| iv id="body"> | | | | making highest and best decisions for us. Need I |
| Let's take responsibility for our thoughts! | | | | go on? |
| My eyes brimmed with tears as I watched the | | | | How can each of us participate in raising the |
| first African American being sworn into the | | | | consciousness? |
| highest ranking office in this country, perhaps the | | | | The greatest gift we can give ourselves is to turn |
| most powerful position in the world. How could | | | | inward, whether through the practice of |
| anyone not be inspired by the inauguration of | | | | meditation, prayer, visioning or visualization. There |
| President Barack Obama? It is clear to me that | | | | are also a few practical things we can do to |
| Mr. Obama is a living example how we can | | | | change our lives for the better, and at the same |
| accomplish anything when we believe in ourselves | | | | time raise the collective consciousness. Consider |
| and set our minds to it. | | | | the following practices: |
| President Obama certainly didn't candy coat the | | | | Set the intention that you are going to think |
| state of our nation. In our lifetime, we have never | | | | responsibly. |
| faced such daunting challenges: the economy, Iraq, | | | | Stop focusing on how bad things are. There is |
| Afghanistan, war on terror, and healthcare, to | | | | something to be said about focusing on what's |
| name a few. At the conclusion of this determined | | | | right rather than what's wrong. Consider how |
| man's inaugural speech, the crowd roared with | | | | grand life truly is and how blessed we are. |
| excitement ... change had arrived. Images of | | | | Express gratitude for what you have. When you |
| expressive, tear-streaked faces being broadcast | | | | hear how far the stock market dropped, consider |
| around the world kindled a renewed sense of | | | | in that moment how fortunate you are that you |
| hope that we have reached a turning point. | | | | even have assets to watch. |
| Yet, President Obama admitted that he cannot | | | | Guard your thoughts! Guard your words! Often |
| turn this nation around alone. He can't bring this | | | | times we focus on what's wrong rather than |
| country out of its darkness by himself. He needs | | | | what's right. I love how Mother Theresa |
| everyone to play their part in getting our nation | | | | responded when she was invited to an anti-war |
| back on track. How fitting that his first official act | | | | rally. "If you hold an anti-war rally, I shall not |
| as president was to "proclaim January 20, 2009, a | | | | attend. But if you hold a Pro-Peace rally invite me." |
| National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation," | | | | Be aware of simple word-choice and stop |
| asking, "All Americans to serve each other to | | | | focusing on negative or "what if" scenarios. Rather |
| remake this county." | | | | than worrying about being laid off, think how |
| I asked myself, 'How will I serve?' | | | | grateful you are to have a job. |
| For me, the answer is clear. In order to lift | | | | When you catch yourself saying or thinking |
| ourselves out of the fire, we must raise our | | | | something with a negative spin, follow it with, |
| consciousness. Before I lose you with this | | | | "however that is changing." Don't be hard on |
| woo-woo term, let me explain. When we | | | | yourself. Just the fact that you are recognizing |
| understand how powerful we are and the impact | | | | your negative thoughts or words is huge, and you |
| we have on this nation and the world, we realize | | | | are thinking responsibly by correcting yourself. If a |
| we must take responsibility. We must stop | | | | thought crosses your mind and you find yourself |
| pointing fingers and blaming others for the turmoil | | | | wondering, 'How is that serving me?' Chances are |
| of our nation. We must change our thoughts. | | | | it's not. |
| Quantum physics shows us that our thoughts and | | | | Consider your power and send positive thoughts |
| prayers influence everything. Thoughts are energy | | | | and energy, including prayer, to our president and |
| and when fueled with intention and purpose they | | | | all world leaders so they are guided to make |
| create. We all have the ability to manifest | | | | decisions that are highest and best for everyone. |
| everything we desire. Good or bad. Thoughts | | | | When you've experienced a hiccup in your life, |
| manifest miracles or traumas. They bring joy or | | | | expect your "unexpected good." Know that |
| sorrow, peace or conflict, prosperity or poverty. | | | | something bigger and better is manifesting in your |
| Remember that what we focus on will expand. | | | | life. Don't dwell on the minor setback - believe |
| So, what are you thinking about? | | | | that it's happening for a reason and trust you are |
| If you're worried about the fallen stock market, | | | | being guided to something much grander. Trusting, |
| then you're fueling a plunging market. If you're | | | | believing in the miracle of serendipity is thinking |
| concerned that you won't be able to pay for your | | | | responsibly. |
| healthcare next month, then situations will develop | | | | It's time that we take responsibility for our |
| which will make healthcare unaffordable to you. If | | | | thoughts. We all have an extraordinary role to |
| you're nervous about keeping your job, chances | | | | play in this world. Turn inward and recognize that |
| are you'll be filing for unemployment. If you think | | | | part of our mission, our reason for being here, is |
| President Obama lacks the experience to do his | | | | to think responsibly and raise the consciousness |
| job, you're feeding fear that will prohibit him from | | | | so that we all can live more joyful lives. |