Shera R. Sever: Igniting the Spark™

Commit and Do It!

Action is the anecdote to despair- Joan Baez

In the past few days, I’ve been reading hundreds of posts, messages with warm new year ‘s wishes along with workshop and seminar offerings focused on intentions, resolutions, manifesting miracles, etc. etc. for the New Year.

Yet, how many of us have spent our months or even years with good intentions– intentions to change this or that and find that year after year, like good green citizens, that we keep recycling these intentions?

I am all for intentions-they are the first step for change or transforming any behavior. However, it’s the intentions  that are held with desire, clearly communicated and acted upon, that actually BECOME change or achievements. One of my mentors, Tony Robbins is famous for his “Take Massive Action” mantra.

This year’s theme for me is a COMMITMENT to ACTION!

I have found that actively practicing the following  helps me stay in integrity with myself, others, and my commitments:

• I take responsibility for everything in my life- I let go of being a victim
• I practice the Gratitude Scan ™    (see previous post)
• I engage in on-going Forgiveness- releasing old resentments opens the door to massive flow, new energy, and manifestation.   Forgiveness releases the prisoner- YOU- to Freedom in it’s ultimate form of unconditional love.
• I ask myself daily:  “What made me happy today?”- not Who, but What?  What action did I commit to today that brought me happiness? How do I feel as a result?
• I transform my “To-Do” lists into “To Be ” lists.  What will I become as a result of taking action and achieving my goals?

So who is on your team?

Intentions are only as good as the determination (commitment) to DO IT! Staying committed is an on-going process-and we can’t do it alone.  Fortify your partnerships and strengthen your participation with  like-minded communities, who will support your intentions and hold you accountable for  taking ACTION towards the changes we want this  year.

Let’s make 2009 the year we actually  BECOME our dreams and the changes we wish to see.

This past week has been a wonderful reminder of how good it feels to GIVE, and even more so, to do it, anonymously.

One of the communities that I am part of hosts an annual gathering on Dec. 24 in Sonoma County, CA. In addition to healthy, organic food and chocolate, we participate in a sustainable gift exchange.  No purchases, no additional consumption,  but rather, an offering of a treasure that you no longer use/need. During the “dancing” exchange, we keep passing from hand to hand these wrapped anonymous gifts, until the music finally stops.  It always turns out that each one of us receives the absolute perfect gift!

Here in my neighborhood, I love setting boxes of used “treasures” and clothes out for passerbys to take home. There is a Chinese woman who visits my “boxes” regularly. She also helps herself to the recycling bin before the weekly city pick up, and receives a few cents for each glass container that she recovers from the bin.

Last week, I saw her walking by with her shopping cart. She stopped, pointing to her feet. “Shoes good”, she said with a big smile.  I was delighted to see my pair of black clogs fitting her feet perfectly.

I am a big believer in tithing, and set aside 10% of my annual income to donate to such organizations as Global Exchange, Spirit Rock, Bay Area NVC, IONS, Seva Foundation, and CEO Women among others. 

TITHING

Do you tithe?  For more information on tithing and prosperity, read Catherine Ponder’s works, starting with The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity.  Catherine did not market and sell “The Secret.” Rather, she shared her simple formula starting back in 1958 to groups of business leaders, helping them go from recession to abundance!

 SHARE YOUR ABUNDANCE

In this time of reviewing, reflecting, assessing, and goal setting, take stock of all you have to be grateful for. To whom can you give anonymously?  What can you let go of (behaviors, beliefs, or actual “things” ) to bring in the new?  Share your abundance.  This is the SECRET!

 “Even after all this time,

The Sun never says to the Earth,

You owe me.

Look what happens to a love like that. . .

It lights up the whole sky.”

Hafiz

What we focus on expands. 

Are you going to let this recession determine your fate? 

CABAN by artist Ruby Lee

Now is not the time to retreat, recoil or recede. It’s time to move forward with more confidence and certainty than ever with 100% participation! – John Asaraf

Focus on the  possibilities, opportunties,  what’ s needed.  How can you  as an awakened entrepreneur build your product, brand and services to truly serve others in this time?

My former client of 3 years, McGraw-Hill Publishers, recently released a market study and found that companies that maintained (or increased) their marketing throughout the 1981-82 recession saw an average sales growth of 275 percent through 1987.  But those companies who cut their marketing saw meager sales growth of 19 percent over the next five years.

The truth is, this might be the best time in 70 years to build a really great business. According to other marketing gurus, this is what happens in recessionary times:

The people who maintain their focus and take the right actions, in the right order, come out way ahead. 

And this is where I come in.  Are you a small business owner frozen in fear? Are the phrases “economic crisis or “financial crisis” part of your daily mantra? Or are you the warrior ready to lead the way with a clear vision, strategic action plan, and the right power partners in place?

My gift to you

Contact me  before Dec. 22 for a complimentary consultation where we will look at your strategy for 2009. This is my gift to you along with  a daily e-mail reminder through Jan 1, 2009 of steps you need to take to make 2009 a vibrant year for you, your business and your clients.

I am loving these long nights, and the clarity available in moments of stillness. Visions are birthed in the winter sky. What do you see, hear and feel? I just received the following message:

NOW is a time to speak of great things, to let your heart sing out in your words.  Today is a day that says ‘yes’ to all things, ‘yes’ to the future your soul wishes to create through you, ‘yes’ to your heart that wishes to release all the old burdens of regret and blame, and ‘yes’ to your center of truth that wants to rise up through the clouds of old ways of thinking and being and express itself truly.

NOW is the time to be yourself, but yet transformed into your true self, the self that lies underneath the complaints, fears and doubt, the self that is in love with life, that sees a sparkling future full of exciting adventures, new friends, new situations, new doors and windows to throw open so that the great winds of change can come pouring through, clearing away the cobwebs and the dust.

NOW is the time to talk of a glorious future, to let yourself actually say it in words:  “This is my dream.  Yes, yes, I know it is big, bigger than I could ever have imagined for myself.  But my heart and soul are speaking to me, and this is what they see.”

NOW is the time  to set aside all doubt and to know, absolutely, that you have within you everything that it is required to fulfill the dreams of your heart and soul. 

It is all within you.  All of the talent.  All of the abilities.  All of the courage. It is all there.

And so, today, let the dream hang before you, let the vision shine.  And then, today, take one small step forward from where you are toward where you wish to be.  Take just one small step; do one little tiny thing.

The tree of greatness begins with the dreaming seed and then sends forth a tender shoot, pushing up through the fertile earth, long before it can be seen by others. 

Today, let the seed fill your mind.  And then, with one little action, begin to sprout forth into new life, nurturing that little sprout with the vision you hold in your mind of the fully grown tree.

The Future is NOW!

Are you feeling tired with the constant gloomy news in the media? I hope by now, you have turned off your TV!

It’s a constricted lens that complains about all the things we don’t have or all the problems in our life.  But as my reader, you’re bigger than that- right?!

The Gratitude Scan

I’ve re-instated The Gratitude Scan into my morning daily practice by starting each day expressing thanks for all the abundance in my life.  Right now can you think of at least 3-5 things you are thankful for? How about 10? or even 20?

Starting tomorrow morning before you get up, release anxiety, stress and noise in your mind by expressing gratitude before you engage in any other activity! I find writing down all that I am grateful for to be a very powerful practice.

Excellence is a habit!

If you keep it up daily, you’ll start to notice a sense of peace, joy, and renewed confidence.  As a result better, clearer decisions,  more resilience, and a peacful “knowing”  are at your fingertips.  And most of all, you will attract more blessings, synchronicity, and  opportunities to you. And now, let’s take this a step further.

Practicing an Attitude of Gratitude in the Workplace

1. At a future meeting, ask everyone in the room to share something they are thankful for about their job:

• this could be as simple as a window in their office
• an ergonomic workstation
• a manager who really cares
• a supportive co-worker
• or the learning experience associated with a current project they are working on.

2. Let your co-workers, boss, and employees know how much you appreciate them. A simple note, e-mail, or dark chocolate(!?) at least once a week can uplift everyone’s spirit and add to the sense of collaboration in the workplace.

3. How can you let your clients know how much you appreciate them?

• Send a one or two line weekly motivational tip or favorite quote
• Offer a free resource reminding your clients that you are on their team to support their continued success.
• Call them on the phone
• Host a gratitude luncheon for your clients.
• Remember: Good things come to those who collaborate!

As the season of Thanksgiving is approaching let’s  make a special effort to have an Attitude of Gratitude. Engage yourself in activities and environments that reinforce your JOY!. It’s your birthright!

How to develop a Millionaire Mind in Turbulent Times

There’s the general economy, and then we each have our own personal economy. Yes, we all have are own economies, just like we all have our own belief systems, preferences, and opinions. There’s an inner economy and an outer economy

I have my own economy and my economy is great!- Say that a hundred times!

What we focus on expands- Intention is the most powerful element of manifestation.

So what are you focusing on? The fear and panic of old paradigms dying, financial crisis or on what YOU want to create?

Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want. Utilize what is! Create opportunities and your own micro-economies.

I often say to my clients: If you’re not changing, you’re not growing. If you’re not learning, you’re not living.

After three years of putting several of Harv Eker’s principles into play, I am once attending the Millionaire Mind Intensive, this weekend, in San Francisco. I’m going for a MINDSET tune-up, along with the opportunity to observe absolute master facilitators guide hundreds of participants through the most leading edge accelerated learning techniques.

Harv Eker is offering a special edition: Millionaire Mind in Turbulent Times. I first met Harv Eker in 2005 at his Millionaire Mind Intensive in Los Angeles. Since then, I have served as a Life Directions coach with his company, Peak Potentials Training

If you’re prepared for difficult economic times, and have the right tools, there is no reason to worry about your financial future. You can create your own micro-economy, and a thriving economy.

History has shown it is possible not only to survive but to prosper in these times.

During the great depression, huge fortunes were made by many. The Kennedy, Rothschild and Rockefeller families all dramatically increased their fortunes throughout the depression. But it wasn’t just the rich who got richer – many ordinary citizens found a way to not only survive but thrive during a poor economy

What was their secret?

It’s not skills, education or luck that sees the rich getting richer and leaves you in the same situation year after year. It’s mindset.

There’s an incredible opportunity available now to change your mindset in these turbulent times and create what you want.

Millionaire Mind Intensive Fall 2008
Special Edition- ONLY $97 if you click below (regular $1295)
Millionaire Mind in Turbulent Times
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
November 21 – 23, 2008

Click here to find other locations and dates for 2009

At the Millionaire Mind in Turbulent Times you’ll learn how to:

• Create your own personal economy that thrives at all times
• Focus on making a fortune while others are focused on fear
• Learn what to do and which strategies to use right now
• See how the worse it gets, the better you can do, now and in the future.

Here’s just a few of the incredible things you’ll learn at the Millionaire Mind Intensive:

• Wealth creation and maintenance strategies of the rich
• How to quadruple your speed to financial freedom
• Five key financial habits of the wealthy
• The underlying cause of almost all financial problems
• 12 ways to earn passive income so you can make money while you sleep
• The key to prospering during an economic recession

So, turn off the news and your TV. Come join me and others as we tap into our inherent abundance!

The thing to do is keep your mind when the world around you is losing theirs. Warren Buffet

It was May, 1999. I was about to go into major surgery. To prepare myself,  I had committed to engage in a  firewalk (Tony Robbins style) and carpooled with a fellow adventurer, Michel Ginoulhac, VP of the Organic Wine Company, to idyllic Sonoma Valley. It was our first meeting and one of immense synchronicity. We shared our resources, beliefs, experiences, and visions. We walked (and danced) on burning coals, and affirmed with high energy, laser focus, and clear intention, what IS possible! (my walk=seven times and no blisters!)

On that journey to Sonoma Valley, CA, Michel and I discussed the multitude of our shared influences in the worlds of consciousness, human potential, belief systems, nutrition, sustainability, and business success. One of these shared influences was Abraham & Esther Hicks, whom I’ve since had the opportunity to meet several times in San Rafael, CA.

I am delighted to see that Esther’s new book, Money and the Law of Attraction, has made it the NY Times #1 Bestseller’s List.

I particularly like the section, Careers as Profitable Sources of Pleasure, where readers are encouraged to choose careers/vocations that are in alignment with what you love being/doing.

Our life’s experiences and our inner knowing will guide us to the right careers if we allow ourselves to follow the flow. Often times this means just GETTING OUT of our OWN way.

Create work that is in alignment with YOUR Source.

Abraham says: “We encourage you to decide as early in life as possible to live happily ever after.” Career is living a happy life. When feeling happy is of paramount importance for you–and what you do ‘for a living’ makes you happy–you have found the best of all combinations.”

Some of the basic Abraham teachings remind us that:

• Life is supposed to feel good and that overall Well-Being is what is natural. That improving our lives is within our control.
• When we feel good physically, we naturally feel joy and well being and have a good attitude in life. This fills us with the positive energy that makes manifesting easy.
• Learning to guide your thoughts in the direction of things that feel good, connects us with the power that only comes from vibrational alignment with Source.”
• The way you feel is always about the degree in which you are in alignment or out of alignment with your source. No exceptions.

THE SECRET BEHIND THE SECRET

What many fans of The Secret do not know, is that “The Secret” actually came from the work of Abraham and Esther Hicks. Her story and the beginnings of the Abraham work is quite amazing. For more on the Abraham, Esther Hicks, and the Law of Attraction teachings, visit the Abraham-Hicks site.

And hear Esther in a live presentation: The Secret behind the Secret.

Check out my article and previous post: What’s Your Passion? What Makes You Come Alive

I love to write, teach, and coach entrepreneurs, authors and leaders to Be the Change! Vocation is where your greatest passion and the world’s greatest need overlap.

There is no Secret!

In an earlier post this week, I cited the Oprah/Tolle webcast “dialogs”.

There’s a wonderful exercise that came out of last night’s webcast- about complaining.

Make a running list of all of your complaints or complaining thoughts for a week, and observe where that voice is coming from. It’s not you, just your egoic conditioning – according to Eckert Tolle, the true You is the one observing what your mind is doing.

Now, isn’t that interesting?

Another exercise that I have applied in the past to help me break negative thought patterns is to wear a rubber band around my wrist- everytime I have a complaining thought, I snap it- hard!

Seeing and feeling the sting helps bring me back to the present moment, and away from these negative thought patterns quickly. It feels so good to be present.

Finding stillness within is about being grateful

Back in 2002, I swayed in a hammock along the Bays of Hueltulco (in Southern Mexico) and read Eckert Tolle’s The Power of Now , five times! I was in a mental obsessive state and found myself at peace after my “conversations” with Mr. Tolle.

In 2005, he released “The New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose“,
where Mr. Tolle continues to expand upon his theme and encourages us to be still and listen for the answer to one very important question:

“What does life want from me?”

The New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose is currently featured in Oprah’s Book Club and her new Soul Series: live web-events and global classroom

Click here to view.

With the exception of the advertising, I love this format for expanding consciousness.

The learning includes workbooks, live Q & A using Skype, and the option to download , view or listen to the webcast from your iphone/ipod, anytime!

There is a new “race” in consciousness. As an educator, writer, and content producer, I am very excited about the possibilities. Learning has never been so much fun and accessible!

You attract what you are CLEAR about. You only get what you really want!

For me, getting clear and staying balanced is an on-going process- it’s life-long learning and discipline!

Balance: What are your Daily Rituals?

Exercise, yoga, meditation, live, healthy food help create the anchors that allow us to “come back home” to ourselves. When I am feeling out of balance, it’s usually because I slipped out of self-discipline (why meditate when I can check e-mail?) and into some sort of unfocused swirl.

Choose daily rituals that support optimal life force – practices and habits that are cleansing, balancing, and clarifying. For me, a weekly mix of meditation, yoga, or dance along with time outdoors everyday and a mid-day, healthy, “green” meal helps keeps me grounded and in my body.

Clarity: What Makes You Come Alive?

To help you with this process:

1. Look at what you loved being, doing, feeling when you were between the ages of 7-14. These are the keys to your true passions.
2. Make a list of these activities/experiences. Did you love singing? How can you bring that back into your life now? Did you give up a dream? Bring it back, write it down as if it is happening now.
3. Ask Yourself: What’s the essence/sensation in these activities/experiences? As Abraham-Hicks says, “Move towards what feels good.”
4. Ask Yourself: What would I do if I knew I wouldn ‘t fail? Sit with this question. Write out 20-30 brave responses.
5. Create a Vision Board. Find images (on-line, your own photos & drawings, clips from magazines) that support these brave statements and serve as a mirror to your VISION. Giving attention to your Vision Board everyday will keep you focused on your vision, dreams and desires.Yes, that’s right, you CAN have that Now.“
6. Discover kinesiology and learn a few exercises combining mental images, movement and eye patterns. Releasing the mind clutter and reprograming/ retraining your brain (balancing the left and right hemispheres), creates space for the voice of clarity to speak through you. Negativity, fear, and paralyzing doubts come from confusion (lack of focus) and unfulfilled desires.
7. Share your vision and desires with others. We can’t do it alone- why would you want to? Own, love, and share your vision. It’s your responsibility.