Category Archives: Habit Formation

How To Start Your Day Off Right

invest in yourself

“The new day is opportunity. Buddha is reported to have said, ‘each day you are born again’. The old is gone, the new is now. Begin your day enthusiastically. It makes a great difference! It is important!

Set aside enough time to do things that make you feel wonderful. To enjoy better days and nights it all begins when you arise. Steal an hour to dedicate to your personal development. It’s a great habit to cultivate. You will be amazed at how much betters the days become!

A few things you can do: Yoga, exercise, meditate, walk, enjoy nature. Read or listen to positive motivational materials. Smile all the while you get ready. Laugh for 5 or more minutes. Visualize your goals and dreams already accomplished and enjoy the feelings.

Ask Directed Questions.  Immerse yourself in gratitude and review what you appreciate. Feel your gratefulness! Chant enthusiastically your affirmations. Sing, dance. Fill your mind and being with joy. What you put out there you get more back. Like attracts like.

Do one or more of these. Spend your time in service of you. DO things that make you feel joyful, positive and confident. Set the tone for the rest of the day. As a friend of mine said, ‘a kiss in the evening is great, but you can enjoy a morning kiss the entire day.’

Make a habit of starting your day off right and make you will make the rest of your day incredible. Once you begin this practice all your days will be more fulfilling and enjoyable. I promise! Your best days are ahead of you!” Rex Sikes

Have a fantastic day!

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Expect Blow Back But Don’t Cave!

we first make our habits then our habits make us

“Whenever you make a change, when anyone does, old patterns, habitual ways of thinking and doing things rear their heads. You are changing the status quo and the guard wants to preserve the old ways. It is going to happen. You will resist you!

The changes and habits you implement are new and the old ways long to remain the same.  Even people close to you may resist the new you and attempt to keep you in the same mold. This resistance to the new you and your changes is called blow back or push back.

Our subconscious which runs our programming, our tapes, our movies, our behaviors attempts to keep things the way they have been. This is why habits can seem difficult to change. We can change them and we still may get some blow back. In time it will diminish!

It works like your thermostat does to keep the temperature the same in your room. It turns on your furnace if the temperature in room drops below your setting. It turns it off if the temperature goes higher that what you set it at. It works to maintain sameness; where you set it.

When we change, just like a rubber band there is a tendency to snap back. To move forward easily it is worth knowing it will happen. Then we must be aware of it when it does occur and we must recognize it for what it is. It is only resistance to change!

It is a protective mechanism so that things remain stable in your life. You learn patterns, habits and routines so that life is reliable. You don’t have to learn and re-learn the same things over again. When you start changing and learning new things this protective mechanism comes to your aid. So don’t don’t fight it. It is a resource.

Don’t resist your resistance to change. It will  get easier. It really does and much sooner if you don’t fight and whine and complain. That only puts more energy into resistance. That delays things. Turn your attention to the new thoughts, feelings and behaviors you want instead.

Focus on what you DO want. Do not focus on what you don’t want or the blow back. This is where most people get off course. They get all pie in the sky airy fairy instead of understanding that they are on a new path and there may be difficulty. Accept that it is likely to occur.

Then you are prepared for it. Then whatever comes your way or however difficulty it may temporarily seem you will keep at it and not succumb to it or quit. When the going gets tough the tough get going. So hang in there! Keep doing the new positive things!

The key to change is to not upset the apple cart even when the apple cart gets upset.. Accept it. Accept that with changing comes resistance and go on. Accept everything and stay on your path. Don’t cave in to your old habits or to peer pressure.

Stay focused on your goals and dreams. Plenty will come along to distract you, to dissuade and discourage you but don’t let anything knock you off your course. Recognize obstacles and problems as opportunities for growth. Everything can work together to move you forward when you stay focused. Persist but don’t resist!” Rex Sikes

Today, spend time with someone you love? Have a great day!

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9 More Easy Ways To Program Yourself For Success!

tesla law of universe enrgy frequency vibration

“Today we continue to explore powerful ways you can program yourself for success in life. Here are another 9 that will help you raise your vibrations, your attitude and abilities to move forward and succeed in whatever area you want to. There is no particular order to implement any of these. Although you should first get clear on what you want to be, do and have. Knowing this before you begin is important. You want to know where you are supposed to end up prior to beginning your travels. It is the same with your dreams. Then you can visualize, affirm and take action to make them happen.

All the other steps can be done in any order. Little by little or a lot at once. Sometimes it is easier to work on tough things, get them out of the way and move on to the little things remaining. Other times, you might want to prepare, take care of the little things, have some fun and work your way into the larger issues. Whichever way you choose is up to you. Add these into your life as you wish. When you do you will discover their power and their long term far reaching effects.

1. Sing, draw, create. Sculpt, play music. Write in a journal with pen and paper. Have some positive hobbies or crafts and arts you can do, that you enjoy and that bring you and possibly others delight. Get lost in your own creativity and imagination. Let go, have fun, be as a child. Relax, meditate, do some yoga. Chill, give yourself a positive time out and take a break. Go into your creativity and imagination.

2. Smile, giggle and laugh more each day! Laughing a lot is incredibly energizing and transforming. Let go! Enjoy. A great way to begin the day is to sit in your room somewhere and laugh out loud for at least 5 minutes. More if you have the time. It changes your breathing, you get more oxygen and you use your diaphragm. It makes you feel more alive and puts a smile on your face. Laughter is fabulous medicine. Take a good dose whenever you can!

3. Obstacles,challenges and mistakes provide opportunities and life lessons. Look for both and learn from them. Your RAS will help you to notice what you might otherwise miss. Keep your attention on your dreams as previously described. Concentrate on what you want. Mistakes you make give you feedback so that you can adjust what you are doing. Be flexible. Be adaptable.Reframe them all as an opportunity to develop new skills and awareness. Life may hurl a number of things at you but opportunity favors a prepared mind. Learn from challenges and mistakes!  It will enable you to respond more resourcefully now and in the future.

Understand that troubles will always arise. Things you acquire can be taken from you. Who you are, who you evolve to be, can never be stripped from you. It is not what you have or don’t have that is so important it is the kind of person you are. Learn to take on challenges by looking for the solutions. Aim high and you will find the best. Look for the silver lining in each dark cloud. It is who you are, your attitude, your mindset, your resourcefulness that makes all the difference!

4. Enjoy being you and the life you have. De-stress. Live to the fullest. Find the best feelings! Have fun and spend time with loved ones. Make it quality time, Talk and meet loved ones heart to heart. Look into their eyes and enjoy the connection. Hug, smile and laugh together. Snuggle.  Visit some nice places, get out and about but make sure dedicate time to one another. Have fun together. Delight!

Listen more and talk less. Find out what is important to the people you care about. Nurture them, help them over a difficulty or with something enjoyable. Give to them more of the excellent you and less of the busy you. Give whenever you can because you get back so much more when you do. They’ll appreciate it and so will you.

what are you grateful for today

5. Let go, forgive and forget grievances. Stop carrying baggage whether it is moments old or decades. Stop letting old wounds and scars dictate your present life and your future. The energy you spent protecting yourself, surviving, and resisting what was could be better spent living joyously and fully. Be free. Be totally free!

The only way is to drop your grudges and hurts. You can’t hang onto something if you dropped it. So drop it! Forgive! Forgiving does more for you than it does for the person you forgive. Letting go is FOR YOU more than for anyone else.

Letting go can be for others if your hurts and baggage are affecting your loved ones and their home life too. It can affect them. Do not to let it interfere with the people you love most. Let go for them. Resolve to make the changes you need to in order to live free for yourself so that they too can live free. Your cares are their cares! Help them over your hurts so they can live free too! Then everyone can enjoy the feeling of that release.

6. Forgive yourself. Let go of regrets about what you should have or should not have done. Learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them. Mistakes are fine they help teach us as we go along. What happened back then was the you back then ‘the old you’. This is you now. Let go and realize that you don’t have to hang onto the past.

Accept yourself. Accept who you are today. Accept the person who you want to become. Aim at being the best you and move in that direction. Celebrate your forgiveness and acceptance. Celebrate yourself and be grateful for everything you have created in your life. Take 100% responsibility and move forward. It is powerful to recognize your role as creator!

Perhaps, you created alot you didn’t want, that you didn’t intend and didn’t like. That’s okay, everyone has. NOW begin creating what you do want, create you do intend and that you will like. If you were able to bring all that about in your past even when you did not want it you can bring about great things in the future! Imagine if you used your powers for good! Just concentrate now on creating the good life for yourself and others.

7. Love yourself! Appreciate yourself. Celebrate everything. Live in joy, happiness and well being. Nurture your mind, your body, your emotions and your spirit. Choose the best feelings and savor them. Make your moments count. Treat yourself well. Gift yourself in some fashion. Take a bath, a trip, read a book, go to a movie, treat yourself special.

List all your positive qualities and abilities and reflect on these. What makes you incredible? Focus on what you are good at. List your accomplishments. Take positive care of yourself. Think the best and expect the best of yourself. Hold yourself in high esteem.

how can i help others olve their problems and acheive their dreams

8. Practice the Golden Rule. Whatever you put out you get back. Think the best and expect the best for and from others. Hold everyone else in the highest esteem. Wish them the best no matter who they are. What you concentrate on you attract. This is a great way to make sure you attract what you want to attract and not what you don’t want.

There is no reason to attract more anger, resentment, hostility, hatred or even indifference to yourself so be sure you aren’t putting this out there. Think, feel, speak and do the best and you get the best in return.Shower others with peace, love and enjoyment. Wish them success and celebrate the good things that happen for them.

9. Birds of a feather come together. Like attracts like. This is true not only about our thoughts and feelings, our wants and circumstances but other people as well. Align with positive high energy creators who are loving, kind, helpful, supportive and fun. Like attracts Like!

Energy and good feelings, ‘vibes’ rub off. The more time you spend with others nurturing each other the better off everyone is. Seek the highest and the best. Seek those who are congruently positive people who walk the talk. We get further faster when we travel with others in the same direction. You can inspire and motivate each other. Surround yourself with positive people.

Notice the reoccurring theme? It is: Choose to think, feel, speak and act the best. Choose the most positive. Spend the bulk of your time learning how to think, feel and act wonderful moment to moment. The more you fill up each day with high quality thoughts, feelings, words, actions and friends the more you will get back many times over. When people start out often they are mostly negative and only a little positive. Your overall goal is to shift that balance so that you are mostly positive.

The higher your thoughts and feelings the better you feel. The better you feel and the more often you feel wonderful the less stress and more well being you create. You activate your immune system to more easily keep you healthy. You think better and recognize opportunity quicker.

With the right attitude you are far more equipped to accomplish your career and life goals. You begin to make your dreams come true because you realize you alone are responsible. AND you know that you can! Your relationships become more wonderful. You begin attracting the right kind of people who can help you AND whom you can help. Overall everything improves! Live a wonderful, integrated, holistic life style in mind, body and spirit you and you will notice the difference it makes.” Rex Sikes

Today is a special day. What will you do that is special today?

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9 Easy Ways To Program Yourself For Success!

we are the facillitators of our own eveolution

“Your body is your temple. So is your mind. Your thoughts and feelings affect each other as does your mind and body. It is important for each of us to take care to feel the best and have a resilient, healthy lifestyle.  Be healthy in mind, body, emotions and spirit.

HEY I know this is long but it is broken down into small bits and the information is critical information for each of us to have. Take some time and read it now or later but please do read this!

When we raise our vibrations and program our subconscious we become a powerful force in making our dreams come true. We can be, do and have anything we want in our lives, and our careers. We can make positive things happen when we align all of ourself in positive and powerful ways. Here are ways to do this now:

1. Nurture your mind with positive materials, books, articles, music, pictures and audio. Fill your mind with inspiring wonderful thoughts. Spend healthy time  (daily nutritious diet) for your mind reading and listening to motivational speakers.

Use affirmations,  questions (Directed Questions) and positive self talk to feel great.  Take the time and fill your mind positively. Feed it the best food for thought. Your attitude determines your altitude!

2. Monitor your thoughts and feelings. Keep them the highest and most positive. Stop complaining and talking about problems. Put a guard before your mind and lips. Whenever you notice you are thinking, feeling or speaking less than gloriously stop and change it. Determine to only think and talk about or to others in ways that promote blessing, healing and prospering. Stay true to this!

3. Create a Dream  Book or Vision Boards. Use computer or cut out pictures of what you want, that represent your goals and dreams. Paste them on a poster, or into a book that you look at each day. Put some on your wall or ceiling. Put a picture of your goal in your purse or wallet, on the visor of your car. See what you want all day long!

Put these  in places so that whenever you look around you are reminded of what you are working on. Put pictures together that delight you, make you feel wonderful and that you say ‘YES’ to when you see them. Keep your attention on the positive wonderful things you want to accomplish and have. Believe you can do it, expect it and you will. Know that you will make it happen!

4. Visualize yourself as you want to be. See yourself doing what you want to  be doing and having what you want to have. Close your eyes and see your goals and dreams as already completed. This gets your Reticular Activating System (RAS) to recognize and let in to you opportunities and bring relevant information to your awareness.

We program our RAS and our subconscious mind to go after our goals by keeping vivid images and affirmations in our mind day in and day out. This is why we can say, we become what we think about all day long. What we think about we bring about. In your mind act as if you already have what you want. Feel how wonderful it is to complete it and have it. Savor the feelings, enjoy and believe!

Once the RAS is activated It allows in all relevant information that might have otherwise remained background noise. It alerts us to opportunities we might miss.  It is the combination of well defined goals and dreams repeatedly visualized and affirmed,  ‘as if’ you already have attained them, combined with wonderful feelings that makes this work.  Pictures, sounds and feelings are the message!

wattles universe wants you to have ur desires

5. Live in gratitude and be thankful for all you have and whatever you have. Be thankful for who you are, your circumstances and the people in your life. Feeling appreciative is one of the quickest ways to raise your spirits and your vibrations. When you are filled with gratitude your being is different, you radiate and others can tell too.

Being appreciative puts our focus on what we like about ourselves and our lives. As we maintain this focus more of the time each day, overall, each day becomes more enjoyable. If you want your days to be outstanding be thankful in all things moment to moment. Life is a celebration when you can celebrate everything!

Gratitude works wonders! When we feel grateful for already having accomplished our goals it tells the subconscious this is what we want. Again, this is why good feelings are so important in getting us what we want in life.

6. Concentrate on adjusting your feelings to feel the best you are able at any given moment. The better you feel during the day the more you keep informing the subconscious mind how you want to live each day. It can only go after what you provide it to go after. When you realize you aren’t feeling so great change it to feel just a little bit better. This is an important skill.

You want to feel the best feeling most of the time in each day. You want to tip the balance in your favor.  When we feel good most of the time life improves and our subconscious works to attract more of it. You do this by making adjustments to feel ‘even just a little bit better’ whenever you notice you are not feeling as good as you could.

You aim for feeling the best whenever you can. Even if it is only a little better than moments before it is a step in a positive direction. When you become aware of feeling less than glorious it is only a signal that you now can change it to something better. When you then adjust how you feel you take control. You stop being a victim. You learn how to eliminate unwanted thoughts and feelings and focus on ones you do want. Another reason this is important follows.

Our images and affirmations need to be attached to powerful positive feelings in order to get what we want. We need to deliver precise instructions. We can’t be sloppy and expect good results. We can’t go back and forth between negative and positive and expect consistent positive results.  If we vacillate we get nowhere.  We want to be consistent and move in one direction.

When our mind movies and affirmations are attached to wonderfully delightful, enthusiastic and energetic feelings we are telling the subconscious that THIS goal and THESE feelings ARE what we WANT – AND – to DELIVER MORE of each.  So we want to spend most of our time feeling the best feelings we are able!

Feelings drive everything. When you feel great you can do more. When you feel down and lethargic you do less. Feelings are what the subconscious responds to. You get back whatever you fear, hate, worry about or what ever you love, enjoy and delight in.

The subconscious doesn’t distinguish between wanted or unwanted or good or bad. The subconscious only knows to deliver on what you image in your mind that is accompanied by powerful feelings. If you are afraid you will get more to fear if you are filled with joy you will get more joy in return. Like attracts like.

If you have been getting a lot of what you don’t want you need to attach powerful positive wonderful feelings to what you do want and stop thinking about what you don’t want. Worry is negative goal setting because you activate the subconscious mind by your feelings of worry and fear. What you think about you bring about.

Being-Thankful

Your feelings combined with what you are concentrating on, what you hope won’t happen, IS the message you send your unconscious. You see it happening and even though you consciously don’t want it YOUR subconscious doesn’t know this. It responds by bringing you more of the same.

What you think about most during the day is what you get.That is the signals you have been sending it. If you want different results you need to change the messages, the signals, the pictures and feelings you are giving it. Do that now!

Your subconscious is a servant for whatever you are sending to it. It does not know any better it just carries out the commands you give it. It works day and night on whatever you have given it to do.

All your life you have been telling it what to do whether you have realized it or not. The results you have gotten, the circumstances you find yourself in, are a result of your prior conditioning, your habitual message sending to your subconscious. NOW you can change it IF you want to. Awareness is the key to change!

7. Believe it will happen! Have faith. Expect the best! Your desire combined with your passionate feelings and unwavering belief forms an absolutely powerful unstoppable combination. When you know it is happening you feel it! ‘Act As If’ aligns your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions. It is an incredible tool you can utilize.

You come to believe what you constantly hold in your mind (thinking about day in and day out) by consistently picturing it in your mental movie theater and affirming to yourself that you already have this. You make this a habit and the habit makes it so! The more often your engage these processes the quicker you bring about the changes you desire.

Repetition combined with feelings brings it about. This is how the military (and others) prepares troops. Over and over again chanting and imagining with peak feelings gets it into the subconscious and the subconscious delivers what we program it to do.

Just as your computer does what it is programmed your subconscious does what it knows how to do BUT you have to tell it! You instruct it. It carries out the functions and you don’t even have to know how it does what it does to bring things about it. You enjoy the results. Our imagination and our feelings are powerful tools!

8. Treat your body well. Eat the best, healthiest food you can. Eliminate the junk and the sugars and the processed foods that may make you temporarily feel better but that drain your energy and leave you worse off. There are so many chemicals, pesticides and harmful elements in processed and fast food it is best to avoid them. You create better when you feel better. Food is fuel. Use the best!

Eliminate High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), MSG, Aspartame and other chemical additives that can do more harm than good. Eat wholesome good food. If it wasn’t around when your great grandparents were kids don’t eat it or put it on your body. Lotions and products absorb into the skin. The skin is the largest organ so be careful what you put on it. Make positive healthy choices!

9. Walk, dance, skip, jump, exercise and move. Get out and about and enjoy nature. Get some sun on your skin everyday. It is more difficult in winter climates but bundle up and get some fresh air. When the climate is right walk, walk barefoot on the grass, the beach the dirt.

Just 20 minutes of walking (especially in nature) is a best medicine for mood. Walk wherever and whenever you can! Have some fun when you can. Play, run, roll down a hill, spin in circles, become as a child. Give in! Explore and adventure. Go new places.

you atract what you focus on

Rest outside in nature too. Lie down and enjoy a half hour or two just lying on the grass somewhere pleasant. Find a favorite comfortable power spot that you visit to refresh and renew. Bask, Stop, look, listen, smell, feel and maybe even taste where you are at. Fall into the present. Live in the moment! Notice and Celebrate all!

Tomorrow, I’ll share other powerful ways to increase your vibrations and program yourself for total success. For today, decide now that you will begin to implement these, if you have not already, in order to make your life what you hope it can be.

You can change your life once you know what to do. Then you either do it or you don’t. Only you determine whether or not you make your dreams come true. Each of these ways is a means for you to enjoy the most wonderful life and lifestyle imaginable.

Baby steps are better than no steps at all. You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Do a little each day and soon you will be doing a little more each day. It gets easier. It become more enjoyable. You discover insights along the way. Drop by drop fills the tub.

It becomes fun and begins to have a momentum all on its own. It continues to get  easier and more delightful and more fun as you move forward picking up your goals. You worry less and celebrate more! Your life changes for the better and you feel great.

There is no upper limit on what you might make happen. Dream big and make big things happen. One thing is absolutely certain. Nothing will ever change unless you take charge.  If you want your life to to be gloriously different you must change what you are doing. It is all up to you!  You have some steps you can take, I hope you will.” Rex Sikes

Make today a positive special day!

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Could This Be Holding You Back From Everything You Want?

your only limits

“What holds you back? How come you aren’t making more headway in your career or in life? Are you displeased with the results you have been getting? Does it seem tough to make positive changes? Are you troubled by negative thinking? Do you find changing your thoughts difficult? Is this you?

At some level most of us know that our beliefs and attitude determines how happy and successful we can be. We ‘get’ that what we think and feel can make a big difference for us in our careers and our lives.  It’s just that when it comes to actual practice we seem to get bogged down. We try and sometimes we give up.

I recently read an article that said negative thoughts are difficult to avoid and that positive thinking is tough. The author went on to state that it is better to change our beliefs instead. I thought what an interesting belief that is.

Beliefs are just thoughts we think over and over. They are thoughts, most of which, we have adopted from other people while growing up. They can be beneficial or detrimental. Many beliefs are ‘lies’ we heard so often or told ourselves so frequently that we simply came to accept them as true. Some serve us well while others don’t.

Beliefs are only chronic thoughts, habitual thinking. Habits are tenacious, whether good or bad. It requires some dedication to develop a habit or to change a habit. We can find it difficult or easy. Whether it IS difficult or easy or how long it takes IS completely up to us.

So what can you do? You can change thoughts (and beliefs) and there are times when you want to. Positive thinking may seem difficult because of what you are used to doing but it isn’t any more difficult than negative thinking. Negative thinking may be more familiar to you. IT is simply a matter of what you are used to. Having positive thoughts IS just as easy as having negative ones!

If YOU don’t like the results you have gotten in your life so far then to continue to think and do what you have done is silly. You won’t get anything different by doing the exact same thing. You need to make changes in order to get changes! Unless you change things will remain the same.

There is a purpose to negative thoughts. Primarily, less than glorious thinking serves to provide you feedback for when you are off course. It is part of your internal guidance system. You won’t hit your target UNLESS you recognize when you are off target. These thoughts and feelings alert you that something may be amiss. They arise so that you can make adjustments and corrections. They inform you that you are off course SO YOU CAN change your direction.

Negative thoughts and feelings help you to clarify what you want BECAUSE they are powerful indicators of what you don’t want. They tell you what you don’t want so you can better determine what YOU DO WANT INSTEAD! The negative should only serve to clarify the positive. That is their function and purpose.

Listen to them BUT just briefly then let them GO! They got your attention use the information and move on. Put your attention and focus on where you intend to go. Put it on the solution to a problem. Keep it on the positive. Think about what you want to be, do or have and pursue these.

You stop the negative and aim at your positive destination. Once you realize you have gone of course while traveling in your car you simply adjust and get back on course. You correct and head towards your destination. After all, that is where you want to go. Forget about having gone off course as that doesn’t get you there. Let it go!

If you don’t like the results you have been getting then you must change whatever you are thinking, feeling and doing in order to get the kind of results you prefer. It IS that simple! You must change something! It doesn’t have to be arduous.

Negative thoughts are only your old habits and you must build new ones. It takes some dedication but it can be far easier than you might believe it to be. Give it a shot. Surprise and delight yourself! Change can be fun.

what you think about you bring about

The author of the article believed it was difficult to avoid negative thoughts and that positive thinking was difficult. Do you understand that is the pot calling the kettle black? The author THINKS positive thinking is difficult. If you believe something to be the case THEN it most likely is the case.

Beliefs set the frame. Beliefs organize our perceptions. If you believe something to be difficult you expect it to be difficult. Then it certainly may be. It works the same way if you believe something to be easy.

What we find to be the case  IS most often a matter of what we THINK it to be in the first place. Our attitude determines our altitude. Believe it and you will see it! There is a lot of research backing all this up.

The Placebo and Nocebo Effect demonstrate this. If you believe something (a pill, an exercise, an amulet, chicken soup, anything) will help you it certainly may. Research has shown that you can get statistically significant (positive) results even when there is nothing about it to make that so. This is the Placebo Effect. It is what we believe that is important!

If you believe nothing will help you then even though there are medicines and practices and foods (and yes, maybe even amulets)   that typically do help you may not experience the benefits. This is the Nocebo Effect. Nothing may help if you believe nothing will.

These effects are well studied and documented. They results are well known but not so well understood or put to good practice. At times, doctors, researchers and others who SHOULD know better may even dismiss something as ‘it is just the placebo effect’. WOW, that is the height of folly.

If you go to a medical practitioner having eaten a pear (or anything) and tell that person you magically feel better (because you do) and they say to you, ‘that is just the placebo effect’ then they have just violated their oath to ‘first do no harm’. They should say ‘FANTASTIC”, you are feeling better and continue to investigate the medical issue as necessary. They should not spoil a positive effect!

Even the medication you take (that has active ingredients demonstrated to benefit) or a practice you engage in IS subject to working because of the Placebo Effect. You believe it will benefit you and it does. These work together and are not isolated.

Beliefs work in concert with the ingredients to bring about positive change OR they work in opposition. The best combination is the healthiest practice. The most positive outlook and expectation is the wisest choice apparently. You want everything aimed positively!

It has also been demonstrated that even he care of a compassionate caregiver may be enough to help heal because the person believes in the caregiver. It has been demonstrated that the doctor’s belief in the medicine prescribed can help the patient to believe and to benefit as well. I think this is so incredibly cool! It speaks volumes about out abilities to benefit ourselves and each other.

So if you think changing your thoughts is difficult that may be the first belief you want to change! It can be easy and it can be exciting and it can even be fun. You, your mindset, determines what it will be. Start out by expecting the best. Why not? Have some fun!

Don’t talk yourself out of feeling wonderful because you don’t believe it is possible. Take a moment and doubt that one! Suspend your beliefs for a moment. Take a break long enough to try on something new. You may discover a better fit for yourself.

You take off your clothes and try on new ones when you are shopping for something new and different. You easily try on the new items while looking for ones you like and want to keep. It isn’t that difficult to change.

beautiful thoughts positive emotions miracles

Although, you may look in the mirror and think ‘this is not my style’, it could be. It just isn’t your style, yet. Others wear these items. You just don’t because you haven’t and have not grown accustomed to dressing this way. You could wear it you just don’t want to. That is fine you do not have to BUT you COULD,

For you to get used to wearing it you’d probably have to do so for a little while. As a late teenager, I never thought I would or could enjoy wearing Hawaiian shirts and drawstring pants until a girlfriend insisted I wear them. If you try something different YOU might even enjoy it! You won’t know UNLESS you give it a worthy try.

Isn’t your attitude and your life more important that a new dress or suit of clothes? Don’t you owe it to yourself to take off old beliefs that may not serve you well and try on some new ones that may serve you better? AGAIN, you won’t know unless you give it a worthy try. Don’t sell yourself short because you OR someone else doesn’t think it possible. Give it a try.

Try on a new belief. Try it on for awhile and get comfortable with it. Try for 30 or 60 days. You’ll make the new belief. Yes, the old one may call to you for a while during the process but eventually it will let go and the new habit will take its place. Enjoy the process. Take it lightly. The more fun you decide to have with it the more fun and easier it will be. You will be surprised. You’ll be delighted.

In previous blog pages I have discussed how you can easily begin to change your thinking and change your life. You can be, do and have anything you want!  Start easily by filling your mind with positive and inspirational thoughts and ideas. Read at least a page from healthy positive inspiring books each day. Listen to audios. Take the initiative!

Go back and read through these blog pages again and again. Try on some of the approaches and practices. You will begin to utilize the secrets, tips and suggestions in your every day life. Change can be fun and easy. Take it lightly. Decide to enjoy it. As with a delightful meal savor it bite by bite. You will discover so many incredible moments when you do.” Rex Sikes

Help others smile more today and you will too!

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Stop Doing This And Become Happier!

there is nothing impossible

“If you are facing difficulty or just not feeling as happy as you’d like there is something you can do to change that. If you aren’t as successful in your career or relationships as you want to be you can turn that around. What you allow will continue. Isn’t it  time to  get more of what you want; become happier, healthier, and more successful?

No matter what is happening in your life thinking the right thoughts can make a powerful positive difference. The effectiveness of positive thinking has been declared for ages. Research demonstrates it is one of the best things we can do  for our mental, physical and emotional health.

Regardless of your any situation you find yourself in positive thinking can help you think clearer and more efficiently. It can help you feel better and more easily navigate the troubles. It is a great choice if you want to experience overall well-being.

We already use affirmations and make statements to ourselves all the time. Whatever we assert or declare about what was, is or will be going on is an affirmation. It is our self talk. It is what we picture in our minds. These statements and images, these preoccupations, affect our health in mind and body.

Most people may not realize they are negatively programming themselves. Their self talk is less than glorious.  Negative self talk is simply affirming what you do not want. Worry is actually just ‘negative planning’.

When you make less than glorious statements about yourself, others, or your situation you are affirming the negative. You are paying attention to and bringing about what you do not want. It starts with one negative thought, then another and another. Like attracts like. Negative thinking gains in momentum just as a snowball rolling down a hill gets larger.

Positive thinking IS just as easy as negative thinking. We just have to learn to make it a habit.Then we will think powerfully and positively about what we want to include and create for ourselves. We can positively influence the outcome when we think, feel and act to make good things happen.

your only limits

If you want to turn things around you need to turn your thinking around. You have to let go, drop the negative thoughts, turn your back on them and affirm what you DO want. You need to spend the balance of your time thinking healthy, positive, ‘can do’ thoughts.

As has been said, ‘If you want to enjoy enduring success you must travel a little bit in advance of the world.’ Or as the Boy Scout motto proclaims, ‘be prepared.’ Positive thinkings IS affirming what you want. It is positive self talk. Create a positive snowball with its own momentum. Like attracts like!

Start now so you condition yourself and make it a reliable habit for when you need it.  It is not something you do only in a crises it is something you do daily. ‘Luck is the crossroads where opportunity and preparedness meet.’ So prepare today for tomorrow. One positive thought leads to more positive thoughts. Keep at it!

If you need it now, go back through this blog and re-read as many posts as you are able. The keys and secrets, and tips and suggestions are all right here. Most importantly remember if you want things in your life to change you must change things in your life. What you think about you bring about.

You can do this! Keep the faith! Let of negativity. Focus on solutions and what you want.  No matter what might be going on around you stay positive. Birds of a feather flock together. Stop attracting the negative and begin attracting more positivity.  Positive thinking can improve any situation no matter how difficult is seems.” Rex Sikes

Today, find some extra reasons to smile large!

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Tied Down And Captured By Problems? How To Get Free Now!

what consumes your mind controls your life

“In Jonathan Swift’s novel ‘Gulliver’s Travels’, the hero Gulliver takes to the sea. Misadventure occurs and he is thrown into the water then washed up onto the shore. While sleeping on the beach, tiny 6 inch tall people called the Lilliputians, capture and chain him and imprison him inside a large abandoned temple inside the walls of Lilliput. So let’s stop right there and examine what we have so far.

A large person, unconscious, is taken prisoner by very tiny people. Let’s analogize or make a metaphor from this. Normally, a person goes about their business. Though when unconscious they may get captured. Let’s forget about little people or other captors and consider this. When we are unaware we may get tied down by all sorts of little things that might otherwise not be an issue.

It could be other people, it could be the comments people make. It might be clutter on your desk or in your home. Perhaps, the kids aren’t listening. The boss (he or she) is breathing down you neck at work OR at home. It could be any number of tiny small events that add up and create stress and bog you down. They capture your attention and imprison you in any number of ways. When you are unaware you tend to forget. You are lost in an unsavory moment. You can’t see the way out.

Face it little stressors add up. One Lilliputian Gulliver could easily handle. Scores of them, not so much. So make it a point of taking care of the small things before they add up or pile up. Nip them in the bud before they capture you. If you are spending your time worrying about, concerned with lots of minor things, you don’t have the necessary energy for the big important things. Plus, life is not as enjoyable as it can and should be.

Remember, we get what we focus on. So if you are primarily focused on all the little things AND the big things that aren’t right, that go wrong, that cause discomfort, you are really short changing yourself. We become what primarily occupies our attention. Is it problems or solutions? Is it uncomfortable and negative or delightful and positive? What is it that fills your mind? This is what you need to become aware of. WAKE UP! What are you focused on and is it making life better or worse?

If it is making it worse you have the opportunity to change it for the better THE INSTANT you recognize what you are doing to cause your discomfort. You have the opportunity to change your thoughts, your feelings and actions so you are able to live more enjoyably. It is in an instant, within seconds, that we can change. It is in this moment you have a decision to make.

Either proceed as you are in the less than glorious, stressful, uncomfortable way OR change whatever you are doing so that you can proceed in a more enjoyable, positive, powerful, productive way. Whichever it is IT IS UP TO YOU!!

what you allow is what will continue

SO decide. AND learn to relax, let go. Accept, don’t resist. Let it ALL go! Awareness is the key. Gulliver was captured when he was unaware. We all have these moments. It is human. So don’t blame yourself (or others), or regret or worry that only adds fuel to the fire. What you resist persists. When you blame self or others you only feel worse.

Let it go. Become aware that you can shift your attention from the stressors to other things to pay attention to. Perhaps, you need a short break. Maybe you need to take a walk, listen to some music, go for a jog, take a nap, eat some food, whatever it may be, you want to change how you are thinking and feeling. Momentarily, change what you are doing.

You want to interrupt the negative thoughts, stop thinking them, take a break or some deep breathes and put your attention on more enjoyable positive thoughts. When you are thinking and feeling better then you can begin to positively work through whatever you may need to from a more optimum mental, physical, emotional, spiritual place.

Literally, you let go of whatever the stressor is, drop it. Turn your attention elsewhere, somewhere more enjoyable. Keep it there! Repeat as necessary. Don’t give in to the call from the less than glorious. Don’t answer. Let them all go. Focus on what you want and enjoy!

Realize you can handle things one by one. Let go of the snarky comments people may make. Declutter bit by bit, maybe only one item at a time. Remember, kids will be kids they don’t listen all the time because they also are learning to be independent (reframe however you need to). Reframing is putting a different label on the package. You substitute one meaning (a more useful, positive productive one) for the previous less than glorious interpretation.

Don’t let negative stressful things capture and keep you. Learn the fine art of letting go and getting free. Moving forward only requires that you do it bit by bit or one step at a time. Be gentle, loving and caring of yourself (and others, of course). Focus on what you want and enjoy. You get back more of whatever you focus on so stay positive!

Keep your attention on the positive and the possible and you will find opportunity and solutions because you are more mentally and emotionally fit. You are better equipped to meet the demands on you. Learn to love, laugh and live more wonderfully and fully! YOU can absolutely do this! ” Rex Sikes

Today is YOUR day! Celebrate

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What Does The Piano Have To Do With Positive Thinking?

determined to help yourself

“Imagine learning to play the  piano. There is a lot to pay attention to. Perhaps, you begin playing with just the right hand. The melody. When you make a mistake and hit the wrong note you correct it and go on. It can seem arduous, nearly impossible at first to master it all.

Eventually, you add in the left hand. You add in chords and then peddles. As you continue to practice you develop rhythm and speed. After a while you are able to play the song. You learn other songs. Soon you have a a number of songs you can play. One day you play many different songs, you may even write your own.

When you play and perform you don’t recount all the effort you went through to learn to play. Now you can play anytime and anywhere and even learn difficult songs much more easily. You have built skills and made them a habit.

It is a reliable skill set you developed. You put in the initial effort and now you have a talent you can rely on and be proud of. It is easy now and pleasurable. What was once hard is now fun and easy. You made a big difference in your life adding in a new ability.

The same is true of learning to think positively. You learn the fine art of control. Think positive thoughts. When you find yourself thinking a negative thought, stop it and immediately  correct it. Just as you do on the piano when you hit a wrong note. Return to the positive.

If your mind goes astray simply do whatever it takes to get it back to the positive. While driving if you drive too far to the right side or the left side of the lane you simply adjust back to center. You do this constantly while you drive. You keep adjusting to stay centered. You learned to do this now you don’t even think about it. It is habit!

You correct as you move forward. In a similar fashion you steer your thoughts back to positive thoughts. Remove the energy from the negative. Withdraw it. Let it go! Put your energy into thinking positive. Don’t fight the negative just turn your back on them.

Practice will make perfect and in time it will get easier and easier. It may seem difficult at first but you will get the hang of it. When you do your entire life will change. Truly!  A positive mindset is essential for success and continued happiness.” Rex Sikes

Make all your moments miraculous!

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Stop! Have You Ever Considered This?

what you give power to has power over you

“It takes some courage to change. It takes courage to try new things. It takes courage to make our dreams come true? Really, courage, why do you suppose that is? Why does one need to be brave to do something in one’s own best interests? Have you ever thought about that?

I think the only reason it takes any courage at all is because we are used to doing things in a certain way. We are creatures of habit. We have routine. Many of us don’t want to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced.

Instead of diving in and enjoying the novelty, the newness, the adventure, we dip our toes, we make back up plans, we look for safety nets instead of just letting go. We will change but ONLY so long as we can be assured that it will work or at the very least that it will not get worse.

We want it cushy. We want to know we won’t lose everything if we invest our all. We want it both ways. We want our cake and to eat it too. Nope, there is no ‘burn the ships behind us and do battle’, for most modern people.

There are stories of warriors who cut off all escape routes so that running away was not an option. The soldiers had to fight or die. Okay, it takes courage to burn your escape route so you fight more fiercely! Too many people, it seems, don’t do or die, they do and maybe try something else if it doesn’t work out.

I’m pretty sure this comes as a handed down notion. My parents always told me it was important to have a backup plan incase acting didn’t pan out. I hated that notion but I too was indoctrinated with it.

‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ How can you passionately ‘all out’ pursue your dreams non-stop if you keep thinking, ‘if it doesn’t work out I can always go back home’. OR ‘I can fall back on my degree.’ Or ‘I’ll give it a couple of years and then if nothing I can at least…’ Back up plans. Hmmmm.

I am not saying don’t have them that is your decision. I just think it is difficult to run a race to the finish line while thinking about what you might do instead if you don’t make it there. You can’t really have one foot on the dock and another on the boat and get any place worthwhile, can you?

what you allow is what will continue

One should be totally aligned, congruent, committed, passionate in the pursuit a definite worthwhile positive goal. So yes, change may be a tad scary. It just seems a whole lot better to decide to definitely make the positive changes and then completely follow through on them than to remain the same and complain about it.

The world won’t fall apart if you make a positive change for yourself. You may be inconvenienced for a little while but you will survive it. BUT yes you will shake some things up. You can not change and remain entirely the same. You can NOT have it both ways.

Change may mean giving up some cherished notions. It may mean abandoning those habitual limiting beliefs and fears that have held you back. It may mean finally giving up those things you have always wanted to anyway! You will be better off when you do. It will mean turning your back on some old ways and continuing to walk away even while the old ways call out to you.

Someone said success takes ‘back bone not wish bone.’  It means you stick with it until you make the new ways a habit. Then the new powerful attitude, the new beliefs and feelings and behaviors that serve you so much better become as reliable as the old ways. It will be meaningful to finally resolve to be who you want to be. Change doesn’t have to be scary it can be fun.

Heck, if it is too difficult or too scary then do just enough to stretch bit by bit in the direction you want to move in. This isn’t actually a race. You are not in competition with anyone else. This is you and your goals and dreams. This is you living your purpose. You are allowed to take as much time as you deem necessary to get where you want to go. It is completely up to you.

Success is defined as ‘the steady progression toward a worthwhile goal’ so as long as you are moving in that positive direction you are succeeding! Keep that in mind. You are succeeding when you are devoting your time to becoming the person you hope and dream and plan to be.

No matter how much disappointment or failure you may have had in your past there are still many things you do that you are successful at. Keep that in mind. You are good at some things, many things. Whatever you are good at today, you weren’t always. It took time and practice to get good. AND you did it! You will succeed at making positive changes too when you decide to!

Change can mean that you are able to be and do and have anything and everything you have always wanted. It can mean the difference between having the fulfilling life or still longing for it. The down side of putting things off is waiting. You can wait and wait for the ‘right time’ or you can realize that now is the only time and the right time to decide to do something wonderful for yourself.” Rex Sikes

Make all your moments miraculous!

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If You Are Not Doing This You Are Missing Out!

focus on & the universe will give

“What has no harmful side effects? It is good for your health. It puts you in a better mood. It relaxes you and releases endorphins increasing the body’s own natural pain killers. Plus, it is beneficial to your heart, your lungs, your stomach and other organs. In fact, is is wonderful for an overall sense of health and well being? Have you guessed it yet? I wrote about it the other day.

Smiling and laughing. I mentioned how it is a great way to begin each day. I mentioned that the more you can smile and laugh throughout the day the more pleasant your day becomes. Have you tried it yet? Have you got up in the morning and laughed for a full five minutes? If not what is your excuse? Okay, so that may be why you haven’t done it yet, now start doing it.

Another thing you can do to increase how much you enjoy your day is to appreciate the little things. Take time to do simple, easy things that put a smile on your face. Go for a walk alone or with a friend. Sit in nature and listen to the sounds or the silence. Enjoy a bath, relax, get a massage or give one. Go out for a delicious meal or make one.

Serve or be served. See a movie you have wanted to or watch a favorite TV show. Listen to some music, dance. Read a book. Chat with a close family member or friend. Spend time with your loved ones. Go for a drive take in some new sights. Do something fun, healthy and new.

Gift yourself in a special way. Take time to feel good. Stop and smell the roses. Meditate, take a nap. Make some art, music, poetry. Take some pictures or some video.Smile and laugh more. Just have fun, create some balance and time for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.” Rex Sikes

Savor the seconds by making them special!

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