Why Your Limitations Really Hold You Back

By Dr Jaime Kulaga

SOMETIMES, as life passes us by, we reflect on where we are and think about how we wish things were different. It is not only life that we wish was different, but our self too.

Maybe there are certain physical or mental aspects about you that hold you back. Some people have lost limbs (physical) where others battle Bi-Polar disorder, low self-esteem, or ADHD (mental). 

Free yourself from your limitations

But dwelling on all your limitations will prove to the world and yourself, that they are in fact limitations.

You will quickly find yourself in a very negative cycle. In fact, this negative cycle of thought not only reduces your self-confidence, but also the confidence that other people have in you.

Take a moment to think about being in a job interview. Would you sit there and spend your 45 minutes of interview time letting the interviewer know all of your limitations?

Why not? Answer this yourself.

If your answer was something along the lines of, "Because they wouldn't give me the job," then you get why you can't focus on your limitations when going about your day-to-day life.

Forty five minutes of dwelling on your limitations could really hinder you from having the life you wished for.

On another note, some people dwell on their limitations and share them with the world because they don't want others to hold them so accountable or don't want others to expect too much from them in case they can't come through.

This lack of confidence is hindering a life of happiness. Instead of people expecting a lot from them, people pity them.

And, while being pitied here and there might feel good, being pitied all the time just confirms to our mind that even others agree that our limitations hold us back.

As we focus on what we don't have the ability to do, we unconsciously create a self-fulfilling prophecy regarding how our limitations deter us from moving forward.

Consequently we don't live the life we wish we had. The reality is there are millions of people with mental and physical illnesses or pains living every day as if it were their dream.

They are achieving goals and climbing mountains. Instead of dwelling on your limitations, you must accept them and create a "work around".

Just as you find ways to work around other barriers that rise up in life, you must create one for what you perceive are your limitations, too.

This week's goal: Begin switching focus on what you do have to work with in life as opposed to what you don't have.

And begin your "work around" for your limitation in order to live the life you wish for.

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Dr. Jaime Kulaga is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Motivational Speaker.

She is the author of "The SuperWoman's Guide to Super Fulfillment: Step-by-Step Strategies to Create Work-Life Balance."

She is the inspirational founder of the nationally known SuperWoman Workshops. Dr. Kulaga has been featured internationally for her expertise in Work-Life Balance. http://www.mindfulrehab.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8978060

How To Control Your Negative Thought Patterns

Guest post by Margo Kirtikar, PhD

MANY random thoughts race through our brains every single moment of the day. Some of these thoughts make sense but most make no sense at all.

Control your negative thoughts

A few are perhaps practical thoughts about what we should be doing now, tomorrow or next week, reminding ourselves of this or that. And that's perfectly OK because it's reasonable and helpful to us.

A few thoughts are reflections perhaps about what we did and what we could have done better, or contemplations and reflections about some word or sentence we heard or picked up somewhere - maybe it was a movie we saw.

This is good for us because it expands our mind and horizon, opening up new avenues of creative thoughts and ideas.

But here lies the danger - most of our thoughts are plain stupid, useless and senseless, negative and, therefore, they are self-destructive and self-sabotaging thoughts.

It is these negative thoughts that keep us enslaved in a world of negativity, blocking our way from moving freely forward to a happier space of being.

Some lucky people have actually managed to cross over this invisible barrier to stop being slaves to their thoughts and have managed to gain control over their negative thinking patterns enough to eliminate them.

They have managed to escape from the prison of negative thinking and its misery. How is that possible you may ask? How did they manage to do that? I can't do that, or can I really stop my negative thoughts?

The answer is. 'Yes, you can!' Believe it or not yes you can! There's a little technique involved and some work to do in the process of course.

But first you need to recognize the fact that you are a slave to your negative inner thoughts. You need to have the genuine desire to put an end to your life of negativity.

Make the decision, invest some time, willpower and effort, and be persistent until you have succeeded.

Keep on trying again and again, and before you know it your life will be taking a different course to a path of fun, laughter and abundance in every way that you can imagine.

Here are a few hints to help you on your way. The rest is up to you.

* Stop feeling irritated about anything or anyone. Stop complaining about anything and everything. Nothing is more boring than people who constantly complain.

Nothing is more boring than to be with people who find fault with every situation and with everybody. From now on you accept people as they are and you take things in your stride whether you like or not.

Remember you might be doing things to irritate or upset other people too. Would you like it if they were mean or rude to you? No you wouldn't you would be hurt.

So try to keep that in mind. The world does not evolve around you. Instead, try to fit in and to contribute good vibes wherever you go. You're here to make the world a better place whenever and wherever you can.

* Stop surrounding yourself with negative people who know nothing else but to complain about everything. If you can't remove them from your life and you are forced to spend time with them, then try this approach.

Every time they open their mouth, smile and say something positive. For example, how marvelous the weather is, how much you enjoyed a movie you saw, how lovely the flowers are

What a good time you had with your family, or partner, how much you enjoyed the program on TV the night before, or a walk in the forest.

Anything, no matter, talk about the wonderful, the marvelous, enjoying, fun stuff and laugh... do not allow yourself to be sucked into their negative drama.

These people are polluting the air with their negative energy. Interrupt them. Ignore what they say. You'll be helping them by not listening to them.

* Surround yourself with positive happy people who love life and who love themselves. They tend to appreciate the fact that they are alive.

They are the ones who spread good energy around them and you want some of that good energy so you can spread it around yourself.

* Do not watch the news or read about the daily catastrophes in the world. Of course you can read the headlines, take note of that to keep up with the general news of the day.

But you don't need to read or know about or listen to the bad details. You can find plenty of news on line about happy happenings all over the world.

A lot of that is going on that mainstream media do not show you. Ignore all the ones who bring bad tidings.

Follow the ones who bring you good news of good people, creative people, people who contribute to the welfare of the human family.

* Make a habit to watch yourself. Analyze yourself, pay attention, be conscious of what you are thinking about mostly, of your words and what you speak about. Be conscious of your actions and behavior.

This will bring home to you clearly what you are all about and if you see negativity in yourself then you know you have to change that and you know what to do.

* Whatever you find out about yourself accept it. Accept yourself as you are negative or positive or both, and love yourself anyway.

Once you have accepted yourself as you are and you like yourself as you are - the good and the bad - you are ready for the change that you wish to see in yourself.

* The thing is, you need to become aware of who you are and what you are, to take notice and to pay attention to yourself.

You need to love yourself, to have self-confidence. You need to like yourself and who you are. Only then are you able to like and appreciate others.

* Fill your mind - from the moment you wake up in the morning until the last moment before you fall asleep - with positive thoughts and affirmations.

Feel these emotionally, feel that you are loved with passion, feel the passion in everything you do. Feel and feel and feel again, that you are alive.

It's a privilege so enjoy being alive and be grateful that you can experience life.

Let me explain why affirmations are important and necessary to help you cultivate the energy of being positive.

In life there is no vacuum you see - a glass half full with water has the other half that's supposedly empty filled with air! If you want the air to disappear you fill the glass with more water right to the top.

Imagine the same principle in your brain/mind. It's either full of rubbish or with good stuff. Surround yourself with rubbish, the input is rubbish, the output is rubbish! Cruel but true!

That's exactly how it is. So in order to push the negative thoughts out, fill your brain, cram your brain with positive input/affirmations - so full that it leaves no room for the negative.

I'll list some affirmations for you at the end of this article but you can also make up your own, as long as it's positive input.

And just so you understand me correctly, the positive input can come from any good source, good intelligent positive friends, acquaintances, movies, books, TV programs, music, nature, all outside of yourself.

You do this until you soak in so much of the good and the positive that you, your inner self, will change inwardly to be genuinely a positive and happy person, happy with yourself and happy with the world.

That's called inner peace.

Too many people walk around laughing and pretending to be happy, who are positive on the outside, tell jokes and so forth.

But it's fake because on the inside they are plagued with negativity through their inner thoughts and feelings of hate, resentment, jealousy and low self-esteem.

Needless to say this is a perfect prescription for serious illness and disease to follow.

You want to not only push the negative thoughts away but to really clear your whole system, your heart, your emotional body and your aura - everything about you inside and out needs to be positive.

In other words, full of light that leaves no room for darkness at all.

Here are the affirmations you could repeat to yourself. Remember you can also make up your own according to your own needs.

You repeat one or more the whole time quietly in your mind. Any time you catch a negative, useless thought, affirm again and again.

Affirmations:

I am a happy person

I am full of light

I like myself

I love myself

I love life

I love everyone and everyone loves me

I am content

I am at ease with myself and with others

I enjoy my life

I surround myself with white light

I am genuinely friendly and kind

I am a compassionate person

I feel good about myself and my life

Everything is as it should be

I live in the present moment

I am free of all bad karma

I am the creator of my life

I am responsible for my moods, my thoughts and my feelings.

I wish to be happy

I choose to be a happy person

Note: To be also practical remember that we all have bad days or moments when something happens that really upsets us.

Of course, we can't and we shouldn't deny that. The way to go is to accept that as it is, but don't let it take you over.

Analyze the situation, reflect on it, accept it and either change it if you can, or move on. What I'm saying is use your common sense. Be kind to yourself.

Margo Kirtikar, PhD in the Science of Metaphysics, is a spiritual guide/teacher, life coach, counselor, speaker, author of several books on self-development - all available on amazon.com

One-to-one counselling on Skype by appointment only.

Contact: margo@margokirtikar.com
Website: http://www.your-spirit-guide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8267668

Reaching Your Full Potential

By Margo Kirtikar Ph.D.

HOW would you like to reach your full potential? 'Me?' you might think, 'But...' and then you'll begin to list a number of reasons of why it's not possible for you to do that.

Not enough education, bad childhood memories, no support network, you don't think you're smart enough and on and on goes on the list of why it's not possible.

But what if I told you that, 'Yes you can', just like that. All you need to do right away is to change your mindset from the impossible to the possible.

Tell yourself right now that you can, and believe it is possible, against all the odds. Why ever not? It is possible for you to reach your full potential because you just made up your mind that you can do it.

That thought in itself makes it possible. You have already taken the first step on the path towards this goal. All doubts and insecurities have disappeared.

Stand up straight hold your head up high, put a smile on your face and have faith in yourself. Having faith in yourself is the same as having faith in God.

You now expect miracles in your life and you know what, you're going to have them. So be convinced, keep alert and watch out for them.

You are now a full-fledged optimist, you have faith and what's more, you believe in miracles.

Now do you feel energized with that idea? Of course you do. A positive attitude towards life energizes you. It makes you vibrate at a higher level. It's invigorating and exciting.

Doubt, low self esteem, disbelief, despair drain you of your energies and concentration powers. They send your vibration level rocketing downwards leaving you almost paralyzed unable to think, let alone act.

So go back to your positive thoughts, your are now well on the path to reach your full potential, with confidence, commitment and effort.

Good now focus on your goal, as you explore your possibilities. Figure out what your strengths and gifts are. Everyone has some, find out yours and work with that.

Acknowledge your weaknesses and vulnerable points and accept them. It's OK. Don't let this get you down. Everyone has weaknesses.

Successful people use their strong points, to their advantage to get them to their goals and they also reserve some time every day to improve their weaker points.

That is how one gets stronger and better every day, with dedication to a specific goal, unwavering commitment and constant effort. Nothing is achieved without effort.

That's what it takes - focus with self confidence, total commitment, effort and persistence.

Spend a little time every single day on meditation or reflection. Call it quiet time if you prefer; it doesn't matter.

The point is you sit down at a specific time in a specific place every single day to be quiet with yourself, alone with or without your thoughts.

This is called food for your soul. In time you will be in union with your soul. Your soul is the best guide you can have who works with you through your intuition.

You will be astonished at what this little quiet ritual will do for you. In a week's time, you will be calm, centered and balanced.

Your concentration powers will improve, your mind becomes clearer, creative ideas come to you from nowhere, and you will be aware enough to recognize all that and use it all to your advantage.

This is called being Zen. And it's an easy state to achieve - just stick to the ritual and keep at it. After a few months you'll be wondering how you managed to exist without it.

Be Zen. Quiet time is food for your best friend and guide... your soul.

Another thing you will need to do is to allocate a little more time each day to learning. Read, watch videos, visit workshops, whatever is possible and convenient for you to do.

Do whatever it takes to feed your intellect and mental body. Learn about your profession, too, so that you are always well informed. Read news and business magazines relevant to your area of work.

The more you know, the more confidence you will gain and the better you can do your work.

Learning, reading, acquiring knowledge is food for your brain and your intellect. You cannot allow yourself to stagnate. A little every day is better than a lot once in a while.

You will need to take care of your emotional body too.

This you do by giving attention to your private life, your personal relations with all your family members, with your friends and everyone you come in contact with.

This is important for your emotions to keep them balance and alive, so you can practice interacting and communicating with your fellow humans.

It helps you become a sensitive, compassionate, refined character, commanding respect from all around you. Practice kindness, understanding, consideration, compassion and a generosity of heart.

Be happy with yourself who you are and what you are all about. Be authentic and honest always,. You can never go wrong with that and you can sleep like a baby at night.

You are unique - there's no one else out there just like you. Be proud of who you are and do everything in life so you can remain proud of who you are. Be a person of integrity that everyone can trust.

Practice trust, honesty and good humor.

Be grateful and make a point of being grateful every single day for what you have. Don't yearn for what you don't have. Yearning for something far away is a waste of time

Of course you can dream, but don't let the yearning eat you up inside. Instead work on achieving a little more every day of what you aspire for, without losing sight of what is right and wrong.

We build our future brick by brick and we need to make sure that every brick is solid and of good quality before we add the next one on top. Otherwise, whatever we build will topple down like a pack of cards.

We live in a complex world; there's much that no one really understands. But with modern technology we have all the knowledge possible at our fingertips.

We need to be curious and enthusiastic about knowledge and about life in general. Changes are coming fast so we can't afford to be rigid in our viewpoints.

Stay with it and be informed of what goes on at work, at home, and in the world at large.

Have an open mind and be flexible. Keep what makes sense and forget what does not make sense to you.

And don't hesitate to change your mind if you find yourself on the wrong track. On the other hand, do not give up too easily.

Last but not least, don't be too shy or afraid to ask for help from experts. Don't allow yourself to be misguided, bullied or talked into doing anything you don't want to do.

Think for yourself. You make up your own mind. Don't let others make up your mind for you.

You are unfolding like a flower bud, enjoy the process, laugh and have fun.

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I have dedicated my life to helping, coaching, guiding, people on their life path. My clients find me through word of mouth, or through the web, my blog and articles.

My main website is http://www.margokirtikar.com. My email is margoatmargokirtikar.com and you can read my blog at http://www.mindempowerment.net/blog.

I am a spiritual teacher - nothing to do with any specific religion. That is your own private matter. What I do is I help you to contact your inner Divine Spark and that is what helps you to reach your full potential.

That little Divine Spark of God within you is the Spirit within that needs to come through to shine through you. This applies to all human beings of every color, race, gender and religious belief.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7209402