3 Fast Ways to Hum Your Way to Happiness!

3 FAST WAYS TO HUM YOUR WAY TO HAPPINESS!

Article by Cymber Lily Quinn
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #21

3 Fast Ways To Hum Your Way To Happiness

You’re blue, unhappy, angry, depressed. You’re also holistic, groovy and know you should be able to pull yourself out of the Dungeon of Despair. And it’s that clean slate time of year…

What to do?

There are lots of great ways to lift your spirits: meditation, walking in nature, talking with friends. But what if none of those are available right now?

Ready to add something new to your toolkit?

It’s humming! Yes, simple humming.

Here are 3 ways you can use humming to improve your life!

Check Your Hummer. I’m not talking about an oversized vehicle. I’m talking about the harp you carry within you, the sacred harp - your own voice. Put your lips together, and send the sound out through your nose. It might tickle a little. That’s good.

Hum Your Bad Day Away. Had a bad hair day? Tell me about it, but do it only by humming. Really tell the story, but only by humming. When you take the words out and allow just the energy of the event through humming, it’s easier to release.

Hum Your Way to Happiness. Once you know your hummer is working, and you’ve released some sound gunk, you’re ready to connect to a source of happiness. You can either get very quiet and listen for your own song, and begin to hum. Or you can pick a simple song from your childhood that and hum that. Notice how the tune changes over time.

I hope you have a big smile on your face, and you’ve learned something new about your voice and how powerful it is in lifting your spirits.

Use liberally!

3 Ways Your True Friends Fuel Your Purpose

3 Ways Your True Friends Fuel Your Purpose

3 WAYS YOUR TRUE FRIENDS FUEL YOUR PURPOSE

Article by Nicole Zaagman
Photo Credit: Brigette Muller
Magazine: Issue #21

Ever met someone who inspired you?  Like a matchstick being lit, at first glance or conversation they stirred something deep inside and left you wanting more.

Divine attraction is not by chance.

We’re all destined to meet special individuals who leave a lasting impression. These are people whom you can be truly honest with, ask the hard questions and get feedback when needed most. Although this circle is small, the ones who play a significant role in your life should mean more to you than anything. 

What do you look for in a true friend? And why is it so important to take notice of those lucky enough to make your inner circle? The ones closest to you play a huge role in fueling your purpose as an individual. Sound cliché? Sometimes the simplest things happen to be true and in this case, your true friends are an invaluable asset in not only life, but fulfilling your dreams.

Here are 3 ways these individuals change your life for the better:

1| They challenge you. Let’s face it, sometimes the nuances of friendship means you don’t always get along. If a relationship is meant to stand the test of time, sometimes you will get frustrated, angry and perplexed. True friendships are not going to be unicorns and rainbows 24/7. True friends however will always be there for you, regardless of your differences or misunderstandings. They’ll understand you so well; you’ll eventually come around and get to the bottom of your frustration, learn the lesson in the difficulty and continue learning from each other.

2| They tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. The ones who really care about you the most will always have your best interest in mind. Regardless of their feelings or yours they’ll tell you straight up what you need to hear. Sometimes this isn’t well received or you’ll be surprised by what just came out of their mouths, but you can’t help but respect them for pointing the truth out to you.

3| They encourage you to reach for your dreams. When you’re having one of those days, weeks or months they come alongside you and help you realize everything you’ve already accomplished. Sometimes it’s as simple as letting you know you’re not alone and that they understand completely what you mean in your moment of weakness. They’ll then point out from their perspective how your purpose is making a huge impact in the world even if you can’t see the bigger picture right now.

Be sure to thank your true friends for fueling the sometimes messy, but amazing journey of your life.

Empowerment: Breaking Down Defensive Walls

Breaking Down Defensive Walls

EMPOWERMENT: BREAKING DOWN DEFENSIVE WALLS

Article by Cinthia Singleton
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #21

One day we cruise along with a song in our hearts. The next might be rife with sadness, perceived or actual. The ‘actuals’ could be a death, departure, flood, fire, major setback or even, in some cases, changes and opportunities that come out of left field. The ‘perceiveds’ on the other hand…from these we build the walls of defense.

Anger
Grief
Confusion
Fear
Prejudice
Intolerance

Encounter. AngerGriefConfusionFearPrejudiceIntolerance. Ignition. The experiential arc has a purpose… to feel as the zombies cannot… to motivate us into action when we’re miserable or close to the bottom. Can’t deny it, it’s as organic as the fires after a years of drought. But sustaining it (and the walls that come with them) may not be practical after a time. Then we have trouble:

Growing
Loving
Letting life’s joys into our hearts too
Fully experiencing our Path and soul goals

They source from the past, from what we have KNOWN and now fear. Many people find assuaging them with the denial, suppression, drugs, sex and rock and roll helps. Or they attract like-minded who don’t challenge moving past them. Good reasons to put them on review every so often, eh? And that they’re combustible, as uncontrollable as a wildfire, if left unexamined?Whether a candle flame or veld fire depends on how close to home the situations and/or people strike our core. 

Again
And again.

Walls were invented to protect us from intruders and harm - the actual AND the perceived - but they, too, are flammable. So to grow we might either need to let them burn down and rebuild better ones suitable for today and now.

See, some walls are vital and healthy; they’re called boundaries.

So each time you encounter the emotions, give ‘em a howdy. Look them in the eye. Start there. Feel them. Hope to grow beyond them. Be:

• self-aware
• listen to yourself, your breathing
• feel your first reaction to the situation, people around you, etc.
• don’t immediately re-act, just breath, observe and listen
• listen
• [ journal, paint, write, compose, dance, talk ] about them
• learn coping techniques

And always ask yourself: What am I so [ afraid of, sickened by, defensive of, etc ] ?  If this answer takes you to a place in the past, and likely it will, there’s where you find a wall that could be to be taken down. Ask for help if that’s hard. We’re all doing this, some might be a little further down the road.

“I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.”  Mia Hamm

3 Secrets To Creating A Writing Routine That Actually Works And Leaves Time for Your Busy Life

3 SECRETS TO CREATING A WRITING ROUTINE
THAT ACTUALLY WORKS
{and leaves time for your busy life}

Creating A Writing Routine That Actually Works

Article by Cynthia Lindeman
Philosophy of People
Magazine: Issue #21

It gnaws at you.

You have something to write. It’s important. Maybe it’s a book to support your life dream. Or maybe writing is a life dream in itself – but you just can’t find the time to write it.

This can leave you feeling discouraged, drained, and even depressed. Well, you’re not alone.

This is actually the number one problem that writers report. And if you’re caring for anyone else such as parents or children, it becomes an even bigger challenge.

Well there’s a solution and it’s easier than you think. What would you say if I told you that you can easily find time to write . . . and still have time for your busy life?

It can be more than a just a dream. And these 3 simple tips are the keys to making it happen.

1| Open your calendar and time block an hour a day, 5 days a week for the next 30 days. As one of my clients said, “you can always find an hour.” Look at your calendar. I can almost guarantee that you can find at least one hour a day that you can use to write. It should be the same time each day. Treat it like a weekly work meeting. It should be an uninterrupted hour. Where can you schedule it? These little “hours” add up quickly.

2| Next, time block one or two longer sessions each month. Have you ever heard of a writing retreat? Well, this is your DIY retreat. Of course, you should use it to focus on writing. But you can also use it to strengthen your connection to yourself as a writer. I recommend between 2 and 4 hours a session.

3| Celebrate, Commit, and Communicate. Once you’ve scheduled this time, you’ll have the first 30 days of your personalized writing schedule. So celebrate! Next, make sure to double-check and make sure it’s realistic. Could you do it during a demanding week? If your answer is yes, you’re ready to commit. Your next question should be: who do I need to talk to? The people in your life have the power to make or break your writing goals and dreams. They support you by holding you accountable, encouraging you, and helping you keep your schedule. Or . . . maybe they do the opposite of these things. Look around. Who has this power in your life? What do you need to say to them so they can step up as a supportive member of team-awesome?

Now you have 3 keys to creating your personal 30-day writing schedule. You’re well on your way to being an unstoppable writer!

If you’re ready for more, The 90-Days To Unstoppable Luxe Program is an exclusive, transformational 1:1 experience for writers who are ready to get real. Created by a writer, for writers - it gives you everything you need to be the writer you’ve always dreamt of being. To schedule your Unstoppable Writer Discovery Session, just shoot me an e-mail at Cynthia@cynthialindeman. Be unstoppable.

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Spread Your Genius Like Wildfire is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

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Cynthia Lindeman is a writer's block coach and multi-published writer. She helps writers go from resistance, struggle, and frustration to unstoppable. Find out more about her 90-Days To Unstoppable Luxe Program here.

3 Keys to Transformational Healing

3 KEYS TO TRANSFORMATIONAL HEALING

Transformational Healing

Article by Jacqueline Rizk
Philosophy of People
Magazine: Issue #21

Imagine, rather than being told, "It's all in your head", you find a health care professional who not only listens to the symptoms that have you on life's sidelines, not only helps you reduce those symptoms but tirelessly examines every avenue possible to find the root cause of your symptoms, and treat that root getting your body back to its natural state; vital health.  

Because vital health is not just about what you eat or how you exercise, imagine that professional supporting you in every aspect of your healing to support you in creating optimal health, well-being, and the life of your dreams.

With so much conflicting information out there circulating in the media and on the internet it is difficult to know where to turn when all you want to do is feel better and be able to move forward with your life.  

Remembering there are three keys to transforming your health and, indeed, your life, makes getting where you want to be stop being a chore and start being a joy.

Key #1. There is no one-size-fits all treatment. Two people can share the same illness and experience two very different root causes. Take, for example, hormonal imbalance in women. One root cause might be an estrogen detoxification issue while another might be a progesterone deficiency caused by chronic stress. Treating the root cause of dis-ease in the body is much more effective than treating symptoms because it restores balance in the body rapidly and easily.

Key #2. The perfect diet doesn't exist for every single person. Some of them are questionable for anyone but even the seemingly healthy ones can be detrimental when facing down the barrel of autoimmune illness, thyroid disorders, hormone imbalances, liver issues, adrenal fatigue, leaky gut or other serious illnesses. While there are positive aspects of just about any eating plan, chronic health issues require real investigation to make sure you are eating for your individual biology and for your particular dysfunction to achieve the greatest restoration of well-being. That juice fast that might work for your neighbor may make you sicker.

Key #3. Finding the right expert or team is your golden ticket to vibrance and vitality. Doctors may fail to listen to or take seriously the symptoms you face, often ones that debilitate, and books and various diets don't often offer a solution. Finding an expert who can investigate the real reasons you don't feel well and help you heal on a cellular level is invaluable in truly transforming your health, well-being and every aspect of your life.

Than there’s the “From Detox to Diva" 6 and 12 month programs. Available for a few select women who desire to free themselves from fatigue, chronic illness and a feeling of being "stuck" and transform into healthy vibrant divas living lives full of passion, joy and beauty.

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Spread Your Genius Like Wildfire is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

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Jacqueline Rizk is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Integrative Health Specialist and Transformational Coach that seeks to conjure, health, wellness and the art of living beautifully everywhere she goes. Find out more about her From Detox to Diva program.

Power Songs: Ignite Your Motivation, Focus and Confidence in 30 Seconds or Less

POWER SONGS: IGNITE YOUR MOTIVATION,
FOCUS & CONFIDENCE IN 30 SECONDS OR LESS

Ignite Your Motivation, Focus and Confidence

Article by Jentana Lee Dabbs
Photo Credit: Hailley Howard
Magazine: Issue #21

Have you wondered how to trigger motivation and focus immediately and then keep it going? What about when you needed to write that article, clean the house or focus on reading something? Then there’s confidence, have you needed confidence to do a presentation, interview or talk to someone?

Numerous researches are proving that the key to triggering this quickly is through music.

Why?
Music has been shown to trigger memories, emotion and the most important dopamine in our brains which is responsible for motivation and focus. In addition, music releases endorphins in our brains, which is the feel good chemical, that is the same chemical released when we feel love, have sex, foods we crave and eat chocolate.

Listening to the right type of music is like rewarding our brains with something pleasurable, in fact, when our pleasure signals are lit up in our brains, we’re more able to stay focused and motivated at the task we’re doing. In the book “Drive”, by Danial H. Pink, he tells about a study that was done with monkeys in the 1940’s, the monkeys were given a puzzle to do and to the amazement of scientists, the monkeys stuck with doing the puzzle with complete focus and motivation, not because they were anticipating a reward, but because the act of doing the puzzle was triggering the pleasure center in their brain, causing them to stick to it.

Music stimulates pleasure.
Listening to music can do the same thing, while doing a boring task such as cleaning or reorganizing, because it’s rewarding our brains with pleasure, making us more able to stick to and complete the task we’re doing.

Music can give you a rush of unstoppable confidence.
A new study finds certain types of music, especially tunes with a heavy bass beat, such as 50 Cent's "In Da Club," Queen's "We Will Rock You" and 2 Unlimited's "Get Ready For This,” can make one feel more powerful. This sense of confidence and ability, the researchers add, can subsequently shape the way we think and behave.

Different music for different moods.
It’s important to take constant inventory of how a specific song affects your mood and mindset. Play around with lots of songs, artists and different genres knowing that all music is a powerful tool you can use to alter your perceptions at a neural level. Personally, when I’m writing and studying, I listen to mellow jazz or anything soothing with only music and no lyrics, when I want to clean the house, I listen to upbeat Broadway musicals that can trigger my emotions and when I want to feel powerful, my favs are Roar, Let It Go and Girl On Fire.

The Secret to Defining Your Lucrative Niche

Defining Your Lucrative Niche

THE SECRET TO DEFINING YOUR LUCRATIVE NICHE

Article by Ling Wong
Philosophy of People
Magazine: Issue #21

Many people struggle to “figure out” their niche. Some are starting out, and some have been in business for a while but feel that “something is missing” in their message, target market and offerings.

“Plugging along” doesn’t mean progress. We have to reignite our FIRE to get out of “clone drone” existence.

To escape limbo and lit the FIRE for impactful actions, we need to determine our big WHY, WHO, WHAT and HOW – which will also conveniently translate into your niche.

Unfortunately, many people took some “niche” trainings packaged in a canned, “digestible” manner, with a disproportionate emphasis on “formula” and “research”.

They got “pushed” into a niche before they are ready to “claim it”, picking something from the “viable niche” menu only to realize it doesn’t resonate after spending months down the rabbit hole of building everything around this “made-believe” niche.

The emphasis on research and data has distracted you from the most important thing – YOU, the secret sauce in your business!

Data cannot synthesize and innovate without your creativity and individuality.

We stuff ourselves with “other people’s view points” at the expense of living our own beliefs, passion and conviction. All those templates, checklists, blueprints and formula are weighing us down. 

The first step to nailing your WHY, WHO, WHAT and HOW is to question if an idea, belief, or concept is coming from deep within YOU, or something you were told that is “supposed to be?”

With that mindset, ask –

• Why the heck did you go into business in the first place? (Be selfish here.)
• What do you want your business to do FOR you?
• What is your passion and conviction? What riles you up? 
• What are your superpowers?
• How are you going to blend you desires, conviction, superpowers and personality altogether and express fully in your business?
• What kind of clients really lights you up? 
• How does your conviction apply to these people? How can your superpowers serve them in a unique way?

When you get to the bottom of it and find YOU, you will also nail that CONVICTION that leads to COMMITMENT, fueling the GUMPTION to make it happen. It is not easy to get to the ultra-clarity, formulate it into an Identity, claim it and translate it into marketing communication that sells while expressing all of your individuality and personality.

It took me 12 months and 5-figure private coaching; I want to make it happen for you in 60 days, for less than a grand in this brand new Nail Your Message Private VIP Intensive.

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Spread Your Genius Like Wildfire is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

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Through her unique blend of business + marketing coaching with a Mindset + Psychic Twist, Ling Wong helps Maverick Entrepreneurs nail their message, claim their superpowers and muster up the GUTS to monetize their Truth so they can build a purposeful and profitable Personality-Driven business that is a full expression of their creativity and individuality. Find our more about her Nail Your Message Private VIP Intensive.

3 Steps to Regaining Focus and Clarifying Your Vision

3 STEPS TO REGAINING FOCUS & CLARIFYING YOUR VISION

Article by Kimberly Manning
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #20

Regaining Focus & Clarifying Your Vision

To live a life or business that integrates fully with who you are, it helps to hold a clear vision. But what happens if you’ve lost sight of your vision? Here’s how to defog the lenses and get back into action.

Steve Jobs said, “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” 

It’s wonderful to be motivated in our lives and business from that place of higher calling, but what happens when you get stuck and you’ve lost your way or your vision?

If you’ve sat down with a stack of magazines and a glue stick, ready to create your vision board and found yourself frozen, don’t despair. Here are three steps to regaining your focus and clearing the way for your vision to shine.

Face Your Fears. If you’re not willing to face your fears, you will never reach your potential. Fear is one of the biggest obstacles to acting on your vision. It manifests in all kinds of interesting ways, from a fear of expressing your uniqueness, to a fear of being judged, to a fear of success, among others. Fear is an insidious and equal opportunity emotion. Everyone has them.

In order to see farther, realize that fear is an extension of your ego and one of the biggest impediments to having a successful life and biz. Afraid of public speaking, join ToastMasters. Confidence wobbly? Hire a life coach to help you find your groove. Identify your fears and look them in the eye.

Don’t let fear keep you from your vision. In the words of Susan Jeffers, “feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Get uncomfortable. Comfort equals complacency. Vision implies forward movement, which you can’t do if you’re treading water (or munching on potato chips all afternoon as you watch a full season of your favorite HBO series). 

When you stretch outside your comfort zone, you force yourself to grow. Keep reaching, keep learning, keep challenging yourself. Remember, success is about growth, not achievement. “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” Your vision needs you to always be on the edge of your zone.

Quit the Blame Game. Take responsibility for your life and business. Stop using excuses to keep from living the life you want or having the business of your dreams. When you identify something that needs adjusting, just do it. 

What are you doing with this lifetime? Take responsibility for everything in your life and watch your mojo rise to support your vision. 

Want a super successful biz? A healthy bod? The relationship of your dreams? Whatever it is that is part of your vision, get cracking at it. Identify the blocks, make a “do” list and get moving. 

You are responsible for your vision, and ultimately your success. Be willing to cleanse the lens of your vision. The world needs what you’re here to do.