The Psychic Pathway to Joy By Sonia Choquette

OLD RULES I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t know what I’m doing.  I hope it works out.

NEW RULES My experience is better, happier, when I trust and use my intuition. I don’t need approval from others.  My success in life will be my approval.

Slow down and enjoy the moment!  You can’t enjoy life if you are overbooked, juggling too many things at one time, or constantly playing "catch-up" and racing around like crazy. Being that rushed will not only dim your awareness to nothing more than a whirling gray fog of confusion, but you will also miss the subtle, intuitive and healing guidance of your soul.  . So take a breath and relax! And if it is not enough to intend to relax, actually schedule it into your appointment book.

Meditate Meditation is the most effective way to sharpen your awareness because it clears away the mental noise and distractions that prevent you from noticing what is important here and now.  Meditation helps you become more relaxed, balanced and present to the moment.  If you've never meditated, don't worry.  It's not difficult.  It is quite simply the art of relaxing your body, resting your emotions and quieting your mind for 15 minutes a day.

Meditation begins with focusing on your breath.  Start by taking in a deep breath right now and notice how much better you feel when you simply do this.  Take a few more deep cleansing breaths and then allow your breath to settle into an easy, rhythmic pattern.  Next, gently close your eyes.  Notice how relaxing simply closing your eyes feels.  With your eyes closed, continue to breathe in to the count of four, hold it to the count of four, and then exhale to the count of four.  If thoughts arise simply observe them and then go back to your breath.  Don't fight or struggle with each new thought.  Observe it as though it is one of a string of train cars moving through the night, entering into and then drifting out of your consciousness. Continue breathing and relaxing for 15 minutes, then gently open your eyes and go about your day.

The best way to assure successful deep meditation is to be consistent.  It is by far more effective to meditate every day at the same time for 15 minutes than randomly once a week for an hour.  A busy schedule does make it tricky to find the time to consistently meditate, so you will have to select a time that works best for you.  I personally prefer meditating in the morning upon waking and before getting out of bed.  Perhaps this would be a good time for you as well.  Maybe in the evening or after work would be even better. Only you know your schedule and its demands.  Choose a time that is best suited for you and keep that appointment with your soul.

Meditation is not another thing “to do.”
It is an invitation to stop “doing.”

“I Am Calm”

This technique always works wonders when you need a break.  Simply touch your thumb and forefinger together, take in a deep breath and say quietly to yourself, "I am . . ." as you inhale, and " . . . calm" as you exhale.  Allow the feeling of "calm" to reverberate throughout your entire body.  The act of touching thumb to forefinger will serve as a physical reminder to come back to the moment, and the words "I am calm" will wash away the stress.

Quieting your nervous system and nurturing
yourself can save you hours of wasted anxiety,
sudden blowups, potential confrontations, health
stress and costly oversights. It’s tonic for the spirit.

Clear the drain
You can do this exercise whenever you feel you need more time than you have:
Place both feet flat on the ground or floor and let out a long, slow exhale.  Imagine everything that is pressing down on you draining out of your body and into the ground through the soles of your feet.  Then, very slowly, place your left hand over your heart and your right hand over your belly.  Take in a long, luxurious breath while repeating silently to yourself the affirmation:  "I am present and relaxed."  Repeat it again as you breathe out.

Do this slowly five times whenever you want to stretch time.  The key is to do it very slowly.  It only takes four minutes at the most, and miraculously it will expand time.

Mini Break

Every once in a while take 20 minutes exclusively for yourself and no one else.  During this time do whatever you want to do as long as it isn’t   work related.  Not even reading a self-help book. This can include talking on the phone to a friend, reading a joke book or a favorite novel, doodling on a note pad, working a cross-word puzzle, looking at mail order catalogue, or whatever else relaxes you and gives your mind a rest. You can even do nothing at all! Let this twenty minutes be guilt free fun time that nobody can claim but you.

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