“That’s easier said than done” is a phrase I hear quite often. Sorry to smack this to you in such a blunt way at the beginning today – that’s an excuse we use at times not to do what we know would be most helpful or beneficial. Things in life can be as easy as we choose to make them. Things in life are as easy as we tell ourselves they will be. For example, if you keep telling yourself that “cleaning the house is hard work” guess what – it will be!

There are a couple of themes that go with this phrase so it’s not as straight forward as it looks. Firstly, when we’re aiming to change our lives by focusing upon positive things the chances are that, when we start, it’s reasonably easy. Then we find ourselves falling back into the patterns of previous behaviour. From that we can either choose to persist and continue refocusing, or we can say “well I tried that and I couldn’t do it. It’s easier said than done”. We also expect ourselves to change overnight “I’ve made my decision to focus only on this all the time and that’s what I’ll do. And if I don’t, then I’m a failure” (or words to that effect!).

The thing here is – we don’t cut ourselves (and sometimes others too) any slack these changes that are being made. It’s an all or nothing approach. What about another phrase to help here “Rome wasn’t built in a day”.

Secondly, when we say “that’s easier said than done” it can be because we have such a lack of belief in ourselves and our abilities (for whatever reasons) that we’re already setting ourselves up to fail. Then, when we do, we can say to people “See I was right – easier said than done”. If we were to put as much tenacity and effort into believing that we can achieve what it is we want rather than trying to prove to ourselves that we can’t we’d get a whole lot more done. “That’s easier said than done” I hear some say!

Caterpillar's don't change into butterflies or moths overnight. They take time to change. They focus on what it is they want and get to it. Imagine if a caterpillar decided not to build a cocoon because it's not something it has done before and so decides "ah building that cocoon is easier said than done". Or a squirrel learning new ways to steal the nuts from the bird feeder! If you watch nature, nature will always find a way. May take days, weeks, months, or even years BUT, it still gets to where it need to be in the end. It doesn't stop and stay still with the phrase "ah but that's easier said than done".

Every day it can be easier to change if we give ourselves permission to do so. Rather than be harsh on ourselves and tell ourselves “I’ve failed”, acknowledge where you’ve not hit the mark, learn, let go, and re-focus. None of this “Oh I’m crap. I’ll never get it right. It’s too hard. I can’t do it because. It’s easier for him/her because… It’s easier said than done”. What about “Oops – I notice I’m not focusing on positive things so I’ll breathe that out (exhale) and then refocus on things that are more positive”. Broken record. Breathe out whenever you notice you’re not doing what it is you want to do, and then refocus on what you do want. You’ll be quite surprised how quickly time passes and you can begin to notice how much more easily you’re getting things done. It can be quite amusing to see how much easier it was in the end.

Today is Winter Solstice. A brilliant day for letting go of the phrase “it’s easier said than done”. And please don’t say “that’s easier said than done”! What about “I choose to do my very best to change and I appreciate myself for doing so”

It can be great, can’t it – being busy I mean. Whether with work, homelife or with friends and family. When you’re doing something you enjoy it can be a real pleasure to be with other people or being busy with our work. Time seems to pass by so quickly and, before you know it, it’s the end of the weekend or the end of the week, or the end of the month or year! I hear so many people at the moment saying things like “where does the time go?” and “I can’t believe we’re nearly at the end of 2009 already!”. Time is moving on. What’s that phrase “time and tide wait for no man” – and it is so incredibly true. As we get older time seems to go by a little quicker each day. Esoterically of course that is also actually happening with the Earth spinning slightly faster each year. But enough of that for now…

So back to this "time whisking by us" business. Like I said – it can be a lot of fun being around other people. But there also comes a time when we need to rest and take time out for ourselves. This can seem a bit tricky for those with families and children – as there always seems to be something that needs doing or some need that others have that you need to meet or deal with. Where does it all stop though? When do you get to the point where you have to say “enough” or you’ll drop? Should we even be allowing ourselves to get to the stage where we’re nearly dropping before we say “enough”?

The short answer to that, of course, is no. Now I know there are people who will be reading this and saying “well that’s easier said than done” and words to that effect. Excuse my bluntness people – but that’s just an excuse. You’re allowing yourself to be a bit of a victim. Now I know there are some who won’t like to hear that and may even switch off from here, and that’s fine. There are times, though, when we need to wake up and smell the coffee. Ask yourself this: would you knowingly put other people through the pressure you put yourself under at times, with the understanding that it could potentially make them ill or break them? Of course you wouldn’t. So what makes you any less deserving of time out and support from others?

Christmas is a typical time when people are running about like headless chickens trying to get everything done so that “everyone has a good time”. What about you though? How does it feel to be so knackered from sorting everything and everyone else out that you’re too tired to enjoy it yourself? “ah but it’s for the Children” (Christmas that is). I’m not going to use my usual word here, suffice to say it begins with a ‘B’ and ends with an ‘s”! Nonsense! Christmas is for enjoying for everyone who wishes to take part. So this year, instead of whisking about like a blue-bummed-fly – think about what needs to be done. To whom can you delegate things? From whom can you ask for help? Does it all really need to be done? If you hear yourself saying things like “I must” or “I can’t” or “I’ve got to” you need to take a step back and ask yourself why you’re giving your power away. We all choose what to think and what to feel and, more importantly, we ALL have a choice about whether or not we do something. Of course there are going to be outcomes from our choices – and we can decide whether those outcomes would be acceptable to us or not. But we ALWAYS have a choice.

So as you’re preparing yourself for the season’s festivities this year, make sure you build in some time out for yourself. Ask for help where and when you need it, and don’t allow yourself to fall into the mode of being a martyr or victim. You are just as deserving of a good time (and quiet time when you need it) as everyone else. Now… go get that mince pie and put your feet up for 10 minutes!

This wonderfully huge and diverse world on which we are physically abiding is full of different things. So many species living their lives in the way that they know how, because of instinct, because of the way they have been taught, and because of new ways they have learned to develop and evolve.

So much of what we, as humans, do is because of learned behaviours and patterns that are taught to us as we grow up. There are many things that we all have to do: eat, sleep, drink, go to the loo, breathe, etc. But, there are also many different ways of doing all of those things, even breathing! In the Far and South East, eating is done a lot of the time with chop sticks, in other places around the world with fingers, in the Western World cutlery. All these ways of eating can be seen in all parts of the world now – as the world evolves, grows, and adopts new ways of doing things. The thing here is, there is no “right” way of eating. Each to their own.

Of course, intellectually, we all understand that. Different ways of doing things appeal to different people. Indeed, people may actually adopt a different way of doing something depending on his/her mood! Just because we did something one way on one particular day, doesn’t mean we will do it the same way the following day.

While having a physical experience, many of us humans like regularity, routine, and the known. We can become uncomfortable with the unknown or with things that don’t behave as expected.

I was watching Pollyanna yesterday (the first one with Hayely Mills) which is a film I absolutely love. Bit twee in places I agree, but the messages within it, for me, are quite profound. A little girl, Pollyanna, moves to a remote town where people have been behaving in one particular way for so long that they’ve forgotten they can change. They’ve also grown so used to the way they all behave that they assume and presume that everyone else will also, and should also, behave that way too. Pollyanna turns up behaving quite differently from how they presumed she should and it turns their world upside down. She sets aside presumptions and assumptions about things and just happens to find things to be glad about, no matter what they are. That one little girl, through this acceptance of people and their differences, manages to help them see that they also can change things in their lives. Especially the things they don’t like, just by focusing upon the positives.

Here’s the thing, many of us, because of our own learned behaviours, assume that everyone else will (or should!) behave that way too. When they don’t, it upsets our world and we can either get angry and try to force them to change, or we can accept that they might do things differently. We might even have a go at trying their way – just for fun ;-) As long as someone isn’t hurting anyone else by the way they do things, does it really hurt us to allow someone to eat with their fingers? Or make loud gulping noises as they drink? Or have an accent that is different to our own? Or use (or not use as the case may be) grammatically correct wording with sentences which are no longer than about 12 – 15 words which do not go over more than about 2 lines because they’re trying to get so much into one sentence without stopping?

The point here is about never presuming or assuming anything about how somebody should or will behave, and that includes ourselves too! It’s worth noticing those times when you say to yourself “he should do it this way”, or “She didn’t act her age” or “I’m not allowed to do…..” etc. Then ask yourself, is there really anything detrimental about how a person does something that breaks with your own “rules” for doing things? Allow yourself to be more accepting of new ways of doing things and behaving. As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, what’s the harm? Indeed, you could have a lot of fun trying something different. After all, isn’t life there for enjoying? (or is that just my presumption?

Now is the time that the world is awakening to the realisation that abundance is natural and a part of all life within the Universe. It is the Ego that keeps us thinking in terms of lack and poverty consciousness. As more and more people appreciate the abundance that surrounds them already it makes it so much easier for others to awaken to the same understanding and appreciation. God/The All That Is/Source did not create us with the drive to learn and develop without providing everything we need in order to do so - that's a bit like sending someone to the shops with a list and no money to pay for the goods.

The thing about abundance is, the more we appreciate and acknowledge it, the more easily it flows to us, and through us, and supports us as we grow, create, and expand.
These essences have been birthed to help us evolve and understand abundance consciousness and let go of ego-centred poverty consciousness. In, and of, themselves they will not create money or abundance. What they will do is help you let go of the ego thoughts and retrain your consciousness to appreciate and flow abundance into your life.

There are 5 essences in all and they can be taken as a course or as a standalone depending upon what you need. Whilst they are primarily birthed to aid with abundance consciousness, they will also help you focus in other areas of your life too. At the end of the day, life is not about having lots of money but about enjoying the moment, creating opportunities to experience, and to evolve and expand our consciousness. One key lesson for all of us is that we must learn to trust Source to send us everything we need to help us and those around us to evolve.

These essences will not change your life on their own - but they will help you do that for yourself. There is no magic cure per se, and working on yourself is key to enjoying life to the full. These essences will help you let go and change your life for the better, and in turn help you help the world change too.

By letting go of limiting thoughts and beliefs; living in the Now; appreciating what we already have; focusing positively upon what we want; we can feel good and allow it into our experience. Rather than living a life of fear, attachment, and constant lack, we can live a joyful life of creative and expanding abundance - which is, after all, what Source wants for every Soul.

The investment for each essence is £10 plus postage and packing, or £45 plus postage and packing for the full set. If you would like to know more about these or other essences I have created, please contact me (alun@lifesense.co.uk)

One thing I'd like to explain about these essences is that the initial concept and information about them came to me very early on 26 November 2009 - which was Thanksgiving Day in the US. for me this was quite significant in terms of the energy of thanking Source for everything that it provides for us. So it is with great thanks, humility, and appreciation that I share them with you and the world.

I wish you all a wonderful life, full of expansion and joy. For now, I leave you with love and blessings in abundance,

Alun Illumine
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Letting Go

In order to allow more into our lives, it is important for us to let go of that which we no longer need. If we try to hang onto things longer than the purpose for which they were provided we cause stagnation and blockages - just like a pool of water that becomes blocked: weeds end up choking it and killing everything else living within it. Rivers must be allowed to flow to the sea, in the same way life flows for us. The more we are attached to things, the more devastated and upset we are if we lose them. We must learn to accept that everything is in flow and that, by letting go, we allow space for new things to help us expand and grow.

This essence will help you, gently, to let go of old feelings and attachments that no longer serve you. You may find, whilst taking it, the urge to clear out old cupboards or spaces. You may also find that old relationships or connections that are no longer mutually beneficial begin to fade away, allowing space for new people to come into your life. Anything that is no longer authentic or helpful to you will begin to dissolve - people, places, negative thoughts, attachments, feelings, self-limiting beliefs and mind-sets and so on. As the saying goes, "Let Go, and Let God".
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Being Present

Nothing ever happens in the future, it always happens in the Now. Everything that has happened, happened in the Now and then becomes the past. The ego would have us live in the past remembering things that caused us pain or hurt at the time, or would have us living in the future - fretting and worrying about "what might happen". Neither of these approaches helps us stay centred and calm, and nor do they help deal with what is going on right Now.

Whilst reflecting upon the past can help us to learn, mulling it over again and again will not move us forward at any great pace. Similarly, planning for the future can be helpful in terms of helping us focus energy on creating what we want, but constantly worrying about "what might be" will only help create the thing we fear.

The thing about abundance and receiving is - we can never receive in the future or the past. We can only receive right now. By focusing on the present moment, we are more able to allow abundance to flow into and through our lives.

Being Present means right here, right now, in this moment as you are reading these words. That is where our attention is best placed. Being Present and focusing on how we feel right now and what would help us feel better.

This essence will help you let go of distracting thoughts and, more easily, focus your attention on the present moment. You will find it is more easy to reflect upon the past and release it, and plan for the future and feel good about it. It will help you let go of unhelpful thoughts about past events and fears about possible future ones. Enjoy the Now!
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Appreciation

The thing with abundance is, we often don't appreciate how abundant our lives actually are. When we are thirsty we switch on a tap and have clean running water. When we are hungry we have food in the cupboard and don't have to forage for it. When we are cold we put on a jumper or turn on the heating. When it is raining we go indoors or put up an umbrella. When we are lonely we can telephone or visit someone, and so on. There is an abundance of beauty all around if we choose to look at things in the right way. There is an abundance of love, caring, compassion, sharing, growth, expansion, kindness, creation, etc, etc.

All too often what we do is focus our mind on all the things we do not yet have and, of course, that's what we create more of. Where we put our attention - that's what we create. A phrase to remember: Energy flows where thought goes. We think, we flow energy, we create. Don't like the creation - change the thoughts to change the feeling, to create something you do like.

This essence will help you notice and appreciate more and more the abundance in your life and in the world around us. It will help you change your thoughts from focusing upon lack, to appreciating all the opportunities you have to create what you want and what would make you feel good.

Whatever you appreciate, you give energy to, and so create more of - this essence will help you do that more positively.
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Focus

Focused thought is far more powerful than unfocused thought. It's a bit like allowing sunlight to shine through a magnifying glass. Scattered thoughts create scattered experiences and also less opportunities for expansion. If you try to do six things at once without giving any one of them due attention and focus, chances are none or only some of them will be done to a high degree of satisfaction (if they get done at all). Lack of focus can also cause an "oh that will do" mentality and things can remain incomplete or not quite fit for purpose.

An important thing about focus is, focusing upon what you do want rather than what you don't. We have a tendency to focus our thoughts upon that which we still don't have or that which do not want to experience. Rather than keeping our thoughts on what it will be like when we have that new job, or how it will feel to be driving that new car, or what we will see when we travel to that wonderful holiday destination. There is the "but" that so many people use: "I want that but.... I haven't got it yet" or "but I can't have it yet" or "but I'll have to wait" "but he/she will never change" etc.

This essence will help focus your thoughts on what you do want to experience, to the exclusion of that which you do not. That is how we manifest into our lives: by focusing our thoughts and feelings. This essence will help you re-train your consciousness to ignore the self-limiting Ego thoughts of unworthiness or toughness. It will help you find thoughts that feel better, which will bring you closer to attracting into your experience that which you do desire.
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Allowing

An important part of having abundance in our lives is actually allowing it into our experience. All too often the Ego will keep us in the position of not feeling good enough or worthy enough to receive what it is we have been asking for. How often do you actually look at other people and compare yourself to them with the effect that you don't feel as good, competent, worthy, or whatever?

If Source created everything in the Universe (which is did), and if Source is perfect , loving, and accepting (which it is) and if Source is in everything (which it absolutely is) that means that we are all perfect, loving, and deserving regardless of what the Ego tells us. Every time we have a negative or self-limiting thought that feels uncomfortable, angry, or resentful, etc we hold a stop sign up and disallow that which we have been asking for. Everything we have asked for is always there the minute we ask for it - we just need to allow it to come to us. The way we do that is by feeling good.

By feeling good we allow positive things to flow into our lives and experiences, and we let go of resistance and feelings of undeservedness. This essence will help you to connect with the Source within you and remind you how wonderful you are. It will help you to find thoughts to feel good about and so allow abundance and positive things to flow into your life. By feeling good, you raise your vibration and you also help others to feel good too. In addition, the better you feel, the better those around you can feel, and so the vibration of the whole planet is raised which makes everyone's life easier.

There’s a line in Star Wars (Episode IV – or the first Star Wars for those of you who are old enough to remember it coming out in 1977!) where Princess Leia says to Grand Moff Tarkin “The more you tighten your grip, the more star systems will slip through your fingers”. Now I realise that there probably isn’t a Grand Moff amongst you reading this, or that you are trying to control Star Systems in the Universe! ☺ However, it’s quite a good metaphor for life, don’t you think?

Have you noticed that the more you try to hang onto things the more they seem to be slipping away? The fear we have of losing things is just drawing the loss closer and closer. Remember the law of attraction – wherever you put your attention is what you attract more of. So the more you fear something, the more you give it your attention, the more likely it is that it will happen.

Another metaphor here is holding sand in your hand. The more you squeeze your grip on the sand, more of it actually leaks out between the gaps. You could of course decide to get a bag and fill the bag up with sand and carry that with you but, in the end, the bag will become heavy and cumbersome and just weigh you down. Also, carrying that bag of sand around with you will inhibit your ability to carry other things that you’ll need later on. So if you let go of the sand, it leaves your hands free to carry anything else that comes your way.

Another thing about this too, of course, is that if everyone went to the beach and took a bag of sand, in the end there’d be no sand for anyone to play with. So we’d all lose out. Better to have a day on the beach and have a wonderful time, with memories that you can take away with you, and leave the sand there for others (and for yourself) for another day.

All these analogies and metaphors are like life – the more you try desperately to hang onto things, money, friendships, possessions, etc the more you are actually squeezing them out of your life. You’re also blocking the flow so you’ll stop anything new coming your way. As we move into December and the end of the year, it’s a great time to really think about the previous year and let go of anything you don’t need for next year. New Year’s Eve – the end of one year and the beginning of a new. Do you really want to be starting next year loaded down with a bag of sand that, really, has served its purpose already?

It’s worth thinking about those things in your life that you’re gripping hold of where it would benefit you much more to open your hands and let them flow. Chances are that the Universe has something new and more exciting to give to you. You’ll also be giving others the opportunity of experiencing those things for themselves too – thus helping to make the world a better place. Let Go. Allow. Experience the joy of expansion.