Don’t feel 100% great about yourself? Join the club. Most of us could use a little boost regarding our opinions of ourselves. Affirmations can be an effective way to boost your self-esteem.
 
The key to using affirmations is to state them in the positive and to use them religiously. Repetition is key in the beginning – until you feel the shift in your thinking.  Even then, keep going!
 
Use this process to harness the power of affirmations to enhance your self-esteem: 

1) Determine the weak areas of your self-esteem. In what aspects of your life do you feel negatively about yourself? It might be related to work, your relationships, your health, your body image...whatever it is, it is time to undo that conditioning! Hone in on the areas of your self-esteem that need the most work - the first step is awareness.

2) Create affirmations that address these areas. Suppose your self-esteem regarding your work is less than you’d like. Be kind to yourself and create powerful affirmations even if they seem over the top. For example:

• I am a highly capable person and a strong member of my team at work.
  
  
• I contribute regularly and in a meaningful way – with confidence and certainty.
  
  
• I am excited that my work and effort are routinely acknowledged with promotions and pay increases.
  
  
• I am calm, cool, and collected in all work situations.
  
  

Try to come up with a minimum of 10-15 affirmations. Make them positive and in the present tense. Avoid words that will keep you focused on the negative (i.e. “I am NOT forgetful”…should be worded “I easily remember all of my tasks”).

3) Create an audio recording of all your affirmations. The technology that we have now has made this an easy feat! Use your standard smart phone apps to record your affirmations – or, even better, make a video that you can watch and/or listen to! Your recording doesn’t have to be professional quality but give it your best effort.

• Read each affirmation at a normal speaking pace and speak clearly. Leave a short pause between each affirmation.

4) Write or type each affirmation clearly on a piece of paper. Carry your affirmations with you everywhere! That could mean putting them on a small piece of paper or having an electronic version on your phone or tablet. The more you are aware of your affirmations and intentions, the quicker they will be accepted into your identity. Just knowing they are in your pocket is a great way to keep them top of mind!

5) Spend some time each day listening to your affirmations. Your identity prioritizes information that comes from your own voice (which is why negative self-talk is SO damaging), so listening to your recording (Step 3) will strengthen your internal belief system. Ideally, listen to them while you’re lying in bed in the morning and in bed at night when your mind/brain is at is most suggestive. Put on your headphones and listen to your affirmations repeat over and over. If you can fall asleep with your affirmations in your ears, great!

• Take a walk at lunchtime and listen.
• Using an audio software (GarageBand, Audacity, etc.), you can put your affirmations “under” your favorite song – and play it over and over.
  
  

6) Spend some time writing your affirmations each day. Pull out a pen and some paper and write them by hand. Typing doesn’t count. This a highly effective way of implanting your affirmations into your subconscious.

7) Read your affirmations. You’ve be listening and writing. Now, it’s time to read them. Pull out your list of affirmations and read over them a few times each day. Let your subconscious know that you’re serious. Keep at it.

8) Consider a little electronic help. There are free programs you can get for your computer that will flash your affirmations on your computer screen. You can program them to flash for periods of time so short that you can’t possibly see them consciously, but your subconscious mind will see them. Imagine soaking in your affirmations all day long while you work! YAY!

Affirmations can be a useful tool for increasing your level of self-esteem. With more self-esteem life will be more enjoyable, and you’ll be more capable. Create a few affirmations to start with - write them, listen to them, and read them. You will begin feeling differently from the inside – which will impact your experiences, your vibration, and what you are attracting into your life!
 
If you want to learn how to speed up the process and integrate new belief structures quickly and easily, contact Karen LoGiudice at karen@newmoonselfdevelopment.com for more information on her revolutionary program: Sculpting Your Life – Heal your past…Find the Present…Create your Future!

Scientists once believed that the mind and the body were separate, that one didn’t influence the other. Today we know that isn’t the case. Your stress levels and general mental state can have profound effects on the effectiveness of your immune system.
 
Although we tend to think that our immune system mainly deals with illnesses like the flu or the common cold, this incredible system of protection reaches almost all facets of our bodies.  With auto-immune disorders rapidly on the rise, we can all benefit from understanding how stress and environmental factors affect our daily lives and how they impact our immune systems.  One profound step you can take in improving your longevity is to look at your thinking and stress levels.
 
Enhance your outlook and boost your immune system:


1) Cortisol is an enemy of the immune system. During times of stress, the level of cortisol rises in the body. The body recognizes this increase as an indicator of the fight or flight response and responds by limiting other body functions, including the immune system.

Prolonged stress keeps the immune system in a compromised state, which increases the likelihood of getting sick or developing more serious immune disorders.

2) Positive social interaction has the opposite effect. Enjoying time with others has been shown to lower stress hormones and boost immune activity for several hours afterward. Get out and enjoy time with other people.

3) Listening to relaxing music or getting a massage is also beneficial. Anything that’s relaxing, without being harmful, seems to have a positive impact on immune function.

Make a list of the activities that you find relaxing. Try to do a few of the items on your list each day. Ensure that you find a few items you can do in the car and at work.

4) Stress has also been shown to increase the risk of developing immune-based diseases. These include arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, asthma, MS, vitiligo, and lupus – to name a few. New studies are showing that inflammation is a common theme within immune-based diseases and is an auto-immune response to stress and other triggers in the environment. In time, it’s believed that science will show that many other diseases immune-based and, therefore, are influenced by stress.

5) Laughter has a powerful impact on immune function. Record the shows that make you laugh and try to watch one each day. Read a few jokes from a book or online during your breaks at work. Spend time with funny people! You’ll get the benefit of positive social interaction and laughter.  Even the act of smiling has enormous impacts on our mental state – so hike up those cheeks!  : ) 

6) Practice gratitude. Giving yourself a little reminder of the great things in your life will boost your mood and your ability to fight disease. This is a quick exercise that can turn your mindset around quickly.

7) Use positive affirmations to enhance your mood. Positive thoughts lead to positive feelings. Repeat positive affirmations on a regular basis, especially during periods of stress. Keep your mind occupied with something positive. Make a list of positive affirmations that resonate with you.

8) Be successful. Experience success by setting goals you can reach. Big, audacious goals are great, but be sure to have a few easier goals, too. Be happy with your small successes. Your immune system will reward you, too.

9) Exercise patience. Impatience creates stress. Relax and make good use of the extra time. The time will pass regardless of how you spend it. Take advantage of it and stay calm.

10) Be happy! What makes you happy? Figure it out and spend more time doing it. Read, knit, dance, meditate, grill outdoors, go on a picnic. These aren’t frivolous things. They make life enjoyable and keep you healthy.


Avoid underestimating the impact your mood and mindset can have on your immune system. Optimism, happiness, fun, love, and success keep your immune system in good working order. Scientists are only beginning to understand the impact of psychology on physiology. Being happy and positive doesn’t just feel good, but it also strengthens your health and wellness.

Fear is probably the biggest roadblock to success. Fear is a constant companion if you’re attempting to grow and achieve. The most successful people are often those that manage fear most effectively. Unfortunately, those whose fear controls them tend to not live up to their true potential. Learning to push beyond fear is a valuable skill that greatly increases your odds of success.
 
Conquer your fear and achieve success:

1. Control your thoughts. It’s possible to think about anything you choose. The best way to stress yourself is to think about stressful things. You’re not more effective when you’re afraid. You’re less. That doesn’t mean you should bury your head in the sand, but put yourself in a frame of mind that makes you most able to deal with the situation.
2. What would you do if you WEREN’T afraid?  My great friend, Beth, introduced me to this simple but powerful question many years ago.  I have a post-it note on my refrigerator that says, “What would I do if wasn’t afraid?”  If I am fearful about a decision, I look at that post-it, and it guides me to make the decision that my soul knows is in-line with what I really want.  Ask this question any time fear comes into a decision – it will change your life!
3. Breathe. Focus on your breath and slow your mind. Your mind will take reality and run wild with it. Focusing on your breath will calm your mind, and bring your perspective back to reality. Things are rarely as bad as they seem. When stress is at your doorstep, just stop and breathe.
4. Imagine a positive outcome. Raise the level of your expectations. Your fear will melt away if you expect something positive to happen. Create a future that you find exciting and visualize your fear away.   Repeat this exercise several times a day. Eventually, you’ll begin to believe it.
5. Exercise. Physical exertion is an excellent way to burn away your fear and anxiety.  Focus on what you’re doing – be mindful of your surroundings and, before you know it, your mind will be focused on exercise rather than fearful thoughts.  Go for a quick run, a long walk, or lift weights. When you’re pleasantly out of breath, you’ll find your fear has lessened.
6. Seek support. Talk to friend or a mentor. Choose wisely, however! Some of your friends and family are more supportive than others. Find someone who knows you well and will let you air your fears without feeding them. Online forums can be helpful, and you can remain anonymous.
   Understand that change and fear go hand in hand. There’s a reason to be excited when you’re afraid: It’s very possible that you’re at the beginning of a great change in your life.  Nothing seems to change when you’re comfortable 100% of the time. Be excited that you’re doing something that creates feelings of fear. Your life may be about to change for the better.  Remember:  Life happens outside of your comfort zone…GO FOR IT!
7. Make a list of the benefits of moving forward. Create a long list of the positive results that could result from being brave. Think about what it looks like when you’ve finally arrived after pushing through that fear and FEEL what that will feel like. For example, if you’re starting a new business: 

• Financial stability
• Doing something I love and enjoy.
• Being a successful entrepreneur allows me to work on my own.
• The things I feared about opening a business are all in the past!

 
    8. Do it anyway. Fear is a lousy reason for not doing something. Be brave and resolve to do the thing you fear.  Take one small step at a time – each time you conquer a fear, it will be easier the next time. Build your tolerance to fear by facing fear daily. 

Do you allow fear to determine your actions? Fear is a self-imposed roadblock on the path to progress. Developing the skill to handle fear appropriately is necessary to move forward in any aspect of life. When you feel fear, you’re on the verge of making a significant change in your life. Get excited!  Clay is a great way to identify the root cause for your fear – call us today to learn concrete tools to eliminate fear and go for your dreams!  

Enlightenment is a common term thrown around by a variety of philosophers and religions. The term “enlightenment” used by Emmanuel Kant isn’t the same as Buddhist enlightenment, but they share many similarities. Enlightenment is having an accurate view of the world and how it works. It’s much more common, however, to view the world through distorted glasses.

Our past experiences, beliefs, identities, and habitual patterns of thought can't help but skew our perception. We’re driven by habit and filter our current situations through the lense of our past experiences. It’s understandibly challenging to strip all of that away and perceive the world accurately. It can take a lifetime to reach a high level of enlightenment.
 
It’s not necessary to live alone in a cave or become a Buddhist monk to reach a higher level of enlightenment, however. All that’s really required is to pay attention and observe your thoughts.
 
There are many advantages to enlightenment:

1. It’s impossible to feel jealous, offended, or have other negative emotions if you’re enlightened. When you’re enlightened, you can easily see through the actions and behaviors of others. You’re much more likely to feel empathy when someone acts or speaks against you than to feel hurt.
   
   
2. You no longer feel the need to impress anyone else. You’ll no longer chase after achievements or possessions for the purpose of showing off. You’ll be free to pursue your true passions without regard for the opinions of others.
   
   
3. Simple things become much more enjoyable. Eating an orange or going for a walk can be as satisfying as driving a Ferrari. The most successful person isn’t the one that has the most...it’s the person that’s happiest and most satisfied with what they already have.

 
Enlightenment has a lot to offer. But how does one become more enlightened? It’s quite simple, yet arduous. Avoid the mistake of thinking that mental exercise doesn’t require effort. Becoming enlightened is challenging in the same way eating only one potato chip is challenging.
 
Try these strategies on your journey to enlightenment:

1. Meditate. Meditation is the primary tool to reach enlightenment. Buy a book or join in on one of our workshops to learn how to meditate. Meditation isn’t complicated, but it must be practiced regularly in order to get the most out of it.
   
   
2. Pay attention. Notice your thoughts and feelings as they arise. If you’re sitting in traffic, annoyed that you’re going to be late for work, notice the feelings and consider the origin. What are you feeling? Why? Are your feelings helping in any way? Have you always responded this way in similar situations? Would a child respond the same way?
   
   
3. Play the role of the observer. It’s not enough to pay attention. Strive to be objective and non-judgmental in your observations. Imagine you’re a stranger observing the situation with nothing to gain or lose. Be dispassionate. Notice the rise and fall of your emotions without getting involved. Be a detective.
   
   
4. Be patient. Becoming enlightened is like training for the Olympics. It can take years to develop the conditioning and expertise. Enjoy the fact that you’re making small amounts of progress each day. It takes time.
   
   
5. Let go of the past. If you’re still upset that your dad walked out on the family when you were six, you’re holding on to negative experience that will block enlightenment. Let them go, they are no longer serving you or protecting you.

 
Enlightenment isn’t just for spiritual, off-the-grid folks. Enlightenment is a worthy goal for any human being. Enlightenment is hard work, but the benefits are considerable. You’ll no longer have to be controlled by your emotions or feel the need to impress anyone. You can enjoy a freedom that you’ve never felt before – and it feels great!
 
Start your journey to enlightenment today!  We are here to help!

​You might not believe this…but many things you believe about yourself are simply not true! In fact, many of our commonly held beliefs turn out to be incorrect. For example, we now know that the world isn’t flat and that the Earth revolves around the sun. This wasn’t always the case.
 
Your parents may have told you something they believed to be true, but wasn’t. You may have had an experience that led you to draw a false conclusion.
 
Contemplate what you believe about life and yourself that might not be true. False beliefs can greatly limit your options. It could change everything if you actually knew the truth!
 
You might think that you’re not good at sports or public speaking. You might believe that you’re not talented or that nothing you do is good enough. It’s time to show yourself that many of your beliefs are inaccurate. One of the best ways to find and eliminate false beliefs is through experimentation.
 
Follow this process:
 
1. Make a list of your limiting beliefs for which you don’t have significant proof. Significant proof is repeated personal experience. One experience doesn’t prove a thing. Even two experiences can just be a coincidence. Get some real proof.


2. Start with a limiting belief that you can test easily. Let’s just say, for example, that you have the belief that you can’t make friends. This might be based on the experience of not having friends in your younger days.


3. Learn what you need to know. Do you know how to make friends? It wasn’t covered in school. You might need to purchase a book and educate yourself. Maybe your social skills are a little rusty. Perhaps you need to work on minimizing your social anxiety.

• What do you need to learn or do to put yourself in the position to test your false belief fairly?
  
  

4. Release the belief.  Saying affirmations can help with releasing beliefs that hold you back.  Working with clay is an extremely powerful step in releasing as well (more info at: http://www.newmoonselfdevelopment.com/clay-techniques.html).
 
5. Practice. If you believed that you couldn’t learn to play the violin, you wouldn’t prove it to yourself by picking up a violin for the first time and giving it a whirl. It takes practice to test your belief.

• Likewise, you can’t prove to yourself that you can’t make friends by just walking up to a single person and saying, “Do you want to be my friend?”

• Practice your social skills. Get out of the house and practice interacting with others. Learn how to maintain a conversation. Learn how to be more charismatic. Learn and then practice. Then practice some more.
  
  
• Engage in your interests with others. Join a yoga class or a weekly poker game.

 
6. Test yourself. Make the test fair.

• Give yourself 30 days to make at least one friend. You don’t have to make 20 friends. The whole premise was that you can’t make any friends. One friend would prove that belief to be false. If you can make one friend, you can make two. If you can make two, you can eventually make 50.
  
  

7. Keep your expectations realistic. You’re probably not trying to prove to yourself that you’re the best in the world at something, merely that you’re competent.

• For example, most people only have a few close friends. It’s not reasonable to expect that you’re going to find 10 in the next 30 days.

 
8. Reframe your beliefs. With the proper preparation, you’ll find that 99% of your limiting beliefs are false. Once you’ve proved yourself wrong, be willing to adjust your beliefs accordingly.
 
Now go tackle another one. Challenge your limiting beliefs one by one and decide whether or not they’re true. Use your own personal experience. Test your assumptions whenever you have the chance. You’re likely to discover a whole new world of skills and experiences that you enjoy.

Finding time to meditate can hold you back from beginning your practice. Maybe you try to carve out time, but doctor appointments and business trips get in the way. You can’t find a free hour to sit down.
 
While extended meditation has its benefits, you can also boost your mindfulness with brief breaks of a few minutes or less. Try these tips for calming your mind even on your busiest days.
 
Brief Meditations: How to Do It

1. Focus on your breath. Pay attention to your breath as it enters and leaves your nostrils. Follow its path up and down your body. Notice how your abdomen and chest rise and fall when you inhale and exhale deeply.
   
   
2. Scan your body. Search for areas of tension. Massage your stiff shoulders or hands as you imagine your breath warming and healing them.
   
   
3. Observe your thoughts. Check out what’s on your mind without making judgements. Let your mind slow down.  Do this by “breathing into” them.  Just like we can calm our bodies with breath, we can calm our minds as well.
   
   
4. Embrace your feelings. You can meditate when you’re feeling content or dealing with major stress. Remember that your emotions are temporary and you decide how to respond to any situation.
   
   
5. Watch closely. Lock your eyes onto a chosen object. Pick a candle with a flickering flame or a tree bough swaying in the breeze.
   
   
6. Chant out loud. Fill your mind with a spiritual mantra or an inspiring saying of your own. Affirmations or simple statements like, “I release” or “I surrender” can work well. Whatever you pick, repeat it at least 3 times. 
   
   
7. Reach out and touch. Many religions use beads to count prayers and maybe even avoid falling asleep. Try wearing a bracelet or holding a charm in your palm as a trigger to bring your mind back to a beautiful and wholesome state.
   
   

Brief Meditations: When to Do It

1. Adjust your commute. Look forward to red lights. Use traffic signals and stop signs as a reminder to breathe.
   
   
2. Take a break during meetings. You can stay up to date with your mind at office meetings the same way you check on phone calls and text messages. Ask yourself how you’re feeling while you’re looking to see if a client responded to your last message.
   
   
3. Intensify your workouts.  Connect with your mind as you build up your body. Meditate for a few minutes on the treadmill or at the swimming pool.
   
   
4. Connect with your partner. Make a date with your spouse. Mediate together for a few minutes each morning or before bed.
   
   
5. Bond with your kids. Mindfulness exercises can be especially beneficial for children. Make your sessions fun by keeping them short and simple. Throw in some yoga poses, singing, and visualizations that will appeal to your child’s imagination.
   
   
6. Line up. Your daily life is probably full of long lines. Next time you’re queuing up for a blockbuster movie or rushing to mail a last-minute present at the post office, remember that meditation will help you pass the time without losing your spot.
   
   
7. Skip commercials. Do you enjoy watching 30 seconds of advertising before you can watch the video you clicked on? Hit the mute button, and enjoy the silence that surrounds you.
   
   
8. Consume consciously. Do you automatically reach for a donut or a margarita after a rough day? On the other hand, maybe you try to soothe yourself with a little retail therapy. Meditation could be a healthier and less expensive response to stress.
   
   

Let go of stress and boost your concentration with a quick meditation session. While instant weight loss products are often disappointing, you can enjoy greater peace of mind in just a few minutes a day. That’s a miracle worth celebrating.