Wind of the Soul

A topic near and dear to my heart is the idea of people marching to the beat of their own drum. Despite what’s deemed the norm, and often times in spite of it, certain individuals manage to carve out their own unique ways of living, thinking and being. They’ve long since thrown off what’s considered acceptable by society’s standards and they live their lives by tuning into an inner calling and an awareness of what’s right for them.

In my opinion this is one of the fastest ways to become a fully self actualized human being. Self actualization is about more than establishing an identity. It’s about living intentionally and feeling wholeness and a fulfilled happiness that’s not dependent upon things or others. But, it’s simultaneously the recognition that material items and relationships can enhance your experience. However, they by no means have any bearing on your self sufficient state of joy and the knowledge of who you are.
(Read the rest of Shaking off Social Pressure to Achieve Self Actualization…)

“My company mascot is the bumblebee. Because of its tiny wings and heavy body, aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly. But the bumblebee doesn’t know that, so it flies anyway.” – Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay Cosmetics

According to my Webster’s New World Dictionary, circa 1963; the definition of the word placebo is: a medicine given just to humor a patient. I know what you’re probably thinking, “You need to spring for a new dictionary.” After reading that antiquated interpretation of the word, I would have to agree.

Over four decades ago, Webster’s dictionary seemed to also be humoring its readers (right along side most doctors) as it published a definition laced with a hint of mockery. Forty five years later modern medicine has realized there is validity to the placebo effect, beyond placation, but it’s not much closer to respectfully embracing it.
(Read the rest of Living the Placebo Effect…)

In the first Blazing Your Own Trail Techniques post, I discussed ways for breaking away from limiting, ingrained thoughts in the areas of: relationships, career, and health. In this second post I’m going to discuss ideas for altering the self limiting views we tend to acquire on our physical attributes and material possessions.

Even though our attitude towards our health, career and relationships can easily be influenced by other people; perhaps there are no two areas that cause us to consider the opinion of the majority more than that of how we look and the items we own (or don’t own).
(Read the rest of Blazing Your Own Trail: the Techniques Part 2…)

I want to continue my discussion of blazing your own trail to self/spiritual empowerment by identifying some specific techniques for breaking free from the pack mentality. In this post, I’m going to take three of the five main areas that I feel serve to influence and reinforce the path we currently follow and discuss ways for undoing the strangleholds they may have on us.

Of course, the easiest way to break free from any of these is to always make your own happiness your priority. Your joy will guide you. However, when we’re in the middle of an ongoing disempowering situation, it’s difficult to remember that. It’s easy to lose ground quickly; therefore it’s helpful to recognize techniques for making the changes, prior to sinking again and again in the quicksand of the unfolding situations.
(Read the rest of Blazing Your Own Trail: the Techniques Part 1…)

In my last post Self Truths- Part II, on the 19th entry- I stated, “We should spend more time listening to young children and absorbing their wisdom. They believe in their dreams and know anything is possible. It’s only when an adult teaches them they can’t, often enough, that they start believing it.”

Most children come into this environment with an optimism that’s unparalleled. Imagine what could occur if our society fostered and encouraged that attitude to shine on throughout adolescence and into their adult lives; not with empty words, but with affirmations accompanied by enthusiastic affirmative action. Instead, kids very quickly run into roadblocks, at home and at school, discouraging that outlook and mindset. They hold out as long as possible, but the majority eventually succumb to the average, materialistic, powerless views on existence.
(Read the rest of Blazing Your Own Trail…)