiction, anxiety, depression, deep discontent, stress, fear, financial, emotional or spiritual poverty. You may add to this list any state of existence that torments or negatively affects our well-being. Without spiritual flexibility and creative strength we are left to wander aimlessly in life, we can spiral into voids of darkness, of nothingness and are left questioning the meaning of our existence. The reality is that every individual on this planet counts, everyone has a purpose, each of us brings a unique quality to life and we can make a difference.

How we live our life is a choice.

We do not need a spiritual guru to unravel the mystery surrounding our life. What we need to do is pay attention – observe. If you are surrounded by pain, poverty or misery, then make a conscious choice to change your path.

Why is it that some people are walking a path of nothingness whilst others flourish by living enriching powerful lives?

The first key to creating effective change in our life, is understanding that we don’t consciously choose to lead a miserable life – that would simply be madness. We all want to be happy, healthy, wealthy and in love, we all want deep, rich, purposeful lives. The only reason we are not leading the life we were meant to be living, is because we have no idea, no awareness of how to allow it into existence.

Its not that we have no awareness on how to create it, but rather, we lack the ability to allow it into our life.

Allowing does not come from creative visualisation or goal setting techniques. These are powerful and incredibly valuable tools for shaping and directing what we want, but they do not set up the energy or creative vibration that allows these things to manifest in our life. This is why many people are not always seeing the results they were hoping for.Allowing arrives through affirmation. The way in which we affirm our Self, others and our life in general determines our lifestyle.YOUR AFFIRMATION FOR TODAY

As we expand our spiritual vision we detox, we start to understand that our art is our essence, the creative way in which we express ourselves in life.A creative detox involves spiritual play, creative acts that invite our true essence into the light of day. Both spirituality and creativity create a sense of meaningful purpose, the act of either brings the freedom and space for the Soul to invent meaning and give purpose to life. This soulful expression is an act of healing, it is alchemical in that we can take the pain and misery in our life and transform it into something meaningful.

The ability to express how and what we really feel, brings us one step closer to discovering who we really are.

For a Creative Detox visit www.creativedetox.com and explore who you are and your life purpose and for spiritual inspiration and creative tools for healing and creating what you want in life – Visit www.circlethedivine.com

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This book changed my life – read how!

It was a little over five years ago, when I first picked up a book titled The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Since then I have written a book and started a second, commenced work as a freelance photographer/journalist, published circlethedivine.com, designed a series of affirmation cards, given birth to mountains of poetry continue reading this entry