A major event is a common trigger for creating a powerful shift in perception. It can shake up belief systems and allow the world to be viewed in a different way.

The pandemic we’re experiencing now can certainly be considered one such major event. Affecting us globally, its scale is unprecedented in living memory.

Many in the world are being affected in horrifying ways — facing death, disease or starvation. Some have experienced long periods of isolation and separation from family and loved ones. Most have endured restrictions and many livelihoods have been affected. All have had to deal with uncertainty and concern — be that for their personal well-being, or that of the world. 

So whilst we’re ‘all in this together’, the circumstances each of us finds ourselves in are very different. 

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What does the future hold for you?

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So, if these uncertain times have shaken your beliefs, opened your eyes to new possibilities or enabled you to see the  world — and your own life — in a different way, you might be wondering what the future holds for you and what you can do to bring about some positive change. 

There’s a wonderful quote from Nido Qubein, whose life is a wonderful story of transformation (he arrived in the United States as a teenager with little knowledge of English, and is now an eminent business leader, educator and professional speaker). He said:

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‘Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.’ 

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Hopefully you’re pretty happy with your life but, like most, know you could do with changing or improving on a few things. But even if you’re really in a spot or feel totally stuck, there is always room for manoeuvre.

Change happens whether we want it to or not. So why not choose to proactively create the change, rather than waiting for it to happen?

Here are some suggestions for creating the life you dream of.

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UP LEVEL YOUR LIFE

Whilst it might feel that our options are limited  — perhaps changing jobs or moving country might not be possible right now — up levelling your life can take many forms. Many people are making use of this time for self-education and there’s been a huge surge in enrolments on online learning platforms such as edX, FutureLearn and Coursera, which offer ‘massive open online courses’ – or Moocs. 

You could choose to build your skillset, improve skills you already have or learn something completely new. Besides helping to up level your life during this time of general and economic uncertainty, learning a new skill can also bring you a sense of progress that will help cope with any anxiety engendered by the epidemic.

Also worth bearing in mind is the almost endless range of things you could choose to learn about.  

Work-related skills, relationship or parenting advice, starting a new hobby, creative pursuits or learning how to be more healthy — it’s all possible.  Before we had the virus to worry about, stress was named the epidemic of the 21st Century, so you might even invest your time learning how to manage the stress and anxiety which is detrimental to so many of our lives.

Which brings us to the second idea.

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LEARN EMOTIONAL MASTERY

Now, more than ever, many of us are being forced to face one of life’s brutal truths:  that you have no control over many of the things that happen in your life.

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Sometimes all you can control is your attitude and how you respond to situations

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The way we think determines a lot about what we believe is possible and impossible. A tiny shift in your thinking can create a ripple effect in your life that changes everything. And a shift in the way you respond emotionally to situations can dramatically change your outcomes.

This is where emotional mastery comes into play.

When we begin to look at our behaviour, we need to understand our motivation : it helps to ponder the question of why we do anything at all.  

In around the 1940’s, the psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed that motivation is the result of a person wishing to fulfil five basic needs: physiological, safety, social, esteem and self-actualization.

Whilst this ‘hierarchy of needs’ is still referred to today, the bottom line is that on the whole we’re motivated because we wish to feel a certain feeling — be it a feeling of security, a feeling of happiness, excitement, achievement, or fulfilment. Maybe we wish to feel peace, or to feel the highest heartfelt qualities of appreciation, gratitude, care, compassion or — of course — love. 

Emotions get a bad rep and we’re often encouraged not to act emotionally, to suppress or even to over-ride our emotions. But our emotions are an incredibly sophisticated feedback system designed to warn us, help us and allow us to know when things feel good, as well as off. Once you understand the relationship between your thoughts, your emotions, your motivation, your behaviour and your outcomes, you will have changed forever.  

Emotional mastery enables you to work with your emotions to change your thought patterns and your mindset; to tap into effortless motivation and states of creativity, focus and flow; and to understand what brings you fulfilment.

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When you understand how emotions work as well as your own habitual emotional reactions, you can learn to choose your emotional state :  you can choose to feel good.

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And when you invest your time and energy into the things you can control — ie your internal world — it will never be wasted.

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FIND YOUR PURPOSE

A key pillar to creating the life you dream of is to understand your purpose. 

Many of us know that we are unique and individual, but fail to understand our creative role in the world. In modern times, creativity has been branded as the preserve of the likes of artists, musicians, writers, architects, designers and so on. But the truth is that we’re all creative by nature, and have the opportunity to exercise our creativity in vastly differing ways, and in every moment.  

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Understanding our creative nature allows us to shape our lives — and to do so with meaning and purpose

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In today’s world, often we’re distracted or prevented from doing this due to what’s expected of us — either because of what we perceive as our role, or because of what our family, friends or society at large expects or demands of us. We have been conditioned to believe that fulfilling these expectations, or following a certain path, or achieving particular goals, or acquiring a level of material possessions or wealth will lead to our long-term happiness and fulfilment. 

This can leave little space for us to come to understand and nurture our own true essence, our intuition, our creativity, talents and passions,  let alone to allow them to shape our individual and meaningful path. 

The rise of the likes of dissatisfaction, disconnection and depression is the result of this suppression of individual creativity, sensitivity, self-enquiry, self-love and expression. These are often the by-products of lives not fully lived. 

Fortunately, however, this is changing. More and more we’re realising that lives shaped by more than our job title, our possessions, our wealth or status — lives shaped by meaning, purpose and love are lives of more lasting passion, joy and fulfilment. 

A true understanding of your one-of-a-kind nature and your unique place in the world can shape your life and give it meaning and purpose. 

Instead of feeling aimless, lost or disconnected, you come to appreciate the value of your contribution and of your inherent creativity, purpose and worth.

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GET INTO ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR DREAMS

The world as we know it has changed with recent discoveries of quantum physics.

The understanding that everything is energy — even the thoughts you think or the unspoken desires you feel — has led to a change in the way we perceive ourselves.

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We are energetic beings interconnected with everything around us

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So it’s not just our actions which have an effect : there is so much more contributing to — and encompassing — what we perceive as our physical world and our material creations.

Everything you perceive in the physical world has its origin in the invisible, inner world of your thoughts and beliefs. By internalising and applying this truth, that your thoughts create your reality, you will grant yourself the power to create the changes you want to see manifest in your life.

This new understanding of the non-material, metaphysical or spiritual world also leads to a realisation that living your dream life isn’t just about having the material things you desire, or going through the motions of doing the physical things, or searching for something outside of you to make you feel great. Living your dream life is about creating and being the energy of joy, happiness and love.

Getting into alignment with your dreams means ensuring your thoughts, emotions, energy and behaviour are all coherent and synchronised.

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It’s then that your thoughts, visions and dreams can also materialise on the physical plane. 

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‘Find ecstasy within yourself. It is not out there. It is in your innermost flowering. The one you are looking for is you.’ ― Osho

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You can create your dream life. 

And there are a number of ways to begin the process… no matter what the circumstances.

There’s no point in waiting. Start creating. 

Start with the things you can control.

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If you’re interested in learning more, I coach a number of programmes to help you create the emotional states for you to thrive; to find purpose and to live a life of health, happiness and fulfilment. In the wake of the current pandemic I’m offering FREE 30 minute Introductory Discovery calls which you can book here.  Alternatively feel free to download my free heart-centred meditation to inspire renewal, connection and harmony here