Today on Synchronicity, I spoke with author, intuitive and DailyOM teacher, Sara Wiseman, about her new book, Living a Life of Gratitude. But the discussion went much deeper than just being grateful for the good things in your life. Her book takes you through your entire life process, from birth to death, and shows you how to find gratitude for your life experiences.

As a trauma and abuse survivor, I had a lot of questions around resistance to meditation and even being able to look back on life and find things to appreciate, when the idea of remembering the past is painful.

If you have had past trauma, would like to release regrets and negative beliefs, experience more gratitude, connection and an open heart, today’s episode is for you. You can find it the November 18th, 2013 episode of Synchronicity: Talk Radio for Your Mind, Body and Soul on the podcast page (just click the link).

If you find this episode helpful, inspiring or otherwise valuable, please share it with your friends and through social media. You can connect with me on Twitter @MarieBenard and Facebook.com/SynchronicityRadio

You can also receive the most influential episodes of Synchronicity history by signing up for my mailing list, on the main page of my website.

blessings and love,

Namaste 🙂

I was up late watching a show the other night and saw this ad on tv (it wasn’t an infomerical but it was one of those long 2-3 minute ads they play late at night sometimes). I’m a total sucker for infomercial junk. Not a sucker, actually, because I’m quite aware that most of the stuff on the infomercial market it junk, but I am someone who likes to try the things and usually ends up sending them back because they aren’t as good as they’re hyped up to be.

Shipping and handling starts to add up, even if you get a refund for the product price. So I’ve started researching these products online. It usually nips my curiosity in the bud before I shell out for the gimmick that promises to give me washboard abs, clear skin, thicker hair or to be able to speed-read Moby Dick in an hour… so when I saw this product advertised I rushed to the computer to see what reviews I could find.

The product seems like it could work, since I’ve seen and used similar pieces of exercise equipment at the gym. It’s a big piece of plastic, really simple. It basically has two uses. On one side, it’s stable and you can use it like a step (like the plastic steps they have at the aerobics studio). Then, if you flip it over, it becomes this balancing thing, which in theory should automatically engage your core muscles as soon as you step on it. I’ve tried the balance boards at the gym and they are effective, but where I work out they’re reserved for people who hire the $100-an-hour personal trainers and the only time you get a chance to use them if someone has forgotten to put the thing away.

So, after reading some great reviews and based on my own experience with equipment of a similar nature, I’ve decided to give it a try. I think the deal below m(if you click the banner) offers you free shipping in the US and $6 shipping in Canada, plus they add some extra workout DVDs that you normally have to buy separately. It comes with the workout DVDs, a recipe book and other stuff and it’s put out by The Firm, which is a reputable fitness company.

If you’ve tried this piece of equipment let me know what you think of it. I’ll be posting my results when I’ve had a chance to try it.

So you might be wondering why I’d post this on a spiritual blog. There are a few reasons.
1.) Treating your body with love & care IS a spiritual practice
2.) When you feel good & have energy, it’s a heck of a lot easier to feel spiritual & connect with spiritual things
3.) On the show, I talk openly about my depression. One of the absolutely most effective ways for me to keep my depression at bay is to stay active.

So post your comments. Oh, and on August 14th the awesome & inspirational Susan Powter (who is like the QUEEN of fitness infomercials) will be on the show. I’ll bet she’ll be able to give us some amazing insights into fitness and how it relates to spirituality.
Synchronicity: Talk Radio for Your Mind, Body & Soul

First, I want to thank everyone who commented on my LOA vs Action post… I just discovered the comments, MONTHS later. Eek! Thanks for being so patient:)

This is somewhat related to my Law of Attraction vs. Action post. In that post, I mentioned how some (or many) people interpret the Law of Attraction as being able to meditate all day and things will suddenly materialize for you. That is not the case. Well, it might be for someone like Jesus Christ… I’m not saying it’s impossible, because I believe anything is possible. But I don’t know anyone who has consistently manifested through non-action and only feeling good.

I think I’m digressing here (wouldn’t it be nice if all my writing was concise? lol). The point I intend to make in this blog post is that the most important thing you can do is follow your own intuition. Spiritual books, movies, CDs, motivational speakers and the like can be VERY beneficial. But nothing is better than your own inner guidance. I’m not talking ego here, I’m talking about that gut feeling — that knowing that comes from deep within you.

I have reviewed some spiritual material (not mentioning any names) and sometimes people will say things like, “if you disagree with what I’m saying it’s because you’re not smart enough/educated enough/mature enough/ENLIGHTENED enough to “get” it.” (this is not a direct quote, just an example). Who knows, that may or may not be true, but it’s my opinion that anyone who dishes out that kind of statement is not being completely forthcoming. I can tell you that I have spoken with people who make these kinds of statements, and they have revealed to me through their actions and words that they are NOT living that life 100% of the time every day. But that is what they present to the world. I am saying this not to point out anyone’s shortcomings. We all have them. I want to share this with you because I, myself, have felt disheartened when comparing my journey to those who are supposedly enlightened. Why have I not had this experience? Why am I not happy and positive every second of every day? I simply want to share with you that you are JUST as worthy, just as special, just as wonderful as anyone else.

It’s like the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes. Everyone was told that only the most special people will see the clothes. So what did the king do? His ego would not allow him to admit he was unable to see these beautiful, magical clothes. But guess what? There never were any clothes! It was a scheme. Had the king trusted his gut instead of his ego, he would have seen past it. None of his servants or friends would admit to not seeing the clothes because nobody wanted to admit they didn’t “get” it. What’s so wrong with admitting that you don’t get it? That things aren’t perfect? I am not for a moment saying that we should dwell in the negative, but I do think we can safely get REAL, without putting too much emphasis on what we don’t want.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that it is GOOD to question authority. It is GOOD to question what you read and study. Just because someone is famous does NOT mean that they know better than everyone else (they might, but then again they might not).

That is one of the reasons I am so open on my show. I am the first to admit I have had struggles in my life. I would like to be able to say everything is rosy and perfect. Sometimes things do feel that way, sometimes things flow effortlessly and I can attribute it to my spiritual practices, the law of attraction, etc. And other times things do not flow so well. Maybe it’s that I’m getting in my own way or trapped in a cycle of negative thinking or whatever. But that’s what a lot of us do! I don’t think there is a person alive who hasn’t allowed themselves to get sucked into the negative. So why not admit that sometimes I do that? Sometimes I make mistakes. Sometimes I say hurtful things I shouldn’t have. Do I want to live in the moment and be positive as much as possible? Sure I do! But I’m not going to lie and say that every moment of my day comes from a place of enlightenment.

I don’t believe any of us are truly victims of our circumstances, but I do believe it’s important to be real. I take my position as host of Synchronicity very seriously. I WANT to show you the positive side of life. I want to show you and prove to you that you are the master of your own destiny. And I truly believe you are. But one thing I do not want to do is pretend I’m something I’m not.

I’m so thankful that there are REAL teachers out there, who speak and teach from the heart. They are the gems of this world, and it is my goal to be real and honest and genuine. Because if I can create the life I want, then I know you will be able to do all that and more.

I hope what I’m trying to say is coming across. This feels a bit like a rant, but it is coming from my heart. I truly want to share love and hope with the world, and through my journey I’ll teach and help others to heal and grow. And through my searching and my teaching, I hope to learn and grow within myself. My show, Synchronicity, is not “the Marie Show.” The show is about you, me and all of us working together to create the best world and the best “us” that we can possibly create. We are creating this together. Thank you for coming along on this journey with me:) In the words of Abraham-Hicks: “you are where you are, and where you are is really, really, really, really good”
Love & hugs!
Synchronicity: Talk Radio For Your Mind, Body & Soul

A lot of people following the Law of Attraction phenomenon believe that Law of Attraction is all there is. The only force in the universe and all you have to do is get feeling good and sit on your butt and things will come knocking on your door.

For me, it is becoming incredibly frustrating. There seems to be no balance in this way of thinking. We live in a physical reality. We live in an action-based reality. All of us are required to DO things in order to GET things. Some people do, do, do, do and work very hard and struggle and don’t get very far, and others do less work and accomplish much more. I believe attitude and the Law of Attraction is what is responsible for this.

But the people who are truly successful, even those who admit they focus on feeling good and the Law of Attraction, they are still DOING stuff. In fact, successful people are usually quite busy doing a LOT of physical actions in order to get where and what they want.

Perhaps the TYPE of actions they take are different than those who are miserable and unsuccessful. An unsuccessful person may spend 8-10 hours each day working for minimum wage. That is hard work, and they are not getting very much from that action.
A successful person may spend as many hours or more each day working, but they are meeting with many people, they are delegating responsibilities and they are enjoying their work. But they are STILL putting forth action.

The difference between inspired action, and backbreaking, miserable, belabored action is huge. It’s the difference between scrubbing toilets and having a staff of people who scrub your toilet for you.

But there IS action that is needed in order to get to this place. So how do we balance the positive thinking with the action? I see people from all walks of life who believe in the Law of Attraction, study it, meditate, focus on good feeling thoughts… but there is SOMETHING more that separates the good feeling poor people and the good feeling successful people.

I know many LOA students will be up in arms, saying I’m focusing on what I don’t want, or that I’m taking score too soon. But there IS something different going on here. For example, my radio show. I love my show and it’s a wonderful experience. I would like to earn my living working in radio. So what is the difference between the action I am taking with my show, and the actions of others who have similar shows and are raking in the money? Do others simply have a better business sense?

When all of us are focusing on good feeling thoughts and what we want rather than what we don’t want, what is that other variable that is separating the successful from the… shall we say somewhat less successful?

On Friday, March 13th, Mandana Rastan will be on the show to talk about the Inner Peace Movement of Canada. The IPM is all over the world, in about 40 different countries. Here are the details of Manada’s upcoming talk in North Vancouver. Tune in at 9am Pacific to hear her perspectives on Inner Peace.
SpiritualShow.com

INNER PEACE MOVEMENT OF CANADA SPEAKER

“Believe in yourself and trust your feelings,” says Mandana Rastan, district leader with the Inner Peace Movement of Canada. Rastan will be giving a talk on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 pm at the Parkgate Branch of North Vancouver District Library, 3675 Banff Court.

“In an ever changing world we can face challenges with confidence if we have inner security,” says Rastan. “Instead of doubting ourselves and giving in to fear and worry, we can listen to our inner voice and find the answers we seek inside. We need to learn to trust ourselves, cultivate our intuition and create balance in our lives. By staying tuned in to our inner compass, we can make decisions that are right for us, helping us with our life purpose and direction.”

Having personally benefitted from the tools for better living offered by the Inner Peace Movement program, Rastan shares these with people who are committed to their own growth and success.

“The key is self-knowledge. When we understand ourselves and our true nature, we can be in charge of our lives, set goals and take action. Instead of spinning our wheels or going in all directions without meaningful results, we can access our vast potential, the genie within, and create what we want. We can focus on our priorities, use our energy and resources efficiently, and consistently find ourselves in the right place at the right time. This builds confidence, balance and energy. We can then have a more positive connection with our loved ones, our community and ourselves.”

During the seminar Rastan will guide participants in learning to trust their feelings and use their potential to reach their goals and enjoy life more. Participants will also learn about changing any

situation into a positive one, communicating with their inner guidance, the psychic gifts of perception, the seven-year cycles of life and reading auras. Following the talk Rastan will be available to work with community members to set up local study groups so participants can continue to expand their awareness and become more effective in dealing with themselves, their

loved ones and their community.

The Inner Peace Movement of Canada, an educational, non-profit organization, gives people practical tools and techniques to find answers for themselves and to create the life they would like to have. It is a common sense, step-by-step approach to help people to be self-sufficient and to feel that they are master of their own life.

The 1 ½ hour talk is $15, payable at the door. Everyone is welcome. For more information call the toll-free number 1 (877) 969-0095 or visit www.innerpeacemovementptyltd.com.

Here is the message from Venus:

VENUS IS MOVING HER SHOW

Starting on or about APRIL 7th, "The Dear Venus Show" will be moving from
Hay House Radio to www.ContactTalkRadio.com

I will be live FOUR times a month, for an hour with almost no commercial breaks.

I will be TAKING YOUR CALLS and working with you over the phone lines.

I will also be drawing names for FREE 15 minute PHONE SESSIONS with me during
each show.

All shows will be archived and will be FREE to access.

To get the true date, day and time, please watch my blog for the announcement.
To be notified automatically, you can sign up for the FEED on my blog site.
www.godisalwayshappy.com/blog

*I need your help:
Please tell or email all your friends about the show and the move as I need an
audience in order to keep the show on the new station.
Love to you,
Venus  

Yesterday’s show with Lisa Sullivan from ISurrenderThis was lots of fun. I played a couple beautiful songs by Deanna Knight, a local singer/songwriter. Thanks for being on the show, Lisa!

If you want to submit music that would be appropriate for the show, check out the contact page on my website for Synchronicity: Talk Radio for Your Mind, Body & Soul

I wrote earlier that I need to create a promo for my show so that other show hosts can play it and get the word out about Synchronicity.

I wanted some background music for the ad but none of the free production music was quite what I wanted (you buy the music and get to use it as much as you like). So guess what I did? I put together my OWN piece of music! It’s just some drum beats and a few little sounds, looped together, but still… it’s my own creation and I’m very excited!!

So keep listening for the new promo. I should have it ready within the next week or two:) Yay!

Stewart St. John will be on the show this coming Friday. Here’s a bit of information about him!

I had a great time on the show today, spoke with Dhorea from the Kabalarian Philosophy, which is kind of like numerology but much more in-depth. She did a name analysis for myself and a caller and both analyzes seemed very accurate. Kabalarians.com for more info

And tonight I’m going to see Deepak Chopra! Also, one lucky listener is going, courtesy of Seed Productions. Lots of people in Vancouver are planning to go and I know it’s going to be an amazing event.

Next week, Stewart St. John, who is a composer who works directly with Esther & Jerry Hicks! Super exciting. I’m listening to a CD of them right now:) (more info at Abraham-Hicks.com)

I’m now on Twitter, so please follow me and I’ll follow you back! I’m Twitter.com/SpiritualShow
and I’m on YouTube. If you subscribe to my channel, drop me a message and I’ll subscribe back to you. It increases traffic for both of us:) YouTube.com/SpiritualShow

And…. the Synchronicity site is now listed as the #1 spirituality and wellness radio show
on Google and AOL. So check it out!

Spirituality and wellness radio
Spirituality and wellness radio show

I normally drive my room mate’s car to buy groceries, but I went to the store after my chiropractor appointment with plans to buy only a few things. I ended up buying enough groceries to fill 3 bags. Heavy stuff like cans of soup.
So I decided to take the bus instead of walking home with the bags.

I got on the bus and placed my heavy bags down by an elderly lady sitting in one of the courtesy seats at the front of the bus. I was listening to my MP3 player so I had to take out my headphones when she tried to talk to me. She said I could push my bags under her seat if I wanted.
Then another man got up and offered me his seat. I said thanks but told him I was getting off in a couple stops so I was fine.
Then ANOTHER man offered me a seat that became available. I was just about to get off so I didn’t need it.
Taking the bus is not one of my favourite pass times, especially during rush hour, which it was on this particular voyage. But I have to give kudos to those wonderful bus passengers, to the Universe, or whatever. I didn’t need a seat but when I got off the bus I just felt so BLESSED. I was treated so kindly, in a jam-packed bus during rush hour when people are normally a bit tired, a bit grumpy and just want to zone out and get home without interacting or making efforts to help out.
But today, the bus ride was a beautiful and uplifting experience. I just wanted to share it because someone on Twitter asked me about gratitude. (I’m SpiritualShow on Twitter, by the by!)
And I am definitely grateful to those wonderful spirits who shared the bus with me today. A little kindness goes a long way.
I want to pay it forward and send my love your way right now. Thank you for being you.
Hugs
Marie
here’s a link to my spirituality and wellness radio show site

Spirituality and wellness radio
Spirituality and wellness radio show