Your Imagination Is Your Workshop

I was thinking about the power of  imagination, and what it can do for everyone who chooses to use it.  Your imagination is your workshop.  There is nothing to limit you in any way.  As an added bonus, it’s FREE! The best things in life really are free.  There is a feeling of empowerment attached to creating anything you can imagine.  To being limitless.  Don’t you find yourself getting excited just thinking about it?  I know I do.  As children we use our imagination endlessly, sometimes re-running the same sequences over and over in our minds.  We felt inspired and alive, believing in possibility.  Anticipation and expectation filled our beings.

Spending time creating in your imagination,  puts you in contact with powerful invisible forces.  Be fearless.  This is a safe place for you to spend quality time.  Create, relax and enjoy anything you can dream of.  Image something formless into form by visualizing in your minds eye.  Your emotions are brought into action which creates feeling. This makes you receptive.  You can choose to use this constructively, or destructively, so choose wisely.  Free will belongs to you, as does the power of concentration.  If you have created patterns in your life that you would like to reverse, visit your workshop to create the life you want.

As you continue spending time in your workshop, you will find your life shifting. What you focus on expands, creating manifestations in the outer world.  Your inner world gives you a place to make choices and decisions, regarding your life.  You are connected to the higher source of all your good, to infinite intelligence, from all time and space.  Focus like a laser beam on the expected results.  And most of all, have fun creating.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

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Courageously Eliminate Fear and Doubt!

When you tap into your Inner Power Source, you will find courage at the center.  This “source” of who you truly are, fears nothing.  The less evolved self, or the little “I” can live in fear and doubt.  It really is time to stop this bondage of our spirit, by living from the inside out.  Living from the outside in, is an old game most of us are tired playing.  It has been exhausting.  No one ever wins, and the game never ends.  Let’s create a new game.  One in which we all win by supporting each other.  When one wins, we all win. Games are supposed to be fun!

If you are of a mind set that someone has to lose, in order for someone to win, open your mind to a new way of thinking.  Courage speaks the language of “I Can – I Will.” Say “Yes to Life” and you will find life saying yes to you.  Doubt and fear must be removed from the game of life, before courage can act in it’s full empowerment.  What will you replace fear and doubt with?

Love and Light

Courage and Hope

Joy and Harmony

Wisdom and Confidence

Unity and Grace

Peace and Joy

Abundance and Opulence

Health and Wellbeing

Single Minded Purpose and Clarity

Make your own list.  Everyone has different dreams and goals.  Really think about what you want.  Why do you fear what you fear?  Is what you fear true? What steps can you take to release the fear or doubt? Ask yourself some powerful questions.  Use courage when looking into the face of fear.  Fear is a weakling, and only holds the power you give it.  By living from the inside out, you are not giving your power away.  By choosing to create a miraculous life, you will expand.

Work with the principles of life that are your true nature.  Play the game of life to win.  Courageously maneuver yourself into a power position.  As you become an expert at playing the game of life, become a messenger, a teacher to others.  When you bring people into your game, they will learn that no one needs to lose.  That is one of the purposes of the game.  You will be able to provide your fellow players with insight, and encouragement.  They will receive invaluable wisdom into how to play the game of life, where everyone wins.  Inspire greatness in yourself, share it, and people will pass it on.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

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Create Your Future In Wisdom

” When you make a mistake, don’t look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is what is yet in your power” – Hugh White

Making mistakes is how we learn contrast, how we discern what we want, and don’t want in our life.  As they say, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on.  Everyone makes mistakes, has challenges, bumps in the road.  Everyone.  Looking back with regret, blocks our movement forward to bigger and better things.  Your future is up to you.  Create it in each moment.  Every breath you take, gives you a choice.  The first time you attempted to walk, how did that work out for you?  I bet you are an expert now.  Never give up too soon on something you truly believe in.  You are a creator in training.  The future is in your power to create. Walk forward courageous in your choices.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

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The 11:11 In Our Lives

While cruising around online, I found a very interesting article by Steve Pavlina about 11:11.  Many people are openly talking about it now. For some it takes courage to share this phenomenon.  I have been overwhelmed with 11:11 visuals for over 20 years. Some interesting 11’s started showing up in my life 24 years ago, when I married Cody, who is 11 years younger than me.  My son Wade (from my first marriage) was 11 years younger than Cody.  My mothers husband Jim, (now passed on) was 11 years younger, and I was told my great grandparents were 11 years apart in age as well.  This number shows up everywhere for me in many combination’s.  My friends are asking me why they see 11:11 on the clock all the time, and what it means.  Why do they happen to notice that time or number, and why more than any other time or number?   I am so used to 11:11 being a part of my daily life, and did not realize it was happening to people everywhere, around the world.  Many questions have been raised as to the meaning of this number combination.  A site dedicated to answering some of these questions is Eleven:Eleven at http://1111journey.com/

When I saw Steve Pavlina’s article today, I wanted to share it with you.  I will share a small excerpt from it, in hopes you read the whole article, as it is an interesting read.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

What Is 11:11? By Steve Pavlina

There are many levels on which to explain 11:11. I’ll start with the most basic physically observable level and move up from there. This will take a bit of explaining.

11 is a number of course, and 11:11 is a time on a clock. Some very small percentage of people will begin to encounter 11:11 as well as the number 11 more often than chance would indicate — so much more often that you may think you’re in the midst of some crazy conspiracy once you begin to notice it.

If you’ve seen the Jim Carey movie The Number 23, there’s a similar concept behind it, although that movie is far removed from the actual experience. You may indeed think you’re going a bit nuts at first, but that will eventually pass, and soon you’ll be lead to some fascinating new insights about reality.

Numerologically speaking, you can take any number that appears in your life and sum up the digits. If you end up with a number greater than 11, keep re-summing the digits until you’re at 11 or less.

For example, my ZIP code is 89138.

8 + 9 + 1 + 3 + 8 = 29, and 2 + 9 = 11.

My previous ZIP code was 89129

8 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 9 = 29, and 2 + 9 = 11.

My current phone number is 991-1252

9 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 5 + 2 = 29, and 2 + 9 = 11.

If we include the area code, my phone number is (702) 991-1252.

Those digits sum to 38, and 3 + 8 = 11.

The fascinating thing about 11:11 is that it runs backwards and forwards through one’s life. So when you first start noticing the 11s in your life, you’ll find they run through your past as well as your present and future.  Read More ….

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2010 The Year of “Awakening”

“Self observation brings man to the realization of the necessity of self-change.  And in observing himself a man notices that self-observation itself brings about certain changes in his inner processes. He begins to understand that self-observation is an instrument of self-change, a means of awakening.” – George Gurdjieff.

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Living 2010 and Beyond – Courageously

As I look back on 2009, I do so with the realization that we are all creators.  Collectively, we have created the world we live in.  Personally, we create our own environment mentally, physically and spiritually.  2009 has been a year of transformation for the majority of people around the world.  I have seen a great number of people looking back on 2009 in a less than enthusiastic way.  Blaming, criticizing and judging the what, why’s and how’s of our current economic climate from every angle.

I am grateful for 2009.  I believe we will all look back on this last year and find a place for gratitude in our hearts and minds.  2009 was a profound year because it began a process of healing for all of us.  Great shifts and changes for the earth, and the people living on her surface, came visibly alive.  In spite of what may “appear” to be happening in the outer world, there is a momentum of movement toward peace, positive change, new ways of doing business, awareness of the consequences of our collective behavior,  new ideas around government, education, science and technology moving into place. The wheels of change are in motion, the people are responding.  Our hearts are opening as never before. I see choices for joy and happiness, there is a renewed value and appreciation for family, friends and peaceful unity.  As I look back on 2009, it was a year of  awakening to new possibilities, change, hope, accountability, integrity, courage, honesty and appreciation.  It was also a big year for disclosure and secrets revealed – dislodging the agendas of many on the world stage.  The internet is a powerful source of truth.  We are just seeing the beginning of exposure.

2010 holds the promise of a new standard of living from the heart in a courageous way, that will move us forward in the coming years.  We are entering an amazing time on earth.  A time each of us will have to make powerful choices and decisions.  We each have a point of power inside, that guides and directs us.  As more people begin living from the inside out, versus the outside in, our world will transform.  What decisions will you be making?  A daily choice for love, peace, joy, abundance, health and happiness will transport you to a new world of magnificence.  I will not even entertain the choices on the opposite side of the fence!  Each hold great power.  I choose the power of Love & Unity.  I look forward to the future with enthusiasm and anticipation.  I am the master gardener of my consciousness, as you are of yours.  Pull the old weeds and plant new seeds.  Water them daily, pull the weeds when they come up, and plant new seeds in their place.  Walk in your garden, breathing in the beauty and perfection of every place and space of it.   2010 will be an exciting and fulfilling journey for a great many people.  A journey that can take us into and beyond the door to “Everything.”  Blessings to you for living 2010 and beyond courageously.  From my heart to yours…I send you love and light.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online.

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The Future Depends on Us

My beautiful courageous friend Nicole McKinney received this insightful passage this morning from Sue Urda @ Powerful You.  I wanted to share it with you, by paying it forward.

“Change is inevitable and sometimes predictable.  As we see with the economy and the seasons, cycles come and go and they often repeat themselves. These changes and cycles allow us the opportunity to take a deep breath and move forward into what is truly important.  As you look around you and see what is here for you, welcome it.  It either serves as a lesson, a new beginning or a renewed sense of personal values.  Everything is exactly as it is supposed to be, and it is here FOR you. Breathe it in.

By the way, did you know that the Chinese symbol is exactly the same for chaos as the one for opportunity?  There is great wisdom in this.

We wish you the wisdom of the elders – and the Chinese.”

This message is very timely.  Our world seems to be in chaos….what do you see?  I see opportunity, change, a bright future in store for those that have the eyes to see.  The world we all share, we have collectively created.  The future depends on each of us.  Anyone tired of war, disease, pain, chaos, suffering, limitation, fear or doubt?  Anyone?  I though so….then what are you waiting for?  Jump on the ride that takes you to peace, love, joy, health, courage, abundance and happiness.  This ride is long overdue.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage

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Courage Quotes For Living In Courage

Today I am in the mood for some courage quotes to kick start the day.  Here are a few by people I consider courageous.  Courage is required to reattempt a task after initial failure, and to continue on until success is reached.  Reading quotes of courage, fills me with confidence and a sense of inner power. Quotes are like condensed life lessons – to be shared with the world.

Have the courage to love your humanity free as it seeks to balance the mind and heart.  In this balance you will find your freedom. Debra Oakland

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. Winston Churchill

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.  Eleanor Roosevelt

Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it… that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.  Dale Carnegie

One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in, and where you want to go.  Sheila Murray Bethel

One man with courage makes a majority.  Andrew Jackson

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. Anais Nin

All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney

Pain nourishes courage. You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.  Mary Tyler Moore

Thanks for visiting, and make it a great day – Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

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Be The Courageous Gardener Of Your Mental Body

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”  Marcel Proust

Who would want to visit a garden that is full of waist high weeds, colorless and uncultivated?  I would not, simply because it is lifeless, neglected and kind of sad.  Even if you planted a beautiful seed,  it has no water, or care. There is nothing to nourish this beautiful plant to take root.

Now imagine a colorful garden full of beautiful flowers, or food growing in abundance.  The area has been prepared, seeded and the little plants raise their courageous heads to the sun, in anticipation of growth and change.  You can compare these two scenarios to the mental bodies of the human race.  Each person is different, according to what has been planted in the garden of their consciousness.  The mental body is a magnetic field, and through the power of your attention, draws into itself whatever it is being fed.  What are you feeding yours?  Garbage such as anger, judgment, blame, jealousy or even hate?  Or, are you feeding it peace, joy, abundance, love, and a sense of knowing that you get to choose?  The healthy plant that is loved and cared for carries a pattern of perfection within itself, just as you do.  Are you willing to hold that pattern in your mind in a receiving way until it can be externalized?  Have the courage to cultivate, feed and water this pattern of perfection that wants to expand and express itself in, through and around you.

When you get an idea, it is the responsibility of the mental body to hold this idea clearly – long enough for your feelings to breathe it into life.  How does this happen?  By breathing  love, enthusiasm and expectation into the idea.  It is like a rhythm that accompanies this pattern of perfection you wish to manifest into form.   How do we fail or fall short of this?  As I mentioned earlier, our mental bodies are meant to be a clear, magnetic field.  It is cultivated and ready for planting.  When we put accumulated concepts, mass consciousness of fear, doubt, failure, doom and gloom into this beautiful garden of our mental body, there is no space for the good stuff to grow.

The mental body receives through the power of your attention, as well as through the activities of the senses. So imagine your attention connects with something, good, bad or otherwise.  Now your mental body forms a picture of it in your mind, and through the senses, whatever you have placed your attention on, enters the mental body and adds to what is already there.  In many cases, there is an accumulation of discordant garbage.  If we keep storing the same old garbage, there will be no room for the beautiful life we all want to live.  Start by pulling some weeds out of the garden of your consciousness.  Maybe your garden is beautiful and yields great and wonderful life experiences.  Now and then, you may find a few new weeds, or a couple of really big ones that need removing.  Go on in, and pull them out.  Then move on, without resistance, just knowing that all gardens need weeding, and constant tending to stay beautiful.  Just like you.

Here are some very wise rules to live by that will help your garden grow.

Watch your thoughts; they lead to attitudes.
Watch your attitudes; they lead to words.
Watch your words; they lead to actions.
Watch your actions; they lead to habits.
Watch your habits; they form your character.
Watch your character; it determines your destiny.

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The Answer Is Always YES!

The universe says YES to you, always.  That’s it.  To anything you set your mind upon, it says yes, yes, yes.  Think negative, feel defeated, limited, old, undeserving – yes is the answer every time.  This is not rocket science!  Universal principles are simple, yet we complicate them to no end daily.  Living in courage is saying yes to life.  For example, you decide what you want,  the universe says a big fat yes, then you have thoughts or feelings of limitation, perhaps doubt or fear pop up.  Well, guess what the answer is – YES.  Without holding a crystal clear concise thought or feeling, we will only manifest less than a desirous outcome. Our consciousness cannot act on a mixed thought, feeling or message.  We manage to get in our own way so much, we experience a yo-yo effect.  Can you get out of the way of your own good?  I am working on this daily because it is an important principle to live by.  Is it easy? No. Will I give up? NO!  Old habits can be tough to change, but change they must, if they do not come from a place of love and joy.

I am writing about this during my own journey exploring these principles.  It seems we spend so much time chasing our tails in search of abundance, love, peace, youth, joy and a life well lived.  Frustration sets in when things don’t work out the way we “thought” they would.  Well, how can they, with mixed signals coming in?  We need to learn to be clear and concise.  It is essential to getting what we want out of life.  You may say, why does a criminal or despicable human get what they want?  Why do greedy or nasty people have money or harm good people?  All these questions pop up in our minds.  Think about it – these people have a single minded purpose, a clear concise thought and feeling.  Even though it is negative or evil, the universe says yes.  The universe always says yes.  Are you getting the picture?

Allow yourself a space to practice this.  Pick something small to work on, then, work your way up the ladder.  Not because the process does not work!  Because the human mind gets in the way. Remember that altered ego?  It is the small, and very loud voice in your head, that talks incessantly to you.  Re-train you altered ego to be a positive force in your life.  In that way you will have great assistance.  If you think you can manifest something bigger, while remaining unwavering in your conviction of purpose, by all means, go for it.

I challenge you to try it and get back to me with your results.  Can you do it?  Let’s work on this together, for there is not one of us that does not need more encouragement and courage in our lives.

In crystal clear, concise thoughts and feelings of love, I surround you with love and abundance this beautiful day.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

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