intuition

Apr

2023

How To Find Your Purpose in Life

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Do you believe that each one of us has a particular purpose to fulfill in life? If so, do you think you are fulfilling your purpose? But what if you don’t know your purpose? How to find your purpose in life?

Goals vs Purpose

Many people equate purpose with goals. But those are two different things. Goals are about things that you want to accomplish. They can be short-term or long-term. Goals can also be about different aspects in your life such as your career, relationships, finances, material things and other desired achievements.

Purpose on the other hand is something deeper. It is about your reason for being. Purpose is spiritual in nature. You can achieve all the success and fame in life but still feel empty inside. Having a purpose goes beyond merely surviving. It is all about using your God given gifts and talents for service to others.

Finding Your Purpose in Life

The dilemma of most people today is that we all fall victims to the expectations of society. We tend to set aside what our hearts truly desire because we are scared that we might disappoint our loved ones or we don’t want to be judged by others for wanting something different from the general populace. We don’t want to deviate from society’s definition of what success is. As a result, we then lose ourselves and our individuality in the process when our purpose in life lies in our uniqueness. To find our purpose, we need to find our authentic self.

How To Find Your Purpose in Life

How do we then find your purpose in life? The answer lies deep within you. You have unique gifts and talents that are uniquely yours. All you need to do is to unleash the genius within you. Your childhood normally leaves clues on what it is that you are meant to do in life. For the Japanese, your purpose is related to what gives you joy. They call this your ikigai. So, explore your passion. The answer is there.

Listening To Your Intuition

Intuition is knowing something naturally without having to use your mind. Many cultures believe that your intuition is spiritual in nature. It is a form of self-awareness coming from your spirit guides. Your intuition knows what it is that you truly want. So you need to learn to listen and trust your intuition.

Finding your purpose is like finding your reason for being. Without a purpose, we will be living like Pinocchio aimlessly wandering through life. You will feel more alive and happier when you know what your purpose is. You will no longer be living on autopilot. Having a purpose is like having an inner compass that is guiding you every step of the way.

Feature Image by Ajju prasetyo from Pixabay

Dec

2022

The Third Eye and Its Benefits

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The concept of the third eye can be scary but it actually has its benefits. Have you ever heard the idea that awakening the third eye can give you a sixth sense or psychic powers? We have seen many different strange and psychic abilities in films and television including mind-reading. Most of them are related to opening or having an open third eye. It is a fascinating concept that is also scary to contemplate for some people. But what is it?

The Third Eye

There are many explanations on what the third eye is and what it actually does. It is an esoteric concept that first appeared in the spiritual traditions of India and later also mentioned in Buddhism and Hinduism.

The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and god’s eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love.
– Meister Eckhart

The third eye is one of the energy centers or chakras in our body. It is located in the middle of the forehead in between our eyebrows. The actual eye though is not on the forehead but is said to be linked to the pineal gland which is in the middle of our brain. A cross section image of the brain shows the pineal gland looking like an actual eye. It looks similar to the Eye of Horus in Egyptian mythology.

Seeing with The Third Eye

The third eye is believed to be a window to higher consciousness and the spiritual world. Because of this, having an open third eye allows you to gain deeper insight into your experiences in life. This is why it is often linked to having or developing psychic abilities such as telepathy, clairvoyance, clairaudience, aura perception and astral projection among others.

Everyone has a third eye but the general concept is that, not everyone has it open to the same degree and some people have it closed or blocked. The mind-body connection that we experience and our gut feel or intuition is also related to our third eye and all our other energy centers or chakras working together.

Whether partially open or fully open, or even when blocked; we are able to activate our third eye. An active or awakened third eye has many benefits, not necessarily psychic abilities. These include mental clarity, improved concentration, strengthened intuition and clearer self-expression.

With a developed third eye, you can experience deeper insights into every day things and become more decisive especially in stressful situations. More importantly, you are able to live a more mindful life and experience a sense of bliss more often.

We have two eyes to see two sides of things, but there must be a third eye which will see everything at the same time and yet not see anything. That is to understand Zen.
– D. T. Suzuki

If you’ve seen the first Avatar movie; there’s a scene where Jake and Neytiri say, “I see you.” to each other. That is the kind of deep insight and understanding or “seeing” that we mean when we say seeing with the third eye. You “see” the person for who they are and not just for how they look or for what they say or do. This means getting to have a deeper connection and understanding of each other even without verbal communication.

Signs of It’s Opening

Opening the third eye happens gradually for most people. It is a process that happens naturally when the person is ready for it. But for those who have sever energy blockages, there are energy healers who are able to help other individuals unblock not just their third eye but other energy centers or chakras.

Some of the signs that your third eye is opening include a feeling of slight pressure in between the eyebrows, frequent headaches, increased intuition, more sensitive sense/s such as to light and sound and more frequent lucid or vivid dreams. You also become more sensitive to the energy of people around you. Even with a less developed third eye, we sometimes get “good vibes” or “bad vibes” about a situation or person. With a more developed third eye, this intuitive ability becomes more active and stronger.

Another sign of your third eye opening is that you become more mindful and conscious of your normal activities such as what you eat (e.g., you decide to eat less meat, become a vegetarian or vegan). You start noticing synchronicities in your life experience more and you may even start contemplating on pursuing a higher life purpose than your previous life goals.

Awakening The Third Eye

For most people, the third eye is usually more active in childhood. That is why it is quite common for children to have “imaginary friends”. An active third eye also means a more active imagination. You will notice that even when kids fight with each other ofter; they still end up playing with each other the next day. It is as if they understand each other on a deeper level even without words so they don’t even need to say sorry.

We slowly lose this deeper insight as adults because our third eye gets blocked; our pineal gland becomes calcified due to our lifestyle and the environment we live in. As an example, fluoride added to tap water contributes to the calcification of the pineal gland which results in blockage.

The only way to decalcify our pineal gland is to make better lifestyle choices. These include opting for detoxifying foods such as raw cacao, lemon, coconut oil, etc. and supplementing with vitamin D3. Other helpful tips include the use of certain essential oils, gentle sun gazing, the use of crystals and meditation. Physical activities such as chanting, yoga and dancing are also beneficial to its healing and development.

Spiritual Practices for Better Health

Everyone has a third eye and some people have a more developed third eye and may not even be aware of it. This leaves them confused and maybe even fearful of their special gifts or abilities because other people don’t understand them and end up being scared of them too. Thus, a lot of “sensitive people” end up with mental health issues and emotional disorders because of a lack of understanding about their own gifts.

Fortunately, there are energy workers who have made it their life’s work to help other people in their journey of understanding and accepting their special gifts. If you are someone struggling in such a situation; then it is important that you find someone who you can understand you and guide you in the process. There is a community of healers around the world who are ready to lend a helping hand using their personal experiences, as well as their own special gifts and insights.

This is also why spiritual practices such as mindfulness and meditation as well as prayer and gratitude habits are important. It helps you to clear your mind clutter and become more aware of what you do and what is happening to you each moment. This allows you to get to know yourself deeper and become more attuned to your authentic self. With self-acceptance, you become more open to receiving more positive energy and deeper insights that can benefit you and those around you.

Feature Image: Photo by Harry Quan on Unsplash.

Dec

2021

Questions to Ask Yourself When You Are in A Crossroad

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Do you have an unsettling feeling that something has to change? Are you suspecting that you are experiencing a mid-life crisis, facing a fork in the road, or stuck in an intersection in your life’s journey? All these phrases are what we use to describe a crossroad in our life. We will all be experiencing a crossroad at different stages in our life.

The 7 Year Itch

Have you ever heard the term, “the 7-year itch”? It is a phrase usually used to refer to the time when relationships are most likely to get into trouble. There seems to be a pattern that things tend to change drastically every 7 years. For example, couples who dated for several years usually end breaking up on the 7th year; married couples end up divorcing on the 7th year, and so on.

This pattern not only applies to relationships but also to larger groups of people such as in business, as well as in our individual journey through life. If you review your life, you will see that things tend to change every 7 years as well. At 7 years old, you go to school with other kids, then at 14 is when puberty hits you. At 21, you graduate from college and enter the work force; then at 28 is when people mostly start thinking about marriage.

In short, life tends to change drastically in some way every 7 years. Thus, you feel an itch to change something in your life every 7 years too. If you don’t change something, then you get stuck in that crossroad and you’ll just prolong your suffering by not relieving that itch to transform your life.

Questions to Ask Yourself

If you are in a crossroad in your life right now; here are some questions to ask yourself so you can start making some changes.

What aspect in your life do you want to improve on? Maybe there is an area of your life that you have neglected and that you need to focus on. It might be your health or some of your relationships. You might have a hobby that you want to take up again and hone your skills on. Or you might want to ask for a promotion or even make a career change.

What is it that you really hope to achieve? Most of us are too shy to admit it but we all hope to leave something behind for our family, or even the whole world, to enjoy and remember us by. No matter how small or big; everyone wants to leave a legacy that can benefit future generations. You might share the same vision with others and you can work together to build such a legacy.

What are the pros and cons of your decision? Decisions always have its pros and cons. You can consult your friends and family as well as experts for help. Your own life experience will also help you make an informed decision. Take the time to think and determine how much of a risk you are willing to take to change your life for the better.

What are you afraid of? Sometimes the scariest decisions end up the most rewarding. When we face our fears, we open ourselves up to more possibilities. Being in a crossroad gives you the chance to overcome your fears and come out a better person. Get the support of your family and friends, or even professionals, to help you succeed.

What is your instinct telling you? Have you ever experienced having a strong feeling in your gut that’s telling you to do or not do something? If you followed it, you usually end up being right. However, most people ignore their gut feeling, or instinct, or intuition. In fact, it is a useful tool to guide you in making life-changing decisions. A crossroad is an opportunity to start using it.

Will you be harming/offending other people with your decision? We always consider the effects of our decisions on other people. However, you have to keep in mind that you can only control your own actions. You can tell others about your decision so they don’t get surprised later on, but you cannot control their own reactions. There is no need to get into an argument or cut off relationships; you can just agree to disagree on this one point.

Are you worried about what other people will think? You cannot please everyone all the time, so you just have to accept that there will always be negative feedback from some quarters. Don’t take things too personally. Just keep in mind that those who need to understand your decisions will understand and those who can’t understand don’t need to. Focus on your goal and don’t get distracted by gossip or rumors.

How will the change affect your life? You are trying to change your life so focus on the long-term change that this will bring about. Ideally, the effect should be positive and will also affect those around you positively. Of course, you can’t please everyone but if you and the majority of your tribe can enjoy the effects of the changes you are making in your own life; then that should be reason enough to make a change.

Time for Transformation

Asking yourself these questions involves a lot of self-reflection. Pick the one question that resonates with you the most and try to figure out your answer to that. Although you do need to take into account how the change you want to do will affect everyone around you; remember that your own growth is important so you can help others as well. Each of us has our own journey in life so we cannot continue living our life according to the standards of others. Expect that in the process of your metamorphosis; some things will fall away and others will come to replace it. You might need to let go of a lot of things including letting go of friendships and old beliefs.

A crossroad in life is an opportunity to reinvent yourself. If you are feeling the need to scratch that 7-year itch; do so but be gentle with yourself. Change is needed for growth. However, you don’t need to abandon all that you have worked for in the past. Sometimes, a small change will do the trick. For others, a bigger change maybe needed. It all depends on what you are feeling inclined to do. The important thing is that you listen to your intuition, you believe in yourself, and you take action to change something so you are not stuck in the same old pattern.

Watch the video and get the worksheet to get more insights.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Caleb Jones on Unsplash.

May

2021

10 Ways to Improve Your Emotional Quotient

Reading Time: 5 minutes

There are many ways to improve your emotional quotient (EQ). IQ and EQ should go hand-in-hand to help you navigate through life and reach your goals. You should incorporate practices into your daily life that will help you improve in any of these areas.

Reading is a good way to enhance IQ. You gain more knowledge from reading about different topics or listening to podcasts. Basically, you need to take in more information and learn from them to help you improve your IQ.

On the other hand, enhancing EQ requires a different method. Do you think you have a high EQ? If you think you’re EQ is average or poor; these tips should help you improve your Emotional Quotient. If you or a friend are on the high IQ side; then these tips can also help you improve your EQ.

1. Ask yourself how you feel each day.

When you wake up in the morning, you already know if you still feel sleepy or energized. So it seems nonsense to ask yourself how you feel. But try to do it each morning upon waking up. You will find that sleepy or energized are not the only emotions that you feel. Try to rate how you are feeling from 1 to 10 and see if you can spot a pattern. Are you feeling less positive when it rains in the mornings? Do you feel more energetic on Mondays or on Fridays? Learning to read how you truly feel is a good start to improve your emotional quotient.

2. Ask yourself how you feel at different times during the day.

Everyone has times during the day when they have more energy and times when they have low energy. High energy times do not necessarily coincide with the times when you are most busy. We exert more effort in our work during times when we are low on energy and feeling lethargic. Tune in to yourself every now and then during the day. Try to see when your emotions and energy are at its peak and its lowest. This can help you figure out when you’re most productive during the day. This way, you can schedule your more challenging tasks during your high energy times.

3. Ask others how they feel about you.

This may sound silly but some people are actually able to sense how others feel. Or if they are not able to accurately do so; then at least they can give you feedback on how you come across. Do you come across as unapproachable when in fact, you are wanting to join in on your colleague’s conversation? Getting the opinion of somebody close to you can help. Getting the opinion of someone not as close to you can also give you surprising and illuminating feedback.

4. Observe other people’s actions and emotions.

Spend some time sitting at a cafe or a park and just watch people and their interactions with each other. Make sure not to stare though as people might find you rude. Just observe them casually. Bring a friend as an accomplice if you have to so you don’t come across as someone suspicious. You learn a lot about how people show their emotions thru their facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice. You might even gain insight on how others understand your own gestures and expressions. Learning from other people’s reactions can help you understand your own feelings better. It also a great way to improve your emotional quotient.

5. Write down your thoughts and emotions.

Just like how writing the steps to a goal helps you keep track of what step to take next; writing down your thoughts and feelings help you process them and better understand yourself. This allows you to review your emotions throughout the day and maybe even realize what triggered them. This will also help you come up with a plan of action. So you can manage your reaction the next time you catch yourself being triggered the same way emotionally.

6. Learn to verbally communicate how you feel.

Practice communicating to others exactly how you feel without disrespecting them. This is hard to do so practicing this will be helpful. Be sure to let the other person know that you do not intent to offend them. Tell them that you are just going to be honest with them. Assure them that you want them to give their feedback and correct your assumptions if you are wrong.

7. Learn to express your feelings of appreciation.

Most of us have this habit of holding back praise or appreciation for somebody’s else’s actions or achievements. In fact, expressing your appreciation verbally can be a pleasurable experience for both of you. If you can verbally communicate your feelings of joy and pride for their achievement; then you will make the other person and yourself, feel even better. We all know how appreciation can boost our mood so learn to share the good vibes.

8. Think before you speak or act on your emotions.

Although practicing how to communicate your feelings is good; thinking of what to say and how to say it first, is even better. Take a pause to observe the situation. See first how other people are reacting. This is a good way for you to compose yourself. Review your thoughts and feelings before you turn them into words. This will not only help you avoid awkward silences after you’ve blurted out something hastily; it will help you communicate your thoughts and feelings more clearly. Learning how to express yourself in different ways will greatly improve your emotional quotient as well as your relationships.

9. Learn to listen well and don’t change the topic even when you feel uncomfortable.

This is especially important when you are being criticized or you are in an argument. Instead of trying to change the topic or being louder than the other person; listen to what they are saying first. Listen well and really listen. While you are listening, do so without thinking of how to get back at them. Listen with the intention of learning from what you are being told. Don’t feel offended, unless their reasoning is really baseless. See if there are questions you can ask or points that you can discuss. This way you can clear up or correct any misunderstanding.

10. Listen to your body and how you feel more often.

One of the best way to connect with yourself emotionally is to listen to your body. More often than not, we are driven to act by the thoughts in our head. We often ignore what our body is telling us. How many times have you gone |to work even when our body is clearly telling you to rest? You still ended up taking some days of leave from work to nurse a cold or fever; or worse had to be hospitalized. If you had listened to your body; you would have only spent a day to rest and be back on your feet again.

Obviously, these tips all involve learning how to connect to your feelings. Knowing your own feelings will help you understand your self better. We often mask our true emotions with the persona that we present to the outside world. In order to be “perfect”; we put our best foot forward and hide our flaws. Our emotions are the clue to what we consider our weaknesses and imperfections. By understanding our feelings; we can better manage them and transform our selves to become better.

While IQ requires us to rely on our mental energy, EQ requires that we rely more on our emotions; how we feel in our bodies. Let us not forget that mind and body are connected. Learning how to connect and manage your emotions will also help improve your state of mind and body. This in turn, will help you perform better in different areas in your life.

Learning how to connect to your emotions, to communicate them to others and to listen to others; is an important aspect of your path to success. After all, you will be relying on the help of many people along the way to achieve your goals. How you relate to other people is just as important as your skills and knowledge.

Are you already practicing some of these tips? If so, tell us how it has improved your emotional connection to yourself and to others.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2019.09.06.
Feature Image: Original Image by Magic Creative from Pixabay.

Dec

2020

Healthy, Fresh Start for The New Year

Reading Time: 6 minutes

There’s a few more days left before the new year. Have you thought about how you can have a healthy, fresh start for the new year? We emphasize the importance of health because that is what allows us to take action towards our goals.

If you’re thinking about new year’s resolutions, here are some that you should consider.

1. Eat more healthy food

You may be tempted to binge out during the holidays so you should consider eating healthier in the new year. Make sure that you have lots of fruits and veggies in your daily meals. To ensure that you do, try to regularly do your groceries and cook meals at home too. Practice meal prepping so you always have healthy food around. Don’t rely too much on convenience foods and bring a lunch box instead. You can even try out doing your own bento box to make meal preparation more fun and creative.

2. Cut back on sugar

One way to instantly make an impact on your health is to cut back on sugary foods and beverages. Sugary food contributes to inflammation in the body which leads to many other health issues. You can go cold turkey but gradually minimizing your intake will most likely help you kick out this habit for good. Start by limiting the number of sweets you put on your plate. Maybe opt for half a cupcake or share a cake slice with a friend.

3. Drink more water

Since you will be reducing your intake of sugary beverages, you can just replace it with water. We know just plain water sounds boring so try out hot beverages like tea or lemon water. You can also put some cucumber, mint or lemon slices into your water to infuse it with the flavor of these herbs. Fruit slices are an option too. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. This will definitely give you a healthy, fresh start for the new year.

4. Sweat and move more

Some of us may have stopped exercising due to the quarantine and also due to the cold weather. You can still move around your home instead of just sitting all day. Walk around or jog in place when you take breaks from working. Stretch your body even as you are seated. Take a walk outside to take in some sunshine and get some exercise. Dance to some music or incorporate some dance steps while you mop or sweep your floor. Just get your body moving!

5. Get better sleep

Your aim is to get better quality sleep, not necessarily more sleep. Different people of different ages require different sleep hours. Although the 8 hours of sleep is still the standard, some of us working adults might have found that we can do with just 6-7 hours of sleep. Others may require less or need 9 hours, especially if they are physically exhausted from their job. Make a ritual of sleeping so you can signal your body that it’s about to sleep and you can gradually fall asleep more easily. That would mean a healthy, fresh start to your mornings in the new year.

6. Be more grateful

One of the ways you can prep your mind and body for better sleep is to include a gratitude journal in your daily routine. Sit down and write 3 things that you are grateful for during the day. It doesn’t have to be an essay but do recall the positive feeling that you got as you write down each of what you are grateful for. Say a prayer of thanks for each blessing that came your way that day.

Another way you can show your gratitude is by expressing your thanks to others. Not only will it lift up your mood but those of other people too.

7. Do more of what you love

If you really love writing, then keep a diary. If you want to document your dreams, then have a dream journal. Love drawing or sketching? Keep a sketch pad and pen with you at all times. Is singing your passion? Sing to your plants, to your friends or join a group. Do you have a sport you really want to learn? Get lessons. Buy books to read more.

Try to do more of the things you love. You will not only have more fun in your life; you will also get to meet new people who share your interests. This is also a time for you to indulge your inner child. What did you love to do as a child that you haven’t been able to do as a grown-up? You can start with that.

8. Be present in the moment

Not too many people practice meditation but it is such a simple way to relax and quiet our mind. It also helps us stay in tune with our inner selves. If you are just starting, try doing it in the early hours of the morning when the world is still quiet. You can also do it as a way to relax when daily activities stress you out. Some people may find it hard to do at first. You can start by observing mindfulness during your meals or when folding your laundry, etc. The goal is to be focused and present in the moment and not be distracted with your own thoughts or other things around you.

9. Practice self-care

Show more love for yourself by practicing daily self-care. This requires you to schedule some “me time” during the day. This is when you can meditate as well. Your main goals is to spend more time with yourself. You can indulge in reading your favorite book, listening to music you love, giving yourself a manicure or pedicure or a DIY facial, etc.

This is also a time for you to talk to yourself; pat yourself on the back for your little victories and manage negative self-talk. Remember that your thoughts also influence your health. So it is helpful to talk to your self positively. This is the time to show love for your self. Practicing self-care ensures that you give adequate attention to your own personal needs so that you can be your best self when you are with other people.

10. Forgive more

Reconnecting with friends and family who you don’t really get along with or who you have had issues with in the past is difficult. But if you can learn to forgive yourself and these people in your heart without needing them to apologize in person; then you can let go of the bad experience you had with them. This means that you can face them with a more positive outlook and a lighter heart the next time you see each other. You can include forgiving them and yourself in your meditation. Try learning about Ho’oponopono, the Hawaiian forgiveness ritual to help you.

11. Listen to your intuition more

Have you ever had times in your life where you had a strong “gut feeling” that seems to warn you from doing something and it turns out to be right? This gut feeling is your intuition and it is your inner guidance system. When you spend more alone time, meditating, being mindful and practicing self-care, you can get more connected and in tune with your intuition. Think of it as your angels guiding you and sending you messages to keep you away from negative experiences and warning you of negative people. Try to feel for this “gut feeling” each time you are hesitant about something and trust what it tells you.

12. Be more authentic

Adulting is hard and we sometimes have to sacrifice a lot of who we are in the process. How many of us have had to let go of our childhood dreams in order to earn a living? Do you sometimes feel guilty for not saying what you really wanted to say because you didn’t want to hurt your friend’s feelings? Most of us have suppressed who we truly are in order to fulfill other people’s expectations of how we should be.

Start to honor your true self by accepting your self, flaws and all. Talk to your loved ones about what you truly want. Tell your friends what you truly think but reassure them that it is because you care that you are being honest with them. It may take some time for other people to understand you. You may lose some friends along the way but this is part of the journey. Those who accept you will stay and they are the ones who deserve your love and a place in your heart.

We hope you consider these resolutions to create a healthy, fresh start for the new year for yourself and your loved ones. Be kinder to yourself as you make these changes. In the meantime, do try your best to stay healthy this holiday season. Cheers to new beginnings!

Feature Image: Original Photo by Bart LaRue on Unsplash.

Sep

2020

Signs From the Universe That You Are on The Wrong Path

Reading Time: 4 minutes

We have all experienced ‘coincidences’ in life. They often affirm our strong belief that something was meant to be or not meant to be. How many times have you had a gut feeling that you should do or not do something? These are what we call signs from the Universe (or from God, the Divine Source, etc.). Have you also experienced getting signs from the Universe that you are on the wrong path?

The Universe is always communicating with us but sometimes we aren’t aware about it, or we don’t trust it. If you’ve ever had a good or bad feeling about a situation; that is a sign from the Universe. Sometimes, the signs are not as subtle as a ‘gut feeling’ but a long-lasting phase or mood. If you are feeling or experiencing any of these things in your life right now; then it is a sign from the Universe that something has to change.

1. You’re Always Stressed Out

The mot common sign that most of us ignore is when we always feel stressed out about something. Especially if this stress is constant, that means that you need to leave the situation. It may also mean that you need to do something you’re afraid of doing to change the situation.

Sometimes, it’s a person or a thing that stresses us out. If it’s a thing that stresses you out; like the sight of the clutter in your room, then you can easily do something about it. Clearly, it’s a sign from the Universe that you are on the wrong path. So don’t be lazy and clean your room.

If you are always stressed out when you’re around a certain person, examine why this is so. What is it that this person does that stresses you out? Is it something trivial, then maybe it’s your reaction that you can change. If it’s something that not only affects you, then maybe you can talk with that person to stop doing it. If they are unwilling, then maybe you need to stay away from that person or that group of people. Or maybe you just need to take a break from seeing them for a while. This way you can sort yourself out and be able to deal with them better next time.

2. You’ve Lost Interest

Do you feel you’ve lost interest in the things you once loved doing? Take a break from it and see if you can come back to it with renewed interest. If this is not the case, then perhaps you need to move on to something new, or to bigger things.

We sometimes feel guilty when we feel the need to move on from something that we once had a passion for. It’s almost as if we are betraying them and ourselves because we are turning our back on them. So we try to stop the process from happening. But we are only prolonging our agony (and maybe everyone else’s) as a result. This is one of the signs from the Universe that you are on the wrong path.

Whenever you have a feeling that you need to move on from something or someone, your gut is probably right. You are not betraying them or yourself. You only feel this way because you regret all the time and effort you spent with them. Moving on feels as though you invalidate all that you did before. The truth is that all your time and effort has prepared you for the next step or phase. Just be thankful for the experience and move on without regrets.

3. You’re Longing for Change

Did you suddenly wake up one day feeling or thinking that you want things to change? Then they probably need to. Most of us have a sudden realization like this; but we brush it aside and just go on our usual activities. We wait until this thought or feeling becomes a strong longing. Then we either get depressed or frustrated over it, or we do something about it.

The best way to deal with this kind of realization is to do something about it quickly. But figure out what change you want to make first, then start with the small things. Think about what you can do today to implement the change you want for the long-term. Do you wan to start exercising again? Start by doing some light, stretching exercise first or go for a walk or a short jog.

Embrace your longing for change. Do something about it every day instead of putting up with it until it becomes a stressful experience. Define what that change means for you. Set up a plan and a strategy on how you are going to do it. Then start implementing your plan. You future self will thank your old self later on for responding quickly to a nudge from the Universe.

4. You’re in Chronic Pain

We are all aware of the phrase ‘listen to your body’. The Universe also speaks to us through our bodies. If you are experiencing chronic pain that you can’t explain, then take it as a sign from the Universe. You need to do something to make that pain go away.

Have you tried exercising and eating healthy to improve your condition to no avail? Then maybe it’s one of the signs from the Universe telling you that you are on the wrong path. Maybe you need to stop self-medicating and see a doctor instead? Maybe something has to change in your environment.

Sometimes, physical pain can be a sign of other underlying conditions. You may have an emotional issue that you have not addressed. Maybe the Universe is telling you that now is the time to take action to resolve these issues.

There are always signs from the Universe that you are on the wrong path or the right path. It helps to be mindful of your body and your habits so you can easily identify these signs. Try to act on these signs as quickly as you can. That way, you can get back on the right track quickly too.

What other signs from the Universe have you experienced that helped you identify you were on the wrong path? These signs are often very personal and only we can identify them. Don’t take it negatively when things don’t go as planned. Think of it as a sign from the Universe that you are on the wrong path. It’s the Universe’ way of nudging you back into the right path so you can accomplish your goals.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.

Aug

2020

Angel Messages: Repeating Numbers

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Numbers are everywhere. They are part of our daily lives. You can see them in your cellphone, identification cards, money, plate numbers, reading materials, receipts and even in your clock. However, have you noticed that there is a number sequence that you keep on seeing lately? If you believe in angels and spirit guides; then these repeating numbers may actually be angel messages.

For example, you wake up in the middle of the night, you look at the clock and it says 11:11. The next day, you are in the middle of traffic and a car broke down in front you with a 111 plate number. You then went to the bank and your cue number is 111. If you keep on seeing the same number sequence over and over again, then that is not a coincidence.

The number sequence that seems to be following you around actually means that our angels are trying to send you a message. This is what Paolo Coelho, author of The Alchemist pertains to as signs that the universe is talking to you.

Each of us has a purpose in life. We are not born just to simply pay the bills. God, the universe, or whatever you may call it, wants us to fulfill our destiny. That is the duty of the angels or spirit guides; to guide us to the right path.

To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation.
– Paolo Coelho, The Alchemist

So, the next time you keep on seeing number sequence, think of it as a message from your guarding angel. Those number sequences are what you call angel numbers. Each angel numbers pertain to specific meanings based on numerology, the divine belief of numbers and their relationship with events.

Angel Numbers Meaning

Here is a basic guide on the angel numbers and their meaning.

111

The number 111 is a message from your angel telling you to be aware of your persistent thoughts. Your thoughts will become your reality. That is why you need to choose your thoughts wisely. If you want abundance in life, you need to dwell on positive thoughts.

We are what we think. All that we are arises from our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world.
– Gautama Buddha

222

The number 222 means that a new cycle is about to start on a certain aspect in your life. Your angel is telling you that you are on the right track. Whatever decision you have just made, just keep the faith and keep on going forward. Don’t worry and don’t be scared.

333

The number 333 means that it is time to move on. If there is something that is holding you back or no longer gives you happiness, eliminate whatever it is from your life. It is telling you to take courage because God will respond to your prayer and that your angels are just nearby ready to help you.

444

The number 444 serves as a reminder that your angels are there supporting, guiding and protecting you from behind the scenes towards achieving your goals. They are reminding you to listen to your intuition. Listen to what your inner voice is telling you. Also, learn to turn your problems into life lessons.

555

The number 555 means that there will be a big positive change coming to your life that will bring you closer towards the fulfilment of your life’s purpose. They are telling you that you are ready for the change. And that, you have to prepare yourself.

666

Contrary to popular belief, the number 666 does not mean that the devil is out there to get you. So, don’t be scared when you keep on seeing the number 666. It is just your angels’ way on telling you to focus on your spirituality. It is a time to pause and reflect on your life. Realign your thoughts. Remove all fears and uncertainties that you are harbouring.

777

The number 777 is a spiritual number. It is an indication that you are ready to grow spiritually. It is now time to look for how your can be of service to others. Embrace your uniqueness. Your life is no longer just about you. Unleash the genius within you. Develop and use your talents to help others. Know that your efforts will have positive results and that many blessings will soon come your way.

888

Eight is a number of abundance, infinity and unlimited resources. Seeing the number 888 means financial and material rewards are coming your way. The universe wishes to reward you for sharing your talents with other people. Positive karma is being repaid.

999

The numbers 999 means completion. A certain aspect in your life is about to come to an end. This closure will bring you one step closer to fulfilling your life purpose. Although it is scary to think that something in your life is ending whether it is a career, a relationship or any other aspect in your life; it means that you grew as a person. You are now moving towards a higher vibration of love, happiness and spirituality.

000

The number 000 serves as a reminder of your relationship with God. It is the angels telling you that God has provided for you and it is time to thank Him for everything. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. It means your oneness with God. It is encouraging you to pray, meditate and connect with God.

Launch Challenge

Starting today, be aware of your surroundings. Be observant. Learn to listen to your gut and intuition. It would be better if you start to meditate. Remember that your guardian angels are there to guide you. You just need to learn to follow the signs.

First published in Pinoy Smart Living on 11.28.2018

Original Image by capri23auto from Pixabay Images.

Aug

2020

Unleash the Genius Within You

Reading Time: 3 minutes

It is human nature to be jealous of others. However, before you even begin comparing yourself with others, think again. We all have different talents and gifts. Each of us is destined to be great. You may not be good in math but you can be an excellent artist. You may be poor in communication skills but you may be a good athlete. Just because you got bad grades in school, it does not mean that you will fail in life. You are more than your report card. You are talented. All you need to do is to find and unleash the genius within you.

Unfortunately, instead of finding our own path, majority of us opt to follow the dictates of society. We let our parents choose our path. We follow what’s popular. Instead of creating our own definition of success, we chose to adhere to how society defines success. We were programmed by society to think in a certain way. As a result, we lose ourselves in the process.

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will live its whole life thinking it is stupid.
– Albert Einstein

Instead, we should all learn from Santiago, the lead character from The Alchemist who followed his heart and intuition to look for his treasure.

Zone of Genius

The good news is that, it is not yet too late. We can still find what Gay Hendricks, psychologist and author of the The Big Leap, call the Zone of Genius. The genius zone is that particular area in our life where we are taking advantage of our natural gifts and talents and at the same actually enjoy what we are doing. It pertains to the zone wherein we capitalize on our innate abilities.

Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi call this at “in flow”. This is because, at this zone, you are “in flow” and are completely immersed in what you are doing that you have lost all sense of time. In addition, you get never-ending inspiration with what you are doing. Every second is fun and meaningful for you. You always feel happy and energized while working. All highly successful people are in this zone. They are fortunate enough to use their passion as the key to success.

Zone of Excellence

However, please take note that there is another zone, the zone of excellence. Be careful not to confuse the two. In the zone of excellence, just like in the zone of genius, you are also doing something that you are good at. Your skills and expertise are also top-notched in this level. The only difference is that in the zone of genius, you not only excel but you also enjoy every minute of what you are doing.

Test yourself. Do you dread going to work every Monday despite the fact that you are good in what you are doing? Are you always looking forward to weekends so that you can recharge? If you feel that way, then you are in the zone of excellence. Remember that you lost track of time in the zone of genius because you are having fun every second of the day. That is reason why some people in the zone of excellence who have already achieved so much still feel that something is lacking in their life. It is because they are in the wrong zone.

Unleash The Genius Within You

Launch Challenge

To unleash the genius within you, you first need to find your zone of genius. How to find your zone of genius? There are two components to get to your genius zone. First, you need to find your genius. The second one is you need to find your purpose.

Finding your Genius

To find your genius, you need to sit at a quiet place and meditate. Listening to calming music can help. Then close your eyes and ask yourself.

What is one thing that you are exceptional at? No one else does it better than you.
When do you feel most energized?
What moment in your life did you feel that you shine the most? What were you doing then?
When do you get the most compliment from other people?
What is one thing that you can do for hours and hours and not get bored with it?
Why and what do people normally ask you for advice?

If you can answer the questions above honestly, then congratulations! You have just identified your genius.

Finding your Purpose

The question now is what do you do with your genius? This is now your purpose. Your purpose is the meaning of your very existence. All of us are born with a purpose in life. Generally, our purpose is to love and serve others. Individually, it is all about serving others using our genius.

Continue your meditation. Then just ask yourself one question.

How can I be of service to others using my genius?

If you can search within yourself the answer to this question, then congratulations! You have now found your purpose in life.

So, what are you waiting for? Work at what you are good at. Follow your passion. Don’t give up. Unleash the genius within you!

Edited Version. First Published in Pinoy Smart Living on 10.05.2018

Feature Image by pasja1000 from Pixabay Images.

Feb

2020

Improve Your Life Through the 5 Second Rule Challenge

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Do you ever listen to your intuition? The 5 Second Rule is a challenge for you to listen and do something about it within 5 seconds if you want to improve your life.

Intuition

Have you ever felt uneasy over something? It’s a feeling that keeps on popping into your head and does not go away. You feel it coming from your chest or stomach. Sometimes, it does not even make sense. It goes beyond logic yet for some reason you feel that it is the correct decision.

These are signs that your intuition is trying to tell you something. If you ever experience these things, you should learn to trust it.

Example, you met somebody. That person is so nice to you yet for some reason, there is something about that person that you are not comfortable with. Yet, you have decided to befriend that person only to be betrayed later on. Another example is you are in a meeting. A solution to the company problem kept on popping into your head and you get this nagging feeling to make the suggestion to your boss but you decided to keep quiet because you doubt yourself. And then somebody else recommended it and it was proven effective.

Life would have been better if only you have listened to what your intuition is telling you. It is how your unconscious mind communicates to your conscious mind. It is a manifestation of what you really feel inside. You can call it instinct, gut or intuition; but whatever it is, you need to learn to listen to it. Trust yourself and you will be surprised on how these little decisions can be life changing.

The 5-Second Rule

Mel Robbins, author of The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work and Confidence with Everyday Courage talks about how to utilise your instinct towards the achievement of your goals. She calls it the 5 Second Rule.

The Rule is simple. The rule states that you need to move within 5 seconds to do what your instinct is telling you otherwise, your brain will talk you out of it.

Check out this video from Fearless Soul to know more about it:

To summarize, according to Robbins, there are 5 elements to consider:

1. Know your Instinct

Robbins described an instinct as a sudden urge or impulse to do something. You will feel it coming from your belly out of nowhere. You will just know. It becomes louder if you practice meditation. It is clearer for people who are confident about themselves.

2. Check if it is Connected to your Goal

Before you stand up and do something about it, check first if doing it will bring you closer to your dreams/goals. That is why it is very important the you know what you want and that you have a bucket list. It is also crucial that you know what your priorities are.

3. Countdown to 5 Seconds

Once you have confirmed that following your instinct will bring you one step closer to your dream, you must learn to push yourself by doing a countdown – 5…4…3…2…1…

Remove all unnecessary doubts and fears. You have no time to worry about that. You only have 5 seconds to act on it.

4. Act on It

After your countdown, you need to act on it right away. Go ahead, stand up, don’t press that snooze button. Call that person. Grab that healthy snack. Talk to your partner. Make a suggestion to your boss. Research about it. Whatever it is, just do it.

5. Or “Your Brain will Kill It”

The moment you do not act within that 5 seconds window, your brain will kill it. When you hesitate, you are signalling to your brain that something is wrong. Then, you will feel scared. You will now put it off for fear of rejection or failure. And before you know it, your dreams and goals are now buried with it.

Use this life rule to help you achieve your goals and improve your life.

Feature Image: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Images