“Use your head!”
“Think!”
“Concentrate!”
Most of us have been encouraged, actually trained, to think our way through most situations . . . perhaps even scolded into the idea that we should stop feeling so much and use our noggins more.
Thinking, of course, has its place. I love to read and ponder what Socrates, Plato, Nietzsche have to say about the truth of mankind. But we’ve revered thinking to the point where we have lost one of the most fundamental truths: To be our most powerful, productive and human selves, we must have our hearts and our brains in literal harmony. Science now proves this to be actual fact.
Research has now found that the heart is the largest generator of electrical and magnetic energies in the body. The heart produces the largest rhythmic electromagnetic field of any of the body’s organs. The heart’s electrical field is about 60 times greater in amplitude than the electrical activity generated by the brain. Additionally, the magnetic field produced by the heart is 5,000 times greater than that produced by the brain.
What does this mean? We’ve been conditioned as a mind-dominated culture to believe that the touch-feely world of feelings and emotions are inappropriate and ineffective. In truth, the most powerful source of our inner power lies in the heart and in our ability to experience and manage our emotions.
In my performance practice, it is always a variety of emotional elements that need clearing and clarifying in order for the brain to then begin seeing and acting from a clear, logical perspective.
The singers have rehearsed, and rehearsed
The athletes have their skills honed.
The public speakers know their material and are passionate about their message . . .
But it is the heart’s magnetic field of some unresolved emotional component of fear or self-doubt or some little old memory of it going south that keeps their system from delivering their most powerful performance. Once the emotional component is brought into clarity, the heart and brain come into alignment and there is no stopping the talent coming out of them full force!
My advice to you? Go out of your mind!
Finding the places in the heart that hold you back has immense rewards. Often these blocks are little niggling feelings that you don’t even know you have that are keeping you from your heart’s desire. What is your heart’s desire? You will find the answer in your heart, not your brain. But your brain can get you there, when it is in harmony (literal electromagnetic harmony) with your heart.
Use the most powerful generator of energy in your body to reach your highest aspirations and dreams – your heart.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Music – The Voice of Angels
Music is the voice of angels.
The bedtime lullaby your mother sang. The rock song you listened to in college.
The hymn sung at your parent’s funeral. A lifetime of music surrounds us.
Think back to whatever music was playing at your 8th grade dance—mine was "Crimson and Clover," while dancing with Greg Gebeke. Maybe you have a favorite hymn or Christmas song that still brings warm, tender memories.I remember with such delight the 4-part harmonies my sisters and I sang while riding in the car to Aunt Rhoda’s house as children. It has been over 40 years since I’ve sung it, but yes, I still can feel the whole song and hear the first line, “White choral bells upon a slender stalk, Lilies of the Valley deck my garden walk. Oh don’t you see how you can make them ring, that will only happen when the fairies sing!"
Yes, music is the voice of the angels. It speaks to our souls. It comforts, motivates, disturbs, uplifts. It enlivens, takes us to the depths of contemplation and reflection, causes us to dance deliriously, and brings memories into sharp focus.
Make sure you are listening to the music – the music that stirs your soul. Make sure you are listening to your own music in your soul. That is the voice of angels for you. We can all use more angels around us and through us, and music is a perfect way to do so.
Keep the music playing!
The bedtime lullaby your mother sang. The rock song you listened to in college.
The hymn sung at your parent’s funeral. A lifetime of music surrounds us.
Think back to whatever music was playing at your 8th grade dance—mine was "Crimson and Clover," while dancing with Greg Gebeke. Maybe you have a favorite hymn or Christmas song that still brings warm, tender memories.I remember with such delight the 4-part harmonies my sisters and I sang while riding in the car to Aunt Rhoda’s house as children. It has been over 40 years since I’ve sung it, but yes, I still can feel the whole song and hear the first line, “White choral bells upon a slender stalk, Lilies of the Valley deck my garden walk. Oh don’t you see how you can make them ring, that will only happen when the fairies sing!"
Yes, music is the voice of the angels. It speaks to our souls. It comforts, motivates, disturbs, uplifts. It enlivens, takes us to the depths of contemplation and reflection, causes us to dance deliriously, and brings memories into sharp focus.
Make sure you are listening to the music – the music that stirs your soul. Make sure you are listening to your own music in your soul. That is the voice of angels for you. We can all use more angels around us and through us, and music is a perfect way to do so.
Keep the music playing!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Trick to Those Tricky New Year's Promises
So how are the New Year’s resolutions coming along?
How’s it going? What’s in the way? One thing that sounds simple, and is most essential, is to actually believe you can do it. Pick one resolution. For the elite athlete, one is very focused on the time splits of her next triathlon; the golfer envisions each golf stroke having just the angle and mental clarity needed to land just where his intention takes it. Intention is everything. Believing in the intention is everything.
Pick one of your resolutions and fill it with intention. Remember why you want this. It always helps me to write things down. If you know whether you are a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner, then use that mode to help cement your intention. I’m visual so I write it down – on colored paper that really pleases me. With colored ink that really gives me pleasure. Believe it before you take any action. Suspend your judgment and protests and practice believing it.
What will it look like to have accomplished this? What will you look like? What will you feel like? What will you be saying about yourself to yourself? – to others? What will others be saying about you now that you have accomplished your resolution. Get into it! You don’t need to know any rocket science here – imagine, visualize, write it all down, imagine and visualize it again. How does your body feel?
Have you noticed how your mindset has either brought you closer to or pushed you further away from that which you desire? Notice where you get hung up. Write those statements down. These are the blocking beliefs. You have just identified the beliefs that will sabotage you – but they don’t have to. There are ways to get rid of the blocking beliefs – to actually change the beliefs from negative to positive. For now, just know that. They are only beliefs, not fact. Many people realize they think their resolutions are just out of reach, but they are not. It’s just the blocking belief that’s in the way.
Think back over your life to the times you have really used resolve (resolution) to accomplish some pretty neat stuff, in fact, very important things. Let yourself be inspired by your ability! Keep going back to your intention, cement your intention, practice belief in your intention, visualize it happening! You just might surprise yourself!
You know . . .If your resolutions are still believable you are probably well on your way to attracting the things that you desire.
- Eating “better”
- Upping your exercise regime to get to the next level
- Getting rid of your stage fright so you can go for the audition
- Taking some yoga to reduce stress and lengthen those muscles
- Developing a new spiritual practice, or getting back to the
practice you found meaningful
- Renew friendships that have slid away in the midst of a busy life
How’s it going? What’s in the way? One thing that sounds simple, and is most essential, is to actually believe you can do it. Pick one resolution. For the elite athlete, one is very focused on the time splits of her next triathlon; the golfer envisions each golf stroke having just the angle and mental clarity needed to land just where his intention takes it. Intention is everything. Believing in the intention is everything.
Pick one of your resolutions and fill it with intention. Remember why you want this. It always helps me to write things down. If you know whether you are a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner, then use that mode to help cement your intention. I’m visual so I write it down – on colored paper that really pleases me. With colored ink that really gives me pleasure. Believe it before you take any action. Suspend your judgment and protests and practice believing it.
What will it look like to have accomplished this? What will you look like? What will you feel like? What will you be saying about yourself to yourself? – to others? What will others be saying about you now that you have accomplished your resolution. Get into it! You don’t need to know any rocket science here – imagine, visualize, write it all down, imagine and visualize it again. How does your body feel?
Have you noticed how your mindset has either brought you closer to or pushed you further away from that which you desire? Notice where you get hung up. Write those statements down. These are the blocking beliefs. You have just identified the beliefs that will sabotage you – but they don’t have to. There are ways to get rid of the blocking beliefs – to actually change the beliefs from negative to positive. For now, just know that. They are only beliefs, not fact. Many people realize they think their resolutions are just out of reach, but they are not. It’s just the blocking belief that’s in the way.
Think back over your life to the times you have really used resolve (resolution) to accomplish some pretty neat stuff, in fact, very important things. Let yourself be inspired by your ability! Keep going back to your intention, cement your intention, practice belief in your intention, visualize it happening! You just might surprise yourself!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Living Your Passion
Every rule in the book can be broken except one: Be who you are and become all you were meant to be.
-- Sidney Harris
People interested in peak performance know that the first and foremost consideration for clarity is this - are you pursuing your deepest passion? Are you heeding the still small voice that gives you the same clear message year after year about what you are to be doing and yearn to be doing?
All too often, many of us trade our passion for what seems to be the sensible thing to do. "Be sensible." We do what we think we should and lose our aliveness. We worry that what we want is beyond our reach, that we're not smart enough, we don't have the right schooling, that what we want sounds silly and our friends and family will certainly not agree. These false beliefs have seeped into the pores and cells of each and every client I've seen over the last 23 years. And these clients are usually the brightest and best. But the self-doubts, the fears, and the prescriptions of others to keep yourself in your place have taken their toll.
We must know and trust that if our still small voice is urging us to do something, the universe will support us when we take action. Let me repeat that - when you know and trust what your inner wisdom tells you is your calling, the universe will absolutely support you in this endeavor. Everything lines up, for it is the thing you are here to do. Listen to your inner voice - it rings clear and its telling you the truth!
Jean Houston's study of 55 of the most creative people in the U.S. revealed interesting commonalities. Each was familiar with their interior world and believed its ideas and images could spark their projects - and followed its urgings.
Know you are here for a purpose. It's important. This purpose serves the world and serves you - with passion, joy, enthusiasm, meaning and power. People often say that when they think about their life, their deepest desire is to have made a contribution; to have made a meaningful difference in others' lives . . . and to not die with their music still in them.
Choose to honor what's in your heart by following its lead. The only other choice is to set limits. Limits create dull, passionless lives. Ask yourself, "What do I love to do? What brings me joy? What do I have fun doing? Joseph Campbell said, "When you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a track that has been there all the time waiting for you." I like that.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Peak Performance - Shine in 2009 !
I watched the Golden Globes tonight. Yup, I'm a junkie for those shows. I'm not sure why. It's so not cool to say you like to watch "stars," but I do. I like to see the awards shows. I like to see beautiful people. They are dressed in their finery and everyone appears to be in good moods and friendly with their colleagues. But you know what impresses me the most each and every time I see an awards show? - How utterly grateful and thrilled they are to have won. Really, I'm not kidding.
There is an amazement and sincere uttering of thankfulness that is very touching to me. It tells me they are really not that much different from "the rest of us." (Okay, a whole lot more beautiful, but . . .) Kate Winslet won two Golden Globes tonight. She was so moved and thankful while accepting the first for her starring role in "The Reader." (I was fortunate to see it just last night- amazing movie, I'm still thinking about her role today and will for weeks). Her second Golden Globe came for "Revolutionary Road" with Leonardo DiCaprio. She was dumbstruck - she was shaking - she was "beside herself" - and in it all she was just so amazingly thankful to be singled out as such a "winner." And with the thankfulness for being recognized was the equally compelling need to express gratitude to all the people that helped contribute to the best expression of her talent. - the directors, her co-stars, the crews, the make-up artists . . .
Most of us see movie stars as somehow very different from us. But they aren't "too cool" to not need recognition for a job well done. We all need that recognition. And we all need deep gratitude in our lives. We need to know we are bringing forth the best in ourselves and in others. It's important to tell our co-workers, our families, and yes, even our competitors when they have done a good job. It's important to express our gratitude for their help in our journey to be the best we can be. It helps everyone rise to a new level.
I'm a Performance Specialist with athletes, performing artists and business professionals. I love the entire area of Peak Performance. And it's all about winning - winning your personal best. Getting your own award for giving your best performance ever. It's a thrill! And it's a thrill because we are, each one of us, working at the very thing that is our deep passion. Our art, whatever it may be, comes from a part of our soul that has to be expressed. We thrive when we are giving our best performance. We light up! And yes, we sometimes even gush, even if for most of us, it might be in the privacy of our own hearts. Whatever your passion, my wish for you in this New Year, is that you pursue it with your whole self. Go for it! It was given to you to express to the world. Please don't die with your music still in you! This is your year.
There is an amazement and sincere uttering of thankfulness that is very touching to me. It tells me they are really not that much different from "the rest of us." (Okay, a whole lot more beautiful, but . . .) Kate Winslet won two Golden Globes tonight. She was so moved and thankful while accepting the first for her starring role in "The Reader." (I was fortunate to see it just last night- amazing movie, I'm still thinking about her role today and will for weeks). Her second Golden Globe came for "Revolutionary Road" with Leonardo DiCaprio. She was dumbstruck - she was shaking - she was "beside herself" - and in it all she was just so amazingly thankful to be singled out as such a "winner." And with the thankfulness for being recognized was the equally compelling need to express gratitude to all the people that helped contribute to the best expression of her talent. - the directors, her co-stars, the crews, the make-up artists . . .
Most of us see movie stars as somehow very different from us. But they aren't "too cool" to not need recognition for a job well done. We all need that recognition. And we all need deep gratitude in our lives. We need to know we are bringing forth the best in ourselves and in others. It's important to tell our co-workers, our families, and yes, even our competitors when they have done a good job. It's important to express our gratitude for their help in our journey to be the best we can be. It helps everyone rise to a new level.
I'm a Performance Specialist with athletes, performing artists and business professionals. I love the entire area of Peak Performance. And it's all about winning - winning your personal best. Getting your own award for giving your best performance ever. It's a thrill! And it's a thrill because we are, each one of us, working at the very thing that is our deep passion. Our art, whatever it may be, comes from a part of our soul that has to be expressed. We thrive when we are giving our best performance. We light up! And yes, we sometimes even gush, even if for most of us, it might be in the privacy of our own hearts. Whatever your passion, my wish for you in this New Year, is that you pursue it with your whole self. Go for it! It was given to you to express to the world. Please don't die with your music still in you! This is your year.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Recession - Abundance Supercharge - Part II
My last blog spoke to how we can "catch" negativity from all the doom and gloom talk about our country’s recession. Contagion of negativity is powerful. Just listen to any 4 year old (sometimes your own!) and you wonder where in the world they came up with that! (Of course with a positive environment, kids will say the greatest positive things!)
In the last blog, as you read the list of negative responses people have to our economic downturn, I asked you to notice what happened to your body and your mood. Most people will notice slumped shoulders, a heavy feeling in their body, and a sense of feeling "down," "overwhelmed," "unmotivated," "tired," ---all part of an overall lower vibration in your entire energy system. These are certainly not the sensations and energy moods that arm you for smart, strategic, motivated action! That low vibratory energy will never help you reach your highest athletic goals, create your most beautiful music, or motivate you to new levels of business sales.
You can drown in negativity or use this recession as an opportunity. The environment is ripe to learn and practice many powerful tools to keep your personal and environmental vibration UP! I'm not just talking about some simple "talk yourself into a good mood." I'm talking about availing yourself of some of the best cutting edge technologies that will literally raise your body's vibratory power. Each cell in your body can be released of negativity and you can experience a positivity and motivation that you did not think possible.
I'm partial to Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). By learning this very simple energy psychology tool, you can take matters into your own hands - literally. EFT rids the body of negative emotion caused by negative thoughts that block your ability to take forward moving action. By using your own fingertips to tap on certain acupuncture points while simultaneously verbalizing the negative statements that concern you, the body begins to come to a "neutral" place – the block dissolves and you are left with accelerated internal resources for action. To read specific information on how EFT works, go to my website, www.powerful-performance.com and click on "What is EFT" and "How EFT Works."
Here is another simple, effective exercise you can use when you find yourself worried or in a low energy place.
***** Breathe in deeply through your nose, open your mouth with the back of your throat relaxed and sound out "Ahh" as you exhale. Practice this right now several times. Notice the change! You've changed your vibration. Sighing like this allows us to get out of our head. It allows a movement from head to heart. It gives us a higher, more loving vibration. This kind of sighing moves us from negative, fear-based vicious-thought cycles to higher, more loving vibration.
I recommend doing this breathing technique as often as possible throughout the day. It, along with using Emotional Freedom Technique on a regular basis, will supercharge your heart, your whole vibrational field and equip you to move through our recession with abundance and power.
In the last blog, as you read the list of negative responses people have to our economic downturn, I asked you to notice what happened to your body and your mood. Most people will notice slumped shoulders, a heavy feeling in their body, and a sense of feeling "down," "overwhelmed," "unmotivated," "tired," ---all part of an overall lower vibration in your entire energy system. These are certainly not the sensations and energy moods that arm you for smart, strategic, motivated action! That low vibratory energy will never help you reach your highest athletic goals, create your most beautiful music, or motivate you to new levels of business sales.
You can drown in negativity or use this recession as an opportunity. The environment is ripe to learn and practice many powerful tools to keep your personal and environmental vibration UP! I'm not just talking about some simple "talk yourself into a good mood." I'm talking about availing yourself of some of the best cutting edge technologies that will literally raise your body's vibratory power. Each cell in your body can be released of negativity and you can experience a positivity and motivation that you did not think possible.
I'm partial to Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). By learning this very simple energy psychology tool, you can take matters into your own hands - literally. EFT rids the body of negative emotion caused by negative thoughts that block your ability to take forward moving action. By using your own fingertips to tap on certain acupuncture points while simultaneously verbalizing the negative statements that concern you, the body begins to come to a "neutral" place – the block dissolves and you are left with accelerated internal resources for action. To read specific information on how EFT works, go to my website, www.powerful-performance.com and click on "What is EFT" and "How EFT Works."
Here is another simple, effective exercise you can use when you find yourself worried or in a low energy place.
***** Breathe in deeply through your nose, open your mouth with the back of your throat relaxed and sound out "Ahh" as you exhale. Practice this right now several times. Notice the change! You've changed your vibration. Sighing like this allows us to get out of our head. It allows a movement from head to heart. It gives us a higher, more loving vibration. This kind of sighing moves us from negative, fear-based vicious-thought cycles to higher, more loving vibration.
I recommend doing this breathing technique as often as possible throughout the day. It, along with using Emotional Freedom Technique on a regular basis, will supercharge your heart, your whole vibrational field and equip you to move through our recession with abundance and power.
Recession - Time for an Abundance Supercharge
It's easy to get discouraged. Just listen to news of our economic downturn, the inflamed conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip, war continuing in Iraq and Afghanistan . . . and read your personal financial papers to seal the deal. It's way too easy to get discouraged. But we really can't afford that. That is the thing we most cannot afford!
What's your best defense to our country's economic downturn? You might have noticed that some people like to talk about it a lot. And no doubt, it's "real." (I finally did glance at a monthly financial report of my investments - aargh, I worked really hard and gave up a lot so I could save that money!) But here is the crucial moment. What do I do now that I see those lower numbers?
1. Get scared or panic
2. Worry about how I'm going to have enough money for retirement, for medical emergency, for present living expenses
3. Commiserate with everybody else that likes to worry out loud about money
4. Get deflated; feel defeated and/or bitter (How does your body feel right now after hearing this negativity so far?)
5. Stick my head in the sand and pretend nothing has happened
6. Make a plan
OK, it's obvious - Make a plan. And it's pretty obvious what most plans include:
1. How can I cut my expenses for 2009?
2. How can I make more money in my present work?
3. How can I diversify my work -- use my strengths in expanded areas, for expanded populations?
4. How can I raise my vibration to attract more money and joy?
I particularly like the last! Read on in the very next blog. Because making a plan won't help much unless your energy and motivation are supercharged. I'll have some specific suggestions for raising your vibration and mental/physical energies with Emotional Freedom Technique and other methods. You can be attracting more money, joy and satisfaction for 2009. This recession may be just the motivation you needed to energetically take your abundance into your own hands!
What's your best defense to our country's economic downturn? You might have noticed that some people like to talk about it a lot. And no doubt, it's "real." (I finally did glance at a monthly financial report of my investments - aargh, I worked really hard and gave up a lot so I could save that money!) But here is the crucial moment. What do I do now that I see those lower numbers?
1. Get scared or panic
2. Worry about how I'm going to have enough money for retirement, for medical emergency, for present living expenses
3. Commiserate with everybody else that likes to worry out loud about money
4. Get deflated; feel defeated and/or bitter (How does your body feel right now after hearing this negativity so far?)
5. Stick my head in the sand and pretend nothing has happened
6. Make a plan
OK, it's obvious - Make a plan. And it's pretty obvious what most plans include:
1. How can I cut my expenses for 2009?
2. How can I make more money in my present work?
3. How can I diversify my work -- use my strengths in expanded areas, for expanded populations?
4. How can I raise my vibration to attract more money and joy?
I particularly like the last! Read on in the very next blog. Because making a plan won't help much unless your energy and motivation are supercharged. I'll have some specific suggestions for raising your vibration and mental/physical energies with Emotional Freedom Technique and other methods. You can be attracting more money, joy and satisfaction for 2009. This recession may be just the motivation you needed to energetically take your abundance into your own hands!
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