Getting Good Vibes Around Money Matters

In this difficult economic climate ridden with rising health care costs and inflation, it's more important than ever to maintain a positive attitude toward money and set your sights on personal prosperity. Moreover, train yourself to feel prosperous and blessed as of this very moment. If you are reading these words, all you must do now is believe that your personal vibrational frequency attracts your (seemingly) external situations and not the other way around. Remember that many will ride out this depressive economic era seemingly unscathed. Resolve to be among those, understanding that your own projections will be met by manifestations in your external reality.

Many of us are held back from embracing prosperity by fears, ignorance, prejudices and other subconscious motivators that taint our attitude toward money and wealth. The thought of becoming wealthy instantly throws us into a subconscious panic. We immediately begin to question our existing paradigm: What would become of me if my income were to suddenly increase dramatically? Would I become a better person? What would my friends think? Would money bring out the best or the worst in me?

And it is this very panic - the pure emotional power of it - that attracts that very thing you fear most: economic insecurity.

The fact of the matter is, you won't know how money will enhance, change, transform or elevate your life until you actually start to see larger sums than ever before coming into your hands. But if we can judge by example, we all know of people who have made personal fortunes without sacrificing their personal values. In fact, for many, money represents a source of power and the opportunity to invest in causes that we righteously believe in, including such things as alternative energy, holistic health care, research foundations, charities, and grass-root political organizations. Your positive example will also help inspire others, and your personal prosperity will directly and indirectly serve the economic betterment of those you love.

There are a multitude of ways to increase your household income quickly, easily, and without a lot of investment up-front. Many home-based business opportunities have cropped up all over the Internet and - in spite of the many spammers and ripoff operations - quite a few are actually legitimate companies that can help you to earn that extra income you need. The Internet has made it possible for those of us with creative talents, unique services and innovative money-making ideas to grow our wealth in a plethora of creative new ways that weren't even conceivable only 20 years ago.

The first step to becoming financially solvent is to educate yourself in the areas of strategic planning, investment strategies and financial products offered by banks, insurance companies, investment firms and other financial institutions. Learn to distinguish between a Hedge and a Mutual Fund, an IRA and a Money Market Account.

In this day of electronic technology and global markets, the archaic financial systems of the Industrial Age are being replaced by new systems that conform to the New Information Age. Get with the times by reading as much as you can about financial matters and becoming savvy on the subject. Contrary to the once-popular belief that "finances are boring" turn your creative juices in the direction of designing your desired (and deserved) lifestyle. Education is an asset you can build without much financial investment, thanks to the information available online today.

By increasing your knowledge of accounting, banking, investment products and sources of passive income, you improve your self-esteem in this area and your chances for transmitting the right vibrations with regards to your financial future. Remember to always acknowledge the bounty of riches that you have already received, and be grateful for the knowledge you acquire along the way. When it comes to planning your financial future and designing your dream life, the journey should be as enjoyable as the perceived destination - in fact, the journey itself is the real prize!

Center Yourself and Relax

Managing stress is a leading concern for many adults. While taking time off work and getting away for a quick vacation may not be on your immediate agenda, nonetheless, there are a number of ways you can manage your stress level while still keeping up with your daily obligations. The following are some tips for achieving a state of deep relaxation regularly in order to keep your body and life flowing optimally.

Watch what you put into the body and when

Your diet actually has a lot to do with your overall well-being and stress level. Certain foods are more stress-producing than others, and it is important to note how much and how often you eat. The first of the stress-producing culprits are coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks and other caffeine-and-sugar-laden beverages. Caffeine is known as a powerful stimulant that affects the nervous system directly and daily comsumption may compromise your body's ablity to relax properly. The same goes for chocolate, black tea, yerba mate, and even green tea, so consume these stimulants at times when they will not intensify the already excited activity of your adrenal glands. In other words: avoid them during times of peak stress, such as when you're rushing out the door to get to work in the morning. Instead, enjoy them in moderation after a leisurely meal on your day off and disable the cyclic relationship between these substances and your stress level.

A diet too rich in meats and animal products may result in mood disturbances and compromise your ability to relax and even to achieve restful sleep. Raw foods and vegetables, on the other hand, support the body's nutritional needs while facilitating rapid digestion and the elimination of toxins that can cause tension and irritation in the body. Organic whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans, especially soaked and/or sprouted before consumption, help you maintain a clean digestive tract with optimal mineral absorption. The absorption of minerals is crucial to your body's overall well-being and your ability to ward off anxiety, irritability and stress. Fresh cultured dairy products such as yogurt, kefir and fresh mozzarella cheese are excellent sources of calcium, which nourishes your bones and nervous system, but avoid hardened and aged cheeses, as these are often much more difficult to digest, resulting in irritation. Taking a good mineral supplement will also help to keep your moods in check. Magnesium is known to expand and relax muscle tissue, and a warm bath filled with Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) is an excellent treatment for overall physical stress and muscle stiffness.

Honor the mind-body connection through movement and exercise

Taking time out to exercise, stretch your muscles and meditate is vital to the sustenance and vitality that your body needs in order to truly enjoy a full life. You can save time by combining the two activities into one, through a discipline such as T'ai Chi, Qui Gong or Yoga. Or, design your own relaxing and stretching routine using whatever movement elements you feel most comfortable with. The key is to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, empty your mind, and massage your entire musculature as well as your inner organs. Bear in mind that stretching is not the same as aerobics nor is it the same as weight-bearing exercise. Those forms of physical activity are best performed after the body is fully stretched and relaxed.

Meditation

The best way to begin meditating is to find a tranquil spot and sit comfortably. Begin to inhale deeply using only your nostrils and the full capacity of your lungs, drawing the breath into the lower abdomen. Count to ten while holding the breath in your body, then release it slowly through your mouth. By repeating this deep-breathing exercise, you will soon feel your body challenging the depths of your breaths. Gently push onward, concentrating deliberately on relaxing every part of your body, beginning from the toes up. Focus on each part of the body as you visualize relaxation and expansion in your ankles, calves, knees, thighs, pelvis and so on. Allow yourself to stay in the meditation for a period of about 15 minutes. Setting a timer is a good idea so you do not have to worry about watching a clock.

After a while, you may find yourself thinking about all your current problems, situations in your daily life, and things that seem to be distracting you from your meditation. But wait! That is precisely what meditation is supposed to do: allow you to filter your thoughts through a state of utter tranquility and release them. Once you have systematically allowed all your thoughts to evaporate through the process of mental release, you will experience a soothing inner peace. At this point, you will know you have reached the state of absolute relaxation, the mental state known as Alpha. After lingering for a few minutes in the state of Alpha, you will have successfully relaxed your mind and body to a degree wherein toxins produced by stress and anxiety can be more easily processed and eliminated by your body.

Your sanctuary

By creating a quiet sanctuary where you can release your tension, you grant yourself the gift of space and expansion. Choose a private spot outdoors, in your garden or on a window-bench overlooking a tranquil view. If your sanctuary is indoors, make sure the room gets good natural light and is uncluttered. Burn a small amount of incense or use aromatherapy to elevate the spiritual and emotional energy of the space. Surround yourself with the colors, sounds, and fragrances that you love. By retreating to your sanctuary each day, you will feel mentally and spiritually replenished, charging your batteries for your otherwise hectic and busy lifestyle.

Rejoice! Resolutions for a Healthier, Happier New Year

* Begin each day with joyful gratitude.
* Stretch and bend before starting your daily activities.
* Take time to relax and meditate.
* Eat fresh, raw, organic foods at each meal.
* Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.
* Walk at least one hour each day.
* Laugh frequently.
* Limit TV time.
* Live simply.
* Practice humility and compassion.
* Nurture personal relationships.
* Get to bed early and enjoy an early start every morning.

"Fear not... The ocean takes care of each wave until it reaches the shore..." ~ Rumi