Our Inner Voice

Listen to your inner voice and watch your world transform

Archive for August, 2011

5 Ways to Become More Grateful

Posted by OM On August - 15 - 2011
In today’s society, we have all kinds of stress and pressure from work, family, or friends. Everything that surrounds us, such as news, information, and technology to name a few, have some contribution to our daily stress.

We are encouraged to dream big, and go beyond the basic needs. Often times, we focus on what we don’t have, compare ourselves with others, and result in wanting more and more. Eventually, we end up complaining and only to become more negative.

The #1 key to live a more positive and fulfilling life is to develop a sense of gratitude. Instead of focusing on what we don’t have, we should focus on what we have and learn to treasure them. By doing that, the good things in our life will become richer, and our emotion and attitude will also shift to become more positive.

It is easy to become more grateful, because there are just so many things we can be thankful for. Here are 5 easy ways, and if you do this every day, I promise you’ll feel happier and appreciate life more.

 
1 Create a daily gratitude list
Each day when you wake up, think of 5 things you’re grateful for on this day ahead. And at the end of the day before you go to bed, again think of 5 things you’re grateful for that happened this day.

Example – when you wake up:
I’m grateful for the nice warm weather we have today.
I’m grateful for a happy and exciting day ahead at work.

Example – before you go to bed:
I’m grateful for the wonderful dinner I had with Mary, it was so nice to catch up with her and know that everything in her life is going well.
I’m grateful for having such a loving and supportive family.

 
2 Be aware of your thoughts – focus on what you have in life
Notice when you start to compare yourself with others, or feel even just a little sad when you think of something you don’t have and want. Shift your focus to the things you already have and be thankful for.

Example:
John got a new car and when you see his, you start comparing, and wish you can get a new one too. As soon as you notice that thought, think of what you already have. You may have an old car that’s not as attractive, but at least you have one, it gets you to where you need to go. Be thankful for that, because a lot of people don’t even have the luxury of owning a car. Be thankful that you don’t have to worry about shelter and food, a lot of unfortunate people need to struggle for it everyday.

 
3 Give negative situations a positive spin
Unhappy things may happen to us, but why get bogged down by it? Give it a positive spin to become happy again! Remember, every “thing” that happens to us is an opportunity, it depends on how you perceive it.

Example:
You are stressed from work because your boss just gave you a huge project to work on. If you look at the bigger picture, this is an opportunity to prove yourself and help the company grow. Instead be grateful for this opportunity, because it will lead you to something great, perhaps a promotion or salary raise.

 
4 Power of positive words
With the use of more affirmative words in your sentences and drop the negative words, this can help train your subconscious mind to become more positive and optimistic. This could be hard at the beginning, but as you practice more, the easier it will become.

Example:
When people ask you how you’re doing, answer with “I’m doing great.” If you say “I’m alright,” you’ll really just be and feel “alright.”

Your friend need help and ask you if you can do something, answer with “Yes, I can do it.” If you say “Yes, I think I can do it,” it may sound you don’t really want to help. Or if it’s work environment, you’ll sound like you can’t handle it, which also align your mind to the negative.

 
5 Volunteer
By volunteering, you’re helping yourself while helping others. As you’re doing good for others and the community, you’ll also be reminded of how lucky you are. Giving makes you feel good about yourself, healthy for your body and mind, and you’ll feel more love, happiness, and compassion.
 


Listening to Our Inner Voice

Posted by OM On August - 11 - 2011
Sunset in desert

Our inner voice, inner wisdom, gut feeling, sixth sense, whatever you want to call it, is something we should pay close attention and listen to. It’s the voices or feelings deep within that tell you to go or stop, to do something or not, yes or no. We all have an intuitive guide within us, but often we choose to be ignorant because we are scared. I was one of them.

I was in my last job for 5 years, I’ve wanted to leave in the past 2 years. My gut feeling was telling me that I should go. I felt bored, everything was just OK not exciting, I didn’t hate it but didn’t love it either, and I didn’t feel there’s any opportunity for growth. Why did I stay? I was afraid, fear of the unknown, in a comfort zone, and worried I won’t get a better job.

Last year I was given a large project, the situation seemed better and that was another excuse to tell myself to stay. I did very well on my project, and was praised in my annual review. I even had a good salary increase and a good bonus. At the same time, I felt tired of the job, tired of that huge project, and I just really want a break. I was still questioning myself for leaving.

During that week, some events happened to me. I had a 1-on-1 motivational meeting with my boss. As he was telling me I did well and helped me set a goal for promotion this year, something strange happened. I felt a ring in my head, voices in my heart grew louder telling me this is really it, I must go.

That weekend, I was reading a book I didn’t touch in a while, there was a section the author was giving an example of how people are afraid to leave their job and never think perhaps something great can come out of it. This made me think about my situation, why do I only focus on the negative?

The next day, I went to watch Hereafter without knowing what the movie is about. Some parts of the movie also had a similar message, you can do something that others think is wrong or crazy, but something amazing may come out of it.

I felt the Universe sent me these messages to give me a push and to confirm my decision. The messages for me were well received. The following Monday, I gave my resignation letter.

If I listened to my inner voice in the first place, I probably didn’t have to be unhappy for this long. However, I do not regret this process because I’ve learned a great deal. It was through this experience that began my spiritual journey and personal transformation.

For now, I hope you can also tune into your inner guide. Think positively because great things can happen, don’t only focus on the negative. The more you learn to trust your inner voice, the more aligned you will become with your true self.


Fix Emotions with Emotional Freedom Technique

Posted by OM On August - 10 - 2011
I took an Emotional Freedom Technique class awhile back and still use it sometimes to help me clear negative emotions. It’s a great and easy tool to use for a quick relief to stressful situations.

Emotional Freedom Technique utilizes the tapping of acupuncture points while you focus on a specific issue. While tapping on these points and focusing on the issue, negative emotions will be released and cleared.

It is not so easy to explain in words, therefore I’ve put a video below to show you the basics of how to apply this technique. If you want to explore more on EFT, you can go to tapping.com, where you’ll find more information and videos.

I personally like to apply this technique with only affirmations while focusing on the problem. For example, I had to give a presentation to a hundred people. This may not be a problem for many but it’s a huge one for me as I can get very nervous and uncomfortable. In this example, the presentation is my issue, and my nervousness is the negative emotion.

After I learned this technique, I applied it with affirmations to calm myself down before the presentation. I used these affirmations along with tapping:

  • I am an amazing presenter, when I speak everyone listens.
  • I am confident, and I know my presentation will go very well.
  • I give great presentations, I feel calm and I speak with authority.
  • I have a strong voice, and people love hearing my voice.

This was able to help me became more calm, and get rid of the nervous feelings. But of course, I did work hard to prepare for the presentation, so that helped too!

Emotional Freedom Technique is such a nice and quick tool, I hope it can help you too in getting rid of any negative emotions and be at your best!