4 Ways to Raise Your Bottom Line by Being Adventurous in Your Business

I received a card this week from a friend that contained this quotation from Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” It got me thinking about the ways that I am adventurous in my business and noticing that when I’m adventurous, that is when I am the most successful.

To be adventurous means that you participate in exciting enterprises and bold undertakings. Are you adventurous in how you run your business? What would it look like for you if you were?

Whether you haven’t been exercising your adventure muscles out of fear or lack of know how, today is your opportunity to flex those muscles. Being adventurous is both fun and the perfect way to increase your credibility, visibility and profitability.

So, here are 4 ways for you to raise your bottom line by being adventurous in your business this week. Pick one or more, flex those adventure muscles and have some fun with it.

1. Talk to strangers. Isn’t there an old saying about strangers being friends you haven’t met yet? Strike up a conversation about anything with someone you don’t know at your local coffee shop or supermarket. Doing this grows your confidence and makes it much easier for you to talk to people you want to do business with when you attend your next networking event. It’s fun, too, as you get to meet a variety of people and make great new contacts. So, at the next opportunity, smile, look a stranger in the eye and say “hello.”

2. Let your personality show. In life, and especially in business, it’s easy to get caught up in acting like you think you “should” instead of simply – and proudly – being yourself. However, real success only comes to you when you are being real, when you are being you – truly, madly, deeply YOU. If you have pulled back on living the adventure that is being opening and authentically yourself, today is the perfect day to show the world who you are. Speak your truth. Stand up for yourself. Show people your sense of humor. Let your voice shine through in your business writing. Etc.!

3. Stake your claim. What do you believe? What is the work that you are brilliant at? What causes are important to you? Shout out who you are, what you do and what you stand for. Lay claim to your unique talents, perspectives, ideas and ways of being. Let the world see the real you even if (perhaps especially if) some people will disagree. Make peace with the fact that stepping into your power means you may ruffle a few feathers and be OK with that. Draw a line in the sand about who you are, what you do, what you charge, who you work with, etc. Trust me, as scary as this is that first day, you’ll be so glad you staked your claim.

4. Charge what you really want. You’re a business person with amazing and unique talents that change people’s lives. That means that you can charge fees that you fee great about and that are based on the value you add to your clients’ lives and not what you imagine they maybe can afford. It takes courage to charge what you are really worth so accept the adventurous journey of charging fees that make you happy.

Don’t worry if baby steps feel adventurous to you right now. Start there and see where it takes you. I guarantee that once you see the results you get from a little bit of adventure, you’ll be inspired to go bigger with it.

Raise your vibration, change your experience

The more I study and read, the more I realize the power of our emotions. Not only do they impact how we feel, but they also influence what we’ll experience in this life.

The Bigwigs say it too. Optimism is good for our health. Happiness can make us live longer. Hostility and anger contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease. The list goes on.

No matter what the article I’m writing, the Biggest Bigwigs I’ve interviewed (Beware, going to start name dropping here), Joe Vitale, Denis Waitley, Kathlyn and Gay Hendricks, and scores of others often bring up the power of emotions. Understanding how emotions serve and hurt us, is the key to thriving in this life experience.

I’m not saying you have to feel good all the time. I’m for sure not saying you’ve got to suppress or deny the bad feelings. Just ask my husband, I’m not a suppressor. The point is to notice what you ARE feeling. Then, using the insight that emotion provides, consciously pick something that feels a bit better.

When you are stuck in anger or sadness or overwhelm you are emitting vibrations that – per the Law of Attraction – attract more of the same anger, sadness, and overwhelm. Practical example: If you go off on your partner in anger, chances are they aren’t going to give you back a bunch of love. Most likely, you’ll get their anger, withdrawal, defensiveness right back.

The often used, but, appropriate analogy, is that our vibrations are like the frequency on a radio dial. When you reach a certain frequency you access the station you want. If you’re humming at a low frequency, you’ll access lower emotions and happenings. Higher frequencies draw higher emotions – love, joy, optimism – and bring you closer to your desires.

So, if you catch yourself in a low frequency, observe the emotions you’re experiencing and then raise it up a notch. Start by getting some perspective and then making a shift to something a little bit better.

Here’s how to do it.

• Note your mood and circumstance. What emotion are you feeling? What’s going on that you don’t like? Keep it short. Don’t editorialize or dwell. Just notice the thing you don’t like, for example: cat urine outside of the box is most definitely something I don’t like.

• Shift focus to the other side of the situation. There are multiple ways to look at every circumstance, now take a more positive view. What is working? What DO you want? Why? Answer these questions and you’ll automatically feel an emotional shift taking place. Well, at least the cat went inside the garage, and on a stack of newspapers. That was good thing. I want a healthy, happy cat and an easier clean up for me.

• Notice the shift. You won’t go from despair to elation in 30 seconds flat, but you don’t have to. As Esther Hicks says, guided by Abraham, just reach for something a little better and your vibration will move a little higher. From there, you’ll start drawing in things that feel slightly better, and that will raise your vibration another notch. Soon you’ll be out of the mess – literally. My renegade cat is back in the box.

So, if it feels like you’re being repeatedly smacked in the forehead with a tether-ball, time to duck. Then, raise your vibration to another level. You’ll feel better and better things will begin to happen.

Raise Your Self Esteem by Getting Unglued from Your Stuck Feelings

You know those everyday hurts and pains. And you know how the tiny hurts and irritations can have a cumulative effect. Then one day you just erupt with the disappointments, hurts or irritations that you've been trying let pass, ignore or talk yourself out of. And then your self esteem plummets because of the childish, inappropriate way you acted.

For some examples of those tiny hurts, let's say you walk into a party and experience a group of friends turning their backs on you instead of smiling, or your mother screams she'll have a heart attack if you go out with that woman, or you find out that your mate has been viewing pornography every night after you go to bed. The hurt can be as seemingly small as smiling at someone and getting a cold glare back.

Any of these things will usually trigger an emotional reaction, however slight and brief. It's natural. If we could just feel the feelings they will just go on through our amazing, self righting body/minds and would re-center ourselves and move on to what was next.

But the truth is that most of us don't just stop at feeling the feelings. We make up stories about why "it" happened; or how inadequate, weak, or stupid we are to have the feelings we have; or how wrong "they" were to do whatever. In other words, our interpreting machine starts whizzing. And as we are nattering away, we know we are doing this and our self esteem is sinking.

Much of our self esteem (at least until we have trained ourselves for a radical self-acceptance) depends on what emotions we are feeling. Ideally we would open-heartedly accept however we feel. But, let's face it, when we feel loving, playful, generous, we feel good about ourselves. However, when we are caught by anxiety, sadness, jealousy or hurt, our self image can suffer. At those times, we don't measure up to how we would like to feel, how we would like to be seen, how we would like to imagine ourselves to be.

The problems we have with ourselves and with those emotional states come from getting stuck in the feelings, from identifying with the feelings. It is the experience of "I AM angry" rather than I am a beautiful being who "has anger" passing by. The real problem is our reactions to our feelings, and our judgments about ourselves for having those feelings. That keeps us stuck as we resist, and react ad nauseum.

I'd like to give you a way to experience your uncomfortable feelings but not get glued to or avoid them.

This method is called Conscious Witnessing. It is explained in great depth by Wayne Dyer in Your Sacred Self: Making the Decision to Be Free. This method is also something that therapists may use to assist people who are working through major trauma.

This split focus and detaching method requires that you observe painful moments from a detached, slightly dissociated place a couple of locations away from the experience.

For a visual metaphor of the placement of the vantage points, you can imagine yourself in a movie theatre in the projection room. And you are doing three things at once. 1 )You-as the Conscious Witness--are looking down into the theatre, and having your own response as you watch and 2) you notice your emotional reactions, thoughts, body sensations as you 3) see the painful incident played out on the screen.

I'll describe the process using an experience of a composite client. I'll later demonstrate how it can be used for more harmonious relationships.

One step removed: viewing a video or film of the incident with you in it

In the theater metaphor, you are not in your body, seeing the incident from your own eyes as you were when it first happened. You are viewing the incident on the screen as you sit in the theatre.

To practice, the first step is to pick an experience that is not horribly painful, but enough to register some emotional pain. Now play the video or screen scene forward as you non-judgmentally notice your responses.

Using Your Conscious Witness View for Relational issues

I now turn to an example of how using the Conscious Witness position can help to get a different perspective on relational issues. This practice not only provides emotional relief, but can provide emotional freedom with which to imagine and carry out alternative responses.

Below is what happened with a woman as she experimented with using the Conscious Witness perspective.

The scene: she and her partner are lying in bed watching TV before sleeping. He makes a derogatory comment about the program. She quickly picks up her journal and begins writing energetically in it. He thinks she is offended by his comment and is writing nasty things about him. He sighs in pain and disgust, feeling criticized. She thinks he is taking her actions personally (she's actually inspired and writing a poem). She thinks, "There he goes. Again."

This client was feeling angry, lonely, sad, disgusted, and depressed about her relationship. She was thinking, "He's so not there-as usual. He never sees ME, only his ideas of how I'm disapproving."

As she lay on the bed, in pain, she saw that he had gone to sleep. She decided to try the Conscious Witness point of view of their exchange. As she replayed the scene from her conscious Witness point of view was an all too familiar relational pattern, played out countless times. She suddenly burst out laughing at the predictability and the "ridiculousness" of the pattern. She wrote in her journal, now, "This is hysterical!" Her feelings of annoyance at her partner vanished, and she went to sleep happy.

She is understandingly excited about continuing to use this practice to detach from her unwanted emotional intensities. She is also freed up from her distress enough to actually invent alternative ways of reacting to the pattern when it appears again.

I hope this Conscious Witness practice will bring you relief and restore your humor at our relational foibles.

Raise Your Love Vibration

There is a lot written about how to raise your energy in order to manifest your dreams, a new vacation, a sports car, and better employment. The list goes on and on. I see this as all good.

However, what if we all committed to raising our energy and increasing our awareness in order to bring about a radical and social transformation for ourselves and our planet?

That is my highest wish and vision. Resonating at a higher frequency and raising my vibration is my contribution to myself, those around me and the human family.

When our first goal is to live a bold, an authentic and a blessed life we make the most out of our awesome earthly journey.

Every thing else we want to have is secondary. Every thing else will fall into place!

I invite you to commit to a higher vision as well and to raise your energy and the energy of the planet based on that commitment. As we do so, we will actively contribute peace, love, kindness and service to each other and our world.

The following examples are states of low energy or low vibrations: depression, fear, negativity, anxiety, judgment, guilt, shame, etc.

Some examples of high states of energy or high vibrations are: joy, love, inspiration, hope, positivity, health, faith, etc.

The following are methods for increasing awareness and raising your energy frequencies:

1. Spend Time in Nature

I like to run, hike and walk. Weather you spend time in a city park, your back yard or in the wilderness nature offers renewal, insight and inner calm.

2. Remember How Blessed You Are

Between our media and our egos we are constantly being bombarded with the fear of “not enough.” Choose to wake up, smell the day and become grateful. I have gratitude journals on my book shelf from the previous seven years.

3. Write in Your Journal

Instead of being weighted down by problems and negative or anxious thoughts create a dialogue in your journal. It will bring you understanding and insight.

Learn to ask a question with your dominant hand. It can be anything. Answer the question with your non-dominant hand. Don’t give in to the temptation of editing your answers. Write down the first thing that comes to your mind.

4. Listen to Music

Classical and positive music will lift your energy and your mood.
Music can have an inspiring and calming effect. It will transform negative energy into positive energy. Music therapy is used in hospitals to help heal patients.

5. Volunteer Your Time

Ask, “How can I give of myself today.” When you help a friend, coworker, neighbor or even a stranger you not only lift your energy you lift theirs as well. Get involved in a worthy cause. You will see immediate results!

6. Observe or Spend Time with Small Children

Children are authentically themselves. Their energy, laughter and spontaneity are contagious. They can make your heart sing.
My grandson is learning to talk and he’s obsessed with cell phones. He’ll even hold one of his socks to his ear and say, hello-hello. He is pure love and joy.

7. Be Enthusiastic

Get excited about life. You’re alive. You are a part of the human family. The world needs your presence and talents. Your role on the planet is important no matter what it is. No body can fill your shoes or do your part.

8. Use Affirmations

I make mine on index cards with color markers. A few of my favorites: “I have a life of endless joy.” “I consciously acknowledge all of the wonder and beauty in my life.” “We have a magnificent future.”

9. Clear Your Clutter

A life of simplicity is live-giving. A life overflowing with physical stuff is live-draining. Keep every area of your life in the flow and clutter free.

10. Read Inspirational Books

I’m currently reading The Moses Code by James Twyman and The Crabby Angels Chronicles by Jacob Glass. Both are very uplifting and encouraging books.

11. It's All About Love

Make your intention about love and acceptance. Let go of judgment. A lesson I like to practice is “I shall judge nothing that occurs today.” Love is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others.

12. Meditate

It gets you in touch with your soul. Meditation will open your heart and reveal your natural goodness and true identity. Even five minutes twice a day is better than not meditating at all.

13. Become a Self-Nurturer

Take good care of yourself by eating well and exercising. Pamper yourself; learn to make “you” a priority!

14. Be in the Present Moment

It’s impossible to make a bad choice in the present moment. Poor decisions come from the pain of the past or fear of the future.

When we live our highest vibration we become awakened human beings. Only then can we have an enlightened society. The following is a quote by Michael Beckwith.

"The cosmic laughter of Spirit bathes my soul in joy. I see with clear seeing, and all that I do is from the pure joy of being. I love life and love living. I love being me as I am me."

6 Ways To Raise Your Vibration Level

One of the best ways to be successful in living the law of attraction and creating the life of your dreams is to keep your vibration level as high as possible. But what does it mean to be on a vibration high? Simply put it is raising your energy to a level that makes you feel good about yourself and your life. We have all experienced good vibes and bad vibes, well it is the bad vibes that you must avoid if you are going to be successful at the manifestation process.

Being positive and keeping your vibration levels high enables you to attract your desires quickly and efficiently, if you are deliberately trying to attract something and your vibration is low you will most likely get poor results, often you will get exactly the opposite to what you wanted. So it is important to keep your spirit up lifted, keep your mood light and happy and be sure to keep your thoughts positive.

So how do you go about keeping your vibration level high? Here are some tips to help you get started: -

Be careful whom you speak to -

Do not spend time listening to or engaging in negative conversations, they usually end up in a bad story swapping contest, with each person trying to demonstrate that their situation or experience is worse than the other persons. These conversations are very damaging and can drag your vibration level down to rock bottom.

Change your listening habits -

When listening to music what do you feel, sad, happy, uplifted or melancholy? Pay attention to the music that you listen to and if you find that your feelings are negative switch the music to something that will uplift you.

Embrace nature -

Get outside for a few minutes a day, find a quiet spot and just stop and listen to nature. Take some deep breaths, try to empty your mind and look around and appreciate this universe that you are connected to. You will be surprised at how emptying your mind for just a few minutes a day will help you feel more positive and give you greater clarity when you return to your daily tasks.

Treat yourself -

One of my friends often comments that I treat myself really well, and it is true, I do because I know that I am worth it, that I deserve it and it makes me feel good. Do something nice for yourself, it could be something simple like a long hot bubble bath with candles and a glass of wine, going out to the movies or buying a new outfit, doing something just for yourself that you enjoy will definitely make you feel good and automatically raise your level of vibration.

Spend time alone -

Quiet reflection, meditation, down time, what ever you wish to call it, being in solitude can help to rejuvenate you especially if you work in a busy or noisy environment, just being alone and quiet can lift your spirit tremendously.

Follow positive people -

Take note of the people you spend time with, if you find that there are a number of negative people in your life and you realize that when you are with them, your vibration often lowers, you need to remove these people from your life. It may sound harsh but surrounding yourself with negative people is one of the most damaging things you can do to yourself. Being surrounded by negativity kills your spirit and your creative abilities thus making manifestation virtually impossible. Put your self in the company of positive people and you will immediately notice a lift in your vibration.

Following some of these tips can make all of the difference to your life, whether you are simply trying to be more focused and positive or if you are intentionally manifesting your desires to create a new life.

Grunge Heart Love.....

Raised With Christ

Consider that typical solid citizen of the neighborhood driving into her garage after a long day. Her marriage of twenty-some years has ebbed as well as scraped bottom, but she and her husband have worked through the rough times. Although she occasionally had shared the infamous "little white lie" and was guilty on occasion of gossiping, she regards herself as a good person. With this conviction firmly in hand, heaven is a given, she thinks. She even believes Jesus died upon the cross for her. Unfortunately, there just never seems enough time to learn more. Has she even heard of being raised with Christ? Should someone mention it, a polite smile is all that it would evoke.

Even "small sin" contamination involves being spiritually dead. Perhaps it is easier to perceive our desperate spiritual need when addiction or some terrible sin has crushed our human spirit. Being raised with Christ may not seem to be too important, until someone discovers what it means for today and for eternity - it all began with a crucifixion.

Roughly two thousand years earlier as temple guards seized and bound him, Jesus had uttered the words, "this is your hour - when darkness reigns."/1 Under the cloak of darkness, an illegal trial convened. Then as dawn broke, Jesus had been dragged before the governing authorities who were hounded until the condemnation had finally been granted, "crucify him."

Mirky blackness enveloped the sky for three hours as the body of Jesus hung upon a sturdy wooden cross. Finally, with a shout, life was extinguished. Jesus had died.

On the first day of the week, God's power raised Jesus' corpse to life shattering the shackles of death making it possible for each one of us to be raised with him. He rose to possess a glorious indestructible life and to sit on the Father's right hand above all authority and power. With Jesus' resurrection comes hope for our lives!

Whenever God's people remember Jesus' resurrection, it is appropriate to also reflect upon what it means for us to be raised with Christ. First, being raised with Christ holds meaning for our lives now. Those who have relied upon Jesus' death have died with Christ crucifying themselves to the lifestyle of pursuing evil desires./2 Furthermore, Jesus performed a surgery upon them cutting off their sinful past thus freeing them from their guilt and deserved condemnation./3 God's power then raised them up with Christ granting spiritual life./4 Those who have been raised up with Christ are to be committed to serving God and living by the Spirit in setting their minds on what pleases the Spirit./5 Therefore dying with Christ entails repenting, receiving forgiveness as well as gaining both spiritual life and guidance for living. Being raised with Christ involves living out this new life.

Second, since Jesus arose to die no more, those who have been raised with Christ can anticipate being resurrected or transformed when Jesus returns so that they too will possess glory and an imperishable life!/6 Christ's bodily resurrection can not be separated from the bodily resurrection of his people at the end. If Christ has been raised, and he was, then those in Christ will also be raised. To have been raised with Christ fills us with hope and expectation in the knowledge of what will happen. What a wonderful Savior!

When the present and future implications of being raised with Christ are considered, what a complete makeover! How awesome to be raised with Christ. Certainly this is the hope our world needs today and for tomorrow.

Being raised with Christ may sound a bit bland or even odd to the untrained ear, until discovery reveals what it means for today and for eternity. To be the self-proclaimed proverbial basically good person but without Christ can be particularly insidious since interest in the subject will probably hover around zero. If only those who thought that they are good enough without Christ really knew!

1: Luke 22:53

2: Romans 6:1-7; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 5:24

3: Colossians 2:11-13

4: Ephesians 1:18-20; 2:4-6; Colossians 2:12-13

5: Colossians 3:1-3; Galatians 5:24-25; 6:8; Romans 6:13, 22; 8:5

6: Colossians 3:1,4; 1 Corinthians 15:42,43,52; Romans 6:8

So Everybody just Raise up ..It's to move on.!!!