Archive for January, 2010

Embracing Change

Bookmark and Share January 22nd, 20102 Comments »

Embracing Change: Turn Doubt And Fear Into Courage And Faith

Imagine this. I live in a house situated on Kingfisher Crescent in Orleans, Ontario, Canada.

It’s a comfortable, cozy two story house. The moment I saw it, I knew it would be mine.

Behind the houses on the north side of the street is a beautiful greenbelt alongside the Ottawa River.

The River is frozen right now and we can walk, snow shoe or cross country ski for miles and miles. At certain points you can see only wilderness, the pristine beauty of the sun sparkling on snow and ice.

Off in the distance are ice fishing huts, where fishermen pass the time patiently waiting for a bite.

Sounds idyllic doesn’t it?

Behind this backdrop of beauty and peace I have just experienced the most profound, liberating and terrifying moments of my life.

My ego has been shattered (a good thing). I’ve become humble, but will never again will I allow myself to be humiliated.

My courage and determination are now unshakable. My faith in myself, my fellow human beings and God is invincible.

How did I come to this place? Was it by choice? Yes, but I was only partially conscious of my choice. Most of it was unconscious.

I was forced into this situation because I didn’t heed the warning signs of loved ones and trusted advisers.

I continued down the path of destruction, fear gripping me, yet ignoring my still small voice when it tried to tell me what the final consequences would be.

Basically I didn’t want to change. But it was more than that. I refused to accept my life as it was.

I felt that someone somewhere would come and rescue me from what I felt were unjust circumstances. I was a modern day Cinderella.

I was evolving in my spiritual life, but I chose to separate this life from my material existence. The reality is we cannot filter our life through a particular lens forever.

At some point we either have to deal honestly with our pain and suffering or we will succumb. It’s total honesty that will help us not only survive but thrive.

My pain came from living a life of spending beyond my means—the books weren’t being balanced and the debt kept mounting.

It’s not that my spending was particularly wasteful, although I could have done without some goodies or some trips.

I accomplished some amazing things with the money I spent but I was not wise. I didn’t have the courage to delay my gratification.

Did I have the knowledge so I could have avoided my pain and suffering?

Absolutely! Did I have the wisdom? Absolutely not!

I was an ostrich sticking my head in the sand. When I finally pulled my head out of the mud and faced the reality, I had a huge “aha”.

When we look at the credit card debt, outstanding loans, house foreclosures and the bankruptcies in Canada and the US it’s clear that I’m not alone.

And look what’s going on at the national level.

Click here to read an article I came across today.

The article is about what’s happening in the United States, but Canada isn’t much better, if at all.  And many other countries may even be worse.

Unlike our governments, I can’t print money….and I’m glad I can’t because it just means avoiding the issue. The sad fact is that when our governments finally stop printing money with wild abandon, we will all suffer even more.

Facing The Problem

I realized when I looked at my financial problems I saw in it a great force that was devastating me. But I also felt I had a greater force deep within me. And when I chose to face the problem, I proved to the problem that I not only have the greatest counter force at my disposal, I am the greatest force on earth.

With this knowledge I was ready to take action, eagerly and with a willingness to do whatever it took.

I’ve finished with over spending. I’m now into asking, giving and receiving. I’ve chosen to live a life of balance from the inside out.

It’s been a humbling experience. But it’s also been a profound growth experience, because I have truly experienced the power within me to deal with this challenge and I know any challenge that will ever confront me for the rest of my life.

I’m happier, healthier, more peaceful and on purpose now than I’ve ever been in my life.

And finding the path to a new life is a gift I want to share with you. To be of service to you, my readers would be a great privilege for me.

If you’re determined to overcome some challenges in your life read on….

Overcoming Fear

I’ve overcome my fears. I’ve turned my fears into courage. Will I ever be afraid again. Probably, but I won’t let it take me down.  When my body says “no”, I will listen and take action.

Once we eliminate our fears and are sure of our goal, then no force has the power to work against us and destroy us.

Here are some of the fears that I’ve overcome while solving my over spending problem.

  1. I was afraid of what others would think about me. And I was afraid that people, including my family would judge me. Quite frankly, hardly anyone really cares, because everyone has their own problems they’re trying to deal with so they don’t have time for yours.
  2. I was afraid of going through the experience of coming to terms with the situation. That fear was holding me back from embracing it.
  3. In the end, the only thing to fear is fear itself. The only thing to doubt is doubt itself. Identification with fear and doubt or courage and faith is a choice, even if it’s not always a conscious choice. I have this stone on my kitchen counter.  On it is written “choice”.  So from now on, I have promised myself to make only conscious choices.

I’ve Learned A Lot

It doesn’t matter what the problem is, the process of solving it and becoming victorious is exactly the same.

So in the final analysis, I’m grateful for this problem, because it shows what can happen if we truly surrender to the Universe, and ask for help.

I’ve learned:

  1. To live life fully from the inside out and not the other way around.
  2. That sharing a problem with trusted advisers and loved ones before it becomes a crisis is the best approach.
  3. When I separate myself from anything or anyone I move from a state of unity or oneness to a state of separateness. It’s in separateness that we lose our peace and harmony and create division in our life.
  4. To completely accept myself without judgment, even if others judge me.
  5. My mistakes don’t define who I am unless I let them. Nor does the attitude of someone else define me unless I let them.
  6. To face and accept my challenges with a view of transforming them. When I do the Grace of God is with me, for me, and working in me for my highest good.
  7. If I can remain cheerful then destructive forces cannot attack me. Have you ever felt drained when you’re around people who are constantly being negative?
  8. That if I don’t forgive my failures and then forget them, I’m tying up energy that prevents me from living now and what’s worse, it prevents me from creating my future.
  9. I’ve learned to be absolutely honest with myself if I want to move through an obstacle and turn it into an opportunity for growth and learning.
  10. When I accepted the worst that could possibly happen and embraced it, the Universe opened up and is showering its choicest blessings on me. Now “the worst” will never happen.

As Helen Keller said “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.”

What My Experience Means For You

It means that I want to share my wisdom with you. I want to be of service to you to support you to deal with your biggest issue.

You may be thinking, if she’s screwed up her financial affairs, how can she support me in facing my challenges?

Well, I’ve discovered that the process of looking at a situation you want to change and then creating a new reality, is the same no matter what the problem.

That’s one of the most beautiful things about our world. Once we crack the code, we can share its secrets with others.

Suppression and negativity, along with blaming, complaining and judging take an enormous amount of energy. So much in fact there is little left for creative endeavors.

Can You Identify With These?

If you identify with any of the following, please contact me now for your FREE 90 minute Consultation.

  • You’re afraid to face the problem, because you’re afraid of what you perceive the consequences to be.
  • You’re in outright resistance and defiance of the situation.
  • You’ve put your toe in the water and got burned so you’re afraid to try again.
  • You don’t know where to start. You’re overwhelmed by all the information available.
  • You’re getting conflicting advice. Friends, family and even supposed advisors are telling you what they think you should do without helping you sort out what your intuition is telling you.

My time for the 90 minute FREE Consultations is limited so I can only give 10 consultations until February 8th.

Why Is The Consultation FREE?

I want to support you to take action RIGHT NOW! I want to share with you some of the lessons I’ve learned.

Think of that big issue that is keeping you stuck and preventing you from realizing your full potential.

We’ll look at your from all angles—the past, what it means to you right now, and where you want to go in the future.

At the end of the FREE Consultation you will have the opportunity to join The Change Program to solve the problem once and for all. If you commit, we’ll move forward together with my three point plan.

Three Point Plan

  1. We’ll create an aspiring thought around what you want to achieve by cutting through the confusion in your mind. I call this the workable position which will bring you clarity.
  2. I’ll give you tools to dive deep within to enlist all the resources you have to face the problem. We have all been given the capacity to deal with our problems. We just have to believe it.
  3. I’ll support you to take action and move forward towards your goal with confidence.

If you choose not to come on board, I’ll honour your choice and wish you all the best, hoping we can work together in the future.

2010 is a year of change. Let’s face it together.

My time for the 90 minute FREE Consultations is limited so I can only give 10 consultations until February 8th.

So don’t delay if you are committed to changing your life.

Send an email to: joycefriesen@novalisintegra.com and say “Free consultation” in the subject line.

Whether or not you accept my offer, I would be delighted to get your feedback on this Blog Post. And let me know what is your biggest challenge in life. And if you’ve discovered a great strategy please share it with all of us.

To your transformation,

Joyce Friesen, Founder The Novalis Integra Center

Spotlight 2010: An Astrologer’s Perspective

Bookmark and Share January 7th, 2010Add a Comment »

Spotlight 2010: An Astrologer’s Perspective

Join me on January 12th at 7 pm EST as I interview Denise Grams, eminent Astrologer, on what we can expect in 2010.

I know you will want to glean all the insights you can, so you can face the next year with confidence to maximize all the opportunities presented to you.

Here are some things you will learn.

  1. Many people including myself found the last three months of 2009 difficult. You’ll learn why and you’ll also discover what’s been going on in the cosmos since the fall.
  2. Planetary alignments affect people differently. How is it that some people benefit while others don’t?
  3. Planetary cycles have significant impact on how people move forward in their lives—or don’t. Denise will talk about which signs will have the most challenges this year and what signs might be more “in the flow”.

Things are definitely changing for the way humans survive on earth. We can all feel that everything is changing and changing very quickly. The question is how will it change? Find out on the call.

To Register For The Interview Send An Email To: joycefriesen@novalisintegra.com to receive your call in instructions. Remember that it will be web simulcast so you don’t even have to pay the long distance charges to listen.

And the big question that’s on everyone’s mind—what will happen on December 21 2012. There are some of you who think it will be the ‘end of the world’.

  1. Find out why the next few years may feel to some folks that it is.
  2. Denise will talk about the opportunities for transformation that we have as we prepare for the shift of 2012.

But your biggest opportunity is to have an Astrological Reading with Denise.

She has agreed to do a special 2010 Reading just for you so you can pinpoint your opportunities and challenges and prepare to meet them.

You will then know when and why you’re feeling a bit down and when your challenges are likely to come.

Click Here To Read More About Denise Grams

To Register For The Interview Send An Email To: joycefriesen@novalisintegra.com to receive your call in instructions. Remember that it will be web simulcast so you don’t even have to pay the long distance charges.

Please Note: If you don’t register for the Interview you will not have the opportunity to receive your special Reading with Denise.

Resolutions For Success

Bookmark and Share January 1st, 20103 Comments »

Resolutions For Success

On the eve of the New Year, a new consciousness dawns on earth. So too a new consciousness dawns within you.

When the New Year dawns, we have to make ourselves conscious of this fact. This consciousness gives us the opportunity to transcend ourselves. We have to go beyond our present capacity and achievement.

One of the reasons I like the holiday season so much is that I’m taken out of my daily routine so I can set aside time to gather up the past year, and lay plans for the coming one.

I’m not alone. Every year millions of people embark on the yearend tradition of making a New Year’s resolution or two.

You may vow to lose 20 pounds or say that this is the year you are going to cut back on your drinking, quit smoking once and for all or get out of debt.
But will you?

Four out of five people won’t achieve their goals.

One survey listed the top three resolution categories in order of popularity:

  • Start exercising and get fit—37%
  • Eat better—13%
  • Reduce alcohol and caffeine consumption or quit smoking—7%

Other popular New Year’s resolutions:

  • Lose weight
  • Manage debt or get out of debt
  • Save money
  • Get a better job
  • Get a better education
  • Reduce stress

Do you notice what all these resolutions have in common? At the most basic level, they’re too general.

While they are good starting points, for our subconscious mind to engage in keeping the resolution, it must be more specific and manageable.

Research shows that by the third week of January, many fail to live up to their stated resolutions. They give up and go back to their former lifestyle.

The good intentions that began the New Year end up being a start again on old habits.

Why Resolutions Don’t Stick

I’ve spent a lot of time seeking to understand why people—and that includes me—don’t do what they say they want to do.

For me the biggest thing that holds me back is fear. Look back over 2009 and see is that’s true for you. If it’s not reflect on what did hold you back.

1. Most people assume that it’s a fear that they could fail.

2. For me that’s a big one, but my experience tells me it’s a fear of success as well.

3. But the biggest fear is the FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. We’re afraid of what will happen because we don’t know what lies ahead of us.

For me, most of my life I was afraid of the unknown. I felt I always needed someone to hold my hand. I wasn’t good enough to figure it out on my own.
I’m not suggesting for one moment that we don’t need trusted advisers and mentors. But I believed that I couldn’t trust my intuition to take me in the right direction, let alone find someone to trust.

But allowing fear to stop us from taking action is in reality an illusion. It can stop us from taking action, but it will not stop change from happening in our lives. Change is part of our existence.  The question then becomes do we want to be in charge of our life, or allow our life to be in charge of us.

4. Many times we set ourselves up for failure. We overindulge on New Year’s Eve and then set out on a stringent course the very next day.

We build up incredible expectations of ourselves and when we make the slightest slip we feel we have failed. We haven’t failed. We just set ourselves up for “failure.”  We must always remember that failures are the pillars of success.

I had such great expectations of myself that I became inwardly frozen while outwardly I was doing a lot—even too much.

5. In my studies, I’ve found in many cases the problem is that people don’t know what to do. There are so many options to choose from and so much information available we become confused as to what to do.

We hear from every corner that this “quick fix” or that one will solve all our problems so we don’t which way to go.

The truth is that there is no quick fix. And the only options that will work for us are the ones that are in tune with what we want to accomplish. Not necessarily what our mind tells us, but what our heart tell us.

6. We may also believe that we don’t have the determination or will power to stick with it. It’s too hard so we give up.

7. Sometimes we know what to do and we just don’t do it. We sit back passively and wait for something to happen. Then we complain and get frustrated because our fantasy doesn’t just materialize.

8. Then there are people who have a clear overall idea of what they want to do, but they often lack the step-by-step plan of how to go from where they are to where they want to go.

9. Or they may even have a plan, but haven’t figured out the steps in sufficient detail to know what works and what doesn’t so there is a lot of trial and error. And not to mention the frustration.

10. Often we believe that we lack available time, clear priorities or we have no one to be accountable to.

11. Also, for many years I had no idea of what changes I wanted to see in my life. I was running on autopilot, and the pilot wasn’t me.

I kept rationalizing that I didn’t have enough knowledge and experience to jump in. So I continued to struggle in my pain.

When I finally woke up, I tried so many different things to see if they would work. I was gradually moving forward in my life, but the path was like a big zigzag with some sliding back down the hill.

12. Then there was the feeling that I didn’t deserve success, that I wasn’t good enough so I sabotaged myself. It didn’t matter how good anyone else said I was I didn’t believe what people said because I didn’t believe in myself.

My Resolutions For 2010

I want to share my resolutions in the hope that they will inspire you to create some if you haven’t already and then to share them.

Not only in the coming year but for all time, I resolve to:

  • Be clear each day as to why I am here on earth. My work is to aspire to build a better me while expanding my service to the world.
  • Carefully choose only goals that fit into my life’s mission while keeping my priorities straight and clear.
  • Maintain my focus and if I choose to change my focus be conscious of what I’m doing.
  • Not waste time but to be conscious of living each moment as a creator of my destiny.
  • Keep my promises to others and to myself. It’s much easier to be honest about breaking our promises to others than to breaking promises to ourselves.
  • Come clean when I break my promises and make amends as necessary.
  • Continually seek higher and deeper levels of understanding so I can move forward in my life.
  • To live my life in joy and catch myself quicker when I indulge myself in self pity.

These are my umbrella resolutions and strategies which I will hold up as a mirror to every task that I do.

Progress Insights

I’ll share one of mine. A couple of months ago, I had a most profound learning experience. I realized that for most of my life I had been playing “victim”.

Sometimes it was subtle and sometimes not. I felt that I was not the creator of my destiny nor could I be.

My life was always in someone else’s hands. The best I could do is try to please someone so that they would hopefully take pity on me and throw me a few of their left over crumbs. My expectation was that if I pleased them they would fulfill my needs and expectations.

That barrier has now been broken forever. No one outside us can fulfill us. Fulfillment only comes from within. I now truly believe I am the author of my story and my destiny. I can and will now write my story with my heart in charge.

Aspiring to make progress in life is like learning to walk. When it’s time for a child to walk, she will keep at it no matter how many times she falls. Finally she is able to take a few faltering steps.

Do you think the child will give up? Never! You didn’t when you were learning to walk so what’s changed now.

You mastered learning how to walk. You kept practicing until you succeeded. So now is the time to move forward and not look back.

While a runner is running fast, if he looks back he will stumble. Similarly, if we are constantly looking behind at the year that we are leaving aside, we will think of our sorrow, misery, frustration, failure and so forth.

But if we look forward, we will see hope dawning deep within us.

For now I hope this blog post not only sparks you to take action, but puts you back on your feet so you can build muscles to move ahead and run towards your goals.

Please leave your comments below and let me know what you think.

Can you relate to any part of my story?

I’d be delighted too if you would share some of your own resolutions for the coming year.

And this is where I need your help.

Let me know what you think about the obstacles I’ve identified. Are any of them you?

Or what other obstacles are you facing in making 2010 the best year of your life?

By sharing our stories, we can create a community of support.

In fact the more you share, the more I can support you. With your help, I am launching the Change Program which will start later on in January.

It will help clarify your issues so you can build the muscles to face them, and create an action plan to master your challenges and create the results you desire.
So if you’re facing any challenges in 2010, I want to help you face them and transform them.

But more about mastery and transformation in my next blog post…

Yours in creating the life you were destined to live,

Joyce Friesen, Founder—The Novalis Integra Center

P.S. Please do not leave this article without paying it forward. We need to build a big echo that will inspire us all to dream big dreams and then to act on them.

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