I am in Control of My Emotions

            I am appreciative that I FEEL life, and not just the Good Stuff.  I am filled with emotions and I am beginning to appreciate just how wonderful that is.  I spent so long trying to only acknowledge my Happy feelings.  Wow, I completely underestimated the POWER that comes from ALL emotions.

            I am not saying that feeling the “bad” or “depressing” emotions is good.  Honestly last night I lost many hours of sleep lost in my anxiety, but thankfully I am doing better this morning.  What I am saying is that when I have a thought or emotion that I would classify as negative I realize I can work to change it, I can learn from it, and I can grow from it.

            My thoughts and emotions are one of the things in life I Have Complete Control of.  Many times my thoughts and emotions seem out of my control, but I realize that is not true.

            I gain strength, pride, and power when I control my thoughts and emotions.  I even like a good cry every once and a while.  For me it’s like a day of work where I am hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable.  When the day is over I feel empowered to have persevered through something that is technically not “fun” or “happy”.

            A hard day of work is just that, it’s HARD.  That hard day of work can result in an emotional state of gratitude and pride that I couldn’t accomplish without it.  That hard day of work makes my down time that much sweeter.

            My father likes to say people should operate from “love” and an “attitude of gratitude” and I agree with him.  Gratitude leads to an appreciation of what we have in life, good and bad, we can CHOOSE to see our lives for whatever we want.

To The Universe

Love Brandy

I INTEND to have an Awesome 2013!!!!

                Lately I have been contemplating what kinds of experiences I can garner in order to lead a more fulfilling and happy life.  I feel good today, but I KNOW I can FEEL BETTER.  I have been making changes in my life to help me achieve that goal, but maybe I should stop thinking about gaining more happiness as a goal.

A goal implies something that can be reached, a milestone.  Having excessive amounts of happiness in my life is completely attainable, but it’s not specific.   A goal is measurable, I don’t want to start the year off trying to MEASURE my Happiness. 

                I am setting my intentions, not goals.  I intend to experience happiness every day.  I intend to discover more people, places, and experiences which will enrich my life and fill me with happiness.  I intend to release the negative experiences and cultivate the positive experiences in my life.  I intend to grow as a person through evaluation of my thoughts and emotions.  I intend to take ACTION Every Day that will make My Intentions into My Reality.  I intend to be GRATEFUL for my Life, my Freedom, my Experiences, and the LOVE I feel.

                What are your intentions for the New Year?  Are you ready to surrender your old habits in order to garner new experiences?  Are you ready to forgive yourself and others for things you feel may be holding you back from LOVE?  Are you ready and willing to bring EXCITEMENT, GRATITUDE, and LOVE into your life EVERYDAY in the New Year?  Let’s DO IT!!!  Let’s be Happy!!!  Let’s Celebrate!!!

To The Universe

LOVE BRANDY

I Miss Christmas….But CAN’T WAIT for the New Year

                Wow, I can’t believe the year is almost over.  This year has been full of changes, and for the first time in many years the majority of those changes have been All Good.  I am not saying change hasn’t been a struggle, but I feel GOOD.  I am Excited to see what the New Year has, I am not dreading 2013.

                I have been thinking a lot about what I want my life to look like in The New Year.  Every year people talk about resolutions, and what changes they want to make, but all too often we fail to follow through.  I am SO GUILTY of doing this in the Past, but this year I am not making resolutions, I am setting intentions.

                What is the difference between setting an intention and making a resolution?  Resolutions seem more set in stone, I want a plan for my New Year, but I want to be able to adapt as needed.  I want to really look at what I WANT, how I WANT to feel, what will make me happy then go from there.

                I am ready to commit to change and operating from a place in my heart that is filled with LOVE and not FEAR.  I am ready to set my intentions, take steps to make them happen, and adjust them when I feel called to do so.

                I KNOW as I walk my path through the next year I can experience wonderful things, but I am not ready to stop listening for the whispers of “The Universe.”  My intentions are the groundwork for my future, but the future is always changing. 

                What I am sure of is that as long as I listen to my heart, I will grow and be happy.  I am sure that I will have times when I experience negative emotions, but I am also SURE that with the right tools and solid plan of action I can grow and have a GREAT NEW YEAR!!!

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Holiday Traditions in Your Heart…MOVE with You!!!

                Good Morning Christmas.  Oops it’s still a few days before Christmas.  What I meant to say is GOOD MORNING CHRISTMAS COOKIES!!!   My father’s fiancé, her daughter, and our friends started making cookies yesterday.  I was mixing, baking, laughing, and LOVING the experience ALL DAY.

                We made so many cookies, and we aren’t even done yet.  I have one more kind of cookie to bake, though the dough was made yesterday.  Then it’s the MOST IMPORTANT step….DECORATING!!!! 

I think we are planning on giving away a lot of cookies to our friends and family, that’s if I can let go of them.  Just Kidding, if I ate ALL the cookies we baked I would have to be admitted to the hospital in a Sugar Coma. 

                I am so excited.  Making Christmas cookies with the family has been a tradition for me since I was a child.  Though unfortunately my Mother isn’t here with me today, because she is still in Sacramento, her Holiday Spirit is with me.  I LOVE YOU MOM!!!

                One of the greatest moments yesterday was given to me by my future step mother, Susan.  Susan is an AWESOME cook.  She makes wonderful food and many delicious healthy recipes, her kitchen skills are Legendary.  But I found out yesterday she has never really baked Christmas Cookies.  This “of course” we were about to rectify.

                She put on an apron and was READY to GO!!!  She was such a mixing maniac, that she burned up my blender.  Technically it was my blenders fault, it was really inexpensive and I knew it would blow up someday.  But it went out fighting and now I have another GREAT HOLIDAY cookie memory.

                Back to my other favorite moment, besides the blender, It was Susan’s face.  I will always remember when she turned to me while mixing up peanut butter cookies with a Huge Smile on her face and excitement in her voice.  She shared with me that she wasn’t really a “baker” and never baked Christmas Cookies as a holiday tradition, but I could SEE and FEEL something special.  It was AWESOME!!!

                I am blessed to be able to share my Holiday Traditions with my new friends and family.  I am blessed to give and receive LOVE at this wonderful time of year.  I will continue to share the LOVE I have in my heart with others, not just at the holidays, but ALL YEAR ROUND.

To The Universe

LOVE BRANDY

Everyone Needs LOVE!!!!

                Good Morning Universe.  I have been struggling over the past few days with whether or not I should weigh in on the school shooting our country experienced last week. 

                I have been reticent to offer my comments, because everyone is commenting and opinions aren't enough to change things.  Opinions can start a conversation but if we don’t follow through with Action it can be meaningless.

                Our conversations should not start with blame, they should start with HOPE, BELIEF, and LOVE.  Hope is a powerful emotion that can combat grief.  Belief and Love are emotions we would be lost without.

                While politicians argue about Gun Control and where our system failed to prevent this tragedy I think they are missing something.  All regulation and laws they produce are limited by our society.  Criminals don’t care about laws and regulations.  People will always find a way to cause suffering for others, unless we attack the issue at it’s most finite point.  LOVE

                People who are lacking LOVE are in pain.   If we want to stop the violence, we need to Start Spreading LOVE.  It can seem impossible to LOVE others who don’t seem capable of compassion, happiness, forgiveness, and LOVE.  But it’s those people who need us most.

                If each of can reach out to ONE person and show some LOVE.  Can you imagine how quickly that LOVE could spread to everyone in our world.  If we stopped wondering if others deserve the LOVE we can give, then we might realize that LOVE is our powerful weapon to combat sadness, violence, madness, depression and a Host of other NEGATIVITY.

                Tis the season to spread the LOVE.  It can be difficult to give LOVE away, but it will always make you feel better.  It will always make someone else feel better.  LOVE is our most Precious Gift, don’t keep it to yourself.

To The Universe

LOVE BRANDY

Don’t let the Gloom Outside Bring You Down.

                        How many times do people say things like, “I feel down, I think it’s the weather.”  I know that many times “Good Weather” can bring a smile to my face, though I wonder why bad weather often makes people gloomy.

            It has been cold, dark, and cloudy for the past few days .  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Clouds, they are beautiful and can Elevate my mood in wonderful ways.  But I miss the warmth and beauty of Fall.

            I think I am finally able to enjoy the clouds and rain, not because I need it to appreciate the Sun, but because I find beauty in it.  Like the ups and downs of life, the “good” and “bad” weather is beautiful if you are able to view it in the proper context.

            If it never rained, how would we grow food?  If it was always sunny, how could we be witness to the amazing cloud formations that the sky creates?  If it was never “too hot” or “too cold”, how could we appreciate the perfect temperature?

            Just like in nature, it is the opposites of life that make appreciation possible.  I don’t want to live in a perfect world, with perfect people, and perfect weather.  Perfect is nice, but if that’s all there is then boredom would soon set in.

            If people worked as hard to see the positive as they do at dwelling on the negative, then we would have a revolution.  A revolution that could inspire beauty, kindness, greatness, and compassion.

            I want to live in a “perfect” world, but my “perfect” world would be where everyone can see the Bad as just another way to increase their perception of the Good.  We could see that darkness isn’t Bad, it’s just waiting to be LIT UP.

            How can you Light Up your world?  Can you look at life from a different perspective and truly appreciate it?  Can you see the “bad weather” as just another example of the greatness of Mother Nature?

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Spread Love from Your SOUL

                How do you Heal the World?  This question has been on the minds of people throughout history.  This question is important to each and every one of us and the answer is surprisingly simple, LOVE.

                When each of us learns to LOVE ourselves and LOVE others we CAN HEAL THE WORLD.  When each of us learns to operate from a place inside us that is filled with LOVE it will spread like wildfire.

                I think the problem many people have with operating from LOVE is that too often we feel we are lacking love, therefore we don’t have enough to share with others.  That isn’t true.  When we feel like we are in need of more LOVE for ourselves, that is EXACTLY when we should focus on giving More Love To Others.

                The More LOVE you put out into the world, the More LOVE will come back to you.  Even better, when you give your LOVE to others it can help those who are lacking in LOVE to heal.

                If we are going to Heal the World and FILL the World with LOVE we have to begin with ourselves.  If you are unsure how to begin, start with a kind a word for yourself.  Then give a kind a word away to a stranger.

                If you are operating from a place of Love within yourself, you will feel it deep in your soul.  When you feel LOVE in your soul, your light will shine bright.  Be the Light for others, share your Love with others and watch your life and the lives of those around BE WONDEROUS.

To The Universe

LOVE Brandy

I Choose to BELIEVE

            Do you know the Universe is always talking to us, it’s just waiting for us to listen.  The Universe is always offering us a path to our dreams.  We must keep our eyes and ears open so the Universe can guide us. 

An important thing to remember as we walk our path is that it is rarely a straight line.  The Universe gives us opportunities to alter our path to fit our needs all the time, whether it be daily or even hourly.  Don’t ignore these whispers just because they are coming at you fast, grab hold of your future because it starts today.

                Now don’t despair because the Universe isn’t yelling at you about your path daily.  If the Universe isn’t yelling at you every day, if you don’t see the signs of your future every hour don’t despair. 

                Remember the Universe doesn’t work on your timeframe.  The Universe will give you what you want and need at the opportune moment.  The Universe can see where you are going long before you can.  I had to surrender my path to the Universe today. 

It may seem small, but my scale may or may not have mislead me in regards to my weight loss last week.  At first I was upset not knowing which weight is right, but it doesn’t change my goals or my work ethic. 

I am still going to walk and hike regularly and watch what I eat.  Those things are good for me, and I don’t need immediate rewards because in the long run I’ll be rewarded.  The Universe has a timeframe for my health and I choose to Believe. 

Most Important is to Believe that what you want and need WILL COME.  The Universe will respond to your Belief, never give up, never stop believing, and the Universe WILL manifest a wonderful existence.

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Giving to Others, Give to Yourself!!!!

                Good Morning Universe, once again I am Super Excited!!!  As you know I have been making an effort on many fronts to improve my life.  I am working towards better physical health with good food choices and exercise, this week I was rewarded with a loss of 5lbs.  YEAH!!! 

I am working towards a more complete social life in my new city.  At first I was unsure how to make friends, but then a light went on in my head, GIVE BACK. 

This week I am giving my time and energy towards volunteering.  Today I will be volunteering at a local animal shelter with a friend.  This weekend I am volunteering to help with The Ugly Sweater Run, which is accepting toys to help those in need. 

I haven’t been this excited in a while, I am looking forward to socially interacting with new people.  Even better is that I am able to donate my time to REALLY be of assistance to others, and that fills me with LOVE and EXCITEMENT.  Helping Others is one of the Greatest ways to Help Yourself.

When you are of assistance to others, whether it be monetary, giving your time, or even giving a smile to a stranger to “Spread the LOVE” it feels GREAT.  I have said before that the more Love you put out into the Universe the More Love you get back for yourself, and I Meant IT.

It’s the season of giving and we should all be thinking about what we can give back to The Universe.  Will you give a kind word or encouragement to a stranger today?  Will you commit to volunteering to give back to those in need?  Will you give Yourself a kind word or encouragement today?  Will you commit to operating from LOVE not just during the holidays, but ALL YEAR?

Let’s make this holiday season and New Year all about LOVE.  Love for ourselves, Love for others, and Love for the planet. 

To The Universe

LOVE BRANDY

Filter Criticism through LOVE

                CRITICISM.  Like most people that word makes me cringe.  I have often felt that when someone criticized me I was being attacked.  I didn’t want to hear other people point out my faults.  I didn’t want to acknowledge my own faults, let alone have someone else do it.

                Criticism is a difficult concept to grasp, it can be constructive, negative, or unnecessary.  The problem with criticism these days is that so many people do so in order to put other people down.  Many people put others down as a way to make themselves feel better or control other people through their feelings.

                When you are being criticized by another person it is possible to look past your fear of “being called out” and grow.  When you are being criticized by someone who is only trying to make themselves feel better, how do you distinguish that?

                The first step to dealing with criticism is to realize that you are in control of what you will do with the things being said to you.  No One can make you feel bad about yourself unless you allow it.

                When someone is being negative and critical simply because they want to feel better about themselves, use LOVE as a tool.  First you must fill your heart with LOVE for yourself.  Love is the best defense against negativity.

                The more difficult step when being criticized is to practice Love for the person who is being critical towards you.  Whether they are being critical because they are negative, or are being critical because they Love you and want to see you grow and succeed doesn’t matter.

                The person using criticism as a weapon is in need of LOVE, they are trying to fill a place of lack within themselves by putting others down.  It is often said that what you put out in the world, you will get back.  When you are able to put LOVE out into the world, in the face of negativity and criticism you can help to grow that LOVE in others.

                The person who is critical out of LOVE can be more difficult to spot.  The people who are operating from Love aren’t simply criticizing you, they are truly concerned about you.  The people operating out of Love desire to change themselves and others through personal growth and LOVE.

One sure way to distinguish a critical person who operates from Love, is how they treat themselves.  A person who operates from LOVE will not only point to areas where growth is lacking in others, but will be able to acknowledge areas in their own lives that are in need of growth.  The person operating from LOVE won’t feel better when you feel worse.

Don’t let others negativity control you.  Practice how to accept criticism as a tool for growth.  Practice distancing yourself from people who use criticism as a tool to make themselves feel better.  A little bit of criticism can be healthy if you are operating from LOVE and aren’t using it as a weapon against yourself or others. 

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Take Your Thoughts CAPTIVE

                Good Morning Universe.  Lately I have been practicing, doing the work, and making changes in my life.  People that read my blog have been a party to “this work,” and unlike years in the past, I am really doing the work, not just pretending.

                I have been working on my physical and mental health.  I have been creating goals and taking steps toward those goals, and it’s been difficult. 

                The hardest part is overcoming my brain, is that it often seems wired for “what if’s.”  Those “what if’s” have been the basis for worry, anxiety, laziness, and excuses.  I have focused so much on the “what if’s” that I had forgotten how to move forward.

                I was stuck in a hole that I dug for myself.  I was so concerned with worrying about what might happen, that I did nothing.  I was stagnant, unhappy, and filled with apathy.

                Today I have learned, through my work with The Elevate Institute, that I am the only person who can take my negative thoughts captive.  This is often times easier said than done.

                Many times I get overwhelmed with my inability to control my thoughts and emotions.  The difference now is that I am not giving up.  I realize that it’s Human Nature to have anxiety, fear, and doubt.  Now that I realize, and truly believe that others go through the same thing I can stop putting myself down because of it.

                Once I accept these thoughts as part of me, I can practice taking control of my them.  Like with any exercise, it will take time to master.  Like with any exercise you just need to start with a commitment.  Like with any exercise, you need to put in “The Work.”  Once you start to take your thoughts captive, you will have more control of your own life. 

Never give up, and if you fall down, forgive yourself and get back up again.  Remember you are not perfect, but you it’s your imperfections that will keep you growing.  What negative or fearful thoughts can you work on “taking captive” today?

To The Universe

Love Brandy

I AM responsible to PUSH MYSELF

                Good Morning Universe, I want to be lazy today.  I woke up really early, before the sun was up, and really didn’t sleep well.  Oops, that sounds like an excuse in the making.  It’s sounds like an excuse not to keep my exercise commitment.

                If I didn’t just get dressed, stretch out, and acknowledge that only I can make myself exercise I would be worried.  I wanted to let The Universe know that I experience a desire to be lazy today.  Now that I have expressed that desire, it’s up to ME to push myself forward.    

It is my choice to get past my desire to be “comfortable” and “a little lazy.”  This morning I am making a choice to keep my commitment, out of Love and Respect for myself and my desires.

It helps to know that once I am done with my exercise commitment I KNOW I’ll feel Great.  I am off to exercise, and will continue this day’s blog when I get back.  I know that once I overcome my “lazy” I’ll feel “even better” because I have kept my commitment.

I’m BACK, and no surprise here, I feel Great.  I just completed another 4 mile walk today, and not just any walking, Power Walking.  It was enough exercise to have me sweating, even though it’s pretty chilly this morning.  Even during my walk, my “Lazy” tried to sneak back up on me.  My “Lazy” whispered in my ear and told me to go home early.  Thankfully I didn’t listen, and that makes me proud.

I am proud to have pushed through my “Lazy” phase and completed the exercise which I am committed to.  No one else can make me do it.  I am responsible to Push Myself towards my goals.  When I focus on my goals and what I want to accomplish I know that I am operating from a place of Love within myself.  Today is going to be Another Great Day.

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Loving Yourself Can Be Rough

                I am loving myself, and it can be rough.  This week I choose to show Love and Respect for myself by not only committing to positive changes, but holding myself Accountable to those commitments.

                I have spoken before about my journey to better health.  Some days I do really good, I eat well and exercise.  Other days I get lazy, apathetic, and a little entitled.  Thankfully I have been able to resist my previous history of saying “Well, I already messed up so I might as well just give up.”

                As you know last week I hiked to the top of Lone Mountain, and it was GREAT!  This week I have been exercising every day trying to prepare for my next great adventure.  I made a commitment to myself to walk/exercise for 30-60minutes every day, and So Far I am keeping my commitment.

                In the past I have made many commitments to myself that I didn’t keep, in fact I didn’t even try.  The best part about today is that I am not afraid to try anymore.  I am not perfect, and I am sure I will have days when I don’t exercise.  The realization I have today, is that falling off the wagon isn’t what is most dangerous to me, IT’S NEVER GETTING BACK ON!!!!

                Everyone needs encouragement and can benefit to being held accountable by themselves and others when True Change is desired.  Anyone can make a commitment, but it takes LOVE to keep those commitments.  Let your heart lead you, listen to your intuition, and BELIEVE that when you listen to the LOVE inside you it won’t steer you wrong. 

                What positive commitments can you make to yourself today?  Do you need to forgive yourself for dropping the Ball?  Are you willing to Work on increasing the LOVE in your life?

To The Universe

LOVE BRANDY

Spread the LOVE

“True love is unconditional and we do not have to do anything to earn it or become anything to be worthy of it”  Chris Assaad

This quote is powerful and full of truth.  One thing I feel I need to add is that we may not have to do or become anything to be worthy of love, but if we are TRULY Operating from Love we will be compelled to be worthy of Love from others by expressing our own love to the world.

If you have been blessed with Love, you Must share that Love with others.  True Love is meant to be shared.  True Love isn’t selfish, therefore you Can’t keep it to yourself.  When you TRULY operate from LOVE, you will be compelled to share the Joy and Love with others

When you share your Joy and Love with others, that’s when that LOVE within you will GROW EVEN GREATER.  If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, LOVE is an Unlimited Resource.  Don’t be stingy, the more love you give, the more you get.

Try to make it a part of your daily workout, to be grateful for the Love you experience.  Make sure your daily workout includes sharing your Love and Gratitude with others.  Be sure those “others” include random acts of kind words and actions for people you may not know.

One act of Love or Kindness can spread like Wildfire….

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Love Will Propel You to NEW HEIGHTS!!!

                Good Morning Universe!!!  I just climbed a mountain!!!  Really I did, it’s not a metaphor.  Technically it was more like incline hiking, then vertically climbing up the side of a mountain.  No matter what you call it, it was a HUGE deal for me.  It’s called Lone Mountain, and I made it All The Way to the TOP.

                I didn’t do it alone, I had the support and encouragement of friends.  They love to hike and climb, and made an outta shape newcomer like me, feel great.  I had to take a few breaks on the way up, but the view from the top was PERFECT.

                When we got started I didn’t believe I would make it all the way to the top, though my companions did.  I would like to give a special thanks to my little encouraging angel, Cory.  You really know how to inspire someone, and the belief you had in my ability came directly from your heart.

                When you believe in yourself, that’s pure Love.  When you believe in others, that’s pure Love.  I believe pure Love will change the world.  If a Big Girl like me can hike to the top of a mountain, ANYTHING is Possible.  You just have to believe. 

                Once you have belief (aka faith) in yourself, you can reach great heights.  Once you have reached the summit of your life, you can look around and help others do the same.  I am a little sore, but I CAN’T WAIT to do it all over again.

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Nurture Love and IT WILL GROW!!!

                Good Morning Universe!!!  I want to have MORE LOVE in my life.  Honestly, who doesn’t want more love, and since love is limitless having more LOVE is Completely possible. 

                The first step for me to be able to experience more Love is to Acknowledge all the Love and Blessings I have now.  When I look for Love that I already have, within me, and around me, I always find some.
 

                Occasionally it’s more difficult for me to see the Love that I am blessed with, but that’s normal, or at least I believe it is.  I am human after all, and humans are filled with All Sorts of different emotions.  Not all of our emotions are good, but they are all a blessing of humanity.

                The “blessing” of our emotions is that they teach us, they fill us with purpose, they make us individuals who also have a group consciousness.  Our emotions are what make us individuals, they give us purpose, and a desire for community.

                If we want to live a life filled with Love, we can’t deny the negative.  If we are in denial it is impossible to TRULY work through the Negative feelings and actions we experience.  Through acknowledging the Fearful and Negative things in our lives, we can LEARN to work through them and Grow from them.

                The best way to Work Through the Fear is to practice LOVE.  Yes, Love needs to be practiced.  It is only by practicing Love in times of Fear, Sadness, Jealousy, and other negative emotions that we can Grow in our capacity to Give and Receive LOVE.

                Let’s ALL work on Love Today.  Don’t put it off until tomorrow, you can start small.  Try a quick smile at yourself in the mirror.  Try saying something positive about yourself, at least once a day, and SAY IT OUT LOUD!!! 

                Once you’ve started with yourself, give that Love to others.  Try a quick smile to a stranger.  Try saying something Nice to a stranger, for no particular reason at all.  Try a random act of kindness and see what comes back to you.  I’m betting if you keep giving yourself and others LOVE, that’s EXACTLY what will Come Back To You.

To The Universe

LOVE BRANDY

You are the MASTER of Love!!!

“The Universe revolves around LOVE, so look into yourself, and Become LOVE.”   -J Brady

                Let’s talk about how to use The Seven Keys of Elevate to grow in our Mastery of Love.  A great starting point is to Acknowledge your desire to love and be loved by others.  Surrender your need to make other people love you.  You can’t Make someone Love you, but you can give others reasons to Love you.  When you treat others with kindness, respect, and LOVE then you are providing the basis of Love. 

                When you believe that you deserve Love and the Love that you put out into The Universe will come back to you, that’s when GREAT THINGS happen.  You have the Free Will to choose how you treat others, and what type of treatment you will accept from others.  Your Will, if you believe in yourself, will help you accept Love from others and walk away from those who hurt you.

                You aren’t in complete control of The Universe and everyone in it, but you are in control of your choices.  You can choose to operate from LOVE, even if other people are unable to do the same.  You can choose to KNOW that everyone is a different point in their lives, and may not understand how to operate from LOVE. 

It is your job to be “the light” for others.   When you choose how you will treat others it’s important to come from a place of Love within yourself, not Fear.  When you interact with others based on Negativity or Fear it will often bring the same back to you. 

NOW, put that LOVE into action.  You need to spread the LOVE you feel with the world.  Your LOVE should be infectious, it should be Clearly Visible just by interacting with You.  When your actions are based on LOVE the World can SEE and FEEL IT. 

The more Love you put out into The Universe, the more LOVE will come back to you, and enable you to spread even MORE LOVE to others.  LOVE IS NOT A LIMITED RESOURCE!!!

To The Universe

LOVE BRANDY

Feed your Soul with LOVE

Love one another and you will be happy.  It's as simple and as difficult as that.  ~Michael Leunig

Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.  ~Robert Heinlein


                As you may have noticed, I am working with a theme this week.  I’ll give you a hint, if you can Master “this” your life will never be lacking.  Of course I am referring to LOVE!!!

                Love is necessary component of life.  Human beings can accomplish GREAT THINGS when they learn to operate from a place within them that is FILLED WITH LOVE.

                Love makes us happy, Love makes us productive, Love makes us excited to get up in the morning.  I am not solely referring to intimate love, though that type of Love is necessary and wonderful.  I am referring to love for yourself, love for other people, and love for our world and the things within our world.

                When your heart is filled with LOVE, you will NEVER be lacking.  It’s such an easy thing to say, though I will admit learning to Truly Love can be difficult.  But you know what they say, anything REALLY worth having is worth working for.

                One of the first steps to bringing more love into your life is gratitude.  When we are grateful for the things we have and the things that are still in our future, we can fill our souls with LOVE.  When we are grateful for who we are, that’s when we can truly Love ourselves.  Once we Love ourselves we can share that Love with others.

Love can’t grow in a place of lack, just like plants can’t grow without sunshine and water.  We need to learn to “feed” our souls with Love.  It takes practice because most of our lives we are trying to be deserving of Love, or trying to MAKE LOVE happen.  Love doesn’t have to be “Made,” it already exists inside us, and around us, we only have to learn to let it flow through us.
To The Universe

LOVE Brandy

Love is Abundant!!!

“There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer….
No door that enough love will not open
No gulf that enough love will not bridge,
No wall that enough love will not throw down….
It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble,
How great the mistake,
Sufficient realization of love will resolve it all.
If only you could love enough,
You would be the happiest and most powerful being in the universe.”
- Emmet Fox

     Good Morning Universe, do you have enough Love?  The answer to that question is, YES.  The Universe is filled with Love.  Love is an unlimited resource.  The Universe doesn’t judge who gets to give and receive Love, because the Universe is overflowing with it.

     We don’t need to be stingy with Love for ourselves and Love for others, because Love is forever, Love is Unlimited, and Love is exceptionally powerful.  The amount Love available is only limited by the individual looking to give or receive Love.

     So often we think that we must “reserve” Love, like it’s water during a drought.  We often feel that if we give too much Love away to others, we will somehow not have enough Love for ourselves.  This limiting belief will only keep us lacking Love.

     When we give Love freely to others, we can experience an even deeper Love for ourselves.  When we operate and function in our daily lives from a place of Love within ourselves, The World Can Change.  When we stop believing we must somehow prove we are deserving of Love, then we can truly grow, and share in the Abundant Love in the Universe.

     What kinds of limiting beliefs do you have, that keep you from unlimited LOVE?  Do you believe you deserve Love?  Do you believe others deserve Love?   What choices and interactions can you be part of NOW, to express Love for yourself and others?  Search these questions within yourself to help you start bringing LOVE into your life. 

     EVERYONE DESERVES LOVE.  LOVE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.  LOVE IS ABUNDANT and ETERNAL.

To The Universe

LOVE BRANDY

Commit to Work

            The Universe wants us to live a life filled with positivity, but will put up road blocks to ensure you are willing to put in the work.  The Universe isn’t going to give us everything we want unless we are willing to commit and put in the work.  Yes, we deserve happiness, but The Universe knows that people often don’t appreciate or truly enjoy things that come to easily.

                The Universe doesn’t want us to be lazy, because as I’ve said before being lazy and apathetic is not TRULY living.  The Universe doesn’t want us to just exist, it want us to THRIVE.  I simply EXISTED for years before I started on a path to find out what the Universe had for me.

                Most of the mistakes I’ve made in my life, like drugs, jail, dysfunctional relationships (the list goes on) were simply because I didn’t want to put in the effort.  I didn’t want to give up what seemed easy to me.  I surrounded myself with people who didn’t treat me the way I wanted to be treated because I didn’t have the courage or self-esteem to go out into the world alone.

                If we settle for circumstances that we believe we have no control over, it’s the first step in setting aside the dreams and desires we have for the future.  If we want to be happy and Live in Love, we must not settle.  We must stop simply Existing and step out in faith.  When we step forward into our future and BELIEVE in it, the Universe will guide us to a life that we could only dream of before.

 To The Universe

 Love Brandy

It’s TURKEY DAY!!!

    Yummy!!!  Today is the day that belts all across the country will be stretched in appreciation of deliciousness.  In anticipation I will not be wearing a belt, or ANYTHING too tight.  LOL.

     I was up before dawn, I am not sure if it’s because I am really anticipating our Thanksgiving celebration or if my body just had enough sleep.  Either way, I am still filled with Happiness, Excitement, Love, and Gratitude.

     I want to take a moment to send best wishes and blessings to those people who are struggling at this time of year.  Today I am SO FILLED with Happiness and Gratitude, but that was not always the case.  I TOO, have spent holidays wallowing in sadness and unable to see a bright future for myself. 

     I give THANKS today that I have come through the dark part of my life.  I give THANKS today that I have family and friends to celebrate with.  I give THANKS today for all the people who will find their way to happiness in the upcoming year.  I give ENCOURAGEMENT to those people who are lost, and say to you, Never Give Up, Find Something Special, find something to Give Thanks for TODAY.

     Let us remember that we are ALL part of the Human Family.  Let us give thanks for the people and experiences we have been given in our lives, no matter how BIG or small.  Be Kind, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and BE LOVE!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

To The Universe

LOVE BRANDY

Family and Friends MAKE our LIVES

Good  Morning All!!!  Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving, and of course I’m sure everyone already knows that, but I’m too excited to keep it inside.

This will be the first Thanksgiving I spend away from my Mother, that makes me sad, but I accept it.  My mother is ALWAYS with me, wherever I am.  This year I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my father, his fiancé, and their family and friends in Vegas.
 

This will also be the first Thanksgiving I spend with my Father, at least that I can remember.  It’s a little bit of a trade-off, I’ll miss my mother and family in Sacramento but I am so grateful to be able to celebrate with family and friends in my new town.

To my Mother Denise, You Are ALWAYS with me.  I am eternally grateful, because I have you as my mother.  You have always made the Holidays special.  You are filled with Love and Kindness and the rest of the world would benefit if more people were filled with the same qualities ALL YEAR ROUND.  I Love you more than Anything or Anyone.

To my family, We have been through a lot, but I am grateful to have been blessed with you as well.  Sometimes we are inseparable, sometimes we drift apart, sometimes we fight, but we are always connected in LOVE.  You can change your friends, but your family is forever.

To my Best Friend Jason, You are family and my Best Friend.  How lucky does that make me?  You have stuck by me through Good and Bad.  When I am not around you, I often feel like I am missing a part of myself.  You are One in a Million and my Love for you is Endless.

To my friends, you may be small in number, but you are with me forever.  It is not the number of friends a person has that matters.  What matters is how close they are to your heart.  What matters is that you know your true friends share a deep love and respect with you.

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Take a Minute...OR MORE!!!

Generally I am not an angry person, but this morning I WAS PISSED.  I have a new computer with Windows 8, and I’m not shy about saying it, I HATE IT.  Anyone who knows me, knows I am not tech savy.  I enjoy using computers and the internet, if I already know what I’m doing.  Learning new technologies and programs is something I don’t enjoy, at all.

I am not deficient in how much patience I possess, though occasionally I get so frustrated I explode.  Exploding frustration, from anyone, is not a good thing.  When you allow yourself to become so overwhelmed with negative emotions and fears, it can be toxic. 

Earlier today that’s just what happened to me, I allowed my frustration over the computer to become toxic.  I became very angry, and kinda wanted to punch the wall, though I didn’t thankfully.

Common sense would dictate that when you feel your frustration rising, you should step back from the task at hand to calm down.  The problem is I often think that I am so close to solving the issue that I don’t want to quit, because I think when I finally solve the issue at hand it will fill me with pride and good feelings.

WRONG, it’s only after the fact that I realize it’s “my pride” that is keeping me connected to my frustration.  I look back at this morning and feel a little ashamed, but mostly sad, that I put myself through such emotional turmoil.  It’s only a computer, it’s not a person, it’s not working against me, and it doesn’t get any satisfaction when I get mad and “Yell at it.”

I know I’ll have to face me new computer system again soon, but I realize I need to find tools to assist me.  I will reach out to others, who may have some insight on this new system.  I will look for videos on the internet about how this new system works.  I will STOP if I begin to feel frustrated, I won’t give up, but “taking a break” is better than “breaking something.”

To The Universe

Love Brandy

What you put in You Get OUT

Let’s talk about baking…Got your attention with that one.  When I was young every year my Mother and Great Grandmother, while she was still alive, would bake for the Holiday Season.  It is one of my favorite memories of the holidays, besides presents of course.  All kids LOVE Presents.

We could spend all weekend prepping, baking, and DECORATING cookies and all sorts of other goodies.  It was a task, but it was wonderful, and everything was always perfect.

I didn’t realize it then, but our baked goods ALWAYS ended up perfect.  They weren’t perfect to me just because I was young and LOVED SUGAR, but because it was an event, and it was surrounded with feelings of Family and Love.

We worked as family and it was a tradition.  What we made was more than just cookies, we made memories, we strengthened our familial bonds, we HAD FUN.  It didn’t matter to me that I lived in a trailer park, and we were poor.  My mother ALWAYS made sure my Holidays were SPECIAL.

I don’t know how she did it, but I am ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.  I didn’t have “the Brady Bunch” childhood, but I had Love.  Our family traditions were packed with Love, and because that’s what we put in, That’s What We Got Out. 

What are the ingredients you can “put in” your life to bring about Happiness, Love, and Gratitude.  What are the ingredients you can share with the Universe to bring Happiness, Love, and Gratitude to others. 

To The Universe, Happy Holidays

Love Brandy

LET GO

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard, author

I have decided that I am closer today to realizing what it means to “Let Go” of my past, present, and future.  When I used to think of “letting go” I thought about forgetting, not having control of the outcome, or just plain apathy.  I never stopped to wonder why “letting go” felt unreachable, maybe because I was never able to let go of painful emotions and memories.

I had an intense desire to “let go” of my pain, my bad memories, and my past mistakes.  I never stopped to wonder why my desire to “let go” just made me feel worse.  I felt like I was damaged and abnormal, I thought that I held onto things more than other people around me.  I think it’s normal to “let go” of things, keep the good and learn from the bad.  Let go of what’s holding you back, and let go of total control of your future.

Those feelings were just my way of putting myself down, and when I did that it was easier for me to stop trying.  I didn’t want to change the path of my life, I was afraid.  I was afraid of failure, but even worse I was afraid of hope.  I didn’t want to envision a positive future, for fear that I would be let down when it didn’t come to pass.

When I stopped caring about my future out of fear I wasn’t “letting go” of my future, I was denying it.  I feel that “letting go” means that you don’t put all your eggs in one basket.  When you “let go” of total control and start paying attention to where “the Universe” is trying to guide you, that’s when greatness happens. 

What can you “Let Go” of that will help you move forward?  Can you “let go” and ask for guidance.  Can you “let go” and enjoy today for what it’s worth.  What does “letting go” mean to you?  Can you “let go” of your past and negativity in order to build the future of your dreams?  Can you “Let Go” of the vision of your future in order to hear the whispers of The Universe?

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Practice Patience

Patience is a skill and like with any skill, it needs to be practiced.  I have often thought that I was a patient person, though I believe that I have mistaken my lack of desire for patience.  I possess the ability to be patient on the outside, though my mind is often overtaken with anxiety.

I have mentioned on numerous occasions that I have been stricken with doubt and anxiety, these feelings are not something that coincides with patience.  If I truly had the skill of patience, I would be able to soothe my fears and keep negativity at bay.  If I truly had mastered the skill of patience I would not be preoccupied with thoughts of “what may be”, but I would be able to think about what is.

Living in the present, living with purpose, living today in order to make your tomorrow’s better is what I believe takes patience.  In today’s world we are so often given answers quickly.  If we have a problem with our television or internet, there is a call center technician available to help us almost immediately.  If we are bored we can find instant entertainment with television and the internet.  If we are lonely we can call our friends and family.  If we are hungry we go to a fast food drive thru.  Everything in our society is trying to be faster, because most people lack patience.  We want it all, and we want it immediately.

I am learning to be patient, I need to practice, I know that the decisions and actions I make today will shape my future.  If I have patience I will be able to wait for my dreams to become a reality.  I can’t force The Universe to work on my timeframe.  The only thing I can do is continue to work for the future and practice patience.

To The Universe

Love Brandy

If you Believe It, It Will Be

“The truth is that we co-create our experience CONSTANTLY, as you believe, so will you perceive.”  Dave Elliott

How often does how we see our lives come true, I am pretty sure it’s Almost Always.  If we think our lives are sad, impoverished, loveless, and desperate, that’s what we will see.  When we believe our lives are filled with negative people and emotions, that’s exactly what we will see and attract.

If you can look at your life as a gift, even the bad stuff, then you will begin to see the greatness of your life.  It won’t matter how much you have, you will always feel happy and blessed.  When you look for the bad in your life, you are sure to find it.  Everyone has “bad” in their lives, it’s what we do with the “bad” stuff that will set our course.

Are we going to grow from the negative, do we learn from our mistakes, are we grateful?  These are questions everyone should take the time to think about.  If you can honestly answer “Yes” to those questions, then you are on a path to believing, perceiving, and living a Great Life.

It is up to us what steps we take, what decisions we make, what steps we are willing to take to create the lives we dream of.  It is also up to us how we see ourselves NOW.  If you see yourself surrounded by negativity it will drown you, and it will be that much more difficult to bring happiness into your life.  If you work towards seeing positivity in your life, it will lift you up and make it that much easier to have more of the same greatness come your way.

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Your Life is Waiting Just Around The Corner

What a difference a day makes.  I woke up in Vegas this morning, and was struck down by sadness, technically it started yesterday.  Yesterday morning I was ready to leave Sacramento, then by the afternoon when I was spending time with my Best Friend and my Mother the tears and sadness struck like lightning.

The sadness I felt made me desperate.  I felt desperate to stay, desperate to return to my old life, even desperate to be numb.  I have spent so much of my thirties just being apathetic and without desire, hope, and tough emotions, and this morning I almost gave into to my negative feelings.  I almost didn’t get out of bed today.

Obviously I got out of bed, I started my day by making my bed and some coffee, but my sadness still lingered.  I wanted to crawl back under the covers and cry, but I forced myself to get started.  I shuffled around my apartment without even a hint of a smile on my face, and without any joy in my heart, but I kept going. 

Eventually the frown turned started to turn, it hasn’t turned into a big smile as of yet, but I have faith that it will.  In difficult times it is important to remember to take life one step at a time.  Every step you take away from your past pain is a step that gets you closer to your future happiness, closer to achieving your potential, closer to The Universe.

I am not saying that it’s easier to move forward, sometimes it feels easier to just remain trapped in your present apathy or sadness, but that’s no way to live.  I know that my fears have so often been in control of my life, and the only way to get over that is to face my fears.  It’s scary to step out in faith, to move forward in the face of pain, but I Have to Believe that things are always changing and my Dreams are just around the corner waiting for me.

To The Universe

Love Brandy

WORTH Working For

Today’s the day, it’s time to go back to my new life.  As of this moment I can say that I am ready, I am stronger, and I think I may actually be kinda looking forward to getting back to Vegas.  Wow that’s a HUGE statement, because earlier this week I was desperate not to have to leave Sacramento, and now that desperation has faded.  Don’t get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to remain here in Sac with my mother and best friend where things are safe and familiar, but that isn’t going to happen.

I made a commitment to my family that I would try to build a life in Vegas, one that is independent of my past mistakes and influences.  If you would have told me earlier this week that I would experience anything other than fear, sadness, and apprehension about leaving Sacramento, I would have called you CRAZY.

I guess CRAZY is just what I am.  Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely sad to be leaving and filled with anxiety about how my path will unfold in a place that is still Very New to me.  Thankfully I have been filled with a newfound strength.  I am beginning to envision ideas and actions that will make my integration into what is to become my second home much more fun.

One thing that has made my return to Vegas easier is my resolution to REALLY build a social circle in my new home.  I have recently mentioned that I have been sad, lonely, anxious, and unhappy.  (though it’s only recently that I’ve stopped pretending everything was OK, and began to admit to others how I feel)  Those feelings are still present, but they have been joined by Hope, Belief, Acceptance, and Love.

Hope in what makes it possible for me to Believe that I can change how I perceive and create my life.  I have accepted that my path is influenced by others, just as much as by myself.  I accept that my family doesn’t want me to give up on creating a new life, though may seem too difficult to bear.  I Accept that I can’t create my life alone.  I need support from my family and friends and guidance from The Universe.

Finally I must have Love.  I must constantly work on loving myself in order to love others.  I must constantly work to evaluate the inner workings of my mind to ensure I am operating from a place of Love, not Fear.  I admit Love has been hard for me in the past, but I am beginning to feel that anything Worth having is Worth working for. 

To The Universe

Love Brandy

Exercise Communication and Control (Easier Said Than Done)

This morning I feel that my communication skills need help.  I am being held back by my fears, fears of being hurt.  My whole life I have been careful what deep feelings I share with others, especially when those feelings are in regards to the person I am speaking with.

The problem I am having is that I can’t have the life and the treatment I expect from others if I can’t express myself.  Then again my fear is crippling me.  I have such a problem taking criticism without getting hurt, and the closer a person is to me the easier it is for me to be hurt.

I know that I am the only one in control of my feelings, but I am searching for how to best exercise that control.  I know that as with any exercise, it takes practice.  Often I think that I would rather sit and sweat in a sauna for days, then exercise my feelings. 

My feelings have ALWAYS been in control me, not me in control of my feelings.  People may think I can control my feelings, but that is simply because I have learned not to share too much.

I don’t have any deep insights at this point, what I do know is that I am asking the Universe for help.  I need to be guided to a more independent sense of being.  I need to be guided to better self-esteem and courage.  I need to be guided away from fear and anxiety.  I know it’s possible to be in better control of my feelings and reactions, I just need the courage to keep plugging away.

To The Universe

Love Brandy

FRUSTRATION....We All Get It!!!

Ugh….This morning is not going my way and it’s pissing me off.  WOW, that felt so good to say out loud.  In recent months my circumstances have led me to feel the need to conceal my feelings if they aren’t positive.  I have been living in a new city and living with family members I’m not that comfortable around, yet.  But I’m telling you, it’s important not to keep negativity bundled up inside.

I have kept a lot of things to myself recently, that I really should have been sharing.  What happens when I keep everything to myself isn’t pretty.  I get sad, mad, angry, and unable to communicate efficiently.  I have spent a large portion of my life pretending.  I pretend I’m the happy one, I pretend I’m not bothered, I pretend I don’t want emotional support.

Pretending has brought me nothing but more distress.  I have been so worried how other people may react to my emotional needs, and so afraid of negative words and rejection, I have become a “slave” to my emotions.  I have let my emotions take control of my happiness.  I am So Done with that.

I have been trying to load all my blogs into a different format, and with photos, for the past couple days.  I have reformatted them so they all look alike, and this morning when I was determined to upload ALL my blogs, my internet is not cooperating.  I’m upset, I’m frustrated, and I kinda feel like giving up.  But there’s a lot of power in admitting ALL your emotions, even the bad.

Once I admitted how frustrated I am with my computer, the internet, and trying to learn new programs, I was able to step back and say “STOP.”  Stop working on what your doing, NOW, before your frustration makes you completely useless and ruins your entire day.

Now, that I gave myself permission to “STOP”, my frustration and emotions are calming.  I don’t feel like I am losing control, I feel calm, and happy.  I have to allow myself these moments of negativity, if I deny that I feel these things I will NEVER learn how to control them.  I must embrace ALL my emotions, my emotions Are Me, and I am Happy with Me.

To The Universe

Love Brandy