 It Chose Me! I absolutely love and adore magical, synchronistic moments in life as they are a reminder that a higher power and universal source are always with us, trying to guide and help us in whatever way they can; that's exactly what happened to me just the other day. My mom and sister had come to NYC for a visit and we were taking a stroll through the Manhattan Villages- West, Greenwich and East, when my Mom was "pulled" into a really earthy and amazing jewelry store and during that fun time browsing, shopping and mingling with the saleswoman, my sister asked if their bright fuchsia crystal on display happened to be for sale. It wasn't, but the woman explained that right around the corner was an amazing crystal/rock store that we just had to go in to, so we did.
While this magical crystal store is exactly "my kind of place," I honestly had no intentions of making a purchase and was perfectly happy just browsing along with my sister on her fuchsia rock quest. About five minutes into the shopping experience and without even realizing it was happening, I was pulled to a wicker basket filled with crystals I had never seen before and was completely unfamiliar with. I found myself picking each one up, examining them, holding them up to different light angles and asking this saleswoman random questions like "where did this one come from?" My mom and sister came over to see what had grabbed my attention and before I knew what was even happening, one of these Labradorite crystals was being purchased and the woman then asked me "would you like to know more about this particular stone?" I of course said yes and when she handed me the book on the "Labradorite" page, my jaw dropped and when only halfway through the description I felt a wild surge of energy come up through my feet and run all the way through me. I put the book down and exclaimed without even thinking "I just had an out of body experience." The saleswoman said she sees that happen quite frequently when people get drawn to the crystal/healing properties that are just right for them at the time. It was just the coolest, most unexpected moment to have, as I had zero expectations of going home with a new pet rock yet I know I was 100% guided to that store and pulled to that crystal with a clear purpose.
Here are some of the AWEsome properties of Labradorite:
- Lore of the Inuit peoples claim Labradorite fell from the frozen fire of the Aurora Borealis, an ordinary stone that transforms to the extraordinary, shimmering in a mystical light that separates the waking world from unseen realms. It is, in every sense, a Stone of Magic, a crystal of shamans, diviners, healers, and all who travel and embrace the universe seeking knowledge and guidance.
- Holds a broad level of protection from negativity.
- Brings you the gift of serendipity and synchronicity.
- If you have been doing too much and need a recharge... it will give energy to you.
- The energy of this stone aids the healing of a number of health issues including helping to relieve pain. It is advantageous if you are a healer to keep a piece on your body.
- As a workplace stone, Labradorite brings out the best in people, making work life more congenial.
- Labradorite tempers the negative side of our personality, the traits and actions that rob our energy and may produce depression or shame.
- Labradorite is beneficial to the lungs, and may assist with respiratory problems, bronchitis and colds. It assists in digestion, regulation, and metabolism.
- Labradorite calms an overactive mind and energizes the imagination, bringing in new ideas. It is a wonderful tool for returning joy and spontaneity back to one's life.
- Awakens a sense of adventure and change.
- It is an uplifting crystal, helping to banish fears and insecurities while enhancing faith and reliance in oneself and trust in the universe.
Thank you Universe and thank you Labradorite!! :)
“Everyone has the great calling of a higher dream.”
:: Jean Houston The ever-present searching for one’s purpose in life brings with it hugely-ranging emotions from exhilaration, bliss and profound joy to doubt, worry and fear. After all, we all want to live our best, most meaningful lives and there can be an immense amount of self-imposed pressure and stress that goes along with that! Thankfully, we have a great leader in human development who has written more than 25 books to aid us in experiencing overflowing peace, passion and purpose in our lifetime, Jean Houston. Jean is one of those unique, great spiritual minds that other spiritual leaders look to, to learn from, her work is ground-breaking and beyond uplifting and in GaiamTV’s Inspirations: Jean Houston on Opening to Limitless Possibilities, she shares advice, secrets, and exercises surrounding manifesting your greatest desires with ease! Here’s a taste of Jean’s flavorful, zesty, and powerful teachings…
Befriend Your Brain!
One of the basis’ for Jean’s work is showing us how to experience long pleasure and short pains- utilizing our own ability to orchestrate healing, breathing, heart rate, mood and stay young! Now THAT sounds like a superb plan to me and one of the ways we can integrate this more is by experiencing our very own divine potential and knowing we have this empowering companion for life and by befriending our own brain! Jean provides a fun script that begins “dear brain, let us be friends, from here on I ask you…” so that we can tap into more layers of intelligence and connect with our higher self so that we may reach our highest destiny! \Jean also gives specific instructions on how to:
- Find your purpose and passion in life
- Manifest like the greatest manifestors in history such as Joseph Campbell
- Live in an intentional state of expectant grace, like Deepak Chopra and others
We Are Walking Magnets
Additional fruitful advice and useful treasures are interwoven throughout the entire video:
- Peace should be alluring, challenging, beautiful and sexy!
- Live in the fertile fields of possibilities. Say yes to life and stop complaining!
- When we change our belief systems about how things work, everything shifts!
- Don’t fall too long into dread and despair, otherwise what you appreciate depreciates!
- Don’t get tripped up by every little bump that comes along, life is so much bigger than that!
If you’re part of the 40% of Americans feeling a bit stuck and uninspired or unsatisfied with your career or life in general and you’re ready to restructure yourself so you can live your best, allow this conscious evolution leader to guide you. Jean Houston exudes more passion, exuberance and wisdom than any other expert I know and her teachings will both excite and realign you. So go on and frolic, dance and play in the fertile fields of possibilities with GaiamTV’s Inspirations: Jean Houston on Opening to Limitless Possibilities. In Love, Light, & Fun,
ALY
 For those journeying down the self-help or personal development path, the varying schools of thought and perspective and growing selection of books and teachings can feel overwhelming at times. Plus, it’s important that what you’re learning feels good, resonates with your spirit and connects deeply with your true self. In all my years of self-help study I've never been so excited to suggest teachings as I am now with Inspirations: Marianne Williamson on Divine Compensation. Marianne conveys her principals in such a way that makes my brain simultaneously jolt to life with excitement and my soul sigh with deep, profound relief. This interview is centered on Marianne’s recently released book, The Law of Divine Compensation, and here are just a few of the shining moments from the talk…
Your Homie, The Universe
Marianne stresses the importance of resting assured that we live in a Universe that is continuously self-organizing and correcting to ensure each one of us is thriving in our absolute highest form. Let me say again, the Universe is made up of this magical, yummy, divine energy that’s programmed to allow everything to flow and thrive at the highest level of creative manifestation. So if we know the Universe has our back-- that it's our true homie--the question then becomes, are you getting in your own way? We've got to do our part to work with the Universe, and we do that by making sure our thoughts and beliefs are aligned with spirit, not the fear-based ego. Are your thoughts focused on miracles, gratitude, love, plentitude and new possibilities, or lack, fear, anger, and resentment? The realm you identify with will be the one that is your reality.
Let Those Miracles Flow!
If our thoughts and energy alignment are such vital components to our thriving, it’s important that we know key steps to ensuring we’re inviting miracles in:
• Discipline Your Mind! We must be aware and in charge of our own thoughts and redirect when our pesky ego tries to trip us up on our path to amazingness. Just remember: love over fear, love over fear, love over fear.
• Forgive! What blocks miracles are thoughts of anger and resentment, so be honest with yourself and if there’s anyone you know you need to offer forgiveness to, invest in learning how to do it and work towards it--if for no other reason than it being vital to your own success in life!
• Meditate! Through the centering and calming of our heart and mind, we can see so much clearer. I find it most helpful to meditate first thing in the morning which sets a peaceful, refreshed tone for the entire day. As Marianne puts it, “get lifted so miracles shift your way.”
Work it!
Lastly, I encourage you to not only watch this amazing interview but also read Marianne’s book because the magnitude of powerful tips and teachings will blow your mind. I will leave you with this--life is not about deciding or creating who you want to be, but remembering who you already are! We have within us all the divine power needed but we must work it, ESPECIALLY when we are triggered and pulled into fear, anger or ego. That is when we must pledge to ourselves to put into action the mental skill sets we have studied and developed from our time on our fantastic, personal development voyage! After all, that’s the entire point of our journey, right? To practice what we've learned when moments are tough and it matters most! Stay blessed. GaiamTV.com Ambassador Alyson Charles is a television and radio host and producer. She lends her passions, inspirations, and self-help knowledge to her readers on www.InAWEwithALY.com, supplying you with the freshest secrets and tips for creating your most magical life.
“Every thought we think either invites a miracle or blocks a miracle.”
:: Marianne Williamson
Life takes courage and sometimes it's easy to muster up and other times it's deep work and a very deep process but in order to live our most authentic/"I'm standing in my full power" lives, being courageous is a must! In this InAWEwithALY TV exclusive, Spirit Vine Tea Time, ALY sits down with director and editor, Dan Katz, who has gone on seven ayahuasca journeys in order to discover greater courage, depth, freedom and healing in his life. Drinking ayahuasca tea is a 3,000 year old ritual originating out of the Amazon and this episode reveals ways to unveil your true inner power, what ayahuasca journeys are like and what huge life-changing breakthroughs it has provided for Dan! It's must-see InAWEwithALY TV <3 "It Takes Courage To Grow Up And Become Who You Really Are."
:: E.E. Cummings
 'Tis the season! It's officially the time of year that seems to drum up more deep and powerful emotions than any other. Along with Santa Claus and magical holiday décor, the Christmas season powerfully elicits memories of holidays gone by. The season can evoke a longing to connect with loved ones, and the stress of holiday obligations is at an all-time high. So what's the one thing we can expect each holiday season? To expect the unexpected. Noel is a holiday movie that proves this point precisely. Starring Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, Penelope Cruz and Paul Walker, Noel gets you prepped to be as flexible, accepting and gracious as possible during the season.
What's unique about this holiday film are its unexpected plot twists and coincidental connections that no one sees coming. The two main story lines
follow Susan Sarandon as Rose Collins, recently divorced and tending to her sick
mother on Christmas Eve, and Penelope Cruz and Paul Walker as Nina and Mike, an
engaged couple who've hit a rough patch with their wedding set for just one week
away. While the story lines are already emotional, it's the addition of
characters who suddenly appear in the most unsuspecting ways that gives
Noel its surprising moments of serendipity. This is definitely one of
those movies that leaves you saying, "I didn't see that one coming!"
Forgiveness Is a Gift
I thoroughly enjoyed the relatability of Noel's overall message. Forgiveness is one of life's
most powerfully-driven lessons, as I've just recently learned in my own life, and it's one that can truly transform and heal. Noel is a wonderful reminder that we can use this time of year to provide healing to ourselves and others. Ask yourself, is there anyone you can offer forgiveness to this holiday season? It could end up being the greatest gift of all.
Presence Over Presents
While we should be generous with providing love year round, there's something about the holidays that makes people's hearts yearn for added gentleness, care and compassion. Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle put it best when he explained that our "pain-bodies," an accumulation of old emotional pain, seem to inevitably emerge during holidays, because we tend to live these moments more in the past rather than the present.
As we spend precious time with both loved ones and strangers this holiday season, it's my holiday wish for us all to do our very best in remaining present and allowing our compassion to expand. Being truly present and appreciating what the holidays bring can supply more joy than any material item. Breathing in forgiveness and compassion, and breathing out emotional pain: this is my ultimate Christmas recipe!
GaiamTV.com Ambassador Alyson Charles is a television and radio host and producer. She lends her passions, inspirations and self-help knowledge to her readers on www.InAWEwithALY.com, supplying you with all the tips and secrets for creating your most magical life!
Check out this article on Huffington Post!
 A Mind-Altering Documentary! It all starts with a simple discussion. The next thing you know, you're off to the Amazon rainforest in South America, drinking a tea made from a psychoactive plant and taking part in an ancient ceremony intended to heal and open the realms of consciousness. That's what happened to filmmaker Michael Wiese as he was searching for a cure after being confronted with a serious disease. Michael knew the universe was co-conspiring to aid in his mission and he, his translator and wife were off, embarking on a mysterious and deeply personal adventure.
The Shaman and Ayahuasca on GaiamTV.com follows these three on a thought-provoking journey, providing unique personal perspectives, majestic and stunning visuals of Peruvian surroundings, and wisdom from a famed shaman. It also piques the viewer's curiosity: What does this psychoactive elixir taste like? How does it feel to be whisked away to other realms and connected to the cosmos? How does it feel to return to reality? Here are a few of the most shining moments from this fascinating documentary:
The Shaman knows
Don Jose Campos, the internationally-known Shaman, graciously and sincerely walks Michael and company through his homeland, and shows just what goes into having a proper ceremony, including the blessing of the tea. Viewers can sense his passion and commitment to this sacred, ancient ritual. It's also important to note that ayahuasca should never be casually ingested and should only be taken under the care, guidance and supervision of a skilled Shaman who concocts, blesses and administers it; the brew is extremely powerful and mind-altering.
Ayahuasca in art
Speaking of mind-altering, legendary painter Pablo Amaringo is also featured. It's worth watching this documentary if only to catch a glimpse of this man's awe-inspiring works that express on canvas some of the many visions and worlds he entered while drinking ayahuasca everyday for 10 years.
Courage and confidence
Shaman Don shared the most important lesson that his teacher, Don Solon, passed on to him - the true definition of confidence: "A deep sense of trust in oneself, faith in the process of being present and being courageous and optimistic." Not only is it a lovely definition of the word, but it's the overall message of the documentary; confidence is applied and interwoven so deeply and on so many levels. One needs confidence to be open to learning about this spiritual sojourn. One needs confidence to go through with the experience. One needs confidence to expect the unexpected during this highly unpredictable journey.
Wanderlust starring Jennifer Aniston and her ayahuasca trip it is not, The Shaman and Ayahuasca offers viewers intense magical clarity into every component of this unique ritual. Delve into a world of deep spiritual development with The Shaman and Ayahuasca on GaiamTV.com.
GaiamTV.com Ambassador Alyson Charles is an AM and FM radio host and television producer. She lends her passions, inspirations, and self-help knowledge to her readers on www.InAWEwithALY.com, supplying you with all the tips and secrets for creating your most magical life!+++++++++++++
See this article on HuffPost!
Watch this documentary along with more of ALY'S FAVS for FREE on GaiamTV!!!
 This interview explores facing fears in a unique way! Stay tuned for it! FEARRRR AHHHH! AHHHHHH!!! Oh, fear, you sneaky, crafty little thing you. Lately I've been thinking about, dealing with and overcoming some fears and it's quite the roller coaster ride but SO very worth every second of the work. I'll keep this post simple and to the point - it's always worth it to push yourself past your fears. Always. First you obviously need to recognize when certain emotions are drumming up for you, if they are fear-based or not and then comes the work of staying on your A+ game mentally and basically slapping ALL fear-based thoughts upside the head the instant they try to sneak into your brain and play games with you; because that's all they do - they'll try to trick you into believing that they are real or necessary. But there is also an acceptance to all of this because it is natural and is a part of life and in an odd, cool sort of way, when you are working through fears and you do push to the other side, there's an immense feeling of accomplishment and total exhilaration that adds to the magic in your soul and gives you a surging of a new life force, a new energy, that will help you continue forward. And forward movement is always a beautiful thing :)
When you are putting in the work to become your best self and overcome any fears and push past boundaries you have to be 100% committed and determined to rise up and not let fear hold you back or paralyze you. You have to know that there may be an internal battle mentally and that you have to do all you can to remain loving and accepting of yourself, gently talk to your fears and say "I hear you, I see you, I feel you and I understand that you're here," take a nice, deep breathe and then steadfastly think a positive thought that takes your brain in the opposite direction than your fear wants it to. I PROMISE you - you do the work and you will come out on the other side of fear!! Promise.
To make your journey through fear and to the other side smoother, below are some of my favorite quotes and mantras that have helped keep my mind in check and I hope there's at least one that resonates with you and helps you shake off those pesky little fears. <3
Team courage and confidence, all the way!!
 Radiate that joy & positive energy!! Welcome to MISSION :: SPREAD JOY :) One of the easiest and fastest ways to raise your vibration, feel happier and also do your part to create a better energy no matter where you are is to talk joy. We've got to always keep ourselves in check when it comes to our internal and external dialogue and monitoring how much of it is spent complaining and focusing on the negative versus thinking about all the reasons to feel grateful and focusing on positive aspects of our lives and what brings us joy.
If you can do one thing today, let it be this: don't complain about anything! And if you catch yourself, just replace the complaint with a grateful thought or if you spoke your complaint to someone else, say a new sentence that focuses on joy. The reason I think having conversations with ourselves and others regarding what has brought joy to our day rather than complaining about something we don't like or want changed is because each thought we think or speak brings about an additional similar thought and then another similar thought and then another, etc...
Haven't you ever noticed when you start complaining you begin to feel bad, you begin to feel aggravated and then the next thing you know you are so caught up in your complaint that your head gets flooded with other things that bother you and before you know it, your thoughts have spiraled out of control in a negative way, making you feel terrible, depressed or anxious. The good news is this: the same flow will happen when we think good thoughts and share our joys with others! The next thing you know, the person you've shared your joy with feels happy and they may share a happy thought or occurrence with you and then you feel happy for them and in turn, your brain gets activated in a positive manor and other joy-filled thoughts come your way which will obviously make you feel more uplifted, happy and inspired :) And unless you're someone who just prefers feeling miserable, you should feel much more inclined to pick option B.
Option joy or option complain... what's YOUR choice today???
Do something AWEsome (and if not for yourself, for all those around you:)... Make it your mission to think joy-filled thoughts and talk that joy-filled talk and see all the yummy, magical magic that heads your way <3
 Ahhhh, the power of now. Breathe that baby in! Soak her in! Lol. Living in the present moment is something I've been learning about and investing myself in for years and it is truly one of the most transformative skill sets I've ever developed.
It seems the older we get the more tied up in what's happened in the past or worried about what may happen in the future we get and it is super counter-intuitive! When we were kids we had much more natural faith in all that is good, we were able to stand in awe more easily and soak in the wonders of our world and we were simply much better at living in the present moment but we need to reach within ourselves and get that power back! It hasn't left us, we've just forgotten how to do it, so we need to tap in and do a bit of brain retraining :)
Some tools I have used that have helped me immensely along the way are The Power of Now and A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and The Secret and The Power by Rhonda Byrne. Both authors have "daily teachings" apps for your phone as well and I love to read their quick tips everyday as it's an easy and fun way to keep me focused on living in this most wonderful, powerful, fabulously fun present moment. ALSO - my currently featured "Weekly Fix" is all about the present moment and has an amazing guided meditation by Eckhart Tolle and a mantra to repeat so that living in the now really gets enmeshed in that brain :)
Give yourself a magical gift and let go of the hurts, resentments and garbage from the past and let go of all the worries of the future - remember that each time we think thoughts of what has happened or what may happen we are totally and absolutely missing out on the only thing we truly have - the now. Each time you find your mind floating to past or future, just bring yourself back to the present, take a nice deep breath in and thank yourself for doing so and you will instantly come more alive! Trust me, I've been working diligently on this for a very long time and the more you practice, the more you realize that when you truly allow yourself to be in the present moment, every second feels magical and you naturally appreciate even the simplest of things more because you're in it, you're thankful for it and you're truly FEELING the power of now <3To reiterate just one more time, here is one of my favorite quotes from another In AWE with ALY FAV Author, Debbie Ford..."Holding on to our past could be compared to collecting newspapers from 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 years ago. Would you consciously choose to reread and rehash each upsetting story, or carry around the newspaper it was printed in, every day?"
:: Debbie Ford
Your world comes more alive when you live in the now! Do your very best to try. I took this pic from Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.
 One of my main focuses as of late is developing my ability to manifest what I want in my life. We all posses the ability to create what we want (and don't want) to show up in our lives but how can we do it more effortlessly and enjoyably?
About seven months ago I made a list of 10 things I wanted to manifest in my life within 10 months. I would look at this list occasionally to soak the intentions in, see what I could cross off the list, etc... but realized yesterday that I hadn't looked at it in quite some time, probably not for two months, so I checked it out and was shocked to see that nearly everything on the list had come true! Everything from going to a fun, outdoor concert to enjoying spending time in the kitchen trying new foods and beverages (this one is actually a HUGE manifestation for me). It was such an amazing, reaffirming moment to realize that the simple act of writing down 10 things that you want to happen, letting go of the "how" of it all and letting the Universe do its thing to bring the items to you, works!!! The key is feeling good, heartfelt and passionate about your selections, not thinking (and especially NOT WORRYING) about how/when/where they will happen and LETTING GO! Soak your intentions in, feel how happy you will feel when they come true but then allow the Universe to figure out the "how" because it will undoubtedly bring you what you want in better ways than we can ever imagine <3
It's so important for us all to take time for ourselves and nurture our own dreams because that feeling of empowerment and well-being will carry over to our relationships and the world. Seeing that so much had been manifested from my list of intentions motivated me to think and get clear on new things I want to experience in my life. It can be so much fun to work with the Universe and co-create the life of our dreams and it really can be much simpler and easier than you think.
Just grab a notebook and go :)
 My personal "intentions book!" Helping turn intentions into manifestations daily <3
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