Why You Should Talk To Happiness

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You

Most people, when they want to attract something positive in their lives, focus on what makes them happy.  They think about big houses, fast cars, exotic vacations, etc.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, in fact, keep it up!

What I'd like to suggest is that you take it one step further.  Instead of thinking about what makes you happy, why not try talking to Happiness?

That's right.  Talk to Happiness.  Treat it like it's real.  Treat it like it's positive energy that responds to you.  Because that's what it is.  Talk to it. 

"Hello, Happiness, my old friend.  I've come to talk to you again."

Treat Happiness with respect.  Tell it some jokes.  Invite it over for dinner. 

Instead of thinking about Happiness, go straight to the source.

It will talk back to you.

Just try it for a few days.  I'd love to know how it goes.

Positive Thinking on Steroids: Laughter In The Park

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You



This past weekend, I attended my first Laughter Yoga class.  It's something that I'd heard about ages ago, and have always been curious about.

I was slightly worried as it was held outside, in a public park, for all to see.  I wondered if I would feel foolish, or embarassed.  But, being a firm believer in being silly, I dismissed my concerns and headed out to the park. 

It was a beautiful day, possibly the last one London will see in a while.  I could see a group of people gathered in one corner of the park, under at tree, talking.  I  immediately knew which one was the instructor.  She had the biggest smile.  She had the most positive energy.  She simply glowed. I thought to myself "I want to look like that!" and eagerly headed over.

After a brief introduction, we got stuck in!  Lots of funny noises, role plays, and other laughter techniques ensued. 

Did you know that the body can't distinguish between real and fake laughter? 

Pretty soon, what started out as "fake" laughter, became genuine laughter.  It's contagious and I found myself giving in completely to the desire to laugh my friggin' head off.

Here I was, standing in a park in central London with 15 strangers, having a ball.  This doesn't happen very often, does it? (When I find myself in unusual circumstances like this, I like to take a moment and contemplate it.) 

The session ended with all of us lying down on a giant tarpaulin, on our back, staring out at the giant tree above, laughing, laughing, laughing.  Just laughing.  For a good 10 minutes. 

At the end, we just sat there in a circle and smiled.  Warmth, positivity, happiness and relief.  It felt so damn good!

Have you ever been to laughter yoga? Would you consider taking a class? 

ps. for a brief history of the origin of laughter yoga click here.  It's spread....just like laughter should.

The Money Attracting Challenge Results

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You



Yesterday was August 31, the deadline for the Money Attracting Challenge I participated in.  The results were....interesting.

My goal was to attract an extra £1000 by August 31.  Here's what I attracted:

Lots of free stuff, including:
Food and wine.(including 4 BBQ invites from friends....4 Saturdays in a row!)
Two free tickets to Wimbledon.
Free movie tickets.
My new book has started selling! (Yay me!)
I booked an extra job in September (this one was a surprise because it came from sources I didn't even know I had, working for me and recommending me.....The Universe works in mysterious ways!)

But here's the really strange part.  While I didn't exactly receive £1000 in cash or cheque form by the deadline.....my boyfriend did.

Recently his elderly great-aunt (aged 98) passed away.  Yesterday he found out that she left him £1500 in her will.  This came as a complete surprise to him. 

At first, I was glad for him, and then I realized the date!  August 31!!  He got the money!  WTH???  Who did that?  Was it me (wish) or him (probably)? How did he manage to attract this money, without even trying, when I was trying to attract it, and didn't?

Technically the money is going into our household, so do I get to claim this as a win? 

Here's what I will claim as a win:

Feeling more peace
Meditating more
Tending to my thoughts
Listening to my Guidance System (emotions)
Becoming much better at pivoting.
A general feeling of happiness and well-being
Blogging has now become a habit

Like they say, it's the journey and not the destination.  And look what I found along the way!

So, what do you think?  Did I pass my challenge? 

Dear Money, I Love You

 
I just thought I'd let you know that.  There are so many reasons that I love you.

I love you for keeping me nourished.

I love you for keeping me safe and sheltered.

I love you for the comfort you bring me.

I love you for showing me the world.

I love you for all the education you have provided me with.

I love you for taking me home when I miss my family.

I love you for all the good times: the movies, the restaurants, the pubs, clubs and bars, the festivals, the concerts, the theatre, the dances, the shopping, oh, the shopping!

Money, you bring me so much joy.  Without you I wouldn't have the friends that I have.  I wouldn't have my loved ones.  People underestimate how much love you are capable of bringing....but not me.  You have filled my life with love, happiness and joy.

And I love you!  Thank God for you!  Thank you, Universe, for this wonderful money!

This post was inspired by my morning meditation session.  I started thinking about money, and all that it's brought me, and I couldn't wait to show my appreciation through this post. That's inspired action. 


Money is energy and it responds when you call it.  But watch what you call it.  Do you hang out with people who don't like you, or do you hang out with people who love and appreciate you? 


Remember the Golden Rule. Treat money the way you want to be treated.  Be kind to it, and it will be kind to you.

How Do You Avoid The Bite of The Energy Vampire?

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You

 
Yesterday we decided to go blackberry picking (I know! We're obsessed) with some family.  On the way to the forest we were telling one of our relatives about our Open House visit the day before.

We told her about the house: how it was bigger, had more bedrooms and a bigger backyard.  Her reaction surprised us both:

"What on earth do you need with a bigger house?  The one you have now is perfectly fine for the two of you! You've got more than enough space."

Perfectly fine. She's right.  The house we have now is perfectly fine for the two of us.  That doesn't mean we can't want more.

Then later on, she asked what we were going to make with all the blackberries we picked.  Jam, we told her.

"Jam! Why jam!  You'll need loads of berries for jam. And if it doesn't turn out okay, you'll have wasted this whole afternoon."

Sheesh!  Seriously? She had an opinion on us making jam?

I was starting to bubble under the surface.  This energy vampire was sapping my strength!  What do you do when you encounter someone who rains on your parade?  I've had co-workers and even friends who were like this.  Gradually they faded away.  But this was a relative.  Bit trickier.

I needed a break from this. So, I found a quiet spot in the forest to pick berries by myself for a few minutes.  I paid attention to my emotions (frustration, resentment, a touch of anger) and attempted a pivot. 

Okay, I thought, I don't like these feelings, so what do I like?  Well, I like feeling free to make my own choices.  I like feeling respected.  So I thought about what that would look like.  I thought about it until I felt better, and then I rejoined the group.

Phew!  Much better.  And then I even managed to appreciate the opinions of this relative.  They gave me the opportunity to practice my pivoting.  The more I practice, the easier and faster it gets.

That's how I dealt with my energy vampire yesterday.  What do you do?

p.s. made the jam.....it's awesome!
















 

How Experiencing The Contrast Helps You Visualize What You Prefer

By Anne Bellamy, Author of  Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You


This past weekend we decided to go to an Open House.  Are we moving? Nah, not yet.  Thinking about it?  Kinda just starting to.  We live in a small but cozy house, which is fine, because it's jus the two of us.  But when my boyfriend suggested checking out this house nearby, I said yes!

I was enthusiastic, not because I'm eager to move, but because I was eager to experience some contrast.
When you experience contrast, you get a better idea of what you want in life. 

Just hours before we went, my boyfriend said, "is there really any point? We can't afford this house anyway"
to which I replied:

"Hell yes, there's a point!  The point is for us to experience that which we prefer. This house is bigger than ours.  It has a bigger backyard and a garage.  It's finished (regular readers will recall that our house isn't)

When we experience that which we prefer, we then are able to focus on it.  Most people, after seeing something they prefer, tend to focus on the fact that they lack what they prefer.  This is a chance to imagine ourselves somewhere bigger.  This is a chance to focus on what we want. When we go see this house, don't focus on the fact that it may be nicer than ours.  But focus on what you like about it, and imagine yourself living there. Stay positive."

Honestly, I don't know how it worked for him.  I can't monitor his vibrations.  But I do know that I imagined myself in this house.  I know what I liked about it.  I know when I visualize I can see aspects of this house that I preferred.  I can see myself living there.   

We came home, and walked through the front door, and I thought to myself "Home sweet, home"  For while I can visualize myself in a different home, I fully intend to show the one I have my full appreciation. 

I appreciate that it protects me from the elements.  I appreciate that it keeps me warm.  I appreciate that it keeps all my stuff safe.  I appreciate that I feel home here. 

First World Problems????

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You
 
Yesterday a friend of mine sent me this video:

It made me start to think about my own "First World Problems" hmm....the lightbulb in my bathroom went out yesterday and I don't have a spare one....I'll have to go out and buy one, at the store around the corner!

Last night, while watching TV, we got a bit peckish.  Then, the horror!  We realized we didn't have any snack food in the house.  Again, we had to go out and buy some Doritos, at the store, around the corner!

And did I mention that there was nothing good on TV?!?!  Can you believe it?


My fridge is too full of food (on a serious note, this is something that I really have complained about.  Can you believe that?)

First World Problems are all pretty insignificant, aren't they?  The best way to learn that is to go to a Third World Country.  You'll realize pretty darn quickly how lucky you really are.  I learned this lesson myself when (a few years after graduating from University, something I took for granted at the time) I spent 6 weeks travelling in East Africa. 

It changed my life.  Not only because it's where I met my boyfriend, but because I had never seen people live with so little.  I felt ashamed of all the things I took for granted in my life.  The fact that I went to University was a given.  All my peers were doing it, so I would too.  Didn't dawn on my that I was damn lucky, to not only go to University, but that it was always an assumption that I would.

Africa is where I truly learned to count my blessings.  And yes, I do forget to do that from time to time, but I'm pretty good at it. There's so much in my life worthy of appreciation.  I won't bore you with what those things are, but if you're reading this, you probably have a lot to appreciate in your life too.

So, whaddya think?  What First World Problems do you have, which are, in fact, not problems, but blessings?