I (Peg) am fascinated with the energetic aspects of money and what is does to us, what it does to society. For some time I have been thinking about the value of work and goods and services. Why do people work at jobs they don’t like? What factors go into deciding that an hour of time from one person is worth more or less than an hour of time from another? How did we get to the point where so many people are not earning a living wage while others have more than they will ever need or use? There are many reasons for all of this, on multiple levels.

What is interesting about our current times is that these topics have reached the mainstream and we are beginning to have intelligent conversations about them in many spheres of influence. Last week I started reading Debt: The First 5,000 Years, by David Graeber. Within a few days, a friend told me about Sacred Economics: Money, Gift and Society in the Age of Transition by Charles Eisenstein. Interestingly enough, they were published on the same day: July 12, 2011, just ahead of the Occupy Wall St. movement. As I was scanning my email today, a third link came in. The Daily Good posted a story called: “When Generosity Meets Venture Capital.” When I delve deep into a topic, things often come to me in groups of three.

A public conversation about money, debt and humanity is emerging. It’s a growing movement and it’s exciting. During Biblical times, Jubilee years were held periodically where all consumer debt was cancelled. Just imagine how things would shift if we did this today! The time is right to envision a world where we all live in peace, health and happiness … and we can all contribute in one way or another.

Related articles

• Debt: The First 5,000 Years, by David Graeber (theglobeandmail.com)

I have been watching the Occupy Wall St. protests with much interest. Although I empathize with the participants and understand their plight, approaching change from a position of disempowerment is simply not effective. It may strengthen the very cause they rally against. Blaming others is low energy that moves in the opposite direction of where the group wants to be. In addition, it is likely to bring a higher level of discontent rather than the change they seek.

Personal empowerment is an inside job. It is something that each one of us must create for ourselves. That said, a group of empowered people moving in unison with common goals can be an amazing catalyst for positive change. Wall St. is about money and profits. Large groups of people have “the power of the purse.” One effective approach would be to identify exactly what they want changed and then begin to make it happen.

If the Occupy Wall St. participants don’t like big banks, then perhaps consciously using debit and credit cards less often will make an impact. Bringing business to small, local banks or local credit unions could be an acceptable alternative. Cash or alternative systems such as bartering could be another answer.

If supporting big business is unsavory, then buy local. Buying local returns money to the community many times over. Buying local could help revitalize Main St. in many communities and help friends and neighbors return to work. Buying local could also help support the growth of healthy and sustainable food supplies that use no pesticides and consume less petroleum.

If overseas jobs are the problem, consciously buy American made goods. ABC News is doing a fabulous job highlighting products made in the USA with their series “Made in the USA.” As a result, many American companies have emerged and put their products on the map, often at very competitive prices to imports. More business enables them to hire more employees and purchase more supplies from American suppliers, expanding the circle of giving and receiving.

Self empowerment can bring prosperity, along with inner peace, health and wellness, life balance, job satisfaction, meaningful relationships, and more. Everything that happens in your life is in relationship to the subtle energy of your heart, the energy that you hold subconsciously, below the surface. As you heal the wounds in your heart (including feelings of shame, blame, humiliation, despair, regret, guilt, anxiety, apathy, grief, fear, anger, hate, scorn, jealously, etc.) your frequency strengthens and things begin to fall into place more easily.  All of this is an inside job and no one can do it for us. It is also a life-long process.

It doesn’t matter where you begin. What’s important is that you DO begin. Different methods work for different people. Some people like to work alone and others prefer to work in groups (such as those participating in Occupy Wall St.). Practice taking positive action and making each day better or a little lighter for yourself than the previous one. What one thing can you do today to lighten up? How about simply breathing, slowly … in and out … for one to two minutes minimum? You can do this anywhere. This practice will slow your heart rate and help ground your energy. It will help bring inner peace, clarity and focus.

Change comes from the inside, from our hearts. One of the benefits of positive change is personal empowerment.

Related articles

• (Quick-hit Reblog) Remaining Human: A Buddhist Perspective on Occupy Wall St.reet (andallmannerofthings.wordpress.com)

It’s official, we live in an ever-expanding universe! First reported in 1998, the discovery earned three scientists the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. Half of the prize was awarded to Saul Perlmutter, from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley. The other half was awarded to Brian P. Schmidt of Australian National University and Adam G. Riess of Johns Hopkins University and the Space Telescope Science Institute.

No longer can the concept of an ever-expanding universe be considered new age “bunk.” Measuring light coming from exploding stars, the scientists set out to prove that the expansion of the universe was slowing down and they found just the opposite. Their independent discoveries indicate that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. Apparently there is some sort of mysterious and invisible form of energy that counteracts gravity and is pushing matter apart. Imagine that! Reiss says that 74 percent of the universe consists of this dark energy.

So what does all this mean? Everything is possible! When we say something is true, it really means that that’s what is commonly accepted right now either because it has been said over and over for a very long time or we simply don’t know any different.

So everything and anything is possible! This is great news. Consider how this applies to your own life …your long held beliefs, thoughts, feelings, habits, ways of being, doing and living. If something is not working for you, change it. Adopt a different set of thoughts or beliefs about the situation. Try something new. Take different action. Expand your possibilities and create new energy. Step into some of the new and exciting energy of the universe.

Stepping into the unknown can be daunting. Among other things, it requires strength and courage. Strength to carve a new path and courage to withstand the naysayers or anyone who doubts new possibilities. Just because something hasn’t happened does not mean it is not possible. Everything is possible. Twelve years ago I left a well-paying corporate career because it felt right. I was ready to do something else. I was excited about the possibility of what was coming next, although I didn’t know what that would be. I just knew it would be worthwhile. Even though I was the family “breadwinner,” I consciously followed my passion and delved deeply into topics that interested me. Professionally, I entered a new field, launched my own business, co-authored a book, collaborated with like-minded partners, co-wrote a newspaper column for 4 years and kept pace with the explosion of technology and the birth of social media. On the personal side, along with my husband, we raised our daughter and became a meaningful presence in her life, led a Girl Scout Troop for 12 years, assisted my parents for 10 years, took more time for pleasure, did some traveling, read an amazing assortment of books, stayed healthy and much more. Now that our daughter is happily settling into college, I’m ready to expand again. The possibilities are endless.

Long ago I realized that we do live in an ever-expanding universe and that everything is possible. It is here for us to claim. It is our birthright. If you aren’t already doing so, experience it directly. Make new and conscious choices for yourself. You may be amazed with what is possible. Isn’t yesterday’s Nobel Prize in Physics proof enough?

Related articles

• Does the Multiverse Really Exist? (preview) (scientificamerican.com)

Today’s Daily Om inspirational essay about conscious decisions coincides nicely with the thought I’d like to share today: taking personal responsibility for yourself leads to an empowered and authentic life. This in turn supports better physical, mental and emotional health, resulting  in overall well-being and happiness. When we make conscious decisions we actively sort through our options, choosing the ones that feel right at the time. We actively choose our response vs. defaulting to decisions unconsciously. We choose what to do because it feels right vs. merely doing what we are told, even if it is not the popular or recommended approach. Acting by default is taking the easy route and doing whatever someone else says. Acting by default is a lazy approach.

Recently I met with a dermatologist. This individual made two recommendations that did not suit me. The first was to use a sunscreen that I know ranks high on the EWG’s “hazard scale” for sunscreens. The second was to use a petroleum based product with methylparaben to moisturize dry skin. When we discussed the sunscreen and alternative choices, it occurred to me that this professional was simply unaware of better choices for your skin. She was recommending products that block the sun but may also contribute to skin cancer. I wrote down the name of the second product, looked it over at the pharmacy and later researched the ingredients on my own. Although I didn’t remember why, paraben-based products were a flag in my mind. A quick Google search provided the answer: concentration of parabens, particularly methylparaben have been found in breast tumors. So here we have an educated professional recommending products that may contribute to more problems than the ones I was trying to solve. My guess is that this is a common occurrence. How often do we defer to others’ because we think they know better or they must be right (including me!)?

Rather than be angry about this professional’s lack of knowledge in this area, this experience reinforced my resolve to be personally responsible for my choices. This professional provided her best recommendation. In my opinion her recommendation fell short of being more fully informed. That part is up to me and up to each one of us.

As you go through each day, become more aware of your decisions. Pay attention to the ones that you consciously make vs. the times you just do what others say. Responding by default may seem like the easier and less overwhelming choice at the time. If it leads to you feeling disempowered or blaming others for any part of your choice then it’s really about delaying the inevitable: being responsible for your own choices, actions, thoughts and words.

The healthcare system is just one example. Each of our lives is filled with many more, particularly within our work, family and social environments. Play with these thoughts and try them out. How do they apply to your life? What changes can you make to live a more empowered and authentic life?

Related articles

• Study Shows Bisphenol-A and Methylparaben Have a Triggering Effect on Cancer (guide.thesoftlanding.com)
• A Review of the Five Best Sunscreens that are Safe for Both You & Your Child (savings.com)

The physical changes in the brain move slowly from the rear to the front. The rear of the brain, by the stem, is where we process functions such as vision and movement. The front of the brain is where more complicated thinking and processing occurs, along with goal setting and evaluation of different agendas. In teens, the front of the brain is still developing. As we age our ability to integrate memory and experience into our decisions improves.

Research has found that teens tend to make less use of the part of the brain that monitors performance, spots errors, plans, and stays focused. They use more of the brain that deals with impulse. However, when offered an extra reward, teens push the decision-making regions of the brain a little harder. Thus, richer rewards make the executive region of the brain more effective. This is one of the reasons why video games are so successful. They are fast, exciting and filled with lots of rewards.

The teen brain weighs risk vs. reward differently than adults. Teens love new and exciting things. They’ll take a higher risk for the thrill of it as well as for the social rewards, such as approval of friends. They react strongly to social ups and downs because that is a big part of their world. Teens are closely connected to their friends. They follow and learn from them.

So where do we draw the line with helping vs. hindering our kids? How do we guide our children to make the best decisions when they are not fully equipped to do so?  Studies show that kids do better in life when parents are involved and guide their children with a “light but steady hand, staying connected but allowing independence.” It’s a matter of being involved while creating a safe and somewhat protected environment where the teen feels like he or she is in control of decisions that matter to them.

As with all relationships, understanding another’s perspective is key. Knowing the teen brain is undergoing massive reorganization and growth during these prime years may help make the process a little easier. Give some thought to turning situations into a game. Include a series of rewards. Evaluating the risk vs. reward from a teen perspective may bring a whole new light to the situation.

If you find your stress level increasing as you interact with your teen, take a time-out. Breathe. Create some space. “Freeze-frame” the situation on a positive note and flow loving energy to yourself and your teen. Then come back and try again when your energy is clear, coherent and abundant.  As adults, we set examples for our children. Although they may be taking cues from their friends, they are watching us. They want to know what to do, yet they want it to be their decision. Gently offering a perspective based on wisdom and experience, vs. parental authority has a better chance of penetrating the teen brain than taking a heavy-handed approach that may hinder or shut down communication channels.

Related articles

• Online Course Explores the Teenage Brain (psychologytoday.com)
• FINALLY! A Scientific Explanation For Why Teen Brains Are Different (businessinsider.com)
• “An exquisitely sensitive, highly adaptable creature” – The Teenager (19pencils.com)

One way to begin to make your problem patterns conscious is to keep a journal and notice how you feel in different situations. Note where you are and what you are doing when you feel your best. Also note where you are and what you are doing when you are feeling stressed, unhappy or even depressed. Do you notice any patterns? Is it a particular time of day, a particular location, perhaps when you are with certain people? What do you feel like and what does your environment look like in each situation? Taking full responsibility for ourselves and our lives means that we will observe such situations and honestly assess how we are contributing to both the positive and negative dynamics.

It is helpful to see your outer and inner environments as a mirror each other. Such a perspective can help guide you and help develop clarity regarding unconscious patterns. Take a look at the condition of your home (and business space) and think about what it is saying about your inner self. Conversely, your environment has a big impact on how your feel … it has a big impact on your personal energy system and our feelings can give us much information about this impact

It is beneficial to address both the inner and outer influences contained in your environment. For instance, if you are working to improve your health, in addition to the care and guidance you may be receiving from your doctor or practitioner, you can also cleanup, de-clutter and enhance your home and business environments. Clutter holds you in place. We all have it, in varying degrees. Letting it go, frees up energy. It physically lightens your space and energetically allows fresh energy to flow in. When energy is flowing you can then begin to direct it and draw it toward yourself with clear intentions.

As you de-clutter, think about what you really want to happen in your life. Be clear and be specific. Write down your wishes (your intentions) on a piece of paper or in a journal. Writing is a very powerful process. Write your words in the present tense, just as if they are happening in your life today. Also write your wishes using positive words. One intention for good health might be: “I am so grateful that I easily and effortlessly maintain my perfect weight.” Write about the result of what you want.

Thirdly, get ready to receive what you are asking for. This is more difficult than it seems because many of us sabotage ourselves everyday. You might think about what you want but then you may doubt that it will really happen. Or, you might think that you are not good enough. “It will happen to someone else”, but not to you. Such thoughts energetically keep your wishes away! You really need to believe in yourself, in order to shift your energy. If this is a pattern you recognize in yourself, try to let these thoughts go as they come up and get to thinking about what you do want and why you want it.

Next time:
Inner Feng Shui: Applying Feng Shui principles to your inner landscape!

1. Upon awakening, before you even get out of bed, notice how you feel. If you dreamt something that has a negative hangover effect, consciously release it. Use whatever means you can to accomplish this: EFT, breath-work, imagery and pivoting can help you shift your feelings.
2. Choose you emotional state for the day. Yes, you can! Let yourself feel ease, peace, well being to whatever level you can and imagine flowing that good feeling out from your deep inner center into your day.
3. As you move through the day notice what expands and opens you and make it a point to settle into these feelings often. Appreciate and feel gratitude for all that is present and adding to your life. ( feelings create very real biochemical and neuro-hormonal changes.)
4. Notice what triggers negative feelings or thought patterns and consciously release them as best you can as they arise. At times there may be a need for more than you can manage in the moment. If the latter is the case, schedule time to do what you need to in order to collapse those patterns more thoroughly from your bodymind.
5. As you notice what diminishes and drags you down can you also begin to think about how you can consciously make choices that eliminate those situations from your life. That may not be possible in all cases, but you may be able to let go of more than you realize. In the meantime do what you can to build and strengthen your energy so you can change your habitual way of interacting with what is negative for you.

From Carol Ann Ciocco
website: www.threemoonocean.com

Neural Bundles from David MacKay on Vimeo.

Information and instructions for EFT as well as Emotional Freedom and Healing technique are included in our 12 Keys program. Karen (EFT) and Peg (EF & H) also both offer sessions in person and over the phone using these techniques.