When you feel you have been wronged in some way, it can feel strangely good to harbor resentment against the person who hurt you. Yet ironically, this can harm you because the resulting negative feelings you will be carrying, will lower your vibrational frequency, and attract what you don’t want into your life.

In your hurt, anger and grief, you can mistakenly feel as if the greater your anger, the more likely the person who is the target of it, will be suffering.

While it’s possible that the other person may be feeling some sort of guilt for what you think they’ve done, it’s also quite possible that they feel they have done nothing wrong and are just going about their lives.

Your anger can never make them feel what you think they SHOULD be feeling, which is why the act of forgiveness is always for you. It’s YOUR letting go.

Yet, the most important thing to understand about forgiveness is that this courageous act is a personal act, done by you and for you alone.

Imagine your peace when you let go of all your anger and bitterness, and accept that what happened was an opportunity for you to grow. Forgive and find your peace.

Do it now… just for you!

© 2012 – MarBeth Dunn, all rights reserved.

Today is tax day and if you paid taxes, be grateful because that means you made money!

Staying in gratitude, even when you’re not feeling particularly grateful for something, is the quickest way to raising your vibrational frequency, and raising your vibrational level is the quickest way to start attracting plenty of really great things!

While it’s easy to be grateful for the “good” things that happen,  being grateful for the things that don’t seem to be so good in the moment can be more challenging.  However, just like the example of taxes, you can train yourself to be grateful in every situation. It’s just a matter of choosing to see things a little differently!

Need to lose a little weight?  Be grateful you have plenty to eat.  Have to clean your house?  How fortunate you are to not have to worry about shelter.

Maybe you’ve noticed there seem to be people in life who just attract good things consistently.  You can bet your bottom dollar that these people live in a constant state of gratitude because this is just a universal law.

The more grateful you are for what you currently have, the more people, places and things will show up to keep the gratitude flow going.

© 2013 – MarBeth Dunn – All rights reserved

Jennifer Maldonado had just begun working at her new job and had not yet received a paycheck when she was asked to contribute $20 the office Powerball Lotto pool.  She declined. As a single mom with an autistic son, cash was tight.

Jennifer’s twelve co-workers won $1,000,000.00, and they shared their winnings with her.

When Today.com asked their readers whether they would do the same in similar circumstances, 41% said, “no;” 41% said it would depend on the circumstances. Only 18 % said it would be the right thing to do.

“We are hoping that the 18 percent shifts more to about 80 percent when they see how good it feels to give and to include someone, and the small gift that you can do for another, it changes everything,’’ said Laurie Finkelstein Reader, the office worker who organized the pool.

“I honestly believe that my group and I are getting more joy than Jennifer is getting just by including her.’’

Did you know that it’s a Universal Law that giving and receiving are the same?  What you share with another, you are in essence giving to yourself!  Conversely it is equally important to receive… and we’ll talk about that in another post!

What will you share today?

© 2013 – MarBeth Dunn – all rights reserved

Do you love to play? The power and benefits of play, even as an adult, especially as an adult, should never be underestimated.  Studies have shown that play (meaning a non-work activity that you find fun) increases creative thinking, reduces stress and enhances energy levels.

Ever wonder why kids always want to “go play?”  Because it’s fun!  Although there are a lot of perks to being a grown up, ample play time usually isn’t one of them, and that’s sad.   A good amount of play time has always been shown to increase life longevity and encourages you to take risks in other areas of your life.  Why is that?  Imagine shooting white water rapids or learning how to paint if you’ve never done either of those before.  The adrenaline rush from one and the self-acceptance to try something you may or may not be good at with the other, tells your mind, body and spirit that trying new things is okay.

Trying new things in the safe environment of “play” means that you’re more likely to try new things in other areas where you might normally not be so risk tolerant.  Ultimately, play brings more joy into your life and that is a good thing!

© 2013 by MarBeth Dunn – all rights reserved

A while ago, I was introduced to the practice of Ho’oponopono, made fairly mainstream by Dr. Hew Len.  Since we are in unprecedented times and experiencing unprecedented things, I wanted to share the principles of this ancient Hawaiian practice with you as a way to ensure you continue to strive to vibrate at a higher level so that what you desire in life becomes your reality. Although describing Ho’oponopono could take several paragraphs, the central tenet is that anything that happens to you or your perceptions of things happening to you, is your own creation and therefore, it is entirely your responsibility.  Yes, one hundred percent you with no exceptions.

To be clear, “it’s your responsibility” doesn’t mean it’s your fault. It simply means that you are responsible for healing yourself so that you can heal whatever situation or person that appears to you as a problem.  If you don’t do this, you’re going to follow a flawed road of logic and one that will lead you to despair.

The road to despair has several steps along the way but it will always bring you to a place where you feel powerless to control your situation, which is really never true.  Even if what you experience is something you can’t change (death of a loved one, loss of a job) you can always change your mindset, and that will ultimately change your outcomes.

Here’s what this path looks like:  You don’t take any responsibility for where you currently are in your life/job/relationship (or you resentfully take a tiny bit of responsibility but that’s all).  That causes you to blame other people or outside circumstances, and that means you can fall into victim mode with complete permission from yourself.  After all, it’s those people and things out there that are the problem, not you!  Once you embrace your victim status, you become powerless to do anything to change the situation, and therefore, you don’t have to try to change anything.  You then become stuck, believing you can’t do anything about where you are.  Yay!  Go you!  You can just sit and enjoy the misery now.

Enacting change can happen much faster than you realize if instead of following the above sequence, you quickly acknowledge your part in everything.  It’s just a matter of perspective, accepting responsibility and deciding to do something about it.  My friend “Mary” did a really great job of doing this after she hit bottom, hard.  Growing up with two alcoholic parents, she quit high school, ran away and got pregnant, got married and experienced the struggle of life for quite some time.  It was only when she took responsibility for herself that her life began to change.  Yes, she had a difficult home environment and that wasn’t her fault, but she made many poor choices that she and only she chose to make and that eventually led to her life of struggle.  Once she accepted what was, and shifted her perspective, her life began to improve quickly.  She left the bad relationship and met and married a wonderful man. Eventually, they became successful business owners, bought their dream house and raised two happy and healthy children.  It wasn’t until Mary stopped blaming her parents and her past though, that better things started to happen.  The same can happen for you.

I read somewhere recently that you can tell you’re growing spiritually when you realize how hard it is to change yourself and how little chance you have of changing anybody else.  Be on the lookout for people who seem to speak a language of complete responsibility.  You’ll notice that they seem to have pretty happy lives.  Why?  Because if the problem is you, then the solution is also you and you actually have a chance to make some changes.  If anybody or anything else is the problem, you’ve lost control, as well as the battle to create what you want out of life.  You’ll just be settling for whatever defaults come your way.  Don’t do that.

Choose responsibility, choose power and choose joy!

© 2013 MarBeth Dunn  – All rights reserved

One of my friends asked me over lunch why I thought most people aren’t happy. “We’re guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, she said, sipping her tea, “Yet I’ve seen great numbers of people blocking their happiness without even realizing it.” I shared with her that in my practice, I’ve noticed that some of the primary bars to  happiness are “hidden losses”, events from the present or past, people may not even be aware of. These losses can impact people more than you would imagine, affecting  health, wealth, relationships and every aspect of  life.

How do you know whether “hidden losses” are sabotaging your happiness?

Your body loves you, and will always let you know when something isn’t right, so you can address it.  The first indicators that you may be experiencing hidden loss can be physical.  You may notice a clenching in your solar plexus, tension, aches, pains and ailments.  It can be challenging to feel happy when your body is urgently and forcefully telling you something is wrong. Are you experiencing erratic sleep patterns? (sleeping too much or not enough), high blood pressure or weight loss or gain?  There’s really no shortage of what can happen when your body is trying to communicate with you that something is off. So take some time and tune in to what your body is telling you. Find a quiet place  so you can hear the message.

Since hidden losses can be events that haven’t fully healed, it’s not unusual for people to think these events are no longer an issue, if they believe they’ve already released them. When not completely healed, however, the emotions associated with these events can take a large toll on your quest for happiness.

The loss of a loved one or a relationship, a loss of income or job/career or a move that required relocation, causing changes in your environment and relationships, can be events that you may not have dealt with, and healed fully. Other losses can include physical disability or illness, empty nest, loss of your self-respect, personal power, self-esteem, youth or beauty.  These common examples of hidden, emotional loss can affect you, and when not addressed, may impede your happiness.

Here is a 3 step way to release your hidden losses:

Meditate on (or remember) the event and see what comes up for you. Does it still carry a charge or feel uncomfortable?
Once you’ve remembered and acknowledged your loss, ask yourself whether you’re ready to let go.  It may sound strange but sometimes, you may just not be ready, and that’s okay.

If you you are ready to let it go, allow yourself to feel your feelings.  Where are you holding this emotional energy in your body? Is there a heaviness in your chest? A knot in your solar plexus?  A tightness in your throat? Feeling your feelings completely allows you to heal them, releasing the discomfort and charge.

Happiness is yours for the asking.  Do the work to identify and then close the door on your past and hidden losses, so you can experience a joy filled life like never before!

Is it time for you to make 2013 your breakout year?  If you answered yes, I invite you to experience a complimentary Joy Readiness Assessment Consultation with me.  Simply click here to find out more:  http://bit.ly/V7Zoqg.  (my calendar is limited… please complete the survey to qualify!)

© 2013 MarBeth Dunn – All rights reserved.

I was going through some old family photos yesterday with my cousin Joe. He’s been researching and chronicling our family genealogy for years, so he was thrilled as I was to explore the two, filled to the brim boxes of old family photos from my back closet. These photos hadn’t seen the light of day in many years, and I was so surprised to see love in so many of them. Seeing with new eyes, that had not seen until now what had been there all along, I’m so grateful for the growth, and compassion that enabled my new perspective. I stayed up long into the night, dividing the photos to share with my girls and other family members.

I fell asleep thinking about our beloved family pet, a miniature red poodle with a heart so vast and love-filled, that a warm feeling washes over me at the thought of her. She lives far away with my daughter, and I don’t see her as often now as I would wish. I’ve had so many pets, dogs, cats birds, and even a red howler monkey when I lived in Haiti, yet she is the one who touches me deeply. She opened my heart with her openness, and sweet, unconditional love. I awoke with her on my mind this morning as well, and I remembered that there is no distance with love. I’m sure that she’s feeling my love as I think about her.

As I passed the boxes of photos this morning, I smelled my Mom’s perfume wafting around me. It followed me into my office as I began writing, and again, I receive her message that love has no distance. It transcends even death. Life is eternal. Death is just a change of form, transition into another dimension. The love never dies.

© 2013 MarBeth Dunn – all rights reserved

The New Year is officially here and what better time than to hone the vision you have for 2013? The beginning of the year always brings such a sense of hope and promise. For many people this is the month to create a vision that will bring them the year they desire. Working on a vision for your entire year is wonderful, but did you know that every day is an opportunity to create, define and move toward your vision? As human beings, we are constantly in an ebb and flow of movement, which is why it’s so important to be aware of your feelings. Your visions are trying to manifest themselves so make sure you’re paying attention!

Do you know the difference between having a good idea and creating a vision? A vision will excite you, make you feel awake down the soles of your feet, and feel almost ever present. A vision usually feels both exciting and scary and sometimes, you’ll secretly wonder if you’re just a tiny bit nuts. A good idea on the other hand, will feel pleasurable but more realistic and you may even find that you can move into action quickly. Visions tend to touch the soul so although it may feel good, you may find you’re having a little bit more of a challenge to move forward. This is normal so don’t worry!

A vision should be able to seamlessly work into every part of your life and feel natural when you filter it through your mind, body and spirit. A true vision will be in complete alignment with who you are, how you live (or want to live) and how you want to make a difference in the world. Yes, the “bigness” of your vision might create some fear, but when you “check in” you’ll find it FEELS right. Be aware of your feelings. If you really get into your heart space, (by placing your hands over your heart and bringing your awareness under your hands, and thinking of something you love) you should be able to clearly tell if you have a vision, or if you’re doing things simply because other people are telling you it’s the best thing to do. Your vision is yours so don’t be afraid to claim it!

Finally, make sure to hold your vision and be sensitive to outside opinions. People may mean well but they aren’t you, and it’s easy for others to project their fears, concerns or beliefs onto you. There’s a story of an eagle who was orphaned and raised by chickens. Every day, the eagle would look into the sky and see birds soaring through the clouds. He desperately wanted to fly and there was just something inside of him that told him he could do that if tried. Having been raised by chickens however, he was constantly fed the message that chickens don’t fly. So the eagle would longingly dream about what it must be like to glide through the air, looking down at the land and experience that kind of freedom. Sadly, he lived his entire life grounded because he listened, and believed what others were telling him. Had he only held his vision and tried to make it happen, he would have realized his dream of flying!
You are capable of what is put on your heart, otherwise, it wouldn’t there. “If you dream it, you can do it” may be a popular cliché but just like the eagle, clichés become clichés because they are often true. Maybe the vision you have right now is telling you it’s time to fly!

© 2013 MarBeth Dunn – all rights reserved

We are living in a time of great transformation, of global oneness and connectivity, in the new Age of Aquarius.  It is a time, as Yogi Bhajan tells us, to “Vibrate the Cosmos, and the Cosmos will clear our way” with our words, as they reflect our true and Divine nature.  It is a time to live from our hearts, from love, compassion and authenticity.

I’ve just spoken at the World Parliament on Spirituality in India, ushering in an age of unity and spirituality, filled with great masters, educators, and speakers from around the world. Though the messages were different, the underlying theme was of unity, living from the heart and embodying love.

I’m here with Dr. Yugandhar, creator of the World Parliament on Spirituality with other speakers, including Jacquiline Ripstein, and Harrison Klein

Transformation begins from within.  It begins with the simple desire for a new way of being. Envision yourself being as you desire.  Imagine you have already embodied it.  FEEL the appreciation and gratitude that it has already occurred, and follow your inner guidance that will create it.  We are above all else, spiritual beings, and our wisdom is accessed from within, in our heart of hearts.

We are in the Age of Aquarius. The final cusp ended last November, 2011, and as we enter into this new year, I want to share with you some wonderful ways that you can shift into being a more authentic, empowered, spiritual, joyful, you.

You see, the Aquarian age is very different from the Piscean age we just left.  The energy is  not the same.  We must learn new ways to navigate in this new age, because the rules have shifted, along with the energy.  For 2000 years, the Piscean age was an age dominated by men rather than women.  Our model was based on the left brain, masculine logic of Descartes:  “I think, therefore I am”.  Our emphasis was on accessing the right information.  The great knowledge about our potential and spirituality was secretive, and hidden from the general public.  As we come into the new age, however, information is abundant and easily obtained.  You can easily find information about anything and anyone.

According to Yogi Bhajan, who brought Kundalini Yoga to the west, the new Aquarian Age is ruled by awareness, information, and energy. In the Aquarian Age there are no secrets! Information is available… it’s everywhere!  He says. “Real value will come from truth embodied in practical actions and in the internal caliber and qualities of your mind and heart. The greatest power will be your Word – your consciously projected words.  It is the age of I am that I am, where value is placed on living authenticity, and guided by your connection to your inner wisdom.” We access our inner wisdom by trusting our “gut” reactions… our feminine powers of intuition.

This is a change of such magnitude, because we are changing both inside and out.  Yogi Bhajan continues,” The mind is changing its sensitivity, its basic frequency and functioning. Our lifestyle is changing its sense of time, space, relatedness, and relevancy.”
This is a time of love and compassion for ourselves and others, and of being our authentic selves.    Of recognizing that the other person is you..  Of turning inside to our inner wisdom to discern which information is relevant, of marrying the wisdom of the mind with the wisdom of the heart, so that we see through the eyes of love.

Yogi Bhajan tells us to vibrate the Cosmos.  The Cosmos shall clear the path. and we do this through our words. The greatest power will be your Word, your consciously projected words.

We must use our words and thoughts wisely.  As A Course in Miracles reminds us, there are no idol thoughts, and we think on the average 70,000 thoughts/day.  Thinking disempowering thoughts, disempowers you.  Don’t judge your thoughts, just notice them, and notice how you are feeling.  Use your emotions to navigate toward thoughts that make you feel better.  We are in the time of I Am that I Am.  It’s a powerful time, where we create by being… by vibrating the Cosmos with our words.  Whatever we attach to the words “I Am” creates our state of being..”I am powerful beyond measure”,   “I am living my purpose”, I am happy, joyful and free”.  Vibrate the Cosmos with your words and create your new state of being!

Peace, Love & Joy to you in this wonderful new age!

© 2012 by MarBeth Dunn.  All rights reserved.

What amazing times we live in!  You’ve no doubt by now heard that the Mayan calendar ends on December twenty-first of this year.  Although there has been great speculation about our world ending in a cataclysmic disaster, there are other interpretations that posit this winter solstice to be a transition date to mark an ushering in of all people on Earth to an era of positive physical, and especially spiritual, transformation.

The precipitation of this new era is due in part to quantum physics becoming more understandable to mainstream, “regular” people (not just scientists) thanks to movies like “What the bleep do we know?” and “The Secret”.  Although a deep and vast topic, simply put, quantum physics proves that our thoughts create our reality.  Whereas before, we lived with the adage, “I think, therefore I am”, which denoted an existence, we have moved into the understanding that “I Am” (the name of God in the book of Exodus as told to Moses when he encountered the burning bush) creates a state of being and this creates our reality.  Just as there is a higher and greater good, we all have a higher and greater self that we can aspire to.

A Course In Miracles advises, “There’s no such thing as an idle thought” and science is clearly proving that mere thoughts can change physical matter.  In fact, quantum physicists discovered in the 19th century that matter was affected by the simple act of our observing it.  When scientists had a preconceived notion of how electrons and photons would act, and observed them, the behavior met the scientists’ expectations.  However, when they were not being observed, the photons and electrons behaved quite differently!  scientists discovered that the very act of observing an electron’s path changed its behavior.  In other words, electrons behaved differently while being watched than they did when not being watched!

What this means is that since you are composed of electrons, you can, will and do behave differently depending upon your thoughts, expectations, perceptions and perspective.  What you think, feel, believe and imagine all have the power to change your reality.  Think of yourself as a superhero.  With this knowledge, you can use your powers for good or for evil.  Use it for good to create a life for yourself that is peaceful, happy, serene and which you will shine as you present your best self, in your best life, to the world.  Conversely, if your thoughts are constantly negative, doubtful and pessimistic, you will find yourself creating a reality that is bleak and living a life that is thoroughly unenjoyable and definitely not serving others.  It’s difficult to have positive, altruistic desires when you are coming from a place of despair and lack.  So use your power wisely!

The earth is changing rapidly, as we’ve moved into the age of Aquarius from the Piscean age.  Scholars on this subject agree that the key word for the Piscean age is “inspiration”, while the key word for the Aquarian age is “enlightenment”.  As a people, we’re learning and discovering information, and growing spiritually at a rapid pace.  When we gain more information and greater clarity, our horizons are expanding and our level of awareness grows as well.

As we close out 2012, I’m reminded of the REM song, “It’s the End of the World (As We Know It)”.  No, the physical, literal world won’t disappear on the twenty-first of December but it does signify the end of the way we’ve known the world for centuries.  We’re moving into a new age: an age of consciousness and I can’t help but think of the next line of that REM song….”and I feel fine”.

© MarBeth Dunn. All rights reserved