While reading an article, I was reminded of the use of language once again and it’s impact on one’s psyche. Which helps you feel better now? “Everything’s going to be OK.” Or, would you rather hear and embrace, “Everything is OK.” Give me the latter, for sure, Everything is OK. I say you might want to use language and phrasing for yourself that works for you. I’ve been known to flip wording in messages so that I aid myself in feeling more upbeat now. It’s often just the slight change in a message, altering the wording to be in the present tense, as if it’s happening now. Consider doing whatever you need to do for yourself, now, to keep yourself up and moving in the direction you aspire. Go for Positive!

Ever notice how when you are feeling grateful for this or that, everything else has a much more positive tint to it too?  Lately, I’ve been more apt to thank the universe for the rough stuff in life too. So many lessons come from challenges. Though curve balls can keep coming left and right, those curve balls can lead to many personal rewards. For me, that’s when I tweak my life into becoming more of the life I’m meant to live and I move closer to becoming a better me. Do you ever see challenges as rewards? If not, perhaps, you’d like to try feeling grateful during those times too. Go for Positive!

OMG! Recently, I had a short but very poignant visit with a friend. Lately, I’ve been very aware that people have been fading out of my life. Sure, this is rather typical for all of us; however, for me, right now, it seems more obvious, more acute, than ever. When I mentioned to my friend that I really did not think that certain people would suddenly be out of my life, she happily said, “Oh Sheri, God is weeding your garden.” Isn’t that a beautiful way to put it? Those who have faded away were meant to fade away. It’s just by the universe’s design. They were only here for a certain time period so that I could learn certain things from them. And, once the learning was no longer needed; my garden was weeded. Is your garden being weeded by the universe too? Can you see it? If so, it’s meant to be. Go for Positive!

What’s working for you and what isn’t? Are you simply following along to get along? Is it time to ease into new territory, growth territory?  If so, pivot and join a new current. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a hugely about-face situation, unless that’s what you want, of course. Even slight adjustments can yield very effective results. Go for Positive!

… to make changes as needed. Oftentimes, the universe seems to make them for you. No matter, it is for your growth. And, growth is good, isn’t it? Go for Positive!

Before you get into convincing yourself otherwise, pay attention to that FIRST inkling you get from your gut. Yes, it’s the first message that is thee message that is the correct one. When that first message/inkling/gut instinct tells you something, that is the one to believe. Most people get the gut feeling, brush it aside or find a plausable reason to negate it; then tell you later, “You know, I did get a gut feeling; and I didn’t listen to it. And, now look where I am.” Ever said something similar to someone because you chose to ignore the gut feeling? Yep, listen to that initial gut feeling/message now or pay later. Let’s get the “listen to the gut” muscle built up now and honor, respect, and follow its message each and every time from this moment on. Go for Positive!

I’m hearing from others that when they put their order in with the universe, they don’t think to say when they want that something to happen. I say use the word “now” when you request something. (eg: Please heal my headache now). I believe that it’s just being thorough. Go for Positive!

When’s the last time you got a message from your inner voice or your gut instinct? Did you comply or did you swat it away? What if you followed every whisper that your inner voice told you? Would you get to where you want to be sooner? Are you willing to try and see what happens? What’cha got to lose? I say go for it! I’ll join you. Go for Positive!

Have you requested that the universe make this or that happen for you? Don’t you wish you’d get your request granted ASAP? I’ve learned that, oftentimes, you just gotta wait. While you wait, there’s much that happens behind the scenes to grant the request. If you want to modify that request, go ahead. The universe “hears” your modifications and adjusts your request accordingly. That’s pretty efficient, if you ask me. So, adjust as needed. Go for Positive!

On occassion I’ll get a comment from a stranger who says something like, “There’s something about you that is such good energy.” And, usually, the comment is followed by something like, “I like talking to you.” This has happened a number of times recently which has given me pause. It reminds me that we all radiate/emit energy that attracts or repels. Of course, when I get angry or frustrated and I’m out and about in the world, I know that I’m not ideal to be around. I know my energy isn’t so good then. And, I really do try to shift myself into a better mental place (and physical place would be nice too) to settle myself into (my own generated) better energy. That way, yes I benefit, but so does the energy I’m contributing to the universe and you. We all affect one another. We all radiate, for better or worse, moment by moment. Let’s see about radiating good energy. Go for Positive!

There are days when just about everything on your list is falling to the wayside. You might feel that you are not being productive since there aren’t enough things checked off your  to-do list for the day. Have you tried having a weekly list? Yes, some things need to be done on a certain day, but does everything? Consider freeing yourself to get some things done during a certain week, or month, or quarter, etc. No, you’re not being lazy, you’re being productive in a new way. One that just might loosen your shoulders and feel freeing as you still accomplish what you set out to. Try it. Go for Positive!

Whatever you plan to do for yourself this year, be gentle with yourself. Be forgiving of yourself. Go easy on yourself as you blaze your trail. Be kind to yourself. And, extend that loving touch to others you make contact with too. An easy, gentle touch will have you go much, much farther. Go for Positive!

Be Yourself. Hmm, who else would you be, right? Well, I keep getting the be yourself message from various sources which baffles me since I feel that I am pretty good about cutting through the BS and just being me. So, when repeatedly being given this message, I have to ponder and ‘check in’ with myself to see if perhaps I’m presenting myself in a less than “full Sheri” way. So, I’ll think more about this. In the meantime, are you being yourself? Are you compromising who you are because you feel you’re supposed to present yourself in a way that isn’t your authentic, true self? Or maybe, you’re just not presenting your full self, only presenting part of your personality, part of what makes you special. Let’s ponder that together. And, maybe even make adjustments that “fit” us better so that we are being our true, authentic, full selves. Go for Positive!

Tip: How to help yourself when you could use a quick reprieve from a hectic day. Slow your pace enough to take in some slow, deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose to the count of 4 and exhale through your nose with gentle force to release the air, also to the count of 4. You might want to imagine inhaling pleasant, healthy, peaceful thoughts and exhaling that which is not serving you (anything you deem needs to be released from your mind or body). In with the good and out with the ick. Do this in/out breathing method about 4 times to calm yourself and recalibrate. If nothing in particular is bothering you, this method can still help to serve you by relaxing you. Ahhhhh. Go for Positive!

“Even in the worst situations, I feel that there is hope.” ~Sheri Varela, Affirmations with Attitude. In reading this statement today, I saw new meaning. I think that I typically felt that the “hope” in the statement referred to something returning to the positives of what once was, or feeling the “hope” of changing into a better version of what once was. It dawned on me that the “hope” could be to completely close one scenario, and move forward into something totally new and unknown, having nothing to do with what once was, but  changing into something fresh and exciting and completely unknown instead, for the benefit of a brand new experience altogether. Hmmm… It’s a rather cool feeling to expand a definition/perspective to expand oneself. Ya might want to expand some of your definitions (perspectives) on somethings too. Go for Positive!

When’s the last time you were spontaneous? How did it turn out? Hopefully, you found value in taking quick action. I’m making the effort to add spice into my routine by taking last minute invitations to do this or that or to abruptly stop what I’m doing and get out and about to do something UNplanned that’s fun. Whether it’s a quick trip to the local thrift shop just because, or it’s an unexpected road trip, it’s a treat to just do it!  Get out there and exercise your spontaneous muscles. Even just a slight deviation from what’s typical for you can add just the special treat in life that you need. Go for Positive!

P.S. Someone sent me this 21 day meditation challenge that starts on Dec. 1. I spontaneously registered for it. It sounds interesting & it’s something (meditation) I’ve only done a few minutes a day here or there.  Thought I’d pass it on to you in case it interests you too: http://www.mentorschannel.com/bestsellers/ew_meditation/register.asp

I often am still in awe of how we really affect one another just by how we show up in a room. Ever notice how comforting it is to be near someone who emits gentle, kind energy? Don’t you just want to stay near them to bask in the great effects that their energy has on you?  Then there’s those whose energy is hyper and jittery and just being near them makes you feel jittery too.  And, of course, there’s those who are feeling down and their demeanor and energy totally reflect how they’re feeling which can easily have a downer effect on you too.

Given how impactful each of us is on one another, it has been suggested that when we feel less than our best, (before entering a room), take a quick moment to breathe deeply to recalibrate ourselves, think of something wonderful that puts a smile on our face, imagine a postive outcome of our meeting with those who are in the room we are about to enter, and walk thru that door with a better energetic field. Woo hoo! Go for Positive!

Don’t you just hate when shit happens? Me too! I find that it helps to (a) search for at least a kernal of something positive in every (negative) situation/experience; and then (b) shift the focus to that positive aspect so that it’s easier to move forward feeling empowered. Challenge yourself to reframe the situation by finding the “plus in the minus,” so to speak, as FAST as possible! Yes, go ahead find the “plus” as quickly as possible the next time you’re faced with an obstacle. Reframe it, Baby! Go for Positive!

I attended a workshop this weekend, a spiritual workshop. I’ve become more and more interested in learning about my connection with Source, my connection with my fellow humans, my connection with those who have passed before me, my connection with nature, etc. I’m more than curious, I’m sold that I owe it to myself to learn, learn, learn more about the spiritual world because, for me, it adds a warm hug of love to what I already know about life. And, I could totally always use more love hugs. Gimme, gimme!  It was a perfect weekend. I arrived at the workshop with stiff shoulders and many worries; and I left feeling relaxed and so zen. Oh what a feeling! Anyway, at the workshop, I was reminded that there are angels out there who would love to help me if only I would ask. So, I’ve decided that when I lose something, I will ask for their help with finding it. Or maybe I’ll want their help to protect me on my drive to here or there; so I’ll ask, or…  No matter the help you need, I encourage you to ask for help from your/our fellow humans, and, if you are so inclined, perhaps even ask for help from the loving angels out in the spiritual world. Go for Positive!

Ever feel like how you do certain things or how you think isn’t quite getting you where you want to go? Feelin’ like you could use an upgraded you? Open yourself up to considering new perspectives and then (more importantly) acting on them. Give it a try. You’ll find your way. A new, better you is yearning to emerge. Go for Positive!

Feelin’ like you could use a tune-up in some area of your life? Which area? Incremental change adds up. What change could you make today? Go for it! You can do it! Go for Positive!

In reading Martha Beck’s article in the October, 2011 issue of my favorite magazine, O, the Oprah Magazine, I loved where she wrote, “Look where you want to go, not where you don’t. Where our attention goes, our lives go.” Thank you, Martha!  This can serve as a fabulous reminder of the wonderful POWER of our thoughts, our focus, our attitude, our approach…etc. Put your thoughts where you want to go, Baby! Go for Positive!

P.S. Icky reminder of the alternative: Negative thoughts beget negative results. Ew!

So, I got some advice and loved it. When that happens, I’m all over it to share it with you. When writing or saying your affirmations, add feeling to them. For instance,  ”I am powerful” + a dose of feeling or emotion before the “I am” part becomes “I’m happy that I am powerful!” or maybe even, “I love that I am powerful!” Oh, and I felt like adding the always exciting “!” to them too! Can ya feel the ‘umph’ in them now? Boost your affirmations, Baby. Go for Positive!

… the person who is speaking to you. Yes, that means taking your eyes off the computer screen or whatever other thing you’re enthralled with at the moment and focusing on the speaker’s words. Hold the speaker’s gaze. And, watch how your listening skills and relationships improve. Hey, it takes practice like everything else. You can do it! Go for Positive!

Rather than perpetuate the same ol’, same ol’, how about being open to new perspectives, new experiences, maybe even doing your routine differently for a day, selecting new clothing color choices, sporting a new hair style, etc.? TRUST yourself to go for it; open yourself to something new. You might just become an even better YOU! Go for Positive!

Ever notice how sometimes you think it’s best to ignore all the signs, the “red flashing lights” of life, to keep from acting on something?  Sure, you might even have really great reasons to avoid facing what needs facing. But, could there be something better on the other side? The only way to know is to clear the way. Go for Positive!

So, I’ve said it before and practice it rarely, at best. However, I am still capable of learning, it seems. Learning what? Present moment awareness. I was counseled to stop living 100 ft into the future, stop over-analyzing everything, stop trying to control the future; and just relax and enjoy the moment. So, this weekend, I did just that. While with people, I simply enjoyed the “here and now” (or the “there and then” since it already passed), and what a difference it made! I was quieter than usual, weaving in and out among people. I was content to just BE. I didn’t even care to offer my opinion. I was good with being mostly an observer and really BEing. It felt gooooood and easy. Oh what a feeling to just chill and smile and BE. So, I suggest you might give it a try and BE; maybe interact or maybe not so much. Whatever feels right. Just stay in the moment, in the “now”. It’s a relief to not think about anything more than that. Go for it, give it a real concious try. And, see how that works for ya. I bet you’ll experience some extra peace that you didn’t know existed. I know that’s what I experienced. And, it was the best! Go for Positive!

Not only is it worthwhile to say, imagine, and write out what you want, but add further reinforcement by including the reasons why you want those things. “I want new furniture… -because I want my furnishings to look fresh and new…  - because I want to entertain more… -because it will represent my brighter perspective on life.” It pushes you to think it through more which not only feels more “real” but the universe now has an even better idea of your desires and can get rolling on lining things up so that you get them. Go for Positive!

Got major change going on in your life? Everywhere I turn, I hear stories from people experiencing tumultous events going on in their lives that go against the grain of what was. Major shifts are happening! The advice I’m being given to pass on to you is to breathe deeply and let the waves of change flow through you as best you can. Breathe and flow. Breathe and flow… Go for Positive!

Got tough times? It’s when times are hardest that you must find ways to nurture yourself more than ever. Perhaps, it’s as simple as putting perfume at the tip of your nose to experience a beautiful scent all day, or it’s walking into a garden and enjoying a feast for your eyes, or it’s __________________ . You know what works best for you. Take a moment or two to nurture yourself today. Go for Positive!