The Passion Principle

What’s the most common four letter word you use to describe how you feel about your work? The one I use most often is one that is seriously frowned upon in the workplace. Jaws drop, people look away embarrassed and the folks from HR feel the urge to counsel me. That four letter word is, of course, love.

I love my work. I feel amazing passion about the projects that I take on and the causes I support. If they weren’t paying me to do this stuff, I’d do it for free. (And often I do give it away for free) I realize I am an extreme case, but today I am making a case for why you need to love your work too.

100,000 Hours

The simple fact is that when we love what we do for a living, we do it better…and we enjoy the ride much more. Here’s the sad truth about our work lives: The average person spends more than 100,000 hours of their lives at work. That’s a lot of drudgery and misery if you don’t love what you do for a living. Passion can mean the difference between spending that working eternity in heaven or in hell. I choose heaven.

Critical to Creatives

The Passion Principle applies to anyone who works, but I think it’s even more critical to those of us who create for a living. Passion is a very positive form of energy. It’s the human heart’s equivalent to nuclear power. Nobody needs more high juice energy than the people whose job it is to create blindingly original work on a daily basis.

Let’s face it, it’s exhausting living outside the box. We expend a lot of juice to get there and even more to explore the alien terrain. If you don’t also find it wonderful and thrilling, it’s tough to maintain the energy and enthusiasm needed to step out there every day.

Beating Burnout

Burnout is so common in creative fields that it is almost a cliché. The dynamics are simple: Burnout is what happens when the amount of energy we expend is more than the energy we generate. Passion is the key to bumping up the positive side of that equation; it’s a perpetual energy generator. A good friend once told me that the cure for burnout is not rest, it is whole heartedness. We don’t overcome burnout by finding a quiet place and lying down. We overcome it by finding something we can be passionate about.

Inspiring Courage

Passionate people have guts. Of course there are exceptions, but so many of the passionate creatives with whom I work are more willing to take risks and more willing to put their reputations on the line for the issues and projects about which they are passionate. The role of passion is legendary in courageous endeavors. Would Charles Lindberg have had the courage to traverse the Atlantic had he not been passionate about proving that it was possible? Would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have had the courage to vigorously promote his cause against all history and all odds had he not felt passionately about human rights? Passion is an essential ingredient. These are but two of thousands of examples of how passion has the power to build a bridge over our fears and take us places we might not otherwise have the courage to travel.

Serious Stamina

Passion gives us the stamina and the persistent energy to overcome long term challenges and obstacles. Some of the most amazing accomplishments of mankind would never have occurred if not for the fuel of deep and abiding passion.

The modern light bulb would never have been fully realized had Edison not been passionate enough to keep trying after more than 54 years of failure. The passion of Michelangelo gave him the stamina to spend more than four years of his working life on his back, on high scaffolding, painting the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel. Passion has the power to make gifted humans into super-humans.

It’s Contagious

There is a magnetism that often accompanies sincere passion, whether about a project, an idea or a cause. People want to be near passionate people. They want to glean the positive energy for themselves. When we encounter someone who is really “into” their work, we are inclined to join them in their enthusiasm.

If ever I have the choice, I will choose to work with passionate people over their stoic counterparts. Even when I don’t share a person’s exact excitement for an idea or a solution, I love being around people who really get into the process and who are willing to throw themselves into their work. They emit a powerful positive radiation that is contagious and has the power to move me to greater heights as well.

You Have a Choice

So here is the bottom line on the Passion Principle: If you are not passionate about your work…if do not love what you do for a living and/or you cannot find something that you love within your work, you need to do something else. Nothing can take the place of passion. Your time is your life. You only get to spend it once. Pump up the passion and make it an investment. I promise you will feel the difference. Your clients will too.

Until next time, Stay Inspired!

Bob Kodzis is creative catalyst and a master group facilitator who finds creative ways to make complex and difficult processes fun and exciting. Kodzis is an experienced strategic planning consultant and marketing communications expert who works with boards, executives, and organizations throughout the United States. During the last 20 years, Kodzis has facilitated several hundred strategic planning retreats, leadership and creativity workshops, brainstorming sessions and focus groups, and he has been a regular contributor to Create Magazine. His client list ranges--from A to Z (Attorneys to Zoos). Some recent clients include: The Federal Reserve Bank, University of Central Florida, Institute of Internal Auditors, and Kennedy Space Center. He is a regular seminar facilitator for the Institute of Internal Auditors National Leadership Conferences and had been hosted by several local IIA chapters including the New York City and Philadelphia. Bob can be reached at http://www.flightofideas.net/

Astrology Forecast for November 2011

During the month of November, we do tend to focus on the things that are changing. In the northern hemisphere, we are experiencing the loss of everything green, most things look dead and some of them are. But the real truth is, we are in that transformation time of year when most shifts can occur and we should welcome them.

This year, we have Mercury and Venus both in the sign of Sagittarius while the Sun is in Scorpio. This is a good thing for us. Unlike last year when these two planets were in Scorpio and everything was changing, this year is different it will not be as intense. This is because the Sagittarius energy is about expanding our awareness, our education, examining our beliefs or being introduced to a new belief system we may want to investigate (investigating now that is Scorpio territory). Seeking any and all information we can get our hands on. Mercury is about learning quick, fast bits of information. When Mercury is in Sagittarius, it wants deeper knowledge. They will work together just fine to educate us where our new interest lies. Venus in Sagittarius will make this whole process fun. No need to be too serious. Plus in the first week of November, Mercury and Venus will be in aspect to Uranus. Expect the unexpected to show up in whatever you do. It is an easy aspect but full of fire and a lot of energy. The unexpected will be a welcome relief and even exciting for most people. Our Taurus friends might not like it. Remember change is good. Repeat after me, change is good. Come on Taurus you can do it. Say it out loud. Ok, I am done beating up on Taurus, (Its’ ok I have Taurus rising I can pick on myself) and with the coming Full Moon in Taurus, we need to be ready to change and release.

On November 10^th we have a Full Moon in Taurus with Mars and Uranus in a hard aspect to each other. This will be a somewhat difficult Full Moon. Now, as we all know, a Full Moon is the culmination of energy that has been building up over the last few weeks from the New Moon. What we have now is a Full Moon in Taurus. It is a fixed sign which is very grounded energy. We look for emotional stability when the Moon is in Taurus. We may find it through the things we buy, or have around us. One of the best ways to bring stability and grounding into our lives is to appreciate the things we already have. This is one of Taurus’s jobs-- to show us what we value. With the Sun in Scorpio opposite to this Taurus energy, the Sun wants us to look at things around us that are ending and have lived its natural life span. Our values can change now with these two fixed energies but not because we want them to. They can change because we have a Full Moon and that says release, let go, stop resisting change.

Mars will be moving from fiery Leo into earthy Virgo on the 10^th as well and will be in this sign for the next eight weeks. This energy is practical and somewhat good for getting things done in a methodical manor. Mars is traditionally fire energy, but here in earth he is not so happy. Mars can still get things done and so can we. Wherever Mars is for you in your chart is where you will be able to accomplish something that you may have put down a long time ago, like an old project. Take advantage of this.

Around November 16^th Mars and Jupiter will be in sync even though Jupiter is still retrograde. The energy of these Mars and Jupiter in earth signs produces and endless source of consistent energy for the week--perfect energy for getting things done.  I keep mentioning this, because we have Mercury once again slowing down to be retrograde. This will be on November 23^rd the day before Thanksgiving, so plan your travels ahead of time and expect delays. As a matter of fact, do your holiday shopping before Thanksgiving if you can. We all know it is not the end of the world when Mercury is retrograde but with this one, we have a few things to watch for. With Mercury moving through the sign of Sagittarius rather slowly till its’ retrograde, we have more of an opportunity to learn and gather information. This is Sagittarius’s job--to teach and expand our knowledge, to excite us about understanding something foreign. When Mercury moves retrograde, we have an added time frame (usually three weeks) to go over old information to see how valid it currently is. It is time to clear the deck of outdated information in our brains, file cabinets and the office desk. We don’t always get this specific opportunity. Mercury will be in the sign of Sagittarius for nine weeks which is a very long time to gather information, redefine it and then get rid of it or file it as your truth. How are you going to use it?

With the New Moon as a partial Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius on November 25^th (east coast) the 24^th on the West coast, we have an interesting few days with much to talk about. There will be more on my web site when that week gets closer, so be sure to go there and read up. But in this short term, I will say this: an eclipse is more powerful than any New or Full Moon and the effects can last three months to a year depending on your birthday. This one is all about gathering information just like Mercury retrograde is right now. Within the dynamics of this energy, we also have the need to be free and to explore. There’s no holding back right now. Of course, we say things we shouldn’t if we are inspired or triggered. It is your choice. We may also see where we have been holding ourselves back or allowing someone to hold us back, and now we want to break free. We have to break free there is no other way. We are not puppets to the universe. We are co-creators, so use what the universe--our solar system and our plants have to offer. Break free from restrictions and restraints this month, so you can move a little freer along your life path.

Dorothy “Anona” Morgan is a Professional Astrologer with over 22 years experience, a Reiki Master/Teacher, and Angel Healing Practitioner. She is a Published Writer and Astrology Teacher. Contributing author to the book  Divine Inspirations - Stories of Awakening and Empowerment by Everyday Lightworkers. Reports like this are very general in nature and the information will not apply to everyone. If you want to know more about where this plays out in your own chart or for Astrology classes, please contact Dorothy nhastrologer@gmail.com You can also subscribe to her in-depth weekly forecast on her web site http://www.nhastrologer.com/ or watch her You-Tube Postings http://www.youtube.com/user/DorothyMorgan

Other Blog Posts by Dorothy: Astrology Forecast for October 2011, New Moon in Libra, Full Moon in Pisces, Astrology Forecast for September 2011,  

Real Energy Book Review

Real Energy: Systems, Spirits and Substances to Heal, Change, and Grow by Phaedra &Isaac Bonewits

This book is clear and concise making it an excellent reference book for energy practitioners or those just starting out in the energy working field. The sections of the book are titled General Background, Energies from the Environment, and Energies from People and Spirits. The discussion ranges from the definition of various energies in from quantum theory as well as different metaphysical systems around the world. I found it be such an interesting comparison between the different definitions that I want to keep the book to refer back to.

I can see it being useful in reading other books to help me clarify what another author might be trying to say about energy definitions. The authors include material about the Elements and elementals as well as plants, stones, earth, and related energies. I am still reading the book, and so I have not had a chance to read all of the Energies of the Environment sections or any of the Energies from People and Spirits section (which talks about the psychic and astrological, angels, demons, and daemons, and instructions on the methods to generate and focus mystical energies), but I am looking forward to to reading the remainder of this book.

I highly recommend Real Energy: Systems, Spirits and Substances to Heal, Change, and Grow  even after having read only about half the book.

Kathryn Samuelson is an intuitive who uses spiritual or automatic writing to receive guidance for her clients from the angels and guides. She is also a certified life coach certified by the University of New Hampshire. Kathryn does workshops based on the set of meditation cards and book created with her friend, Linda Lewis. For more information: www.kathrynsamuelson.com, klsamuelsonATyahoo.com, or 781-799-7332.

Other Blog Posts by Kathryn Samuelson: Living with Doubt and Uncertainty, Bardo - The Things In Between, Musings On Mindfulness, You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps, The Choices We Make, Beyond: Buddhist and Christian Prayers CD Review, Riding Out Irene: A Practice in Maintaining Balance,

Finding Lost Articles Using Horary Astrology

Finding lost articles is one of the most exciting areas of horary astrology in which this technique truly shines its brightest. When casting a horoscope for a client you must use the time that they contacted you and you understand their query.

Doing a horary chart for yourself can be tricky because of the timing factor. If you notice that your keys are missing and you draw a chart on the computer chances are that the chart just won’t talk to you. Why? Horary makes you work for your answers! And it requires an emotion behind a query. So I suggest that you first search in every possible place where you think you
could have lost the keys. Only when you have exhausted all possibilities, look at the clock, and use that time to calculate the horary chart. Remember horary works best when there is that emotional charge behind each question.

All movable possessions are ruled by the second house. However, when looking for a book, a piece of paper, or a vehicle I will use the third house ruler.

Look at the zodiac sign on the second house cusp and find that signs ruling planet. Now see which house that ruler is in to describe the location of the lost article.

In my 45 + years as an astrologer I have made many amazing discoveries in astrology, however, one of my favorite ones that still excites me today is that of using local space for finding lost articles. After calculating the horary chart with either my Millennium Star Trax or Nostradamus Horary Program and finding the second house ruler, I then will calculate the local space chart. Now this chart is so easy and clear! Just print it out and place it on the floor of your home or office. The local space chart is labeled North, South, East, and West. Align North on the chart with North where you are. Now just follow the direction where the second house ruler is located on the chart.

Now just follow that direction and search all places in that direction. Also extend the direction to its opposite direction. Example: Assume that the second house ruler falls into the SouthEast direction on the local space chart. Search SouthEast but also search NorthWest. Remember Einstein said that if you began at one point and continue going in a straight line, you will end up exactly where you began. This technique that I discovered has never disappointed me! It works like a charm each!

Here is another tip that I found. If the altitude of the second house ruler in local space is close to zero you will most likely find the article at eye level. When the altitude is higher then the item will also be found higher up. If the altitude shows a small minus then the lost article is closer to the floor. And if it's significantly below zero then it could be at basement level.

The following offers descriptions of locations to search for lost items and are based on the sign in which the second house ruler sits. Example: Second house ruler is Venus which is in Capricorn – read the section on Capricorn to search for your item.

ARIES

This place might be a bakery, barbershop, foundry, sports arena, sports club, hardware store, butcher shop, and the dentist's office.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:

It can be in or near a chimney, stoves, furnace room, room where machinery and tools are kept, room with locked doors or closets, places where iron or junk is stored, area where guns and ammunition are kept, under ashtrays, hat boxes, near ceilings, roofs or doorways, in rooms predominantly red in color, tool closets and a room with fireplaces.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
It can be near or on sandy grounds, newly opened tracts of land or land recently plowed, virgin land, burned land or barren hills, tool sheds, near a pine tree, storage place for a lawnmower.

If Aries indicates direction, turn East.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: bright red or red/orange.

TAURUS

This place might be a bank, jewelry store, gift store, carpet store, music hall, stable, opera house, loan office or company, dancing hall, clothing store.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
It can be in a basement, room with tile floors, a lower or middle level room, storage room, a quiet room that is dimly lit with low ceilings, a dark closet, trunks, a cash box or safe place where cash is kept, storage place for furniture, music room, near a piano, safe deposit box, chest of drawers, wallet, handbag, suit of clothes. Look for the item close to the ground or the floor. Also, be sure to look in the bag or box in which the item was purchased.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
It can be on or near a recently cultivated meadow or field, a cattle pasture, the garden, a tree near the house, a shady area, a well-groomed lawn, and an attractive landscape.

Taurus indicates direction, turn South by East.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: soft lovely shades of blue.

GEMINI

This place might be a bookstore, bus station, service station, library, railroad station, subway, school, and other place of learning, post office, storehouse, and office building.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
It can be in an upstairs bedroom, hallway, stairway, study, trunk, chest, desk, briefcase, luggage, a room where books are kept, bookshelves, a place where reading or studying is done, a drawer where a person keeps pens and pencils and office supplies, filing cabinet, in a magazine rack, in the vestibule or entrance to a home, place where important papers or records are kept (i.e. birth certificates, contracts, cancelled checks, legal documents, etc.), an area near the telephone or radio.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
It can be on or near a hill or other high place, the side of the driveway, barren ground, a place where one might take a daily walk, an area where the mailbox is, a brother or sister's home, a neighbor's home, a car, bus, telephone booth, side of the road, or in or near a garage.

If Gemini indicates the direction, turn West by South

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: yellows.

CANCER

This place might be a grocery store, bakery, saloon, tavern, cafeteria, dairy barn, lodges, public buildings, restaurant, nursery school, laundry facility, and reservoir.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
Look in a dining room, kitchen, laundry room, linen closet, nursery, cellar, pantry, kitchen, room with ordinary and inexpensive furnishings, room where the family gathers to discuss family matters, a room where articles of sentimental value are kept, room with the most windows, areas where fishing equipment is kept, area where china, silverware or kitchenware is stored, near a sink, pump or plumbing.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
It might be near or in a brook, lake, canal, ditch, river, ocean, pool of water,
well, outside fountain, vegetable garden, swimming pool area, around a fire
hydrant, picnic tables, active stream, a relaxing spot where one might nap for
a short time.

If Cancer, indicates direction, turn North.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: green, pearl, silver, or cream.

LEO

This place might be a gambling house, betting parlor, bar, sports arena, theatre, dance hall, circus, poolroom, places of amusement, tavern, government building, golf course, race track.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
The item can be in a sun porch, a room in a house where you have more windows, play room, den, living room, room where children spend time playing, room or place lacking orderliness, place where gold plated articles are kept, room or places belonging to your children, room with expensive furnishings, a toy chest, pool and game room, children's bedroom.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
Look for the item in a park, playground, forest, desert, high steep hills, front yard, public beach, resorts, area close to a sandbox, gym, corner of a year where games are setup, terrain with rocky area, jungle-like areas, outdoor fireplaces or barbecue pit.

If Leo denotes the direction, then go West by North toward a yellow, gold, or orange room or structure.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: shades of bright gold.

VIRGO

This place might be a doctor's office, health spa, veterinarian's office, nursing home, dry cleaners, grocery store, accountant's office, pharmacy, zoo, police station, nursery, tenant place.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
It can be in a clothes and food closet, pantry, bookcase, desk, study, exercise room, filing cabinet, servant's quarters, room where pets are kept, room used as an office in the home, rented room in the home, sick person's room, storeroom study room.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
It can be on or near a meadow, land that is level and fertile, gardens, and grazing land for domestic animals, garage that is rented, part of the yard where pets are kept, a doghouse, grain field, orchard, and storehouse.

If Virgo indicates the direction, turn South by West and search in a yellow-green or violet room or structure.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: earthy tones and autumn colors.

LIBRA

This place might be a ballroom, places of entertainment, hotels, motels, theatres, beauty salons, banks, dressmakers, art galleries, or furniture stores, boutique.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:

Look in a bedroom, music room, studio, dressing room, upper level room, cabinets, dressing table, wardrobe, luxurious furniture (especially cushioned), jewelry box or case, top drawers of a chest, top piece of furniture, a broom closet, room where you may find objects of fine art, linen closet, on a shelf,
among your partner’s belongings, under a bed, or with hobby supplies or in an attic, guest room.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
Search on mountaintops, sides, or top of a hill, hunting ground, flower garden, gravel field, close to lawn furniture.

If Libra points the direction, then when searching in a room go to the west corner in a high place. Turn west or towards a room or structure that is pastel colored or deep blue.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: green, blue or pastels shades

SCORPIO

This place might be a butcher shop, collection agency, dentist office, public restroom, abandoned house, cesspool, funeral parlor, graveyards, rest room, rubbish dump, massage parlor, insurance building, surgeon’s office, pharmacy.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
 It to can be in a bathroom, toilet, next to water pipes, in a dirty part of the house where rubbish or junk is kept, trashcan, a part of the house where it gets rotted or mildewed, room or desk where unpaid bills are kept, in an empty room, wash room, medicine cabinet, secret drawer or chest, in a hiding place.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
 It can be in or near a swamp, stagnant pool, locations subject to flooding, in or near a garbage can, near cesspools, a vermin infested area, next to an evergreen tree, in an orchard near muddy ground, or near or in a river.

If Scorpio indicates direction, turn North by East.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: dark reds, burgundies, shades of wine and purple.

SAGITTARIUS

This place might be a banquet hall, cathedral, church, courthouse, gambling hall, doctor's house, stable, racing track, college, and university, places of public function, lawyer's office, bookstore, and lecture hall.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
It can be in an upper room, near or in the fireplace, the largest room of the house, places where entertainment of guests is held, rooms where insurance policies are kept, a room where pets are allowed in the house, place where prayer books and college books are stored, among college memorabilia, place where woolen products are stored, room where very expensive furniture or imported things are.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
It can be on hills and highlands, near or on land which is best seen by raising your eyes to view it, near a maple or an oak tree, places where horses are allowed to graze, where horseback riding is done, on sloping grounds.

If Sagittarius indicates the direction, turn East by South.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: blue violet, magenta, wine.

CAPRICORN

This place might be a church yard, cemetery, cave, city dump, business place, brick building, city hall, police station, funeral parlor, court house, the parent's home, brick building, corner building, abandoned building.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
It can be in a basement, disorderly room, rooms with leather or plastic accessories or furnishings, room with old worn furniture or sparsely furnished, a room where an old person stays, in or near garage, near a refrigerator or freezer, dark places that are hard to reach, a shelf where there are ceramics, next to an air conditioner, places where wood is stored, a corner.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
It can be in or near a thorny, open country area, rocky and uncultivated barren ground, places where lumber is stored, fallow ground, neglected land, gravel pits, next to an old tree that is struggling for survival, near a tar or cement driveway, near the foundation of the house, near a gate, fenced or roped in area, a shaded area, a thorny or bushy area, next to a large rock, abandoned places or fields, a place with a bad smell, a vacant house or lot, near Pine trees.

If Capricorn indicates the direction, turn South.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: blacks, browns, and dark colors.

AQUARIUS:

This place might be an airport, club house, factory, garage, gas station, highway, railroad station, public places a friends house.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
It can be in or near a built-in device or equipment, a shelf or a closet that is not part of the house, near electrical appliances, radios, televisions, in a TV room with stereo equipment, near a telephone area, close to a meter panel or fuse box, close to a light in a room that has been remodeled or modernized, an additional room with modern furniture, part of the house that was in the original structure, in rooms upstairs, near a drafty window, planning or drafting room or a room with barely comfortable furniture.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
It can be in or near places recently dug up, uneven ground, in or next to a garage, places where you park your car, in or around an automobile, on land that has been changed from farming to residential, in a wooded area with trails.

If Aquarius indicates the direction, search West by North.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: turquoise and aquamarine.

PISCES

This place might be a hospital, convalescent home, jail, convent, Tavern, a dock, secret place, drugstore, liquor store, shoe store, gasoline station, photo store, retirement community, asylum.

IF THE ARTICLE IS INDOORS:
A closet, by a fish tank, wine cellar, the bar, a bedroom, bathroom, washroom, cold or damp floor, medicine cabinet, near photographic equipment, secret hiding place, part of the house where the well or street water comes in.

IF THE ARTICLE IS OUTDOORS:
Near a fountain, a fishpond, a brook, or river, on the beach, a low place that is prone to flooding, remote places,

If Pisces indicates direction, turn North by West.

CORRESPONDING COLORS ARE: blue violet, magenta, wine.

All techniques demonstrated in this article are done automatically in our Nostradamus Horary Program, including the location descriptions.

Alphee Lavoie is a Master Astrologer and author of four best selling books including Four Paths to God, Horary Lectures and Lose This Book...and Find It Through Horary, and his latest, Horary at its Best. If astrology is your passion, too, be sure to read his monthly horary column in Dell Horoscope Magazine. He is N.C.G.R. certified in counseling and rectification. He Served on the NCGR board for 12 years and also on the AFAN board. He has achieved expertise in all areas of astrology, including counseling, predictive techniques, horary , electional, mundane, weather, rectification, and financial astrology. His company, AIR Software, includes many 'firsts in the field' such as artificial intelligence. AIR is the home of the Millennium Software and 24 other pieces of software including, Nostradamus II, Father Time II , The Right Decision, and the Award winning Market Trader software, all with Artificial Intelligence! He has made numerous appearances on local network television as well as CNN, offering his financial insights, and his Market trader software has been featured in Bloomberg Magazine and various other publications. He has also been a newsworthy story on NBC, CBS and Fox news. For 12 years Alphee and his astrologer wife, Carol, had their own radio shows on astrology.Alphee has set many research projects into motion with astrologers from all over the world and is always collecting more data. Visit his website for free software, downloads, and a wealth of information! http://www.alphee.com/ Email: Alphee@comcast.net
Phone: 860 - 232 - 6521 1- 800 - 659 - 1247

Your Life is Whispering to You. Pay Attention. Oprah’s Life Class Discussion

“Listen to your life when it whispers to you so it doesn’t come crashing down on you like brick wall.” – Oprah

Last night, Oprah reminded us to pay attention to the signs in our life. She says that life speaks to us all the time, first a whisper then a scream sometimes in the form of a tragic event. While she focused on the warning whispers that tug at us before something bad happens, she didn’t talk about the positive whispers from the Universe. I think our life not only warns us, it encourages us in a certain direction to allow our best selves to come forward.

As I watched last night, I shook my head. I knew exactly what she was talking about when she said life whispers to us. I also knew what it felt like not to pay attention. For me, not tragic but maybe just unfulfilled.

I can recall as a child writing lyrics to songs (very unusual) then graduating to poetry in middle school. When I was in the eighth grade, my friend Karen Knezvic, the Class President, gave me a Christmas present—a journal to write in with the following inscription:

“Your poetry is really sensitive and I admire that creativity in you. Don’t lose it. I guess this Christmas gift isn’t “material,” but I do hope it will mean something to you. You’re ready for it. This gift is something I’d like to share with you because writing and expression is where it’s at : ) It is given with much hope and love and of course, a smile.”

In high school and college, I received A’s in English and Writing courses and lower grades in Math. Since grade school, math was the toughest of all classes for me. I spent more hours studying Geometry, Statistics, Calculus and Algebra than any other subject only to get a B- or C if I was lucky. As an adult, I ended up becoming a CPA and still can’t add two and two in my head. Ironically, part of my job as a CPA consultant often times involves documenting processes. At one large CPA firm I worked for, I was known as the best person to write up documentation narratives. How funny.
When I was young, I thought writing was too easy. The sensible side of me thought there was no money in it. Why focus on writing seriously? In retrospect, it was a whisper I should have paid attention to.

With a company and website called Explore Beyond the Usual, you can imagine that I know some very intuitive people. For as long as I can remember, I’ve gone for my annual psychic pap smear. I visit an Intuitive’s Intuitive. Without fail each year I would get, “Have you started your book yet?” or “I have some woman on the other side screaming at me that you need to do some writing. She’s saying you must start now!” I’ve even had one intuitive tell me, “I hear that you’re going to be a Best Selling author. You’ll publish three books”

When one of the top psychics in the field tells you you're going to be a Best Selling Author, it should be a loud enough whisper to motivate anyone to give it a try.

Even a romantic interest can whisper in your ear. For years, a certain handsome real estate developer and I would spend hours upon hours emailing each other back and forth all day. He liked my writing so much he requested special…hmmm… narratives from me. I’ll call them romantic process narratives. Because of his playful encouragement, he motivated me to write a book and make him one of the main characters in my first novel Portsmouth – A Love Story—the ultimate romantic narrative. Would there be a novel if I hadn’t met him and got a little nudge from behind? Good question.

Whispers can come when you least expect it—like day spas. I was having a pedicure one day—sitting and relaxing in my white bathrobe. All of a sudden, a woman across the room said to me, “You’re a writer aren’t you? I’m a writer. I can usually spot one a mile away” When I asked her why she asked, she said, “I felt compelled to ask.”

Compelled. Interesting word. I knew it was the Universe speaking to me loud and clear.

Sometimes the Universe speaks to us literally.

In my book review for Writing Spirit by Lynn Andrews, I talk about picking up her book at Barnes and Nobles and flipping it over and it said, “You are a writer. Your act of power is the book or the story that you are creating. It is now time for you to bloom” I had been asking all week, if I should get involved in a writing contest my friend kept nudging me to participate in. Yet another whisper.

That friend (who is also writer), introduced me to a woman who does editing work for her. She’s been invaluable to me during the process of writing my first novel

I then found a Writers Group at my public library. Their review comments on several chapters have helped me immensely.

As I’m finishing my book, I’m wondering how the Universe will speak to me about getting the book published. The publishing industry seems to be in an upheaval right now. I keep asking myself, traditional route or self publish? I don’t know the answer right now. I have no doubt when I get closer to that fork in the road, the Universe will whisper to me which publishing route will be the best one for me.

If you liked this or have more to add to the discussion, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Copyright© R. Ann Rousseau. R. Ann Rousseau reviews spiritual metaphysical books on her blog http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.blogspot.com/ and website http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.com/ She has completed her first novel Portsmouth, A Love Story.

Other Blog Posts by R. Ann Rousseau: The Power of a Second Chance: Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Aging : Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Connecting the Dots- Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech, The Truth Will Set You Free, Discussion of Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Premiere: The World Beyond, A Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom Moment, Breaking Out the Top Shelf Advice for Rough Times, Eat Dessert First -The Art of Extreme Self Care, Queen of the Law of Least Effort-Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Book Review, The Secret of Instant Healing Book Review, Transforming Fate into Destiny Book Review, Awakening the Lightworker Within Book Review, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane Book Review, Trust Your Gut Book Review, The Spirit Whisperer Book Review, Astrology for the Light Side of the Brain Book Review, My 9/11 Story, How to Be Inspired Book Review, Infinite Quest Book Review, Biology of Belief Book Review, The Morning Breeze Has Secrets to Tell, The Gentle Way II Book Review, Do You Fear or Respect Mother Nature?, You Can Heal Your Life Movie Review, Hereafter Movie Review, North Wind Blowing -Time for a Change,  Presence University, Impossible Situations are Great Opportunities, Do You Have Enough?, Moon Tides Soul Passages Book Review, Compromise with the Varmints! Yankee Doodle Discord Book Review, A Wright Brothers Moment! The Sacred Promise Book Review

Disclosure: I am a Hay House Book Reviewer. I am an affiliate of Hay House Publishing and Amazon. This means I receive a commission if you purchase Hay House or Amazon books from this website. My credibility is extremely important to me. This site is independently owned and the opinions expressed here are my own. Sometimes that's very obvious

The Power of a Second Chance : Oprah's Life Class Discussion

For my friend Chad.

"When you know better you do better." -Maya Angelou

Oprah's Life Class night was about second chances. She showed us clips from past Oprah shows where she repeated Maya Angelou's words, "When you know better, you do better." One very touching moment was from a woman who was a prostitute at one point in her life. She had moved out of that life onto something better but she couldn't forgive her past. She said to Oprah, "I'm all used up." Oprah gave her hug, made her come onto the stage and said, "No, you are not all used up." Oprah told her the story of when she was 14 and close to a life of prostitution. Oprah said, "It's something you did. It is not who you are. When you know better you do better." It was a beautiful, transforming moment.

Oprah said that when we're angry and not being our best selves, we're working from a place of pain.

It reminded me of A Course in Miracles that says we always have the opportunity to Choose Again. A do-over. A do-over is best done when we forgive ourselves and those around us who may not have been their best selves either. Only then can we move on with a clean slate. Forgiveness doesn't have to be a big confessional production or take a lot of time. A Course in Miracles says it can happen in an instant...with a little willingness, a shift in perception can occur...from fear (I'm all used up) to love (I'm not defined by my past).

The show reminded me of a situation I got into with my friend Chad. I think it was a bad day for both of us. I said something he took the wrong way. He got mad at me. I got mad at him back and the situation turned ugly. We ended up not speaking to each other. After a day or so I said to myself, What was that?! The person I was yesterday is not who I really am. It was a bad day ME...not the real me.  I had to realize that I was coming from a place of fear in that moment. Next, I had to forgive myself for moving to that level of discussion, then I asked him for forgiveness. It was never about him. It was always about me. I didn't concern myself with his inner transformation. I focused on my own knowing he would come around when he was ready. To me, the relationship was more important than any disagreement we had, and I told him so.

When I know better, I do better. I thank Oprah for a wonderful reminder that we can turn a situation around when we being our best selves and embrace the power of a second chance.

If you liked this or have more to add to the discussion, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Copyright© R. Ann Rousseau. R. Ann Rousseau reviews spiritual metaphysical books on her blog http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.blogspot.com/ and website http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.com/ She has completed her first novel Portsmouth, A Love Story.

Other Blog Posts by R. Ann Rousseau: Aging : Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Connecting the Dots- Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech, The Truth Will Set You Free, Discussion of Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Premiere: The World Beyond, A Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom Moment, Breaking Out the Top Shelf Advice for Rough Times, Eat Dessert First -The Art of Extreme Self Care, Queen of the Law of Least Effort-Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Book Review, The Secret of Instant Healing Book Review, Transforming Fate into Destiny Book Review, Awakening the Lightworker Within Book Review, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane Book Review, Trust Your Gut Book Review, The Spirit Whisperer Book Review, Astrology for the Light Side of the Brain Book Review, My 9/11 Story, How to Be Inspired Book Review, Infinite Quest Book Review, Biology of Belief Book Review, The Morning Breeze Has Secrets to Tell, The Gentle Way II Book Review, Do You Fear or Respect Mother Nature?, You Can Heal Your Life Movie Review, Hereafter Movie Review, North Wind Blowing -Time for a Change,  Presence University, Impossible Situations are Great Opportunities, Do You Have Enough?, Moon Tides Soul Passages Book Review, Compromise with the Varmints! Yankee Doodle Discord Book Review, A Wright Brothers Moment! The Sacred Promise Book Review

Disclosure: I am a Hay House Book Reviewer. I am an affiliate of Hay House Publishing and Amazon. This means I receive a commission if you purchase Hay House or Amazon books from this website. My credibility is extremely important to me. This site is independently owned and the opinions expressed here are my own. Sometimes that's very obvious

Are You an Unrequited Lover?

I just listened in on Robert O'hotto's Soul Connexions Radio show called How to Stop Playing the Part of the Unrequited Lover. Most of us know what unrequited love is right? You love him. He doesn't love you. It happens to most of us at some point in time. That's normal. What is not so normal is when you have a pattern of attracting partners who don't return your affection. Or if you're married, your partner is emotionally unavailable or narcissistic and you play the adoring audience to their grand performances but they never really see or pay attention to you.

Robert defined unavailable as: Married, Narcissist (the world orbits around him/her), Addict, Emotionally Unavailable, Locationally Unavailable, Gay or Straight When You're Not

He calls it a pattern or archetype embedded in our psyche from an early age as a means of survival in the family structure. Robert says that our internal guidance system is brilliant, because it consistently attracts the same type of person. In this case, someone who is unavailable. The issue is self inflicted. He says that the Unrequited Lover, on an subconscious level, doesn't really want an intimate relationship with someone. They prefer safety over vulnerability. Those who choose unrequited love learned early that showing their heart...their vulnerability meant rejection and pain. To stay safe, they choose partners who they KNOW won't ask them to show their most intimate selves. In essence, they manage their relationships...in a most efficient way.

When we enter into these unrequited love relationships, we're unplugging from our own feelings. Robert says that if we want to make a shift, we must do some work to stay connected to ourselves...our feelings...our radar. If we're awake, we can plug into our own guidance system and examine our own sense of self worth and what we do to devalue ourselves. When we do the inner work, we weed out these unsatisfying relationships before they ever get to the unrequited stage.

What I got from Robert's show was that we first need to acknowledge we're in the Unrequited Love Zone. Then we need to ask ourselves, Are we REALLY just trying to play it safe? Turn on our guidance system and have the courage to weed out the bad apples once we see the big ugly unavailability bruise. If we refuse to accept what we don't want, we have a greater chance of getting what we do want...a Requited Love with real intimacy--a relationship that reflects our true value.

Robert O'hotto is an Intuitive Life Coach and Astrologer. He has some great radio shows you can listen to for free right on his website. He is a Hay House author. His book is Transforming Fate into Destiny, a book I absolutely love. I highly recommend that you visit his website http://www.ohotto.com/ and start listening to his shows!

If you liked this or have more to add to the discussion, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Copyright© R. Ann Rousseau. R. Ann Rousseau reviews spiritual metaphysical books on her blog http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.blogspot.com/ and website http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.com/ She has completed her first novel Portsmouth, A Love Story.

Interested in Exploring Beyond the Usual? Check out the metaphysical services our bloggers have to offer Click Here

Other Blog Posts by R. Ann Rousseau: Aging : Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Connecting the Dots- Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech, The Truth Will Set You Free, Discussion of Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Premiere: The World Beyond, A Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom Moment, Breaking Out the Top Shelf Advice for Rough Times, Eat Dessert First -The Art of Extreme Self Care, Queen of the Law of Least Effort-Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Book Review, The Secret of Instant Healing Book Review, Transforming Fate into Destiny Book Review, Awakening the Lightworker Within Book Review, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane Book Review, Trust Your Gut Book Review, The Spirit Whisperer Book Review, Astrology for the Light Side of the Brain Book Review, My 9/11 Story, How to Be Inspired Book Review, Infinite Quest Book Review, Biology of Belief Book Review, The Morning Breeze Has Secrets to Tell, The Gentle Way II Book Review, Do You Fear or Respect Mother Nature?, You Can Heal Your Life Movie Review, Hereafter Movie Review, North Wind Blowing -Time for a Change,  Presence University, Impossible Situations are Great Opportunities, Do You Have Enough?, Moon Tides Soul Passages Book Review, Compromise with the Varmints! Yankee Doodle Discord Book Review, A Wright Brothers Moment! The Sacred Promise Book Review

Disclosure: I am a Hay House Book Reviewer. I am an affiliate of Hay House Publishing and Amazon. This means I receive a commission if you purchase Hay House or Amazon books from this website. My credibility is extremely important to me. This site is independently owned and the opinions expressed here are my own. Sometimes that's very obvious

Aging - Oprah's Life Class Discussion

Aging. Just typing it is difficult. It was the subject of Oprah's Life Class last night on the OWN network. Oprah always seems to tap into what's on the mind of the masses. I was born in 1964, the last year of the baby boom generation, so I still have a 4 in front of my number. My friends have already hit the 50 mark plus I have a few friends in their 80s'. We're all talking about how our appearance is changing. My friend Jean, in her 80's, says she doesn't even recognize the older woman in the mirror looking back at her. I'm not liking the bags under my eyes, and my friends in their 50's are complaining about their skin and metabolism slowing down.  Men of any age and those under 40, look at women as if they no longer have value. So how do intelligent, attractive women in the 21st century deal with aging?

Oprah says that we need to develop a sense of our inner value which helps to be less attached to the external qualities. She also tells us not to let others define us. If we cultivate a deeper sense of who we really are, we get comfortable in our own skin.

She's right, of course. But, when you're over 40, you still want to be considered sexy. Having men look at twenty and thirty year olds doesn't make us feel all that sexy. I suppose if we cultivated our own sense of self worth, we would decide to feel sexy anyway...and make sure we incorporate that energy into our lives in some creative way (I'm laughing). It can be done, of course. We have to be the bold , independent women that we are and work it in. Otherwise, when these events occur (men desiring younger women), we feel deprived...maybe even starved of romance and sexuality and get resentful and angry. Instead of being a jealous 40 pluser, let's make a commitment to create a sexy experience for ourselves...with or without a partner.  Perhaps this requires a period of awareness and adjustment...but it's plan.

Oprah says that "Aging well is giving yourself the freedom to be who you were meant to be."  Sometimes a job lay off can work the same magic...and sometimes aging and lay off come hand in hand. I'm age 47 today. What I know for sure is that I'm more myself every day. When I was younger, I cared more about what other people thought of me. I was into the whole professional ME role. Now, I'm just myself. Who you get if you stop by my house is the same person you get if you hire me for a business consulting project.

One thing Oprah didn't touch on was that as you age, you don't mind NOT knowing things. Being comfortable in your own skin, you don't mind asking or finding the right people who know what you don't. You're not afraid that other people might think you're not all that smart or competent.

When I worked as an Audit Manager at the large accounting firm Ernst and Young, I used to have new staff accountants work under me. The financial statements big accounting firms audit are typically complex. It was inevitable that I would have a staff auditor come up to me and say, "This is what the Controller told me but it doesn't make any sense. What do you think?"

I would reply, "Did you tell the Controller you didn't understand their explanation?
The reply back to me would be, "No."

At that point, an important lesson for their career and sense of self worth would begin. I would tell them, "You're an intelligent person. You graduated from a top school with a degree in accounting. If you don't understand what a Controller is telling you, do not feel foolish to ask them to explain it again. If you still don't understand, ask them to lay the transaction out in t-accounts....each debit and credit until you understand the flow of the transaction. Don't be afraid to keep asking them questions until you get to the bottom of the problem. I say this because that's exactly what I'm going to have to do for you. Am I embarrassed because I don't understand? No. That's because I KNOW I'm intelligent and know exactly what the Controller knows about accounting...and so do you or you wouldn't be here." I told them, "Nine times out of ten, the Controller is giving you a Ball Under the Coconut story because they screwed up and they're trying to cover themselves. Don't be intimated by someone's title. Never be afraid to say, I don't understand. You know that your are competent."

Being comfortable about aging is a choice. If we choose to be miserable and upset, we're living in the past or future. If we choose to live presently...to accept who we are right now, we get to experience all the nuances of life....the seasons, our animals, new friends, kids, visiting new places... Isn't that why we're here?

If you liked this or have more to add to the discussion, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Copyright© R. Ann Rousseau. R. Ann Rousseau reviews spiritual metaphysical books on her blog http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.blogspot.com/ and website http://www.explorebeyondtheusual.com/ She has completed her first novel Portsmouth, A Love Story.

Other Blog Posts by R. Ann Rousseau: Connecting the Dots- Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech, The Truth Will Set You Free, Discussion of Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Premiere: The World Beyond, A Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom Moment, Breaking Out the Top Shelf Advice for Rough Times, Eat Dessert First -The Art of Extreme Self Care, Wayne Dyer Needs the 12 Step Quotaholics Program-Excuses Begone Book Review, Queen of the Law of Least Effort-Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Book Review, The Secret of Instant Healing Book Review, Transforming Fate into Destiny Book Review, Awakening the Lightworker Within Book Review, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane Book Review, Trust Your Gut Book Review, The Spirit Whisperer Book Review, Astrology for the Light Side of the Brain Book Review, My 9/11 Story, How to Be Inspired Book Review, Infinite Quest Book Review, Biology of Belief Book Reveiw, The Morning Breeze Has Secrets to Tell, The Gentle Way II Book Review, Do You Fear or Respect Mother Nature?, You Can Heal Your Life Movie Review, Hereafter Movie Review, North Wind Blowing -Time for a Change,  Presence University, Impossible Situations are Great Opportunities, Do You Have Enough?, Moon Tides Soul Passages Book Review, Compromise with the Varmints! Yankee Doodle Discord Book Review, A Wright Brothers Moment! The Sacred Promise Book Review

Disclosure: I am a Hay House Book Reviewer. I am an affiliate of Hay House Publishing and Amazon. This means I receive a commission if you purchase Hay House or Amazon books from this website. My credibility is extremely important to me. This site is independently owned and the opinions expressed here are my own. Sometimes that's very obvious

Living with Doubt and Uncertainty

I read a blog post called A Way to Garden. The blogger posted a link on her blog to a short video with the great American physicist Richard Feynman speaking on beauty. (http://awaytogarden.com/feynman-on-beauty-in-the-eye-of-all-beholders#more-15352) During that video he says that he does not mind living with doubt and uncertainty. In fact, he said that he would rather live with them than with a wrong answer. I believe that Feynman, however, was talking about living with doubt and uncertainty in relation to the questions that scientists ask rather than the doubt and uncertainty most of us live with.

Hearing Feynman’s statement set me to thinking. Can this statement be applied to everyday living? Many of us say that we believe that life is a journey and that it’s all about the process while secretly (or maybe not so secretly) wanting to know how, who, why, when, and where. I know that I have been like this, although my perception of myself is that I am slowly (achingly slowly at times) becoming more and more secure in myself. I now have many days where it is ok to just let things evolve. That said, however, the day I started to write this post I seemed to be having a bout of uncertainty again and figuring out how to deal with it—again. I suppose that is one of the reasons that the video triggered contemplation of the subject for me.

I ask myself a number of questions when I struggle with living with doubt and uncertainty. Am I doing the right thing? Am I on my path? Will I be ok financially? Why, in my view, is it taking so long to achieve what I want? Why won’t he commit to a relationship? The usual things many of us struggle with. And, if I can say to myself that living with doubt and uncertainty is one of the underpinnings of the process, does this make the struggle a little easier? Does the struggle become a little easier if I know that my ability to deal with doubt and uncertainty becomes less of a struggle over time? Is my ability to struggle less a test of my growth?

I have to confess that I have this work that I continue to do all the while having a team of angels and guides telling me that it is all going to be fine. Being human, I intellectually understand that they are there, that they are supporting me in my journey, and that they can see what I cannot see for myself, but I still have those days. Yes, I see the irony of being in the psychic field, but not able to see everything for myself. It does not lessen my ability for others—it just means, I think, that my journey would not have as much growth potential if I could always see the long term and know exactly what is coming next. Hence, part of the continuing effort on the way.

And, ultimately, if we believe we have the answer but it is the wrong answer, is it not better to be living with doubt and uncertainty than be wrong, even if it means some work and struggle still exists for us?

This is one I am not sure that I can answer for myself.

Kathryn Samuelson is an intuitive who uses spiritual or automatic writing to receive guidance for her clients from the angels and guides. She is also a certified life coach certified by the University of New Hampshire. Kathryn does workshops based on the set of meditation cards and book created with her friend, Linda Lewis. For more information: www.kathrynsamuelson.com, klsamuelsonATyahoo.com, or 781-799-7332.

Other Blog Posts by Kathryn Samuelson: Bardo - The Things In Between, Musings On Mindfulness, You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps, The Choices We Make, Beyond: Buddhist and Christian Prayers CD Review, Riding Out Irene: A Practice in Maintaining Balance,