The Power of Gratitude: Transforming Lives - Rachel Devine

Gratitude is a potent emotion that has the remarkable ability to shape our lives positively. It goes beyond a simple "thank you" and extends into a deeper appreciation for the blessings and experiences that enrich our lives. The benefits of gratitude are unlimited. By practicing gratitude, we can unlock a host of benefits that enhance our health, relationships, goals, and overall well-being. The health benefits of gratitude are astounding. The general benefits of gratitude are unlimited. It is important to really focus on how to practice gratitude. In this article, we will explore the incredible advantages of gratitude, discover ways to incorporate gratitude techniques into our lives, and understand how positive thinking and affirmations synergize with gratitude for transformative results.

The health benefits of gratitude

Research has shown that expressing gratitude can have a profound impact on our physical and mental health. The main reason behind the health benefits is the fact that your endorphin levels increase, which reduces cortisol, a stress hormone. Therefore, when we practice gratitude regularly, we experience lower levels of stress, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improved overall mental well-being. Gratitude also strengthens our immune system, lowers blood pressure, and promotes better sleep. Embracing gratitude can become a powerful tool for cultivating a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Improved mental well-being

Gratitude has been found to have a positive impact on mental health, especially for individuals with depression. It can increase positive emotions such as joy, happiness, and contentment. By focusing on the things they are grateful for, individuals can experience a boost in overall life satisfaction and well-being. Additionally, practicing gratitude has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, such as sadness and hopelessness. This will bring more happiness into your life.

Gratitude and goal achievement:

Gratitude serves as a catalyst for achieving our goals. By focusing on what we are grateful for, we shift our mindset from scarcity to abundance, and from negativity to positivity. This positive shift enhances our motivation, resilience, and determination to pursue our aspirations. Grateful individuals are more likely to set realistic goals, persist in the face of challenges, and develop a greater sense of self-belief. By recognizing and appreciating our progress and accomplishments, gratitude fuels our drive to continue striving for success. Staying grateful can literally transform your life.

Incorporating gratitude techniques into daily life:

1. Gratitude Journal: The benefits of a gratitude journal are unlimited and will start your day off in a positive way. Set aside a few minutes each day to reflect on and write down things you are grateful for. It could be as simple as a beautiful sunset, a supportive friend, or food on your table. This practice helps cultivate a habit of gratitude and directs your focus towards positivity.

2. Letters: Expressing gratitude is imperative to a positive life. Send your gratitude directly to people who have positively influenced your life. Write heartfelt letters or messages to friends, family, mentors, or colleagues, highlighting specific reasons why you appreciate them. This practice not only strengthens relationships but also deepens your own sense of gratitude.

3. Mindful Gratitude: Engage in mindfulness exercises that involve focusing on the present moment and acknowledging the blessings around you. Whether it's savoring a delicious meal, enjoying a walk in nature, or simply taking deep breaths, mindfulness amplifies gratitude and enhances your overall well-being.

4. Acknowledging Gratitude: It’s also important to let people know how grateful you are to have them in your life. This can be friends, family, or co-workers. Verbalize how grateful you are for having them around, and tell them how much they mean to you. This simple act of kindness can go a long way. Once you express gratitude to someone, you create a domino effect because the person you express gratitude to will likely convey their gratitude to someone else. This is a great way to spread gratitude and positive energy in your world.

Positive Thinking and Affirmations: Positive thinking and affirmations complement gratitude in a powerful way. By consciously choosing positive thoughts and beliefs, we reshape our perspective and attract more positivity into our lives. Affirmations, or positive statements, help change negative aspects of our subconscious mind, reinforcing gratitude and empowering us to overcome self-limiting beliefs. By combining gratitude with positive thinking and affirmations, we create a powerful synergy that fuels personal growth, resilience, and a profound sense of fulfillment.

Gratitude has been a blessing in my life. I mentally list around 20 things I am grateful for each morning. After doing this for several years, I have reprogrammed my mind to not see the glass as half-full or half-empty, but to be grateful for the glass. It has given me the power to move forward with so many goals and dreams, as gratitude is at the forefront of my subconscious mind, which drives our lives either in a positive or negative direction. I relish in the fact that gratitude is at the center of my life.

In closing, gratitude is a transformative force that permeates every aspect of our lives. By embracing gratitude, we unlock a multitude of benefits, including improved physical and mental health, enhanced goal achievement, and strengthened relationships. Incorporating gratitude techniques such as journaling, expressing gratitude to others, and practicing mindfulness can amplify these benefits. When combined with positive thinking and affirmations, gratitude becomes a powerful catalyst for personal growth and fulfillment. So, let us cultivate the habit of gratitude and embark on a journey of profound well-being and joy. An attitude of gratitude will go a long way.

Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, and both are available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Or you can order an ebook on my website.

These books make great holiday gifts. Take advantage of a sitewide 10% promotion with the code SALE10.

Devine Intervention - The Inner Healing Center

How to Find Hope in Dark Times - Rachel Devine

We live in a time where there is great darkness and challenges in our world. We no longer have a feeling of peace, especially with war raging in areas abroad.There is a feeling of uncertainty and perhaps hopelessness. Horror stories that emerge from the news are disturbing, to say the least, and weigh heavily on our wellness. Hope seems to be a forgotten friend.

I will explore how we can find some hope in dark times. I will explore ways to find hope, irrespective of what is happening around us. We can always decide how we view what is going on in the world and in our own world. Do we look for what’s wrong, or do we look for what’s right? Herein lies the key to finding hope. It’s all according to how you view the world.

This article is about finding hope. Let’s look at 5 ways to find hope in dark times:

Your worldview

Your worldview is paramount to having hope in dark times. We can look at things happening from a catastrophic point of view. However, that will only bring us down and really doesn’t help the challenging plight. Now, what if I view the world from the perspective of the good that is happening in the darkness? What if I focus on the humanitarian aid, the people on the ground helping out, possible future changes, and the prayers that are being said? That would offer some light in the darkness and hope in the midst of calamity. How you view the challenges in the world is a choice you can make. Looking for the good that will emerge from the calamity is looking at the world from a different perspective.

Detaching

Detaching from the news for a while will help you find some hope and peace. Watching every little nuance of the atrocities in the world will only keep you in a state of despair and hopelessness. The news can bring you undo fear to a point of not wanting to leave your house. The bad news will assure that you will wallow in the darkness of world affairs rather than the light of hope. The news has one purpose, and that is to sell. The majority of what they are selling is bad news, and if you wallow in that, it will be difficult to find any hope. The news will bring you the worst possible situations, and when you are done watching, you might feel depleted and anxious. That is the time to turn it off. Believe me, the world will keep spinning on its axis whether you watch the news or not. In other words, don’t be a participant in the dictates of a news program that causes a feeling of despair. Allow yourself 10 minutes to catch up on the news, and then do yourself a favor and turn it off. Perhaps reading a book or some quotes on finding happiness will help turn things around.

Prayer = hope and peace

Prayer is the equalizer in times of challenge. Prayer can bring you to a place of hope in an instant. Let’s look at how to find hope in God. When we pray, we are in the moment of our prayer, and that brings a lot of comfort and hope. God can only be found in the moment. He is not in the past or the future; he is in this very sacred moment. When we are in a prayerful state, we are connected to the peace of God. Darkness disappears when in prayer. It's like shining a flashlight in a dark room. I believe in the power of prayer; therefore, prayer helps me feel at peace and gives me a lot of hope. Remember, you have the power within to offset any darkness in the world. Pray for the world at large.

Finding hope in a support group

Being around people of like mind will help you feel brighter. Join a support group that invokes peace. Perhaps a prayer group, a focus group, a 12-step group, or a group that simply socializes. Getting out and talking to other people helps prevent the power of the chaos from infringing on the mind and also gives a well-deserved break from world affairs. A 12-step group will allow you to voice your feelings about what is happening in the world and in turn it will lose its grip on you. Expressing yourself for a short time is healthy to move on in a hopeful way. These are some ways to find hope and happiness in your life.

Gratitude

In the center of hope lies the enormous power of gratitude. Counting your blessings is a way to shift from feeling hopeless to finding hope. It’s okay to feel fortunate in times of challenge in the world. It’s okay to be grateful for all you have. I suggest you make a gratitude list of at least five things you are grateful for daily and read it out loud in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Going to bed in a peaceful state of gratitude is priceless. It will help you manifest the power of goodness into your life.

Finding hope and peace in dark times is a choice. We all have the power to decide what we allow into our psyche. However, when anxiety becomes the norm it really is time to set some boundaries. And remember, you have the power and the choice to decide what you allow to come into your emotional world.

“In life, we have to be strong and bright enough to face our dark times. Eclipse may come and eclipse may go; nothing should stop our inner strength’s flow." 
― Munia Khan, Attainable

I suggest you stay in that inner strength’s flow, under the tent of God.

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships. Both are on Amazon.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

Stop the Pain: 7 Steps to Heal from the Past - Rachel Devine

Painful experiences from childhood or past trauma can cast a shadow over your present-day happiness. It can haunt you for decades. There could be blocks that stop you from moving forward in life due to negative voices in your head that instill fear of repeating the same mistake or falling into the same pitfall. Any past trauma or pain usually gets embedded in the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is very powerful since it directs your life 95% of the time. It makes sense to try to clear some clutter from your mind in order to move forward in life with ease. Through intentional work, you can process old wounds, shift limiting beliefs, and clear subconscious blocks to transform your outlook. The goal is to reach a point of living a happy life.

Let’s look at seven steps to heal from the past.

Awareness

The first step to healing from the past is to have awareness of what might be blocking you from moving forward in life with ease and happiness. I suggest you sit in quiet contemplation and think about what is happening in your life and what transpired in the past that may be causing conflict. Listen to your thoughts. If you continuously have a negative dialogue playing out in your head, that is a clear sign that the past is haunting your present-day peace. Listen to those voices and allow them to come to the surface.

Tell your story

When you speak your story out loud, it loses its power over you. We are only as sick as our secrets. Bringing any past trauma to the light of day helps dissolve its hold on you. You can tell a therapist or a friend. 12-step programs are so valuable and give one the space to speak about past experiences in order to heal from them. There are 12-step programs for most issues, like alcoholism, emotional disorders, smoking, gambling, and the list is endless.

Let go of blame

No matter what happened in the past, blame is not going to help. In fact, a really good practice is forgiveness. When you hold onto past hurts and don’t forgive, the energy gets lodged in the body and causes stress-related illnesses. The venom seeps into your veins with vengeance. The attitude is forgiveness. Forgiveness clears the venom and gets rid of the resentments. Don’t allow someone from the past to continue to victimize you in the present by not forgiving them. Forgive them and let go of the pain. Forgiveness equals happiness.

Release past emotions

Trauma is stored physically and energetically in the body. It is important to release the negative energy that gets lodged in different areas of the body from past trauma. Try therapeutic techniques like EMDR, tapping, massage, or yoga to discharge stuck emotions and reintegrate them. Brain spotting is an amazing way to unlock stored trauma from the subcortical brain, and it clears the area of the trauma.

Reclaim your power

Ultimately, healing requires realizing you are not broken or defined by the past. You have the power to clear inner blocks, rewrite your story, and manifest a joyful life aligned with your highest self. Glancing at the past to heal is a positive step. Lamenting over past hurts is unproductive. Don’t allow the past to define who you are today. We all make mistakes, and life happens in a way that is sometimes unexplainable. Define yourself as a child of God who is worthy of all that life has to offer you. Remember, the power is within you.

Clear the channels

A good way to clear the subconscious mind of trauma is through manifesting techniques. Before you fall asleep at night, pick one image of what you would like to clear from your mind. If you want to clear fear, you would pick an image of love and courage. Love is a very powerful emotion that offsets negative ones. Or if you want to clear past emotional wounds, pick an image of you feeling emotionally happy. Or if you want to clear past physical abuse wounds, imagine a life with peace and calm. We can overshadow the negative in the subconscious mind with powerful positive emotions. Once you pick the image, you fall asleep with the feelings that invoke positivity. Your subconscious mind will resonate with the positive feelings for 8 hours, and this will be one layer of healing in that area. You have the power to transform your life with much healing.

Affirmations

Positive affirmations are another way to change past negativity into positivity. Just write out a few positive affirmations on a sticky note and post them where you can see them. Say them out loud, often. The positive energy will overshadow past negative feelings. Continue to do this every day. Some wonderful affirmations are, I am worthy, I am loved, I am forgiven, I am a child of God, etc.

As spiritual teacher Matt Kahn advised, “Whatever you have gone through, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And it is you.” You must take the first step toward your goal. Then healing will unfold one breath, one moment at a time, through the courage to face and release the past.

One of my favorite authors and healer, Louise Hay said, “You have the power to heal your life, and you need to know that. We think so often that we are helpless, but we're not. We always have the power of our minds. Claim and consciously use your power."

With perseverance and the light of hope, old pain will lose its grip on you. Underneath the shadows of your past, there is a wonderful and amazing person waiting to emerge. Like a caterpillar experiences transformation into a beautiful butterfly, you can also transform your life into one of beauty and strength. And when you do, you will discover who you were always meant to be. Your renewed path ahead awaits.

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships. Both books are on Amazon.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

Follow Your Dreams: And don’t let Anything Sway You - Rachel Devine

Following your bliss in life can be so rewarding. Pursuing your dreams brings so much joy. As they say, follow your dreams, they know the way! Choosing a purposeful path in life is the single most fulfilling thing you can accomplish. And yet, there are obstacles that arise and people of opposition that bring us down rather than lift us up. We can also become our worst enemy in pursuing our dreams with self-doubt.

Perseverance is crucial to creating a life of your choosing. Staying in it for the long haul is also crucial.

There are not too many overnight success stories. Most famous people will laugh if you say they are instant success stories, when in actuality, many of them took decades and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to achieve their dreams.

Let’s explore this a little deeper. I am going to show you how to manifest your dreams with 5 steps.

Pursuing your dreams

The first step is to define what your dreams are. What do you want to pursue in your lifetime? What legacy would you like to leave?

The next step is to look at your story. What are you saying about your dreams?

Here are two examples:

1. I want to become a writer, but I know it is an impossible journey.

2. I want to become a writer, and I am excited about all the possibilities before me.

As you can see, there is a stark difference between 1 and 2. You have to have a positive outlook on the dream you want to pursue. Actually you have to have a positive attitude on anything you want to achieve in life. If you start out with the attitude that becoming a writer is an impossible journey, then your life will go in a negative direction. It will be like being in a circular driveway, driving furiously and getting nowhere. If you are excited about becoming a writer and open to all avenues and possibilities, your life will go in a positive direction, and opportunities will arise. Plus, the law of attraction will kick in, as positive thoughts will bring positive results.

Be steadfast

Don’t allow anyone to sway you out of your dream. Remember, it is your life; you want to live it your own way. I would also say don’t allow your own self-doubt to sway you out of your dreams. Sometimes we can be our worst enemy. Stay the course and do what you love doing, irrespective of what you think others are thinking about you. Their opinion really doesn’t matter. Honestly, some people will be envious of your non-conformity. Nonetheless, stay in your own space and in your own head. And know in your heart that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. It's that raw inner determination that will get you to where you want to be in life. Be as stubborn as you can when it comes to fulfilling your dreams on the journey you have chosen. Afterall, life is meant to live in happiness.

Famous inspiration

Louise Hay started a very successful publishing company called Hay House at the age of 62! She started it in her home in order to publish her first manuscript. She pursued her dream in her golden years without reservations. She just forged ahead and formed a very successful publishing company that has published books by such famous authors as Wayne Dyer and Cheryl Richardson.

Steve Harvey was told at the age of 10 by his teacher that he should give up his dream of being on television to make people laugh. He had written an essay about it. When he told his father, his father told him, “put the essay in your drawer and read it every day. You can be whoever you make your mind up to be.”

For years, Steve Harvey struggled to get his big break as a comedian, performing at small clubs across the country. He was homeless for several years, sleeping in his 1976 Ford when he couldn't afford hotels. However, he persevered, saying he discovered his gift for making audiences laugh during this difficult time.

In the late 1980s, he started gaining attention and appearing on TV shows like Showtime at the Apollo. His popularity grew through the 1990s as he toured as a standup comedian. Eventually, he landed a role as host of Showtime's Steve Harvey Show, which brought him national fame. In 2010, his career took off when he was asked to be the host of Family Feud. Steve was 53 years old when he got his big break.

The power of a written intention

Just as Steve Harvey wrote an essay about his goal of becoming a comedian, Jim Carrey also did something similar in line with the power of a written intention.

Before he ever achieved fame as an actor and comedian, Jim Carrey was struggling to make ends meet in the 1980s as a young comic trying to catch a break. He lived in a VW van in Los Angeles for a period, chasing his dreams but not seeing results.

According to Carrey, one day he became frustrated and decided to write himself a $10 million check dated for 10 years in the future and write the note “for acting services rendered” on it. He carried the check in his wallet as a reminder of his goal to become a star. He also envisioned himself as a famous actor, having all the luxuries that came with fame and fortune.

However, just as he had written in his intention years earlier, 1994 proved to be Carrey’s breakout year. He earned over $20 million combined just from his acting work, finally realizing his dream. To Carrey, the big check he envisioned years prior and his unwavering belief manifested his massive success. His story is a popular example demonstrating the power of a written intention.

“It is better to risk starving to death than to surrender. If you give up on your dreams, what's left?" Jim Carrey

Your legacy

It’s important to look at the whole picture of your life and what kind of legacy you want to leave. It can be something big and grand or something smaller. We don’t all have to become like Mother Teresa, helping the lepers in the world. You might want to pursue a way to help the homeless. You can volunteer in a soup kitchen. Or you might want to pursue a career in writing or acting. Or maybe you want to coach Little League or become a big brother for a fatherless child.

Whatever you decide you want to do in life, just do it. You can ask yourself these three questions:

Where am I now with my dream?

Where do I want to be with my dream in a year?

What can I do now to get to where I want to be?

Getting started now is the key to getting to where you want to be in life. My second book, The Third Road, was on the backburner for years until one day I decided I was going to finish it and self-publish it. I didn’t want to be at the mercy of a publisher, so I just forged ahead, worked day and night until I got it published myself. Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns in life. That project was not an easy task, but it was one of the most rewarding things I ever accomplished in my life. And in turn, it helped me follow my bliss.

You deserve to live a life of bliss. Keep forgiving ahead. Remember, the journey is just as rewarding as the destination.

When I was plagued with self-doubt when I started writing back in 1997, this was the first poem I wrote:

When you can feel the warmth of the sunshine

but cannot see it

Or feel the coolness of a gentle breeze

but cannot grasp it

When your dreams are just a fleeting thought that no longer matters

Remember to deeply reach within, to stretch your mind to awaken the real you,

as you say goodnight to self-doubt and the inner blindness

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

Fear and Love: They can’t Live in the Same House, by Rachel Devine

With all that is happening in the world, fear has become a dominant emotion in a lot of people's minds. From the war in Israel to the crisis at our border to the crime in our streets, and through a pandemic, fear seems to have taken over our inner world. Fear can be crippling. It can keep us locked away in our homes and stop us from living a joyful life. It could feel like you have to climb an emotional mountain to get out of your home. There is, however, a more powerful emotion called love that is much more potent than fear. Fear and love cannot coexist. It’s crucial to choose love over fear. You have the power within to turn this around.

Here is an amazing quote on this topic:

As opposites, love and fear cannot be felt at the same time. As Kübler-Ross and Kessler say, "If we're in fear, we are not in a place of love." “When we're in a place of love, we cannot be in a place of fear. Can you think of a time when you've been in both love and fear?”

Therefore, fear and love cannot live in the same house. Let's take a look at fear and love more closely.

Fear

Fear is a debilitating emotion that can be overwhelming. It all starts with worry, which turns into fear, which can turn into a petrified fear, which in turn can morph into paranoa. This is when fear is at its worse.

Fear has been classified as, false events appearing real. The purpose of this acronym is to bring the fear down to size so it is not so overwhelming. This tells us that fear is appearing in the mind, but not necessarily in reality. Sometimes our fears are much bigger than the actual thing we are fearing. It’s important to distinguish the truth about fear so it can lose its grip on you.

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

This is a profound quote; however, fear can be very real for the person who is experiencing it. Reading loving literature can help. Perhaps some motivational quotes can help you shift from fear to love.

Love

They say love is the opposite of fear. Love is a much more powerful emotion than fear. In fact, love conquers all fears.

As the Bible tells us, There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18.

Whatever the problem, love is the answer. The emotion of love is very strong. It can move us from a state of fear into a state of love and peace. The love I am talking about, is the love of God. The love of God is powerful beyond measure. Staying in a loving state with God by your side should alleviate any fears. Make no mistake about it, you have the power to overcome any fearful obstacles in your life.

In the book, A Course in Miracles there is a famous quote at the end that says, “If you knew who walked besides you on the path that you have chosen, fear would be impossible.” The power that walks besides you is the spirit of God, which is actually within you. You have God’s Spirit within you, so fear is impossible, if you connect to that loving Spirit.

Faith

I believe love goes hand in hand with faith. God is love. I also think that you can't be in fear if you are in faith. Having faith in the higher power of your understanding will help you get out of fear. Letting go and letting God is a really great slogan that reminds us to let go of our fears and worries and hand them over to God, who will handle them. Having faith and staying in prayer will offset any fears. Praying will help you stay in the moment and in a loving state of mind, which will offset any fears. This in turn will transform your life to one of love.

Staying in the Moment

When you stay in the moment, there really is nothing to fear. The moment is a place where our fears cannot enter, because our fears usually entail thinking about past traumatic events or future worries. Staying in the here and now puts you in a safe and loving space. Remember, the fear is in your mind, so the solution is also in your mind. And remember, the only place you can connect to God is in the moment. God is not in the past or the future, but in this very moment.

The Power of Positive Thinking

There is an amazing book called "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale. The premise is pretty simple. What you focus your attention on will have power in your life. If you are resonating with fear, then fearful situations will appear. If you are resonating with being positive and thinking of positive outcomes for the fearful situation, that is what will appear in your life. Many people underestimate the power of our thoughts to create our world. However, your thoughts have power beyond comprehension. The power of positive thinking is a reality, not some lofty title in a book.

Just envision a perfect outcome for your fearful situation and keep that focus every day in a short visual. Not only will the fear vanish, but you will also be putting energy into the world to bring about a positive result. The law of attraction then kicks in and does its job. The law of attraction is very clear, as it states, "Like attracts like," and what we think about expands. Therefore, it is dangerous to stay in a fearful state because you will inadvertently bring more things into your life to be afraid of. Stay in love, have faith, and have positive thoughts, and that will offset any fears.

In conclusion, we do live in a world of uncertainty and fear. However, how you view the world is the key to having love or fear rule your day. To put this in perspective, we know we can't stop the war in our world or the terrible situation with crime. However, we can stay in our own emotional shelter under God's tent. God’s protection is powerful. We can put ourselves in a loving and faithful emotional state in prayer.

In Psalms 46:1–6, God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the ocean depths, even if the seas roar and rage and the hills are shaken by the violence.

 Norman Vincent Peale says it all in this amazing quote:

"Change your thoughts, and you change your world." That says it all.

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

The World is Changing: 7 Ways of Finding Peace in the Chaos - Rachel Devine

Let's face it, we live in a world that is facing a slew of challenges and obstacles. There is unrest, chaos, war, atrocities, political issues, inflation, supply chain issues, and the list is endless. One can put on the news for two minutes and become extremely stressed out by the doomsday headlines. If you watch the news late enough, it can seep into your dreams as nightmares. In addition to that, we have to deal with our own world of social problems that crop up from time to time. When you often feel uneasy, it's time to do a mental health check and find some peace in your life.

Let's look at 7 ways to find peace in the chaos and midst of challenging problems in the world. It is possible to overcome obstacles and chaos and find happiness.

Detachment

Detaching from the news is the first step to finding some peace in your world. Dr. Eric Berg says the number one thing you can do for our brain health is to stop watching the news! I was so surprised when I read that. Therefore, setting boundaries on how much news you watch can eradicate most of your stress. If you can turn it off for a week, you will feel happier. You might want to give that idea a try. If you are a news junkie, this can be hard to do. You might want to allow yourself maybe 15 minutes a day of news just to catch up on what's going on. I would say the earlier, the better. Any television you watch before bedtime will resonate in your subconscious mind for 8 hours. Try hard to limit your exposure to the news at night. Try instead to read a positive, uplifting book.

Stay in the moment.

When we are in the moment, we are safe and at peace. Being in this very moment shields us from lamenting over the past or worrying about a fearful future. This moment is all we have. Take advantage of the moment and really soak it in. Take a walk in nature and really focus on the trees and flowers around you. You can count each step you take. Stay in a focused conversation with a friend and really be present. Look at your surroundings and take a deep breath, centering yourself around the very moment you are in. Remember, we can't change a past moment or make a future moment go our way; we can only enjoy the very moment we are living in now. You might want to stay in the moment with some motivational quotes that bring peace to light.

Positive techniques

There are many positive techniques to bring peace. Meditation helps keep you in the moment, so you are not peering into the past or forecasting a negative future. Even if you meditate for 5 minutes, that can bring peace into your world. There are plenty of different meditation techniques online. Positive visualization is another good technique for peace. Just visualize a positive scene in your mind; maybe you want to go to a happy place in your visualization. Just picture a place you love to go to and go there in your mind. Visualize the sounds, colors, smells, and peace you feel when you are there. This will bring much peace to your day. Positive affirmations are also a good way to find peace. Just write some out on a sticky note and post them where you can see them daily. Some good ones are that I am at peace, I love myself, I am finding joy in the moment, my day will be peaceful, etc. Additionally, prayer is another positive technique. Praying keeps us in the moment and in a loving, peaceful state. The power of prayer is a big part of bringing goodness to the chaos in the world.

Rest periods

Most of us are bogged down with so much on our plate that we don't have quiet, restful time for ourselves. It's important to carve out at least 30 minutes so you can have some quiet time. You can find rest in a nap, a hot, relaxing bath or sitting in a room with fragrant candles. Doing something every day that helps you feel at peace is very important, and the message you are giving yourself is, "I am worth it!"

Gratitude list

Gratitude is at the forefront of peace. It helps us realize all we have rather than all that we don't have. It also shifts us toward a positive outlook rather than a negative one. It can direct your life in a transforming way. When you wake up each day, count your blessings. Sit and just visualize all the individual things that are positive in your life, and thank God for each one. You can also create a gratitude list each day and read it out loud to yourself. There are health benefits to being in a state of gratitude, and one important benefit is that it will bring you serenity. There is something very soulful about appreciating the little things in life.

Place of worship

Going to your favorite place of worship can bring peace beyond measure. Being in a setting where you focus for an hour on prayer brings much serenity to a world that needs more of this. Try to go to your place of worship weekly. It will bring you so much happiness and joy. Also, if you are a prayerful person, prayer is an excellent way to keep us in the moment so we can find peace. Remember, inner peace is always within you. It’s a matter of connecting to it. The more peaceful one is, the more peace will be spread across the world by consciousness through inner manifestation.

Family and friends

Try to spend more time with family and friends who are uplifting. Try to stay away from negative people who will only bring you down, and could wind up listing all the reasons you could be stressed over world issues. Get out with your friends for lunch or dinner. Visit a family member who might need to be around some positivity too. Keeping the connection with people you love will help you feel more at peace.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it."

S A Jefferson-Wright said, “Serenity is not freedom from the storm; but peace amid the storm.”

It’s crucial to find some peace in the midst of the storms in the world. We can’t stop the storms from happening, but we have these tools to shelter ourselves from the storms. These 7 steps are like putting up an umbrella to keep yourself from getting drenched.

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Check out my new video  7 Ways to Overcome Obstacles and Be Happy

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

How to Deal with a Dysfunctional Family- Rachel Devine

Let's face it, spending time with family can be enjoyable, but at the same time, it can be toxic. All families have conflict from time to time. However, when the conflict is consistent, I believe we encroach on the label of dysfunctional family. There are certain degrees of dysfunction; some are lower-level, and some are highly extreme. The dysfunction can range from low-level manipulation to high-intensity alcoholism or drug addiction. Whatever the level of dysfunction your family resonates with, there are clear-cut solutions on how to solve family problems and conflicts.

Let's explore some solutions on how to overcome challenges and how to deal with a toxic family: 

Origin of the Stress

There are several reasons why there could be stress in a family. A recent death in the family, a divorce, alcoholism, or a chronic long-term illness These issues will cause stress in the family. Some family members might be out of sorts. At times like these, it's important to try to support each other the best way you know how. To bring this down to size, remember this: you only have control over how you behave. Sometimes we need to just sit on our hands and do nothing and just let other family members be who they are. If they are under stress, you might try to be supportive. You will be much happier.

Tyrants

There are some families that have real issues with members that may be narcissistic, manipulative, gossipy, or just plain troublemakers. Recognizing that a family member always seems to push your buttons is a sign that you might have to set strong boundaries during a family gathering. Perhaps you can distance yourself from the tyrant family member and hang around those who are positive and nurturing. The more distance you put between you and that person, the better. Also, sometimes what we judge in others is actually something within ourselves. Look honestly at yourself and make sure your side of the street is clean. In other words, keep an honest account of your own actions, and if you need to make an attitude adjustment, now would be the time to do it. 

Divorce

Being divorced with children is always problematic during holidays, as usually one ex-spouse has the children on a certain holiday and the other ex-spouse is all alone. Divorce brings an array of dysfunction, not only for the parents but also for the children. There always seems to be a tug at the heart when it comes to divorced children. My best advice would be to keep clear communication with your ex-spouse and try to keep things amicable so you have some negotiating power on days that you want to see the children more. Having a wedge between you and your ex-partner is only going to make matters worse. You might want to enlist a life coach or therapist to help.

Holiday gatherings

Holiday gatherings can be so beautiful if all family members cooperate and are on their best behavior. However, that is not always the case. In the case of alcoholism, you may want to just totally ban alcohol during your gathering. It might seem like a harsh move, but I find that some people can get intoxicated at parties and ruin it for everyone else with obnoxious behavior. I never had alcohol at any of my family functions as my sons were growing up, and honestly, no one missed it at all.

Silence

There may be a family member who will not talk to you because of an argument or disagreement. A friend of mine has an adult son who would not talk to her for a year after she separated from his father. Her solution was to just call him every day and leave a message saying, "I am here for you if you need me." I love you so much." He would occasionally pick up the phone but would be distant and cold. Finally, after a year, he came around and brought her flowers for Mother's Day and a card that said, "Thanks for always being there for me." It is heartbreaking when an adult child, or any family member, refuses to talk and is pretty much estranged. I like my friend's solution of leaving voicemails and telling her son how much she is there for him and loves him.

Gratitude

I always find that, at the heart of any kind of conflict, gratitude is the equalizer. When you can stop and be grateful for your family, looking at them with love rather than disdain, the situation always improves. An attitude of gratitude is a gift. Waking up each day and counting your blessings will set your day off on a clear, positive path. Looking at your family with gratitude will also set you off on a positive path. Sometimes when we change our attitude, the situation changes because of the positive energy we put into it. A positive energy flow will bring positive results. It can literally transform your life. It is better to feel blessed and thankful than like a victim. The benefits of gratitude is rewarding and will literally change your viewpoint. And saying a prayer before the family gathering could also work wonders. And of course, forgiveness sets the table for peace. Resentments can only build when there is unforgiveness.

As the great Norman Vincent Peale said, "Change your thoughts, and you change your world."

And this quote says it all with such wisdom and clarity:

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." Melody Beattie

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

How to Overcome Challenges at Work - Rachel Devine

There will always be challenges in life, obstacles to overcome, and barriers to what we want to achieve. When we have challenges in the workplace, life can be miserable. We spend a third of our lives at work, so it's important to create a peaceful work environment for yourself.

Let's look at ways to overcome challenges at work. I will show you ways on how to overcome obstacles, with some inner resolve and some problem solving techniques in business.

Heavy workload

Having a heavy workload seems to be on top of the list of challenges at work. You might be at a point where the work is piling up. This really puts a person in a bad situation because, on the one hand, you want to handle the workload, and on the other hand, you don't want to be taken advantage of. Try to break the work into smaller, more manageable tasks. Also, double check your work, because sometimes a heavy workload can reap mistakes. It's important to keep total focus on your job, so avoid getting on a personal call or being on the internet during work hours. Keep total focus on the job.

Set boundaries between your work and someone else's job. You can point out to your manager that you are happy to do the extra work but would need help delegating some of the work if you can't meet deadlines. Sometimes just bringing the situation to your manager could help offset some of the work to someone that can help you feel happy about the situation.

Disagreements with co-workers

Stay calm during stressful times. Enlist the advice of a co-worker you trust who might be able to give you some insights into the office culture. It's important to have harmony in the workplace. However, sometimes conflict does arise. I always found it important to keep my head on the job at hand and not socialize too much at work, because that is when disagreements or conflicts can arise. The challenges we face at work can be hard to cope with. If there is a disagreement, clear professional communication is important to clear the air. Keep away from any arguments that involve character attacks and stick with the work issues. Always maintain a professional attitude.

It's a good idea to take a break or go to lunch to mull over the situation before responding. And sometimes it's better not to respond at all and just let the conflict dissolve on its own. And be very careful of email exchanges. Always keep them professional. If you get an email that sounds rude, do not respond with rudeness. It is better to just respond in a professional manner. Remember, a second of revengeful exchange can cost you a lot of heartache. It’s better to move on and let it go.

Lack of growth opportunities

Look at your skills and see where you can add a skill or two in order to be eligible for advancement. Speak to your manager about your growth path and let your manager know you are interested in advancement opportunities. See if your manager can guide you on possible opportunities. If advancement in your company is not feasible, you might want to look into other companies for growth opportunities. Sometimes making a change can make all the difference in a job that has no growth. You want to empower yourself to transform your life to one in which you love. Look at other job opportunities that might be more fulfilling.

Confidence level

Keep your confidence level high by doing things that enhance your self-image. This includes affirmations. I used to post affirmations around my desk to help me keep my focus on positive thoughts. Some affirmations may include, yes, I can do it, I am a great worker, I will be promoted, or I love my job. You can post them where only you can see them. These affirmations are a clear reminder that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Also, state of mind is everything. If you start to view your job as one you really love, when you come to work, things will be different.

Dr. Wayne Dyer says, "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

Finding Peace

A good way to find peace is to meditate in your free time. Let yourself have some quiet time for reflection. In this reflection, you may want to focus on the positive aspects of your life. Being grateful is so important to our mental state. Looking at what is good in your life may offset what may not be good. Also, it is good to journal about the work situation. It's good to get it out in writing and see what transpires in your writing. If you can, take a walk at lunchtime to clear your head and give yourself a well-needed break.

At the end of the day, it's important to remember that each day brings a different perspective. How you view your workplace has a big impact on what you see.

Another great quote is by Norman Vincent Peale. He said, "Change your thoughts, and you change your world."

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff - Choose Peace over Conflict - Rachel Devine

Life is too short to become stressed over every little thing other people do that we don't like. Remember, you can't control anyone but yourself. When someone irritates you, remember that you have the choice of how to respond. Typically, we respond with a reactive angry one, because the other person hit a nerve. What if we took a moment to just breathe and decided that we didn't really want to give this person the power to ruin our day?

Let's look at some techniques to choose peace over conflict.

Count to Ten

When you encounter someone you know is hard to deal with and they go into a rant that sets you off, stop and count to ten, leave the room or take some deep breaths. Taking a few seconds to compose yourself will help you have more control and, in turn, be able to have more control over your emotions and how you respond. Try not to react, rather, respond with a level head. This is key to keeping your cool during conflict.

Take your power back

When we allow others to ruin our day because they are rude to us, we have handed over our power to the other person. Picture it this way. The other person has a remote control and presses a button that says, ruin their day, or a button that says, make them angry or make them stressed. Don't allow others to push your buttons. Take the remote control back and in turn you will be in control. Remember, you always have the choice of how you will respond to others' rudeness. You always have the choice not to react in an angry manner. Remember, they are not ruining your day, you are choosing to let them ruin your day.

Detach with love

Detachment is the key to serenity. You might live with someone who is totally obnoxious and difficult to live with. The key is to detach from the person with love. In other words, observe what is happening from an outsider's standpoint rather than get emotionally involved in the encounter. Just act as an observer of what is happening and then react from that state of mind. You will be able to be more rational in walking away from the conflict. Remember, if you leave the room, the person has no one to fight with. This will give you peace. Don't focus on the person who is hard to live with; rather, focus on your own life and detach with love. It’s important to recognize ways to overcome the obstacles that come your way in order to be happy with your life.

Daily peaceful techniques

Doing a daily meditation will help you get more centered in a peaceful state of mind. You can do a number of different meditations, from being in your happy place, to listening to a peaceful meditation from YouTube. Perhaps you want to get quiet in a room alone and meditate with peaceful music and add some scented candles to the mix. Taking a nice relaxing bath will also help you feel more at peace.

Forgiveness is an act of self-love

Forgiveness is the key to getting rid of resentment and bitterness. Our resentments usually cause an irrational response to someone pushing our buttons. Forgiveness is an act of self-love. When you forgive the other person, you are releasing the venom that is going through your veins in the form of bitterness. Releasing that bitterness will release you from the stress that causes health issues. Also, ask yourself: Will this conflict matter tomorrow, a month or a year from now? Sometimes what is important in the heat of the moment, will not be important tomorrow. A good slogan many use is, "How important is it?" Ask yourself that during the conflict, you might find that it isn’t important at all, in the scheme of your life. This is a great slogan to help you let go and forgive.

In conclusion, with a little awareness, you can become peaceful again if you take your power back, detach with love, and forgive the person you are in conflict with. Remember, this person is your greatest teacher. Those who can push our buttons have much to teach us. You might one day look back on your life and realize the person who pushed your buttons taught you more than anyone else.

I want to end with this great quote by Dr. Wayne Dyer,“If you have the choice of being right or being kind, choose kind.”

Find purpose, peace and discover the power within with my book, The Third Road.

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

Your Actions Speak Louder than Words! Rachel Devine

The old adage advises that "actions speak louder than words." This adage holds a great deal of wisdom. While people may convey one message verbally, their behaviors, conduct, and decisions often provide a truer measure of character, values, and motives. If you really want to know what the other person's motives are, don't listen to their words, but look at what they do. Examining actions yields true insight beyond what any declaration of words will convey. In fact, some might say words are not as important as actions are in many life circumstances.

Let’s explore this concept of, your actions speak louder than words.

Words Fall Short

People have a tendency to project an idealized self to others that aligns with what they wish were true or know sounds noble. In other words, their ego is playing into the situation. Keeping a steady eye on your words is key to aligning them with your actions. However, aligning conduct with projected character requires self-awareness and effort. Talk is cheap without a walk to back it up.

As leadership expert Simon Sinek noted, "Leadership is not about the words you say. It's about the actions you take." Actions demonstrate true leadership.

Personal Action

If you are telling yourself, I will one day start a business, lose weight, or write a book, and you are not taking steps to fulfill these dreams, then you would also fall into the category of a person who is not putting action behind words. Words are easy, it’s the action that is more of a challenge. The real power comes when you align your words and actions together. It really will help you feel more empowered when you become a person who keeps your word to yourself and others. It is especially important to be a role model for your children. Therefore, it is critical to really look at what you say versus what you do and see if you can get them to line up together.

Actions vs Words

There are countless examples of how individuals' actions contradict their words. Here are a few examples:

• Politicians espouse concern for the downtrodden but further the interests of their donors.

• Social activists condemn pollution but don't curb their own consumption.

• Celebrities promote a positive image, while some are guilty of intense dysfunction.

• Some proclaim, "I am on a diet." And the next day, order a burger and fries.

• A boyfriend may say, "I love you," but not really spend much time with you.

• A parent may tell their child not to lie, and then in the course of another conversation tell a white lie.

Remember, children are more impacted by our actions, not our words. And integrity does reap trust and moral values, which parents want to instill in their children. A closer look at this type of behavior tells us that some people are just not aware of the inconsistent way they act and some prioritize their own agenda when given the choice to walk the talk. But alignment between actions and words determines integrity. Awareness is the key to change our bad habits into good ones. There are plenty of ways to transform your life to one that helps you become more in synch.

Benefits of Aligning Words with Actions

1. Reveal true character: actions reflect values, compassion, priorities, and substance.

2. Builds trust: saying one thing while doing another destroys trust. Alignment demonstrates dependability and promotes trust.

3. Enables correction: Catching inconsistencies provides the opportunity to realign values and conduct.

4. Improves credibility: talking purposefully and acting upon it brings credability to your character.

5. Lights the path: When words and deeds synergize, you're heading in the right direction, and it helps your spirit grow with grace.

6. It is also beneficial in where you work, in order to get good reviews and promoted.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." Before speaking loftily, ensure your feet are on the ground. Character is constructed step by step by our words and actions.

Louise Hay tells us:

"The point is to take the actions that match your words."

I order to create the future you would be proud of, it’s so important to be aware of how your actions line up with what you say.

The trust bestowed upon leaders, role models, friends, and influencers arises in large part from the integrity of their principles demonstrated on a day-to-day basis on their actions aligning with their words. While words may inspire, actions forge lasting impact. Consistency in both words and actions creates trust. Be a person who walks the talk rather than talks the walk.

I will conclude with this priceless quote, which I just love.

"Better done than said." 
Frank Sonnenberg

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

Ways to Accept the Things You Cannot Change - Finding Inner Peace - Rachel Devine

Acceptance is the key to serenity. When we can accept the things we cannot change, especially the things that are not within our control, then we can achieve inner peace. However, acceptance can be hard, especially when it comes to a family member. Watching a loved one drown in drug addiction or someone we love live an unhealthy lifestyle can be hard. And yet, I have to emphasize that we only have the power to transform our own lives.

Let's look at ways to accept the things we cannot change.

Acceptance

Acceptance means acknowledging, rather than resisting, our present reality, including difficult emotions, people, and external events. As addiction treatment expert Steven Hayes said, "Acceptance is about seeing things as they actually are in the present moment."

Acceptance is not passivity. We simply stop fruitlessly trying to control uncontrollable things. The more useful approach is to channel energy into transforming what we can change. Make no mistake about the fact that the only person you can change is yourself. Accepting that will help you come to terms with the turmoil in trying to change someone else.

Let Go and Let God

When faced with situations we cannot control or change—a loved one's choices, another driver's behavior, the loss of a job—practicing acceptance rather than struggling against what is happening provides a pathway to serenity. Sometimes the way to acceptance is letting go and letting God take over. We have the choice to hand our loved ones or the situation over to our higher power, or, as I call Him, God. We can wrap that person or situation in a favorite blanket and mindfully hand them over to your higher power for support, guidance, and grace. If you are a prayerful person, you can say a prayer for the situation in order to put some positive energy into it. This gives you a sense of peace as you slowly realize that letting go will bring serenity. Don’t feel guilty for letting go of a situation you can’t control. Your choice is valid. Motivational quotations can also help you find ways to let go.

Cultivating Acceptance

Here are strategies to start embracing acceptance:

• Get curious - Observe your feelings and urges to control situations. Is trying to control the situation a way to alleviate stressful feelings that are overwhelming you?

• Focus on what you can control - Rather than lamenting what’s outside your control, redirect efforts towards helpful actions within your power.

• Let go of judgment - Release judgments about yourself, others or events being “wrong.” Sometimes what goes wrong has a lesson built-in that is priceless.

• Let go of the guilt you might feel for letting go. Just know in your heart that you are doing the right thing for everyone involved.

Embrace your Feelings

Make a list of what you are struggling with accepting, and also make a list of what you have control over to change. You will quickly see that you only have control of your side of the street. Once you make the list, you can start to work on changing what you can and letting go of what you can't change. Also, start to look at things to be grateful for in the situation. Being in a state of gratitude helps us find peace with the situation. I suggest you practice gratitude daily. Give thanks for any positive outcomes, including lessons and opportunities for growth for yourself. This breeds perspective and ultimately leads to finding happiness.

And remember, if someone has to learn a valuable lesson, sometimes the only way to do that is to hit rock bottom. Trying to stop someone from hitting their bottom in life is equivalent to trying to stop God from doing His job. We all have a higher power to guide and protect us as we journey through life. Be trusting in life's process, as we can almost always see the blessing in disguise. When a person hits rock bottom the only place to go is up. You can also visualize the desired outcomes with positive thinking. Imagine goals manifesting smoothly without you having to force or control the process.

Prayer

When all else seems to fail, prayer is the calming power within. Prayer is a common practice to let go of the thing you can’t control and put you in a peaceful state. I believe the power of prayer can work wonders. When you are in prayer, you relinquish control of the situation, but still put blessings on what you would like to see a positive outcome for. It’s a great way to find some peace. The serenity prayer is a great tool that has so much wisdom and helps put perspective on situations.

The Serenity Prayer:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

Through mindful surrender, rather than frustration over what we cannot change, we tap into an expansive peace, faith, and inner freedom. Remember, it's progress you are looking for in this situation, not perfection.

In the immortal words of Ovid, "By yielding, you may obtain victory."

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me.

How to Cope with Loneliness (7 Step Guide for your Golden Years) Rachel Devine

Feeling isolated and depressed is common when you lose a partner, retire from work, are single for a long time, or just getting older. As one advances into their golden years, it’s important to have the best quality of life possible. Loneliness not only dampens the mood but also takes a toll on physical health. Life changes sometimes put us in a position where we do find ourselves alone.

If we learned anything from that brilliant comedy series, The Golden Girls, is that life can be rewarding and meaningful as we continue to age. The four lovely ladies from that show taught us that we can live our lives with much purpose, way into our golden years and beyond.

Here are some expert-recommended techniques to combat loneliness and reclaim joy.

1. Arrange regular social engagements

Make it a priority to regularly leave the house and socialize. Try to get out at least three times a week. Attend community center events, volunteer at a local charity, join a club, a meetup group, a prayer group, or take a class to forge bonds with peers. These activies can be a lot of fun. Staying active combats isolation.

2. Check in with family and friends

Don't wait for others to call you; take the initiative to call or visit loved ones yourself. Let family and friends know you appreciate their company. Spend time with family and friends whenever you can. Even if it’s just a coffee date with a good friend or perhaps babysitting for a grandchild. It's so important to keep in touch with people you love.

3. Adopt a pet

Animal companions provide unconditional love and physical comfort. Having a pet to care for gives you purpose and alleviates loneliness. Taking daily walks with a dog also encourages social interactions and exercise. Perhaps you prefer a cat that can cuddle up with you at night. It makes all the difference in the world to have a pet to help you feel less lonely.

4. Consider Living Arrangements

If the loneliness is bad, you might want to consider getting a roommate or moving in with family or relocating to a retirement community. These remedies can immediately provide increased companionship. Weigh your options if isolation becomes extreme. If living in a retirement community will help you socialize more, it may be worth at least looking into it. Many retirement communities have daily activities, and it is a way to meet new friends.

5. Stay busy

Keep a schedule filled with hobbies like crafting, cooking, reading, gardening, crossword puzzles, or exercise. Join a club or class that hosts your favorite hobby. You might consider volunteer work, like reading to children at storytime, volunteering to help your local politician, or visiting people in nursing homes. Immersing yourself in enjoyable activities boosts your mood and confidence. Helping others gives one a sense of purpose. One can find a purpose for their life at any age.

6. Focus on the Present

Dwelling on the past or future fuels sadness. When we are lamenting over the past or stressing over the future, we have lost touch with reality. Make an effort to stay grounded in the here and now through deep breathing, meditation, or calming yoga. Taking walks in nature can also put you right into the moment, which is really all we have. See if you can enlist a friend to walk with you a few times a week. Remember, this moment is it; the past is gone, and the future does not exist yet. Be gentle with yourself. You might want to practice mindful techniques that help you stay in the moment. There are a lot of different meditations online, too. Finding happiness in the moment is rewarding.

7. Count your blessings

Studies show that being grateful increases moods in a positive way and even has health benefits. Counting your blessings will help you feel appreciative for all that you have, rather than dwelling on what you don't have in your life.

Louise Hay says, "Every morning I write down 10 things that I love, and every evening I write down 10 things I am grateful for." When you look around, you will see you have more to be grateful for than to lament over.

Reaching out to your support system for company, partaking in social activities, adopting healthy daily rituals, staying grounded in the moment, and staying in gratitude can keep loneliness and despair at bay. You can make the effort to fill the void with these suggestions. Small positive steps will build momentum for bigger positive steps.

Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack.

Devine Intervention - Inner Healing Center

Transform Your Life: A Comprehensive Guide to Living with Purpose - Rachel Devine

Life can be a mundane routine, from taking care of your family to going to work and then doing the same thing over and over again each day, with maybe a vacation in between. Life is not supposed to be a chore. Life is meant to be lived with purpose and meaning.

These are my best 10 steps on how to transform your life. I will show you how to break out of an unfulfilling routine and start living your life to the fullest with meaning, passion, and purpose. Personal transformation awaits you. At the end of this article is a link to, What’s my Purpose in Life Quiz!

1. Identify Areas for Growth

Reflect on all aspects of your life: career, relationships, health, personal growth, and spirituality. Make a list of areas calling for change. Assess which areas need focus first. Journal about your dreams and aspirations that may be sitting on the back burner, perhaps because of time constraints, self-doubt, or a lack of motivation. Just ask yourself, "What do I love doing?" Once you can determine what you love doing in life, your purpose should surface. Although a true purpose in your life has to help humanity in some way,

As psychologist Carl Jung stated, "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are." Be diligent in your pursuit of purpose for your life.

2. Overcoming Obstacles

There can be obstacles of self-doubt, lack of confidence, or lack of motivation. Remember, we have one life, and you want to live it to the fullest. Try not to dwell on the self-doubt; rather, be proactive and just put total focus on your purpose. Perhaps you can join a class or get an expert opinion online to enhance your confidence and launch your purpose in life. I started out by joining a writers website online and getting critiques for my writing projects, and that gave me the motivation and confidence to move forward with my writing career. Perhaps these motivational quotes will help.

3. Set Inspiring Goals

Once you establish what you love doing, draft short and long-term goals aligned with your purpose. Make goals specific, measurable, and time-bound. Start with some short-term goals and work your way up from there.

Let your inner dreams guide your goal-setting. You want to celebrate life, not just be on the inside looking out.

4. Visualize a Positive Outcome

Adopt empowering beliefs to support your transformation. Create affirmations that will bring positive results. You can also visualize a positive outcome. See yourself fulfilling your established purpose in the near future. Resonate with the feelings of reaching your intended goals and realizing your purpose. This visualization is powerful before you fall asleep, since your subconscious mind will resonate with the feelings for 8 hours. Do this every night for the best results.

“An awakened imagination works with a purpose. It creates and conserves the desirable, and transforms or destroys the undesirable.” Neville Goddard

5. Make Lifestyle Improvements

Optimize your diet, sleep, exercise, and stress management. Set weekly schedules, ensuring you dedicate time for self-care. Don't neglect your physical needs.

As Roy T. Bennett wrote, "Focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses." "Apply your strengths to overcome your weaknesses."

Audit your daily habits. Cut out activities that waste time without meaning. Introduce new rituals like meditation, affirmations, reading, journaling, and early rising. These routines will feed your inner Spirit.

6. Relationships

Take inventory of who lifts you up and who brings you down. Phase out draining relationships. Devote more time to supportive, inspiring connections aligned with your growth. Try to meet new friends in a group or class that share your values and your purpose. It could be a dance class, a writing workshop, or perhaps an art class. Just joining a class of interest will direct your mindset in a positive direction.

7. Feed Your Mind

Read books, blogs, and podcasts from authors and leaders in line with your vision. Consume empowering, uplifting content daily. Learning is transformation fuel.

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions," said Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Seek new horizons.

8. Express Your Passions

Make more time for activities that inspire you: art, music, sports, writing, and volunteering. Follow calls that ignite your soul. Or get involved in a community cause. These are all ways to bring you closer to following your bliss. Let your passions flow.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. “And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." Steve Jobs

9. Connect to Spirit

Carve out time for reflection through prayer, nature walks, and meditation. Feed your spirit through mindfulness. Listen to inner wisdom for guidance. You want to connect to that Spirit within that gives us guidance and much wisdom on our journey through life. It is the quiet whisper within that speaks the loudest.

"Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. "Whoever looks outside dreams; who looks inside awakens," said Carl Jung. Your purpose awaits within. It’s important to manifest your dreams.

10. Attitude of Gratitude

It’s important to be grateful for everything in your life. The law of attraction is clear, like attracts like. The more you are grateful for, the more goodness will come into your life. Gratitude is one of the most important aspects of transforming your life. I suggest you do a gratitude list of at least 5 things you are grateful for every day and read the list out loud. Let gratitude resonate in your world.

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” Meister Eckhart

In conclusion, you have the power within you to transform your life. These are some suggestions. However, ultimately, your success will come because of the decisions you make that will propel you to new heights of passion, purpose, and happiness. You also have the choice of staying in the routine life-style. Remember, the choice is always up to you. We live by the choices we make. By taking ownership of your growth and following these steps with commitment, you open the door to a transformed life of meaning.

Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack. Books to transform your life!

My new book, Discover the Power of the Secret Within - Create the Life of your Dreams will be available at the end of October, 2023!

Devine Intervention - Inner Healing Center

What’s my Purpose in Life Quiz

Please leave a comment on what your purpose is in life. Or contact me with any questions you may have.

How to Accept the Things You Cannot Change - Finding Inner Peace - Rachel Devine

Acceptance is the key to serenity. When we can accept the things we cannot change, especially the things that are not within our control, then we can achieve inner peace. However, acceptance can be hard, especially when it comes to a family member. We don't have power over anyone but ourselves. Watching a loved one drown in drug addiction or someone we love live an unhealthy lifestyle can be hard. And yet, I have to emphasize that we only have the power to transform our own lives.

Let's look at ways to accept the things we cannot change.

Acceptance

Acceptance means acknowledging, rather than resisting, our present reality, including difficult emotions, people, and external events. As addiction treatment expert Steven Hayes said, "Acceptance is about seeing things as they actually are in the present moment."

Acceptance is not passivity. We simply stop fruitlessly trying to control uncontrollable things. The more useful approach is to channel energy into transforming what we can change.

Let Go and Let God

When faced with situations we cannot control or change—a loved one's choices, another driver's behavior, the loss of a job—practicing acceptance rather than struggling against what is happening provides a pathway to serenity. Sometimes we have to hand our loved ones or the situation over to our higher power, or, as I call Him, God. We can wrap that person or situation in a favorite blanket and mindfully hand them over to your higher power for support, guidance, and grace. If you are a prayerful person, you can say a prayer for the situation in order to put some positive energy into it. This gives you a sense of peace as you slowly realize that acceptance will bring serenity. Motivational quotations can also help you find ways to let go.

Cultivating Acceptance

Here are strategies to start embracing acceptance:

• Get curious - Observe your feelings and urges to control situations. Is trying to control the situation a way to alleviate stressful feelings you have?

• Feel emotions - Don’t suppress difficult feelings that arise with non-acceptance. Acknowledge and express them, without judgment, as temporary passing experiences.

• Focus on what you can control - Rather than lamenting what’s outside your control, redirect efforts towards helpful actions within your power.

• Let go of judgment - Release judgments about yourself, others or events being “wrong.” Sometimes what goes wrong has a lesson built-in that is priceless.

  Benefits from acceptance

• Lower levels of anxiety, depression, and anger

• Increased positive emotions and life satisfaction

• Improved self-esteem and emotional regulation

• Stronger relationships and social support

• Enhanced work performance and problem-solving

• Reduced stress-related inflammation and improved cardiovascular health

• Serenity - remember, acceptance is your key to unlock the door to peace and serenity

Embrace your Feelings

Make a list of what you are struggling with accepting, and also make a list of what you have control over to change. You will quickly see that you only have control of your side of the street. Once you make the list, you can start to work on changing what you can and letting go of what you can't change. Also, start to look at things to be grateful for in the situation. Being in a state of gratitude helps us find peace with the situation. I suggest you practice gratitude daily. Give thanks for any positive outcomes, including lessons and opportunities for growth for yourself. This breeds perspective and ultimately leads to finding happiness.

And remember, if someone has to learn a valuable lesson, sometimes the only way to do that is to hit rock bottom. Trying to stop someone from hitting their bottom in life is equivalent to trying to stop God from doing His job. We all have a higher power to guide and protect us as we journey through life. Be trusting in life's process, as we can almost always see the blessing in disguise. You can also visualize the desired outcomes. Imagine goals manifesting smoothly without you having to force or control the process.

Prayer

When all else seems to fail, prayer is the calming power within. Prayer is a common practice to let go of the thing you can’t control and put you in a peaceful state. I believe the power of prayer can work wonders. When you are in prayer, you relinquish control of the situation, but still put blessings on what you would like to see a positive outcome for. It’s a great way to find some peace. . The serenity prayer is a great tool that has so much wisdom and helps put perspective on situations.

The Serenity Prayer:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

Through mindful surrender, rather than frustration over what we cannot change, we tap into an expansive peace, faith, and inner freedom. Remember, it's progress you are looking for in this situation, not perfection.

In the immortal words of Ovid, "By yielding, you may obtain victory."

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

 Life coaching available. Devine Intervention website.

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me.

Create the Life you Want - Use the Power of your Thoughts - Rachel Devine

Do you want to lose weight, perhaps get a better-paying job, start a business, or meet your soulmate? Or maybe you want to write a book or perform music or create art for a gallery. Imagine a world where all you have to do is think about what you want, and that becomes your reality. You might be thinking, this is a good script for a sci-fi movie, because we are not conditioned to put a lot of focus on the power of our thoughts. You might ask yourself, is my ability to create my future just a fantasy or an actual reality? The answer may surprise you, because the ability to create your future is a reality. You can create the life you want with some guidance. The power of your thoughts are a segway to manifesting your goals into reality. This article will give you some powerful manifestation techniques, that will outline ways to bring your goals into your world.

Manifestation, the act of bringing your desires into reality through focused thought and intention, has grown in popularity over the years. Scholars like Neville Goddard, Carl Jung, and Dr. Wayne Dyer have advocated for the power of the mind to manifest our deepest desires. This article will explore the most effective manifestation techniques, including visualization, affirmations, and the "live in the end" concept.

The Power of Visualization

Visualization benefits are unlimited. One of the most widely recognized manifestation techniques is visualization. Advocated by writers like Shakti Gawain, author of Creative Visualization, this technique involves forming detailed mental images of what you want to manifest. The more specific and detailed the mental picture, the more potent the manifestation. Remember, this is a powerful way to use your thoughts.

There is also a book called The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, that gives fascinating insights into the power of visualization. Peale tells us that if you keep a positive visualization in your mind every day, what you visualize will eventually come into your life. The key is to be consistent with your visualization. You can also create a vision board. You can get some oak tags, some stickers, a marker, and some pictures from a magazine and create a board of symbols and words about what you want your life to look like in the future. Put the vision board in a place where you can see it daily. I created a vision board a few years ago, and 90% of what I had on there became reality.

Affirmations

Another powerful technique is the use of positive affirmations. These are positive statements repeated regularly to reprogram your subconscious mind, aligning it with your conscious desires and goals. Louise Hay, a well-known advocate for affirmations, states in her work, You Can Heal Your Life, that repeating affirmations can significantly change our lives in a positive way. You can also write out the affirmations and post them in places where you can easily see them. Say these affirmations out loud every day and see what transpires. When you keep your focus on your goals using affirmations, it gives you an edge in reaching your goals.

The "Live in the End" Concept

Neville Goddard, a leading figure in the New Thought movement, proposed a technique often referred to as "live in the end." The idea is to imagine and feel your desire as already here, essentially living in the reality of your wish fulfilled. This process is said to impress your subconscious mind, prompting it to manifest the desired reality. In other words, if you want a promotion, visualize your colleagues congratulating you for it as if it already happened. Or if you want to lose weight, imagine yourself at your ideal weight. These visualizations are more powerful if you picture one image of what you want to manifest when you are falling asleep and resonate with the feelings of having what you want already in your life. Neville Goddard tells us in his book, Feeling is the Secret, that feelings are what get embedded in the subconscious mind and are what bring our goals to reality. Our subconscious mind drives our lives 97% of the time; therefore, the key to manifesting is to feed our subconscious mind what we want to accomplish. We do that by feeding it feelings of what we want in life, as if it were already here. Remember, you have the ability to manifest your dreams into reality.

The 5x55 Method

The 5x55 method is a newer technique gaining traction in the manifestation community. It involves writing down a specific affirmation 55 times a day for five consecutive days. This repetitive action is believed to effectively reprogram the subconscious mind. Remember, by reprogramming the subconscious mind, we are feeding it our goals, and according to Neville Goddard, the subconscious mind will bring the goal to reality.

Meditation

Meditation is often incorporated into manifestation practices to help quiet the conscious mind and better communicate with the subconscious mind. Dr. Joe Dispenza, in his book Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, suggests that meditation can help us move beyond our analytical mind to access deeper states of consciousness, fostering effective manifestation. Just sitting in a state of deep contemplation can get you into a meditative state. Keep it simple and just go with the flow of meditation.

The Law of Attraction

The Law of Attraction is based on the idea that like attracts like. By focusing on positive thoughts, we can attract positive experiences into our lives. This is accomplished by putting good energy into the world. It's similar to karma in the sense that what you put out into the world comes back to you. Think of the world around you as an echo chamber; whatever thoughts and words you put into the echo chamber come back to you. It's so important to put positive thoughts and words out into the world, rather than negative ones.

The Power of Intention

Dr. Wayne Dyer has a book called, The Power of Intention, where he outlines a clear game plan for manifesting our dreams. He also writes about a certain effective meditation called Japa. Japa is a meditation where you envision what you want in your life, and basically you put these thoughts out into the world and allow them to encircle the world and then imagine that energy coming back to you. It is a very effective way to bring our goals into our lives. For instance, if you want to manifest love, imagine being in love and then putting that energy out into the world. Then you would imagine it encircling the earth and coming back to you.

Gratitude

Gratitude plays an important role in manifestation. The more grateful you are, the more positive our thoughts get imbedded into our subconscious minds. Research has continuously stated there are medical benefits, as well as emotional benefits, to being grateful. I suggest you make a list of 10 things you are grateful for daily and read them out loud. This practice turns negative thoughts into positive ones and helps the flow of what you want to manifest come into your life.

In closing, remember, Elon Musk started with a tiny thought when he decided he wanted to build SpaceX and eventually create a colony on Mars, and now we see how his thoughts have manifested into reality. Of course he put a lot of focused effort into this project and the results are amazing. Every idea starts with a thought, and every thought empowers our actions. The more effort and motivation we put into our actions, the more results we will achieve. And to go one step further, our goals have a better chance of manifesting into reality when we use the ideas suggested in this article.

The power to manifest our desires into reality lies within each of us. We have the power to lose weight, get a promotion, connect with our soulmate, or achieve any number of goals and dreams we have lying dormant. Bring them out into the light of day with your powerful thoughts. By utilizing techniques like visualization, affirmations, the "live in the end" concept, and all of the suggestions in this article, we can tap into this enormous power within and shape our reality. Whether you resonate with Neville Goddard's teachings or Dr. Wayne Dyer's manifestation methods, finding a technique that works best for you is the key to effective manifestation. You can try one or all of the suggestions. I say the more, the better. With practice and consistency, you can harness the power of your mind to manifest your desires into reality.

If you would like to learn more about how to manifest your dreams into reality, check out my powerful online audio course, which gives you a step-by-step guide called How to Manifest Your Dreams.

 Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road - Your Secret Journey Home & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack - Become a Magnet for True Love.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

7 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Living Rachel Devine

Many people are under the false illusion that if they worry, they somehow have control over the outcome. I can assure you that, worry never changes the outcome of any situation. And quite honestly, the more we worry, the more negative energy is poured over the problem you are worrying about. Let’s look at ways on how to stop worrying about the future. Let’s explore 7 ways to stop worrying and start living. And let’s explore how this can transform your life!

Stay in the Moment

The first step to get rid of worry is to stay in the moment. When we worry, we have lost touch with reality, because we are not living in the moment, but living in the future about what we are worried about. When you can focus on the solution to whatever you are worried about, you can stay in the moment. We are all safe in the moment, because we don’t think about past regrets or future worries in this sacred moment. Some ways to stay in the moment would be to say a prayer, take a walk in nature, or perhaps meditate or do a mindful exercise. You can close your eyes and just put yourself in a happy place of peace.

Is it Real or Imagined?

You want to ask yourself if your worry is real or imagined. Ask yourself these three questions.

• Is what I am worried about definitely something that will happen?

• Is what I am worried about, maybe something that will happen?

• Is what I am worried about unlikely to happen?

  Sometimes we worry about things that are unlikely to happen, just out of habit, because we are so conditioned to worry. We also worry about something that might happen in life, but then again, it might not happen. If you are worried about something that is definitely going to happen, you might want to turn that around to be proactive. Having a proactive approach to solving a problem is much more empowering than worrying about it. Look for solutions, not at the problem. If you are at a point where worry is ruling your life, then it might be time to talk it out with a professional therapist. Even some short-term therapy can give great perspective on what is happening around us.

Let Go and Let God

Let go and let God is a 12-step slogan, which is very useful in a state of worry. When we can put our problems in God’s hands, we can find some serenity or acceptance. Some of our problems are not within our control. We might be lamenting over a problem that a family member has that we have absolutely no say in or control over. In these circumstances, we have to trust in our Higher Power and know that letting go will bring acceptance and peace. If you are worried about someone you love, you can mentally wrap them in your favorite blanket and hand them over to God to care for them. This will release you from any worry about the outcome of their problem. Another way to find peace is to immerse yourself in positive quotes.

Release the Fear

Fear is usually the culprit behind worry. We start to think about the future, and fear comes into play with all of its predictions for a horror-filled future. I always say that if you are going to predict how the future will turn out, why not choose a positive outcome rather than a negative one? Choosing a negative outcome will only put a lot of negative energy around the problem. Choosing a positive outcome will put positive energy into the problem. From my experience in life, when I am in a positive state of mind, my life moves in a positive direction. This is the premise of the law of attraction. We attract what we are thinking about, or like attracts like. Release the fear and replace it with love. Say a loving prayer. Just stay in a loving state and don't let fear take control. Remember, fear is a state of mind, and you have the power to change your thoughts.

Positive Visualization

My Happy Place in Myrtle Beach!

There is power in positive visualization. Just sit and visualize a positive outcome for whatever you are worried about. Sit and picture a perfect outcome, and keep that vision in your head throughout the day. You can also fall asleep at night with one positive image. You can add feelings to that image. I suggest, as you fall asleep feel what it would be like if your positive visualization came to fruition. It is the feelings that can bring the image into your waking world, as you would be feeding these feelings into your subconscious mind, which navigates your life 97% of the time. You can also feel and visualize your happy place, and you can put yourself in that state often. Visualizing a place of peace and happiness on a regular basis, will help alleviate stress and worry. What a gift to have a place to go to in your mind that invokes happiness.

Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude is the equalizer in life. When you wake up each morning, list 10 things you are grateful for. It would be hard to spend the rest of your day worrying or complaining when you are in a state of gratitude. Worrying is a waste of energy. Use your energy to invigorate your environment with gratitude, which will enhance your life with much peace. Being in a state of gratitude will also make you feel happy.

Start living again.

Once we can put worry aside, we can start to live again and be happy. Make plans to go out with friends or visit family. Perhaps you have put off a long-awaited vacation. Or maybe you want to take a drive to the mountains, the beach, or visit that new winery. Maybe you want to go to a movie or go out to your favorite restaurant. Maybe you want to go to a concert. Your life cycle happens one time, so you want to make the most of each day. The way to do that is to release the worry by staying in the moment, letting God handle your worries, releasing the fear, using positive visualization, and staying in gratitude. Once you can practice these steps, you are on your way to living a full life free of worry, which will bring true happiness and peace.

 Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and your purpose in life & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Life coaching is available.

Devine Intervention website.

Please leave your ideas in the comments. I will answer any questions you may have. Please also feel free to contact me.

9 Strategies to Practice the Power of NOW! Rachel Devine

Being immersed in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future, has scientifically proven health benefits, and allows us to tap into the spiritual depths of the moment, which when you think about it, this moment is all we have. The past is an illusion that is gone and the future is not here yet, so this moment is all there is. When you think about it, each moment turns into hours, hours turn into days, days turn into months, and months turn into years, and before long we find we may have squandered our lives by not being present in the moment. It is important to take full advantage of our days and live in a state of happiness and fulfillment, or life can pass us by in a blink of an eye.

Let’s look at some ways of practicing the power of now in your life.

As Eckhart Tolle said, “Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed.”

Lowered Stress and Anxiety

Focusing on the present releases us from rumination about the past and fear of tomorrow, two major triggers of stress. Studies show mindfulness practices reduce psychological distress by over 20% by living in the present moment.

Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman explained, “The more you rest your attention in the present, the more you decrease anxiety, because anxiety is rooted in prediction of the future.” The future thoughts are usually rooted in worry.

Increased Happiness and Life Satisfaction

Attention directed away from constant inner chatter about the past and future and redirected onto fuller immersion in our present activities and experiences cultivates feelings of awe, contentment and flow. This boosts mood and overall happiness. Staying in the moment can bring much peace. You can also do mini-meditations on being in your happy place. Just think about a place you feel happy in and put yourself in that place in your mind and stay there for or 10 minutes. You can feel the present of the moment in this short positive visualization. It’s important to learn how to stop worrying and start living your life now.

Spiritual Connection

Almost all spiritual traditions teach that the doorway to the Divine, including Christ Consciousness, is only accessible in the eternal now, not the past or future. God can only be felt in this timeless moment of the present.

As Tolle said, “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” When we align fully with the now, spiritual bliss emerges.

Strategies for Living in the Now

Here are 9 research-based strategies for spending more time immersed in the richness of the present:

• Practice regular mindfulness meditation, focusing senses on the body and breath

• Yoga and movement practices synchronized with breath

• Conscious walking noticing each step and sensation and your surroundings

• Reminding yourself “come back to the now” when distracted

• Single-tasking versus always doing multiple things

• Slowing down and fully engaging your senses in eating, talking and being present

• Finding peace in activities like music, prayer, and being still in the present

• Noticing emotions and thoughts but not attaching narratives of worry and fear

• Accepting life rather than resisting what this moment presents

The more we intentionally anchor into the moment, the more we can access its gifts of inner stability, wisdom, joy, peace, and spiritual connection. Return again and again to the serenity of this moment. When we live in this soulful moment, we can enjoy quality time with family and friends, and enjoy the enormous benefits of connecting to God.

Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and your purpose in life & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Life coaching available.

Devine Intervention website.

Please leave your ideas in the comments. I will answer any questions you may have. Please also feel free to contact me.

8 Ways to Stop Negative Thoughts and Overthinking - Rachel Devine

Overthinking everything and chronic negativity can make daily life feel overwhelming and bleak. It can exasperate depression. It also is a block to healing from any emotional wounds we may have in life. Learning techniques to dial down obsessive thoughts and shift inner dialogues to a more positive, balanced state provides relief. With consistent practice, you can stop detrimental and self-criticism and cultivate mindfulness, peace and optimism instead. Let’s look at some techniques on how to stop negative thoughts and overthinking. The more you shift to a positive state of mind, the more your life will go in a positive direction.

Catch and Challenge Distorted Thinking

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps reveal distorted thinking patterns like catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, or jumping to conclusions that amplify anxiety. Catch these thoughts as they occur and analyze them objectively – are they overly dramatic or illogical? Are these negative thoughts conveying truth or anxiety? Challenging distortions with rational questioning is the first step.

Set Aside a Daily ‘Worry Timeout’

Rather than trying to suppress anxious thoughts throughout the day, set aside a short dedicated worry time daily, like 20 minutes. Jot down a list of concerns to examine objectively. The rest of the day when intrusive thoughts strike, remind yourself to save it for worry time. That should help clear your day of worry.

Live in the Present Through Mindfulness

Overthinking is exaggerated when focused on the past or future rather than the present. Practice mindfulness meditation and focus intently on your senses, bodily sensations, emotions and thoughts in the exact moment without judging them as good or bad. This cultivates presence. Staying in the moment brings serenity. You can also look at motivational quotes for inspiration.

Visualize Pushing Out Anxious Thoughts

Use positive visualization during meditation to practice pushing anxious thoughts out of your mind. Imagine each obsessive thought as a ball and visualize yourself gently batting the thought-balls away each time, clearing your mind’s space. Or visualize them as balloons and watch each negative thought float away.

Write Down Your Thoughts to Express Them

Journaling or stream-of-consciousness writing provides an outlet to express worries and limiting beliefs on paper so they don’t endlessly repeat internally. This process releases and processes obsessive thoughts. Just write out what you are worrying about and try to look at it objectively, which might bring your worry down to size. Also, write out ways to get your life in a state of living on purpose, which can be very positive.

Limit Stimuli and Distraction

Minimize stimuli like news feeds, overplanning, social media, and multitasking that feed into a frazzled, overwhelmed state, especially in the evening. Reduce clutter in your home to bring more calm.

Refocus on Solutions, Not Just Problems

When you catch yourself ruminating on problems, consciously shift to focusing on practical solutions and productive next action steps. Negativity thrives when problems seem insurmountable. Reframing issues as solvable weakens obsessive worry. Keep the focus on the solutions and become proactive at solving the challenge in a productive way, pushing away the temptation to worry about it. It’s important to shift your thoughts. Perhaps some happiness quotes will help.

Surround Yourself with Positivity & Gratitude

Hang around people who inspire optimism, self-confidence and solutions-focused thinking. Our thinking patterns are contagious. Choose to immerse yourself in positivity. Therapy is a great way to get to the root of the inner child dialogue of negativity. The inner child experiences are usually behind the negative thoughts and obsessive thinking. Having this awareness can help you. Gratitude is also the true equalizer when it comes to negative thinking. If you start your day off with listing 10 things you are grateful for, negativity will be hard to penetrate that mindset. Stay in a grateful state of being. Most people have so much to be grateful for, and yet they choose to look at what is missing, rather than what they have. Be thankful for the little things, as well as the big things in your life, and stay in that energy. With some effort, you can transform your life.

In conclusion, it’s important to bring yourself to a point to commit fully to transforming limiting inner messages, and shift from exhausting overthinking to mindful presence and you will see optimism will unfold. It will make your life happy again. Recognize negative thoughts but don't believe or react to them. Your power lies in choosing which thoughts to give energy to. You do have the power to change your thoughts to positive thoughts. It’s all a matter of recognizing the negative thought and then changing it to a positive thought. I suggest you get a rubber band and put it on your wrist. Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, gently snap the rubber band as a reminder to change to a positive thought. With some practice you will be on your way to a more peaceful life.

Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and your purpose in life & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Life coaching available.

Devine Intervention website.

Please leave your ideas in the comments. I will answer any questions you may have. Please also feel free to contact me.

6 Ways to Find Your Passion in Life Rachel Devine

What gets you jumping out of bed in the morning? When do you lose all sense of time or distraction? What makes you feel inner joy? Exploring these questions reveals clues about your innate passions and the purpose they point to in life. Uncovering what sets your soul on fire allows you to live on purpose rather than drifting through life disengaged. This article will help you answer the question, “What is Your Passion in Life?” Let’s look at how to find your passion and purpose.

“The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away,” advised philosopher David Viscott. Your passions contain pointers to the gifts only you can give. Let’s explore what’s your passion?

Your Interests and Talents

What activities energize you and what skills come naturally? Make a list of your interests, strengths, and talents. Common themes will emerge that reveal core passions. Pay attention to what really makes you feel passionate in life. Also, think about what you love doing. What you love doing is also at the core of your purpose in life.

Trying New Experiences

Step outside your comfort zone to experiment with new hobbies, classes, groups, and adventures related to your passions. Join a cooking course, photography club, or an art class, or perhaps a creative writing workshop. Actively sampling the array of possibilities will help you uncover your passion in life. This is the start to transforming your life with meaning.

Immersing Yourself

Don’t just dabble in potential passions, but fully immerse yourself to see what resonates. Spend a summer volunteering at an animal shelter if you love animals. Study jazz piano if that lights you up. Join an extensive art class. Your most vital passions will emerge and you will feel like you are coming back to a familiar home. This will bring you much happiness.

Reconnecting with Childhood Joy

Think back to what activities deeply engaged you as a child. Was it painting, building treehouses, being around animals, or putting on shows? Revisiting these childhood passions reminds you of who you are at your core. Do a short meditation on what life was like as a child and just let your thoughts focus on your childhood and see what comes up in your thoughts.

Purposeful Planning

Once you’ve identified a primary passion, strategically align your life with it. Make time for immersing yourself in what you love daily. Set big goals around how to contribute your talents to the world. Integrate your passion into career, relationships and lifestyle intentionally. Start up a new business, or volunteer your time, or perhaps you want to become a life coach. Whatever you are passionate about, you can start to make strives to bring to the world. The joy will be in the discovery, as well as the journey.

Benefits of Living Passionately

• Greater happiness, fulfillment and life satisfaction

• Improved self-esteem and sense of identity

• Increased motivation, energy, and resilience

• Reduced stress and stronger immunity

• Reinvigorated sense of adventure and play

• Closer connections and enjoyment of others

• Improved work performance and effectiveness

• Making a meaningful impact on the world

In Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, Excuses Begone, Dr. Dyer defined passion as: “A vigorous enthusiasm that you feel deep within you. It propels you in a direction that seems motivated by a force beyond your control. It's the inner excitement of being on the right path, doing what you know you were meant to do.”

As mythologist Joseph Campbell advised, “Follow your bliss and doors will open where there were no doors before.”

When your life aligns with inner passion, you thrive and flourish in wondrous ways. Discovering your passion in life will bring you much happiness and inner peace. Let passion light the path to transform your life to an enrichment beyond your wildest dreams. This guide will help you manifest your dreams into your reality.

Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and your purpose in life & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

Life coaching available.

Devine Intervention website.

What’s my purpose in life quiz.

Please leave your ideas in the comments. I will answer any questions you may have. Please also feel free to contact me.

5 Ways to Get Out of a Rut - Live your Life with Intention - Rachel Devine

Far too often life becomes defined by mindless routine devoid of any deeper meaning or purpose. Picture life on a metaphoric hamster wheel, where the hamster runs furiously staying in the same spot. Or picture yourself on a treadmill, walking furiously, and not getting anywhere. I understand this concept of standing still, since I lived a lot of my life in that manner. In order to find true happiness, it’s important to live a life of intention.

Living with the power of intention and being guided by your core values, committing to a more meaningful life, and defining a vision for yourself, will open the doorway to greater meaning, fulfillment and purpose in your life, which will reap much happiness and inner joy.

As motivational speaker Tony Robbins said, “Passion, without purpose, is meaningless.” Orienting your daily life around your passions and the impact you wish to have instills significance into even simple moments and tasks.

Living by Design

Famous spiritual author Dr. Wayne Dyer wrote a book, The Power of Intention, that gives us a clear guide on living life on purpose. He advises that “Purposeful living requires making conscious choices and then fully accepting responsibility for your life circumstances.” Don’t settle for drifting through life on autopilot. Instead, make conscious deliberate choices aligned to what matters most to you.

Here are two more relevant, The Power of Intention quotes from Dr. Wayne Dyer:

• "When your purpose is in alignment with the truth, you are filled with strength, enthusiasm, and compassion."

This quote emphasizes how living according to your true purpose fills you with energy and enthusiasm. A purpose aligned life feels right.

• "Your natural state is to be loving, giving, compassionate, patient, and joyful. When you identify with the energy of intention, you'll find that this will be your everyday reality."

This quote suggests that intentionally manifesting a vision for a meaningful, purpose-driven life allows your natural state of love, compassion and joy to flow more freely through your everyday experiences.

In his book The Power of Intention, Dr. Wayne Dyer encourages readers to get in touch with their deepest desires and commit fully to manifesting them into reality through focused intention, Japa meditation, living in a loving state, and service. Aligning yourself to your authentic purpose is one of the keys to a life of meaning.

I recommend you build routines infused with practices like meditation, exercising your creativity, immersing yourself in nature, learning new skills, being of service to others, and spending quality time with loved ones. A schedule lacking meaning drains energy over time.

Staying Present Through Mindfulness

A crucial aspect of intentional living involves maintaining mindfulness by cultivating presence and focus. As Louise Hay said, “The past has absolutely nothing to do with the present moment. Only in this moment can you create your future.”

Stay rooted in the moment through paying attention to your senses, thoughts, and emotions, without judgment. Saying a prayer will put you right in the moment, as well as taking three deep breaths. Make regular tasks more mindful like, walking or eating with full intention. All you have to do is really pay full attention to the task at hand.

Manifesting Your Ideal Future

Begin with the end in mind and envision the personal, interpersonal, and professional goals you aim to achieve. Using the power of visualization, you can create your ideal future. It takes some practice, but it is worth the effort. The main focus is on what you want to manifest and then resonate with the feelings of already having what you want already in your world.

Neville Goddard tells us in his book, Feeling is the Secret, that the feelings are what manifest our dreams into reality. Therefore, as you fall asleep each night, put one picture in your mind of what you want to manifest in your future and fall asleep with resonating with the feelings of already having this goal already manifested in your life. You have the power to manifest your dreams into reality.

Key Benefits of Living Life with Intention

• Increased happiness, life satisfaction, and self-esteem

• Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression

• Greater resilience and ability to cope with hardships

• Improved cardiovascular and brain health

• Higher quality and more supportive personal relationships

• Deeper sense of meaning, internal coherence, and joy

• Heightened motivation, drive, and energy

Purpose

Dr. Wayne Dyer was very clear on this statement regarding the power of intention.

“If you aren't doing what you love and loving what you do, your power of intention is weakened. You attract into your life more of the dissatisfaction that isn't the face of love. Consequently, more of what you don't love will appear in your life.”

Therefore, it’s crucial to do what you love doing, or find your purpose in life. The following three questions can help you determine what your purpose is:

1. What do you love doing?

2. Will it help humanity in some way?

3. Do you feel passionate about the purpose that has surfaced for you?

Whatever your answers are to these three questions will determine what your purpose in life is. Don’t let it sit in the recess of your mind and germinate like the hamster on the wheel of nowhere. Start doing what you love and see if you can make it part of your purpose in life.

In conclusion, reorienting your days around practices and interactions infused with purpose and presence unlocks your potential to live boldly by design. When how you spend your precious time and energy aligns with your deepest values, you will manifest your highest self and in turn bring much passion and joy into your life.

Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and your purpose in life & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

What’s my purpose in life quiz?

Life coaching is available.

Devine Intervention website.

Please leave your ideas in the comments. I will answer any questions you may have. Please also feel free to contact me.