Do you have any doubt that you can be everything you want to be?  Do you believe you are limited by your history, genetics, karma, or any other factor?  If so, take heart. Your destiny far outshines your history. 

Scientists tell us that dogs evolved from the wolf. About ten thousand years ago people began to breed dogs to draw forth traits they valued. Wolves were selected for hunting skills, herding, and loyalty. Over time breeding became more and more specialized, until today we have over 150 registered dog breeds and a total of 500 breeds created by specifically mixing the registered breeds. 

This theory does not explain why my dog looks and acts nothing like a wolf. Our little Maltese weighs eight pounds, with long white fluffy hair, and a pushed-in nose. She is the cutest creature you have ever seen (I know, except for your dog or cat), with infinite affection for everyone she meets. Yet scientists swear she descends from a wild, scary-looking predator virtually impossible to tame.

Excerpted from the newly released "Practical Conscious Creation: Daily Techniques to Manifest Your Desires" (Findhorn Press, Fall 2011)

When most people think of fear, they conjure pictures of screaming women in slasher movies, horrible mindless villains, or heroes chased by zombies. But, for most of us, fear feels more like an insidious virus that our minds and emotions create to stop us from moving forward.

Fear is the mind/ego's way of saying "I'm not going there! I like being right where I am. I'm familiar with my current state. If I plunk myself right down here, nothing can hurt me because I already know this territory. I'm not worthy and if I stretch myself, I might get rejected."

During an overnight airplane flight I perused the entertainment selections and discovered the audio book Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte. I liked what I heard and found Ms. LaPorte to be an articulate, poetic exponent of living a juicy, authentic life. She had my attention.

One of the ways to recognize your talent and passion, LaPorte suggests, is to consider what other people have criticized you for.  I had heard, “What you thought was wrong with you may be what’s right with you,” but the idea of using criticism as a compass to greatness takes the lesson to a whole new level.

Have you noticed how hard it is to change? Especially at the beginning of a New Year. After all the emotional turbulence of Christmas, happy or not, plus the realisation of last years resolutions not accompanying you thus far.....

We are conditioned by our past, that is the real reason we find it so hard to change! I come with a country background and we knew that once the fox got into the chicken house, he would come back and kill again and again, until he was killed.

Publisher's Description: Xorin Balbes created his eight-stage SoulSpace process to help his clients create homes that reflect and celebrate what is essential about their inhabitants. The process works for any budget, anytime, anywhere and results in inspiration, self-discovery, and practical solutions. Through the stages — assess, release, cleanse, dream, discover, create, elevate, and celebrate — you will explore not only the design of your abode but also your own interior: how you think, feel, and sense the world. Empowered with this self-knowledge, you will discover fresh ways to declutter, refresh, and enhance your living space. Xorin’s wonderfully unique technique will nurture and transform both your soul and your home.

Do you feel like a misfit, misunderstood, out of time, from another era? Are your hopes and dreams falling apart? This is a period of great change and, for many, great change can be scary. 

In the past, there’s always been lots of reality systems to choose from; peer groups to belong to,  endless strings of romantic partners, philosophies to believe in, etc. . There was always someone who would take care of us when everything fell apart, from our parents to the government. We could endlessly entertain ourselves – movies, drugs, etc etc. But it’s all running down, breaking down,  and it’s becoming obvious to everyone.