After reading hundreds of New Age and self-help books, going to countless workshops and lectures, and practicing with my new tools on a regular basis, I've decided to make a collection of the ideas and tools that have been the most profound for me.

For me the most important thing is to try to remember on a regular basis (even before you get out of bed in the morning) that you are never alone. It is true, "if you knew who walked beside you , you'd never know fear again." God, and your entire entourage of Guides and Teachers are always there. They are actually part of your energy system. That's why you need to go within to feel them and make the connection. Since you have free will, you must ask them to co-create with you. They will not intervene unless invited. Take a few deep breaths and ask Spirit to fill your heart and to feel Spirit's Love for you. Ask if there is any thing you need to know for your highest good at this time. Take a moment and listen. Then ask to be guided in all that you do that day. I also ask to see the face of God in all who cross my path. Then I give thanks.

You can do this every once in a while throughout your day. It only takes a moment or two. In the new energy we don't have to put aside a huge block of time every day to meditate . It only takes your intent and asking. Longer periods of time may be needed at your discretion. But don't use the excuse that you don't have the time to connect, because you do.

Another thing I've learned is that it is important to be grateful for EVERYTHING, even the gift that is in a yukky package. There is a Divine overview and there is a reason for everything in your life. In our humaness we may not understand it right away...that's where Trust comes in. When you are really grateful for something, that means you can't whine about it to friends and do the "Poor Me" thing. That's not really being grateful, is it? That's a tough one and you may have to vent to someone, but once you get through that whirlwind, bring yourself to that place of peace within and really give thanks with your whole heart. Know that this "not too much fun" thing that is happening to you is just bringing something up to be healed. The event or person that caused it is really doing your Soul a favor and you both signed up to do just that before you ever came here.

Gratitude works hand in hand with the next principle: whatever you give your attention to expands. It's a universal law: "Consiousness changes matter.....thoughts matter.....they create matter." We are very powerful and our thoughts as well as words and deeds are creative. So instead of worrying, think about how you would like your life to look. Instead of complaining, give thanks for what you do have. A gratitude journal really is a good idea and I write in mine every night.

Another thing I do is to try to stay conscious moment to moment. This requires being in the moment and going within a lot. When something happens to us, it is tempting to blame someone or something and to try to figure things our from that end. That does not work. It gives your power away and actually energizes the whole situation. Instead, go within and ask what needs to be healed in you. What core belief could have created this situation and how can you heal it? This is very empowering because you let go of the stuff that doesn't belong to you.

One of the most profound things that has helped me stay in a "Love vibration" instead of being angry or bitter is to realize that every person in my life is really a "piece of God", just like me. There are no exceptions. That person's essence is Godlike....really. The person pushing your buttons, according to Wayne Dyer ,is a Soul Mate. He or she shows you what you need to work on and that you haven't reached Mastery in that area yet. They love you so much that when you were both Spirits talking about your contract together when you come to the Earth school, they signed up to help teach you your greatest lessons. The entire Universe backs this idea up and will give you opportunities over and over again to "get it." Every situation gives you a chance to transmute it with Love. There is a choice to see it with the eyes of fear or Love. Fear is from the Ego and keeps you separate.....Love is of God and will bring you Home.

Another idea I embrace is non-judgment, I don't judge myself and am very forgiving. I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be on my path. Every moment in my life has been to heal my Soul and there are no mistakes. Knowing this about myself makes it easier to not judge others. Again, it comes back to trust.

I hope these ideas will help you in your day to day adventures in the Earth school. Remember that it really is an illusion. So let the illusion play out ,as Gary Zukov tells us in Seat of the Soul.

I highly recommend Sacred Self by Wayne Dyer and Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukov.