Christine Lewis - 365 Positive Intentions (flipbook version w social back cover)

Day 36. Different Paths to the Same Truth When we hear different accounts of the same situation, it is because there is one truth but oftentimes many paths leading towards that truth. We can have five people who are present for one incident and have five different perceptions of the incident because each person is viewing what happens from their own perspective. We realize that there is a balance between the truth and the reality. Truth is our perception while the reality is what we are creating based on the truth we believe in. When we are tempted to argue with someone about what the truth is, be very aware that their perception is different from ours and just because we see things one way does not mean there is not an option for seeing things in a different way. There is no real point in imposing our own truth on someone else because they have their own truth, too. There is no point in forcing our reality on someone else because they have their own reality as well. The work is in respecting, understanding, and appreciating each perspective, truth, and reality for what it is. It is just a difference in perspective; it isn’t the end of the world when someone sees something differently from us. In fact, it is all these perceptions that come together to make the whole, and without someone standing on the other side of the world to give us an option about how to perceive things, we might only ever see things from one side. It is in allowing ourselves to embrace all the perspectives and to be open to the options that we brought into our perception of the world.

365 Positive Intentions Acknowledge that although there is one truth and different realities based on that truth, our truth does not need to be anyone else’s and no one else’s needs to be ours. We have the freedom to be in this space of now and to decide what our truth is in this breath, in this moment, and in creating a reality that works for us. We have the freedom to be in this space, respecting, being aware, and understanding someone else’s truth. We can all stand together in the same space of now in peace, love, and harmony, without imposing our truth on anyone else’s. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 37 More Space Than Stuff Just for a moment, think about all things that we do not know. When we really consider what exists, we will realize that most of everything is space. The stuff we see is just a small percentage of what actually exists and pretty much everything else is dark matter. When we look out into the sky, we realize that space is all there is. When we close our eyes, there is space. In every room of our home or outside it, there is more space than there is stuff. Space dominates everything. There is so much in that space that we do not know—the microscopic organisms swirling in the air, the droplets of water in the atmosphere swirling around—there is a lot that fill up the space that we do not even see. Most of all, there is freedom in that space—the freedom in the unknown. We do not have to know or identify everything. All we have to do is be in the space of now. If there is no interaction with light, what would we really see? We see ourselves. When we close our eyes and find that stillness, we see more of ourselves than we could ever see reflected in the stuff around us. Everything we need to see can be seen with our eyes closed; and in that space, we have the opportunity and possibility to create anything. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 38. Walking Advertisement We are a walking advertisement for ourselves. If we notice how marketing companies strategize visual images to entice, inspire, and invoke emotion, we actually do the same thing with our facial expressions, body language, the clothes we wear, and the way we present ourselves—we are a walking advertisement. We have to look the part that we want to play in this life; so an appearance of confidence, security and stability is what we want to create. We have to start by projecting that energy and by marketing and advertising ourselves as confident, secure, and stable. If we want happiness, we have to project that energy. Everything that we give off is energy we surround ourselves with. The more we advertise our happiness and our joy, the more of that we create. We are a walking advertisement for what we think is important, especially the words we speak. Everything we say communicates what we want to create more. We are advertising our deepest needs and wants, our passions, our desires, and even our dreams in everything we speak and do. Make sure that what we are advertising is generating the response, enthusiasm, inspiration, and empowerment that we want to create more of in the world. We are marketing, advertising, and selling somebody on something in whatever we think, speak, and do, so make certain that this something is everything we want to see more of in the world. Advertise the best of ourselves and make it a great day. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 39. Reflective Listening Intend on improving our communication skills. Communication is mostly rooted in listening, but how often do we really listen to what someone is saying without thinking what our response will be? Sometimes, we find ourselves wanting to interrupt someone to get our point across, but then we realize that our interruption is preventing that person from communicating what they were trying to say. That is why we should work on reflective listening—when someone is expressing something, make an effort to really digest what they have said. Doing that prevents us from thinking about what our response will be while they are still speaking. When someone makes a point to us, think about it and reiterate it back to them to make sure that we have understood what they were trying to say. Our communication skills, especially with those we love and care for, are so important not only because we want to make sure that the person we are communicating with feels honored and feel that we have given them our full attention, but also because we want to make sure we are receiving the energy they are trying to give to us. Communication is the foundation of connection, so if we can improve our communication skills, certainly we can also strengthen our connections. Think about reflective listening and give ourselves the opportunity to absorb and process what someone is saying before we even think of a response. The more we listen, the more we feel connected and the more substance there is to our communication,

365 Positive Intentions our connections, and our lives. Enjoy the day. Listen closely, and we might hear something so valuable it will change the rest of our lives. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 40. A Unique Sense Physical touch is very important. When was the last time we hugged someone or felt a gentle caress or warm embrace? Those moments of simple touch resonate through our entire body. A touch in one area of our body often tingles and moves through other areas; and of the five senses, touch is unique - it isn’t limited to one area of the body. While sight, smell, hearing, and taste are always stuck in one area of the body, physical touch can be anywhere. There are different areas of the body that are more sensitive or receptive to touch than others. Just holding someone’s hand can send energy through our entire body. There is a deep communication and connection that happens with physical touch, and that is why it is very important for us to touch each other a little more. It is hard to imagine going through the day with no physical touch at all. People often remarked that whenever they come in and out of my yoga classes, we always hug and exchange a kiss on the cheek. At social gatherings, I like to encourage a kissing train where everyone engages in some sort of physical touch- a hug, a kiss, or looking each other in the eye and feeling that deep connection that we should have with each other. All it takes is a moment of physical touch to communicate how much we care, even if it is a stranger. That physical touch deepens the quality of our connection. Make an effort today to touch someone in a loving way and know that physical touch is really a deep emotional connection.

365 Positive Intentions The feeling from that touch can resonate through every cell of our being. Enjoy the day. Reach out and touch someone, not just because it will make them feel good, but even more importantly, because it will make us feel good. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 41. Breaking the Cosmic Egg There is a saying in the metaphysical world that we can only be in prison in the kingdom of our minds. What we perceive as reality is ultimately all that exists. They call it the notion of the cosmic egg. The total of all our experiences, awareness, and understanding of what we think of the world creates this bubble for us in which we live. This bubble defines our reality, and we create what reality can be for us. The work in meditation and exploring ourselves is to crack that egg, to get beyond the boundaries, the constructs, labels, and definitions, and to feel our true and authentic self from moment to moment. Through that, the bubble bursts, and once we burst that bubble, we get to move past it. We get to perceive things beyond what is just happening in our physical space. We get an awareness of our power and how much control we have over what exists in our reality. Think of cracking the egg and bursting the bubble; think of moving out of what is familiar and expand the realms of what is possible. Explore beyond the egg and outside of the bubble—maybe talk to a stranger, go to a new place, try new food, or do something out of the normal routine. Expand what is possible in our life right now so that we aren’t stuck in the bubble through our entire life. Broaden that bubble until it disappears completely. Enjoy the day. Break out the cosmic egg and find ourselves. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 42. The Heart Is a Lost and Found Our heart is like a lost and found. If we have ever gone to a lost and found, the first thing we might have noticed are all the things that are lost—until we realize that they are all the things that were actually found. They just need to be claimed by their owners. It is easy to look at the love that we have lost as though we have lost a piece of ourselves, but like what the old cliché says, it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Think of the heart as the lost and found instead of thinking of all the pain and the times when things didn’t go our way. Think more of all that we have learned from those experiences. Think about the best part of the love—that euphoric feeling where we felt very connected with the person we were with. Instead of allowing the end of the relationship to define it, allow the entirety of the relationship to teach us about what we want in the next one. Our heart is not a place of “lost” but a place where we find ourselves and maybe all we need is a shift in our perception between what is lost and what has been found. Allow our heart to be a place where we find ourselves so that we are not dwelling on the lost but preparing for an even greater love. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 43. The Lesson From Health Clubs While working out at the gym, I couldn’t help but notice how many people are pushing and forcing heavy weights in the hopes of building strength. The irony is, in a health club, there are twenty different machines for biceps, butts, hamstrings, and abs, but there is no machine that helps strengthen our spine, colon, feet, or hands—some of the things that we use the most and that are most important to our ability to function. We do not have a means of strengthening them. Despite all that forcing and pushing, people in a health club need to realize that the more and harder they push anything, the more likely it is to fail. There are athletes and dancers who have injuries, debilitating issues, and pain in their body that prevent them from functioning normally, and they have all these issues as a result of how much they have pushed their physical body. Take a lesson from the health club; ease off the heavy weights and try not to push too hard. If we are feeling it, it is probably working. There is no need to go to excess, force, push, struggle, or fight. That is not the work to create the strength. Sometimes, the work is just in the steady pace, the consistency, the persistence—those that build strength in a healthy way. The beauty of yoga is that it is an exercise that touches many different parts of the body. It is not only working the strength of the muscles, but it is also helping our joints, the connective tissue, and the flexibility of our spine. It also moves our energy to our internal organs- our kidney, liver, spleen, and colon. It is really and truly a whole-body workout.

365 Positive Intentions Put down the weights, step on into the mat, and see the difference in the health, the vitality, and the strength that we feel. Be careful when we are at the health club. Remember that with all those machines, there is still not one that can strengthen our spirit and soul. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga, Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 44. 100 Thoughts a Day What if we are only allocated a hundred thoughts every day? How many thoughts would we spend in judgment of our body or others? How many of those thoughts would we spend complaining about the traffic or the weather? Would we spend forty of our thoughts processing whatever happened the day before despite knowing that we might want to get those thoughts back to invest in today? How many thoughts are we willing to invest in things that aren’t contributing more of what we want? We are often very cautious about where we choose to spend our money, but not nearly as cautious as to where we choose to spend our time and energy. When we think of our thoughts as an investment, we will be more careful about where we invest those thoughts because time and energy are more valuable than anything else. Take a little time today and decide what would be the best investment of our thoughts and energy. Decide today to invest more on what we want, knowing that inevitably, there will be a return on that investment. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 45. Body on Loan Think about the last time we borrowed something valuable from our friend or relative and consider how much effort we put into taking care of that thing just to make sure that it was not damaged and that we used it properly. We take care of the things we borrow from others and too often, we take more care of what we borrow from someone else than we do of the things we own ourselves. For today, think about our body as though it was on loan, as though we are borrowing it. Take as much care of it as though someone else owned it, knowing that we will take better care of something to be able to return it in the same condition that we received it. Our body is kind of on loan from the universe, and the work is in taking as much care of ourselves as we would of someone else. Take as much care of the things we hold valuable as we would of something that is valuable to someone else. Think about our body today as though it is something that we are borrowing so that we are encouraged to take care of it, to give it the nutrients it deserves, and to provide the relaxation it needs. Our meditation and yoga practice are kind of like routine maintenance for the body and the mind—we take a little time in silence, take a little time to stretch and relax, and take a little time for maintenance. Think about our body as though it is on loan, and make certain to take care of it as though we want to return it in a better condition than we received it. Take care of ourselves today and every day. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 46. Existing Without Wanting In moments when we feel uncertain, try to check in to remind ourselves to exist without wanting. When we exist without wanting, we let go of attachment that is the root of suffering. Letting go of expectations, the need to control the outcome, or just simply letting go in and of itself is liberating. The only reason we feel uncertain is because we want to be able to define the outcome, but what good does that really serve us? Inevitably, what happens in the physical reality is going to be a function of an interplay of many different energies culminating in one circumstance. There is no way for us to control all those energies and factors influencing the circumstance. Only possibility is inherent in uncertainty. Existing without wanting liberates the mind. It allows us to feel free in this life so that instead of waiting for something to happen— instead of expecting something to happen—we just put our energy into creating what is happening now. If we are diligent and focused on what we want and if we put every ounce of our energy, effort, and thought into creating what we want, we will get close to it. The time frame may not be exactly what we want, but that is just the way things work. The focus on existing without wanting will free up so much space in our minds and that will allow us to create something better in our now that will eventually lay the foundation for what we want in the future. Check in, notice where our mind is going, and notice how expectations and attachment to an outcome make us feel. At some point, we will realize that the feeling is just uncertainty, so we might

365 Positive Intentions as well let it go and exist without wanting. Enjoy the day. Free our minds and let go of expectations so that the attachments will not distract us from our dreams. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 47. Nothing Exists as It Appears Nothing exists as it appears. It only exists as we interpret and perceive it. Nothing exists at face value. It exists only because we recognize, interpret, or perceive it as something. The way we perceive something is what gives significance to it in our lives. Do not take situations for face value or just look at what they appear to be. Consciously be aware of what we are creating it to be. We create our perception of everything, and we decide how we feel about the circumstances presented to us. Circumstances inherently do not have emotion or any attachment to an outcome, but we do. We set our intention for the outcome to be as we intended; we put our energy in, so we create the outcome we want. We are the co-creators of our lives, the directors of our dreams and destiny, and the executive producer of every circumstance, relationship, and interaction. Nothing exists as it appears but only as how we choose to perceive it. Perceive things in ways that are positive, purposeful, and pleasurable. Make life more enjoyable because nothing exists as it appears. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 4. Memories are Connection to Spirit Our memories are our perfect way to connect to spirit. When we replay all the memories that we have created with the people we hold close, it is like reliving the moments. It is like celebrating the time we spent together. Memories are a connection to spirit. The memories we hold feed our spirit and fill our heart even in those moments when we are missing the people we love. The memories help fill our hearts even when it feels empty. Allow the moments when we are missing someone or something to inspire us to reflect on the memories. As we replay those most magical memories, we know that they are connecting us to the spirit and to the energy that we hold close to our heart forever. Allow memories to fill our heart, feed our spirit, and bring us closer to our loved ones even when we are not with them in a physical space because the memories are the connection to their spirit. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 49. Vortex of Energy They say the universe began in a vacuum of energy. That energy was drawn in to one point, and that force of energy created life. Each of us is a force of energy that creates life. Each of us is a vortex, and we are drawing people in with our energy. We choose whether we draw people into a light-filled, positive, and loving space, or we draw them into a black hole of negativity and complacency. We are each a vortex; we are attracting energy, and that energy is attracted to the energy we create within. We are the origin of the energy that exists around us because we are inviting in energy that is similar to the energy we create inside. The more positive we are, the more likely we will be surrounded by positive energy that increases exponentially. We are a vortex; there is energy swirling around us, and we have the ability to choose which energy we invite in. The energy we create for ourselves becomes our reality. We share that energy with everyone around us, so we have to acknowledge that the shift of energy we are looking for in the world has to begin within us. Create a vortex of positive energy that radiates from within and gravitates to us from outside. Be the beginning of the energy we wish to see in the world and know that the example that we set is creating a vortex of energy that will surround us with everything we create inside.

365 Positive Intentions Be the beginning of the vortex so that we are drawing in all the positive energy, love, and light that we deserve. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 50. We are Purpose-Fueled Everything we do in this life should be purposeful. Everything we do should be fueled with purpose, so maybe instead of purposeful, we are purpose-fueled. We set an intention and create a vision. We have a dream and it becomes tangible because we believe in our ability to make it happen. We are fueled by purpose and passion. Everything we do in this life should be purpose-fueled by this energy that is driving us to live our dreams and to fulfill our purpose in every breath and in every moment. Be purpose-fueled. Be the example and show off our ability to create the vision we have for ourselves and for the world. Inspire others with our passion for life so that everyone we meet will be fueled by our purpose as well. Live a purpose-fueled life and allow that purpose fuel to empower us to greatness. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 51. Encourage to Inspire Courage The word encourage means to inspire. We know the effect encouragement has on children—it gives them the ability to perceive that anything is possible. Imagine if we all put extra effort into encouraging each other. Maybe all we need is a little encouragement to inspire us to do something better. Imagine that every successful person has at some point had someone who encouraged them and believed in them. Wouldn’t it be magical to be that person for someone? Imagine the change we could inspire in the world just with a little encouragement if we all started to praise each other for our accomplishments and give each other a little encouragement to become something better. Next time we see someone who seems like they need an extra boost or energy, give them a little encouragement. That might just be the encouragement to smile or to laugh. Tell them how beautiful they are, what a great job they did, or how something they said impacted our life. Try to share some words of encouragement and notice how that encouragement is inspiring courage in ourselves and in others. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 52. The Evolution of Connection Connections are evolving with technology, but the irony is that we feel connected to our gadgets and to our phones. We think we are connected through social media, but many of us are so connected to the machines—without a television, we feel uninformed; without news feed, we do not feel up to date with the latest information. When our phone dies, we scramble for a charger to power it back up again, but where do we find the power for our lives? For ourselves? What is stimulating our sense of connection when we are alone—no cellphones, no television, no tool for communication? How do we connect? The connection begins with the breath, with our emotions, with our feelings, and with our energy. We are the connection to everything that exists around us, but the connection starts by feeling what is happening within us. Sadly, people will panic in search for a charger before their phones die but won’t feel a sense of urgency to make a connection to a loved one before they pass on or to live our dreams before it passes us by. We need to prioritize our connections, and that starts by limiting our connections with the machines and strengthening the connection with ourselves. Connect deeper and allow that connection to start with ourselves. Feel the breath move through our body, feel the emotions vibrate our heart, and feel the connection that we have with everything that exists around us. We do not need an external source to connect because the connection begins within us. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 53. The Body is Recycled We love to be certain even though everything is just temporary. We like to believe that we are certain about everything that exists, but our body and our experience are all temporary. Our physical body, for instance. We are certain in this moment that this body is ours, but in the next breath, the body changes. The body we had as a child, as a teenager, and in our 20s are long gone and has been replaced with a new one. Compare our current picture and one from ten or twenty years ago; we now have a completely new body. They say our body changes every seven years, so our body now is completely different than it was seven years prior. The changes actually happen at a much faster scale. Our body is simply made of particles that will shortly be recycled not just through eating, elimination, memories, or emotions. Our skin is recycled once a month as the outer layer of skin is constantly shedding. Our stomach lining is recycled every five days. Our skeleton recycles every three months. Our memory and ideas of what came before us are constantly being recycled and we are adding to every memory with every moment. All these things are changing quickly, so this version of our body is just this day’s version. This moment’s version. This year’s version. It will be replaced by something else next year. Instead of obsessing on what the physical body is changing, think more about the impact that we are making. What are we really leaving behind other than just our skin that is shedding, hair that is falling out, or skeleton that is being replaced? What else are we leaving behind? How will we be remembered?

Someone who meets us twenty or thirty years from now might not recognize the brand new body that we will have by then, but they will always remember the way we made them feel. Focus on what is permanent. Our energy is what resonates long after the physical body has gone. Enjoy the day. Enjoy this brand new body because we will not have it for long; it will be something new tomorrow. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 54. Intentional Versus Habitual We all have an established routine that we have been comfortable with, but we need to be aware whether our routine is intentional or habitual. Is our routine helping us create the vision that we want our lives to be? Or maybe we have been doing the routine for so long that we have become comfortable even if the routine is not creating a space that we want to be in. Is the routine intentional or habitual? The difference between an intentional and habitual routine is knowing whether we are controlling the routine, or the routine is controlling us and we are simply stuck in it? Habitual pattern is rooted in a reaction and is a response to external circumstances. We create a habitual pattern in order to make us more comfortable with what is going on externally; we create an intentional pattern to create what is going on externally. Be intentional with our thoughts, our words, and our actions so that we are in complete control of our routine rather than letting our routine control us. Be clear whether our patterns are intentional or habitual. Begin to focus our thoughts, words, and actions so that they are supporting the intentions that we set for our lives. Create an intentional routine so that everything we think, speak, and do is contributing to the dream we have for our life and for the energy that we wish for the world. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 55. Allow Change to Happen It is no secret that everything is changing, but it is how we deal with the change that defines our experience within it. The more we resist change, the older and more fragile we feel. When we resist change, we feel like we are victims of it. The secret is to roll and evolve with the change. When we can look in the mirror, we see that we are obviously changing. When we look around, we see that things are obviously changing. Our relationships, our view of the world—everything is changing, but if we spend time resisting the change, we will feel older and stuck. We will feel that the changes are working against us when inevitably, change is working with us. It isn’t happening to us; it is us. Our life is rooted in change. Our experiences evolve because of change. If we resist, we feel old. We feel fragile. We feel like the change is forcing us to adapt, but adapting is part of evolving, so if we do not evolve with the change, we will feel stuck. If we do not accept change, we will be fighting forever. The secret is to simply allow the change to happen. Allow our perception of the change to work for us instead of against us. In that way, we will realize that the change is helping us to move forward, make progress, and evolve. Resisting the change just makes us feel old and stuck; it makes us feel fragile as though we are victims of it when in fact, we are the change. Our existence is a measure of change, and the only possible way we can move forward in this life is through change. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 56. Energy Centers of Our Body There are elements in nature that stimulate the energy centers of our body—the way we feel as we sit in the ocean and listen to the waves crashing against the shore, the way we feel when we stare at the sun, the moon, or the stars, when we sit in front of the waterfall watching the water cascade down the mountainside, or even when we simply watch a flower blossom and the leaves being blown in the trees with the wind. There are elements in nature that can stimulate our energy centers. It is said that keeping a candle lit in a child’s room can stimulate the penial gland and can open up the awareness of the connection that we have to our intuition, innate wisdom, and everything that we inherently and intuitively know to be true. As we access these energy centers, we become more attuned to our experiences and more aware of everything around us. The more we can stimulate what we have inside, the more impact we have on what we create outside. Spend time in nature today. Whether it is by standing still, feeling the breeze blow against the skin, or feeling the energy of the wind and the heat of the sun, just connect with these elements of nature and allow them to stimulate the energy centers of the body. Getting closer to the energy in nature brings us closer to the energy we hold inside and allows us access to the sweet spots in every experience. Get close to the elements of nature and stimulate the energy centers of the body. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 57. Endurance Is the Challenge Endurance is always the challenge in any race or pursuit. Most people can run down the block, but very few people can run down ten blocks. Most of us can do anything for a short period of time, but our ability to consistently and persistently do something is what defines our ability to master it. Endurance is the challenge. There is an adage of a race between the tortoise and a rabbit. The rabbit can run fast and might get there, but it can only run fast for so long. The tortoise, on the other hand, is slow and steady, but that pace makes it possible to get anywhere. Think about endurance. Are we able to do what we are doing right now consistently in the best way possible? Can we do it for the longest time possible? Doing so might require us to do a little less, but by doing less, we are doing it better than by trying to handle and juggle more. Endurance is the challenge. When we take on too many tasks, we feel overwhelmed and oftentimes, we are not able to even accomplish one task efficiently. When we focus on one thing at a time, we can finish that one task and feel as though we have succeeded. When we offer to take on more responsibility, think about endurance. When we agree to do something, be very clear that we can only ever take on so much. Remember that it is the endurance, the ability to consistently do something for a long period of time and do it well for the entire time—that will ultimately define success. Think about the tortoise and the hare. The tortoise,

365 Positive Intentions by moving along slowly and steadily, will eventually get to its destination. The rabbit, on other hand, might tire out and wither away as the tortoise passes by on its way to its destination. Endurance is the work. It does not matter much how fast we do it. What matters is that it gets done. Enjoy the day. Focus on our endurance and just try to be consistent by taking on only as much as we can handle right now. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 58. The Seed Will Manifest in the Tree Everything in the seed will eventually manifest in the tree. It does not matter how far away we are from the root that started the foundation of our idea. The foundation of our intentions is always apparent in everything that grows from the seed to plant. The seed is the initial idea, intention, and energy of what we want to create from the things we do, speak, and think. Be careful about the seed we plant in the garden of our mind. Whether positive or negative, those seeds will grow and become the branches that will define our life. Everything in the seed will eventually manifest in the tree, so plant positive seeds and make certain that everything we think, speak, and do is rooted in the energy we want to create more of. We want to make sure that the branches of our tree are bridging the gap between us and our dreams. If we want more positive change, more love, more joy, and more happiness in the world, we should make sure that the seeds we plant today are rooted in that same joy, love, and happiness. The branches will flourish and allow us to blossom into the beautiful being we are meant to be. Enjoy the day. Plant positive seeds because those seeds will grow, and the roots will give us the foundation to build everything we want our life to be. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 59. Out of Our Head, Into Our Heart Set our intention to get out of our head and into our heart. Allow what we feel inside to guide the way we approach the world so that instead of having a perception that is based on examination, judgment, comparison, and criticism, it will be rooted in the feeling. When we visualize the dream that we have for ourselves, we know how we want to ultimately feel. It isn’t really the visual of what we want but the feeling we think that vision will create for us. It is never the thing we want to create in life; it is always the feeling we think that something is going to bring us. That is what we want. Instead of allowing our mind to create attachments or expectations of what might be, allow ourselves to come back into this beautiful space of the possibility of now. Now is a blank slate, a clean canvass, and an opportunity to create any feeling we want for our life. Sometimes, we just need to remind ourselves. Instead of allowing our thoughts to work against us in forms of judgment, criticism, expectations, or attachment, put our feelings to work for us. Allow what we feel in our heart to guide us to this life and enhance the connection we make with the people we meet. Allow it to empower, encourage, and inspire us. Once we allow the feeling that we hold inside to guide us towards our destiny and create what we want our life to be, all that is left is that feeling that will empower and remind ourselves. Do not let our thoughts work against us. Put our thoughts to work with us, focus on the feeling, and remind ourselves of what we want.

Allow this to be the first thought that is laying the foundation for the rest of our lives. Get out of our head, get into our heart, and have a beautiful, magical day rooted in the love, happiness, joy, bliss, and compassion that we want more of in our lives. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 60. Free-Flowing Emotional Expression We express emotion to show how engaged we are in the experience. Whether we are inspired, whether we cry, laugh, shout, curse, jump up and down—whatever the expression is, the emotion shows how engaged we are in the experience. Allow a free-flowing expression of our emotions so that we can actively engage in every moment of our life. It would be a shame if we let moments just pass us by without being fully engaged in them. It would almost seem like time is wasted if we are not fully present in the experience. What better way to tune in to that presence than to enthusiastically express our emotions? Whether we need to cry, laugh, shout, or curse, whatever we need to do to be fully engaged, allow that to happen in this moment. Letting that emotion run freely through us is the perfect expression of our enthusiasm about life. Allow our emotions to express how engaged we are in our experiences. Know that the emotional energy really defines the quality of the experience. It is never the circumstance that defines how we feel; it is our feelings that define the quality of the circumstance. Allow the response to the circumstance to be the ultimate expression of enthusiasm. Enjoy life enthusiastically by expressing the emotion of the moment and know that the expression is the perfect illustration of our celebration of life. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 61. Balance Work and Play Find the perfect balance between work and play. If we work too long or push too hard, we will get worn down. If we are distracted for too long, we will lose sight of the goal. We need the balance so that we will not feel too stressed or too pushed and at the same time, not too relaxed so that we let things fall in the cracks. This is the year to invest our energy in creating everything we want to manifest for the rest of our lives. It might seem like an overstatement, but this is truly the year and the moment that will determine everything that will happen from this moment forward. We must put our energy towards what we decide as our purpose, but we also need the balance between work and play. It cannot be all work, and it certainly cannot be all play. We must find that perfect balance that complements our purpose so that our energy is fueled enough to consistently propel us towards our dreams. Find the balance between work and play. Allow ourselves to focus on what we need right now, then give ourselves relaxation to open up the mind and space, to open up our consciousness, and to allow room for more energy to come in. The balance between work and play will lay the foundation that is strong enough to support the dream. All we need is the balance between work and play to give us the energy that will propel us towards our purpose. Find that balance and know that it is laying the foundation for what we will accomplish in the future. Enjoy the day. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 62. Find the Root It is easy for us to think about the root of our problem, but what about the root of our behavior? Our thoughts? Our beliefs? What is the origin of our actions? The chakra system offers a few explanations. The ancient yoga text talks about the vibrational energy of each chakra. Our chakras vibrate at a frequency. The lower chakras vibrate at a lower frequency. The energy of the lower chakras provides the force that drives our survival instincts. The root chakra drives our need to procreate. The energy at our belly and gut drives our instinct. The energy at our solar plexus are the hunger pangs that need to be fed to keep us well-nourished and energized. The higher chakras are associated more with intellect, higher intelligence, awareness, and consciousness. Our heart knows. Our throat speaks our truth. Our third eye is our intuition. Our crown chakra is our connection to the divine. Depending on what is driving our thoughts, words, and actions, we can tell what chakra systems are ruling our lives. Most of us are driven by the energy at one chakra more than another, so identifying what is at the root of our thoughts, actions, and belief systems helps in identifying areas of our lives that need more attention. If we are spending more attention focused on food or relationships, then we might want to shift a little energy to the higher chakras. Lead a little more with the heart. Communicate more of our energy with our words. Be more aware of our intuition and following.

If we live in our head all the time, maybe we are neglecting some of the other areas of our lives. Finding out the origin of our thoughts, our actions, and our belief systems helps us have a better awareness of ourselves. Find the origin or the root of our energy, and we will be able to build a foundation that creates a strong and stable self. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 63. Deepest Part of Ourselves Explore the deepest part of ourselves and take time in nature. Take time for meditation. Take time to find ourselves, knowing that the search begins within. We create complexities in our lives that do not have to exist. Things should be easy and simple because we make it that way. We are full of gifts and blessings. The world needs our contribution to sustain its energy. We must contribute the best of ourselves so that the universe can be in its best and highest form; but for that to happen, we must explore the deepest parts of ourselves to be able to give the best to the energy of the universe. Take time to explore the deepest part of ourselves and know that when we find simplicity, complexities do not exist. Tune in to how we feel our emotions and energy. The feeling is the simplicity; and the ease in life comes when we let go of the need to examine and analyze, when we let go of all the complicated things, and when we focus on the easy ones that can be found deep within. Explore the deepest part of ourselves and share our gifts with the world. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 64. Focus on the Feeling Once we take time to think about what we really want, we realize that what we want is rooted in the feeling. It is not a thing we want but the feeling we think that thing will bring us. We realize that material possessions will not make us better--they will not improve our life. It is our perception of the possession that makes us think it will improve us. The quality of life is not improved by things. It is improved by a feeling—a feeling of contentment, fulfilment, stability, and security. We need to understand that the feeling is independent of what surrounds us externally, but it is dependent on how we feel internally. Spend energy creating the feeling so that the material possessions and the physical space lose their power and influence over us. Instead of being concerned with what we have in a physical space, focus on what we possess spiritually and emotionally. Instead of being distracted by our material possessions, spend more time on the substance. It is not the external that defines what we want; it is the feeling we create in the internal that lets us know we have everything we could ever need. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 65. Full of Great Grateful is powerful. Wouldn’t we rather be full of great than full of anything else? Gratitude gives us access to a positive perspective of the world. It does not matter what exactly is going on. What matters is that we find a little gratitude in everything that exists because it is better to be full of great than full of anything else. Grateful gives us more access to everything we want. It is like the gateway to creating the life that we all want to live anyway. Being full of great is better than being full of anything else, so given the choice to be grateful, embrace it. Find the blessings in everything, knowing that even just this breath is reason for gratitude. There is so much to be grateful for in this moment; and sometimes, all we need is a little reminder that we would rather be full of great than be full of anything else. Walk with gratitude, speak with gratitude, live with gratitude, and share our greatness with the world. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 66. I Have Time Have you ever told yourself that you didn't have time? You didn't have time for yourself, time for meditation, time for yoga, time for whatever it is we needed to feed our spirit? I recently set the intention to start going back to the beach for meditation. I used to go all the time but there was some point where I started to feel rushed. I started to tell myself that I didn't have time and stopped going altogether. One day, I told myself that I have time. I have to create time and I need that time at the beach to watch the sun rise above the water. It feeds my spirit in the morning. It is magic, so I want to make sure that I get there. I decided to tell myself that I have time. Miraculously, the next morning, I had twenty extra minutes. I kept reaffirming I have time and the next day, I had an extra thirty minutes. Nothing really changed in my routine, but I started to prioritize my time. Think about what it is that we really want to do. Tell ourselves that we have time. Use it as a mantra and realize that we give time for what we need. We can give more of ourselves to the people we love. Tell ourselves we have time and make the most of it. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 67. Focus on the Strength Focus on our strength. Focus on the power of our thoughts and words and the influence that our actions have on the people we touch. Focus on our strength and realize that when we close our eyes and tap into this inner energy that moves through every cell of our body, that energy is fueling a spirit, and that spirit has touched the lives of everyone we have interacted. Set the intention from this moment forward to share the strength we hold inside with the people we touch. Share it with the compassionate glance, with a smile, with a hug, and with a kind word. Realize that all these things are examples of the strength we hold inside. Today, we are strong. In this breath, we are strong. In this thought, we are strong and powerful. Use our thoughts and words to be the affirmations of the energy that we want to hold inside and wish to see in the world. Today, focus on our strength, and from this moment forward, share the power we hold within with everyone around us. Allow our strength to inspire and empower that strength as well as the others. Today, we are strong, and we hold this powerful energy as a testament to what we can create in our mind, in our heart, in our life, and especially in the world. Blessings, blessings, blessings—feel your strength today—Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 68. Thoughts Regulate Emotions We use our thoughts to create emotions, so imagine if we could regulate our thoughts to manipulate our emotions in such a way that we can immediately feel what we think. If we thought we were more confident, we would begin to feel more confident. If we thought we were strong and powerful, we would feel that energy and power. If we thought that we are perfectly content and happy, then emotionally, we would begin to feel that way. Set an intention to allow our thoughts and positive affirmations to focus on what we want our life to be to regulate our emotions. The next time we are sitting in traffic and feeling a little frustrated, think about how relaxed we are. Next time we find ourselves in a stressful situation, think about how at ease we are. Next time we do not feel very confident in our ability, tell ourselves how confident we are. Use our thoughts to regulate our emotions because all we need is to believe in our ability to create what we want, and that belief can fuel our dreams. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 69. Be Selfish Set the intention to be selfish today. Being selfish is not about neglecting anyone else. In fact, being selfish prepares us to offer more to the people in our life. Being selfish means that we are focusing on self-care and self-awareness of what we need to create more of in our life in order to be at our fullest potential. We make certain that what we are thinking, speaking, and doing is contributing to what we want more of in our life. We make certain that the food we eat makes us feel that we are at our most optimal health because taking care of ourselves is the only possible way to be fully prepared to offer our best self to someone else. Be selfish. Take extra time for ourselves and be aware that those moments when we are focusing entirely on ourselves are precious moments that are preparing us for greatness. Enjoy the day. Be selfish and allow our best self to be what we share with someone else. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 70. Smile Set the intention to smile. Smile for no apparent reason and especially when our first inclination is not to smile. The smile is like a communication from our soul. It is like an offering that we are sharing with the world. The smile has an effect on the people we touch—it makes every interaction we have easier, more pleasant, and more rooted in the love and the connection that we want to feel in our community. The biggest test is to smile at the people we do not like very much. Smile at the people who frustrate us and meet us with aggression or anger. The smile will diffuse them completely and even possibly confuse them completely. Either way, it works to our benefit. Make an effort to smile more because that energy, that smile, does even more for our own energy than it does for the person who is receiving it. Set the intention and smile more. Allow that smile to change the quality of the interactions we have. Smile at strangers and make eye contact. Allow our soul to be more open, and the smile is the best way to do it. Enjoy the day. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 71. Opportunity Instead of Obstacle Decide that everything today is an opportunity. We always have the choice to perceive everything in our life as an opportunity or as an obstacle. The obstacle is preventing us from creating more of what we want. It blocks us from our blessings. On the other hand, the opportunity makes way for possibility and for something brand new. Instead of thinking that things are working against us, realize that everything is working with us, but it requires us to shift our perception so that everything becomes an opportunity for greatness. Even those moments when we feel stuck or we feel like there is a struggle, realize that the struggle is preparing us for strength. Everything ultimately is an opportunity if we perceive it that way. Choose to perceive things as an opportunity instead of an obstacle. Decide that everything that happens today is an opportunity to create more possibilities in our life. Once we believe that everything is an opportunity, the obstacles completely disappear. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 72. Road With Many Signs It has been said before that life is one big road with many signs. These signs are guiding us towards our destiny, but too often we do not pay attention to the signs. We rationalize to avoid following them. The signs are instinct, intuition, or innate wisdom trying to guide us towards the path of least resistance. Instead of focusing on the confrontation of the struggle and finding the resistance, follow the signs—they are always guiding us along the easy road. Once we follow them, we will arrive at our dreams. It is just a matter of paying attention to the signs we are given. Next time our heart is guiding us, when we feel our innate wisdom and gut, or when we know something to be true, follow that intuition. Open our heart to what we feel and allow what we feel inside to be the sign that will guide us towards our dreams. Remind ourselves to follow the signs today, knowing that life is one big road with many signs. The universe is always trying to guide us towards our destiny. It is always trying to keep us in a space of ease and effortlessness and along the path of least resistance. Set the intention to follow the signs and allow ourselves to effortlessly arrive at our dreams. Enjoy the day. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 73. An Open Heart and Mind Set the intention today to lead with an open heart and an open mind; to open ourselves up to a deeper connection with the people we touch; to make certain that what we are speaking is a reflection of the energy that we want to share with the people we love and the strangers we meet. The energy that we speak is creating a positive impact on the people we touch, so they feel better after spending time with us. Set the intention to never allow our mouth to be more open than our mind. An open heart and an open mind have never been the source of conflict, but an open mouth has the potential to cause division. From this moment forward, we must make certain that everything we say to ourselves is positive enough to share with the world. We lead with an open heart and an open mind, and we open up the depth of the connection we have with everyone around us. Make certain that our mouth is never more open than our mind. Open our mind and heart today and make certain to share the best of ourselves with everyone we touch. It starts with the thoughts we think and is communicated in the words we speak. Everything we do will be an example of the positive energy that we want to create in the world, so never allow our mouth to be more open than our mind. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga. Namaste! Click to play audio

Day 74. Better Than the Last Take a moment to notice our breath. Invite in a long and deep inhale, and then hold it. Keep holding it. The longer we hold this inhale, the more we will become desperate for the exhale. We will realize that we cannot hold onto this inhale forever, so we must let it go. The only possible way to invite in the next breath is to let go of the last, so letting go is the way to make room and create possibility and opportunity. Realize that we can make this breath better than the last and this moment even better than the last. Focus on what we are creating in this moment and in this breath realizing the past no longer exists. The past is the exhale, and we have long since let it go. The present is this breath that we feel filling our lungs, our body, our spirit, and our soul. Focus on this breath and allow what we create in this breath to be better than the last breath and what we create in this moment to be better than the last. This is our opportunity for greatness. This moment, this breath, this idea, this thought—this is all we need to create everything we want our life to be. Allow the inhale to be the reminder to fill our heart, our spirit, and our energy with everything we want more of and allow the exhale to be the perfect reminder to let go of what we no longer need. Let go of the last thought. Let go of the last word. Let go of the last feeling and emotion and make room for something even better. Make this breath better than the last and make this moment better than the past. Blessings, blessings, blessings, Spoken Word Yoga, Namaste. Click to play audio

365 Positive Intentions Day 75. Use Our Pain to Find Our Purpose Take a moment to recall our deepest heartache and most challenging struggle and focus on what we learned from that heartache or struggle. The things that are most painful are giving us a reference frame for empathy and compassion with others who are going through the same thing. We can help others heal by sharing our lessons with those who are going through the same struggle now. Some of us might have been asked by someone for advice because they knew we had gone through a similar situation and we recognize the pain in others because we felt that similar pain. We recognize the struggle that others are going through because we have gone through a similar struggle. Allow what we learned from that struggle to be a source of strength so that when we notice someone else going through the same thing or experiencing the same pain, we can offer them words of compassion. We can empathize and give them comfort because we know that we come out stronger on the other side. Often, when we acknowledge our pain, we find our purpose. We find how we will be most impactful to the people in our lives because our experience has prepared us to empathize with others. Take a moment to recall the strength that we created from experiencing the struggle and use that strength to share with someone else. Allow our struggle to be a source of strength and allow what we have learned in our own life to prepare us to help