Straight Talk with a Spiritual Edge

I have just launched a new website that will be giving this blog a new tone. Many have asked me to share my thoughts in terms of spirituality. I agreed, so welcome to Straight Talk with a Spiritual Edge, an extension of the Jewel of Atlantis-Intuitive Tarot Readings site.

A wealth of information that answers to all of our questions is hidden in the language of your dreams. If you could interpret the symbols in any dream you'd be surprised at how easily you'd arrive at solutions to everyday problems. The conscious mind is the dreamer and the unconscious mind creates the dreams.

According to Science and Metaphysics the power of mind can physically manifest the things that you think about, and the mind that creates the command for thoughts to "become real" is the subconscious. So, be careful what you think because it has been proven that thoughts are things.

That can be a little hard to wrap your head around, but recall the times when you set a goal and reached it. The goal was just a dream, a thought in your head and at some point it became real. Think back to the thing that you feared the most, how it actually happened. That isn't just chance or fate...it's you.  You create the world you live in-all of it-the good and the bad...think about it...

Update on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 09:35AM by [Alia Curtis]

Do we really create our own misery? Well, let's explore the possibility. Let's just say, something happens that is really depressing. It is a natural reaction to feel down and miserable. So then how is that creating misery?  It isn't. 

Creating misery is when you choose to remain down and miserable. Okay, come on now, do we really have a choice when we are honestly depressed?  Actually, yes we do.  If you accept the depression, it stays.  If you reject the depression, it leaves. Don't take my word for it.  Try it.  Literally talk to yourself out loud and say, "I do not want to  feel this way, you have to leave". Then immediately think of something that made you happy before you got depressed. Do this all day long.  When it's bedtime, do it just before you fall asleep or better yet, say it until you go to sleep. The funny thing is you don't have to believe it when you are saying it, but the act of continuously verbalizing programs the subconscious, and from there springs a new reality. 

So how long do we do this? ...simple, until it works.

Update on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 06:05AM by [Alia Curtis]

I never cease to be amazed at the fact that our mind is such a special, unique blessing.  I use the word blessing because of my belief in a higher Intelligence that some refer to as God; and blessings are what I attribute as gifts.

I attended a well-delivered and very informative lecture by Prajna Paramita Chudhury, L.Ac.,Dipl.O.M. on Chinese Medicine last evening. (from Perfect Wisdom Acupuncture & Herbs in Oakland, Ca.) It is so empowering to realize we have control over something so magnificent as our health and well being. She did not rule out Western Medicine, but emphasized that the balance between mind and body resulted in good health.

I understood that the body, when in tune with the mind has magnificient rejuvenating properties. So, that made me think about ageing and I thought about the elderly Chinese people that I do QiGong and Tai Chi with. Many are in their 80's and they come to exercise every day, outside, rain or shine. At first I attributed their energy to the fact that they had been doing this all their lives, at least that was my excuse for not being able to keep up the pace initially. But after attending the sessions for two years I noticed that I no longer had to take daily medication for chronic hives and I no longer get hives. They call their time together "playtime". That is where the mind comes in. If you think you are out "playing" with your neighbors, then the rigorous discipline and routine becomes play and just like when we were kids, going out and playing was something we could do for hours on end before we got tired.

Well, not all of us have the time or freedom to spend part of our day out "playing", but we do have all the time in the world to think...so think constructive thoughts and build better health.

Update on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 02:05PM by [Alia Curtis]

I recently had a conversation with someone about prayer. He wanted to know if I believed in it.  He also asked what I thought of prayers never being answered.

The question, "Do you believe in prayer" was thought provoking. For the first time, I had to really analyze what my belief in prayer meant.  Did I believe in someone or something that would grant me wishes? Did I believe in something that had complete unrelenting, control of my destiny that required constant petitioning? What was my actual attitude when I "prayed"?

I began to  question "how" I prayed.  Did I petition (beg), cajole (persuade), display myself as a victim (why me?), or mindlessly repeat memorized phrases?  Then I tried to remember if I had unanswered prayer and what, if anything I did about it.

Though my search was deeply profound, my answers are relatively simple: Prayer is a time for me to communicate with what I believe to be a higher intelligence-a creator of everything. My prayer is not always a petition, but sometimes a deep felt appreciation of my life. It is like speaking to a true friend that I know is there for me unconditionally; one that has all the answers and willingly shares them with me. If there is something I need, I speakof it, knowing that I already have it-which confirms that I never have been nor ever will be denied.

Daily practices are often taken for granted. Now I want to ask, what is your take on prayer?

Update on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 05:23PM by [Alia Curtis]

I had an interesting conversation with a small business owner today.  She was frustrated with the years of struggle with no "successful" results.  The conversation began with anxiety due to her feeling that  today had not been "productive". She did not have time to do her usual marketing and networking, but instead had to tend to  personal chores like assisting her elder relatives and making out bill payments.

The first thing we looked at was the concept of "productive". Productivity is not just doing things towards reaching business goals but instead, completing  things that need to be done. In reality, whatever you complete throughout your day is productivity and to view it that way encourages positive thought and a healthier attitude.

She spoke of the approaching holidays and not having made enough profit to buy gifts. I asked her to remember any help or encouragement that she had given to those she wanted to buy for.  She told me touching accounts of reaching out and helping to make their lives better. I believe if the people we help have to choose between a holiday gift or the help we give, they'd choose the help-no contest.  We need to be aware of the gifts that we give that have no monitary value as being the best gifts of all.

Her most frustrating experience was attending networking functions and meeting so many successful people and comparing her "lack of success" to theirs. We took a critical look at her view.  She was looking at the end result of a long, hard, painful and frustrating path and not at the path itself.  She saw the rainbow, but not the source. 

When we look at the riches and prestige of accomplished people, we can't compare ourselves to their material gains, but we can compare to their struggle in earning them.  In that respect we are equal.

When you are down and out and it really hurts, know that you are on the path to success and that successful people have all traveled that same direction to get to where they are, and we cannot make comparison or achieve what they have achieved until we've paid our dues.

Is America's Demand for Accent Reduction Unfair?

Globalization has created a unique workforce. Diverse work teams are highly valued. In the US, according to USA Today, the nation’s population will grow by about 130 million people by 2050 and a third of those people will be from somewhere else.

There is a paradox to this high-powered workforce. It has talent pools that yield greater productivity and competitive advantages. However, the population in those pools speaks different languages, creating a severe lack of communication and ultimately affect productivity.

America’s solution to that paradox requires that everyone speak English in the workplace. The logic of “common ground” is acceptable, understandable and should be workable. Nevertheless, another problem exists within that solution. Everyone speaks English, but because it is an acquired language, they speak it with an accent. The new solution is accent reduction.

By definition, accent reduction is “A systematic approach to reducing or eliminating either a regional or foreign accent. This involves changing sound pronunciation (vowels and consonants), parameters of intonation and stress, and rhythm of speech.”

Accent reduction is achieved by assessment; computer based learning systems, interactive software, books, CD ROM and /or private sessions with a Speech/Language Pathologist or Corporate Trainer. The fees and materials are expensive. The minimal time for any improved results is 15 hours of training, with no guarantee that the speaker will be proficient.

A company or corporation generally absorbs the expense of accent reduction training for the office worker, but for many others, it is an unaffordable, out-of- pocket expense.

In addition to adjusting to a new culture and the pressure of performing well on the job, the non-native English speaker is required to re-learn a language that he/she has already learned.

The areas of concern that influence accent-training programs are workplace needs and safety.

Workplace needs:

• Public speaking skills
• Customer service
• Telemarketing
• Consulting
• Teaching/training
• Company image

Safety needs-healthcare facilities:

• Verbal reporting over the telephone in emergency rooms
• Communicating with patients
• Communicating with staff concerning patients

The lack of language proficiency is a billion dollar expense to American businesses and a lack of communication in any business (home or abroad) results in profit loss, which brings us back to the question, “Is America’s demand for accent reduction unfair?”

Thank you for stopping by. Feel free to ask questions (in the comments section) about your adjustment to the American culture. I am available to research and pass on information that will make your transition easier. Facebook me!

Has Growing Old Become Outdated?

Our high-tech American society is busy attempting to delay the effects of aging. Innovative techniques of cosmetic surgery insure a superficial appearance of youth and constant dieting, and extreme exercise gives a promise of youth. However, in the light of all things assured, has growing old actually become outdated?

In a maze of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, medical devices, and transplantation, where does the illusion end and truth of vibrant health and longevity begin?

Master Lawrence Choi’s answer to that question is “Practice Qigong daily”. Who is Master Choi and what is Qigong?

Master Choi is an 87-year-old trainer from Oakland, California. He proves that 87 is just a number by instructing and participating in a three hour long, 7 day a week Qigong exercise regiment-outdoors, rain or shine. He explains that anyone can start at any age with no worries about injury, even if one has never exercised before. He guarantees that no matter what your health problem is, this regimen will improve your health and decrease symptoms of many debilitating diseases like arthritis, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. He strongly suggests, however, that any one under a doctor’s care continue to see their doctor and not confuse a sense of well-being with a cure.

Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is not the same practice method as the renowned Tai Chi. Qigong is a level of Tai Chi but different movements distinguish it. According to definition, it means cultivating energy (chi). Implementing deep, controlled breathing is an integral part of the practice. It activates the lymphatic system, which in turn cleanses the body. Proper breathing moves chi energy into the spinal column. This places one in a relaxed, meditative state.

Qigong is a phenomenal technique that is thousands of years old. It incorporates well over 4,000 styles, and combines therapeutic health care, preventive health care, physical training, and philosophy.

Authors Myeong Soo Lee and Byung G Kim state, "Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, and rate-pressure product were significantly decreased during qi-training”, according to a 2000 study. “Just one session of qi gong can result in a temporary fall in blood pressure.”

Eastern and western medical practitioners agree that Qigong exercise develops a relaxed mind, flexible back, sound joints, and strong muscles. These health benefits combined are undeniably characteristics of youth. From this perspective, it is easy to ascertain that growing old has truly become “a thing of the past”.

                                                                                                                                                         

Myeong Soo Lee, Byung Gi Kim, et al. “Effect of Qi-training on blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate. Clinical Psychology 2000: 20(3), 173-176.ve of youth.

       If you have any questions about QiGong, be sure to post in the comments section.

Child Immunization – New Plague of the 20th Century?

One of the deepest levels of grief that a parent can face is the sickness/death of a child. It seems as though Medical Science and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are responsible for an inconceivably profound new level of mental and spiritual decimation for parents’ worldwide—child immunization.

However, before we make that judgment, we have to study the whole picture. The most prominent story that grabs the headlines and our attention today is 9-year-old Atlanta resident, Hannah Poling. Her parents alleged that she contracted Autism after receiving five simultaneous childhood vaccinations at the age of 18 months. They won a settlement but the fact that the government sets funding aside for compensation to people injured by vaccines tends to raise a few eyebrows. It is an indirect admission that vaccines can harm. Therefore, the question remains, should we or should we not vaccinate our children?

You will have to make your decision based on information from the three following components, The Bad, The Ugly, and The Good.

The Bad:

The stories of medical contamination and FDA’s oversights top the news. For example

The Heparin Illness in Germany

http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/health/2008/02/13/Heparin.Probe/

Vegas Hepatitis Exposure

http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/health/2008/02/28/Hepatitis.Exposure/

The Toxic Toothpaste Import

http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/health/2008/03/07/Toxic.Toothpaste/

The Failure to Alert on the Zprexa Side Effects

http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/health/2008/03/06/Eli.Lilly.Zyprexa.Lawsuit/

To top it off, Bill Gates is offering $100 million to scientists who can come up with projects based on unorthodox and unproven ideas for prevention and disease cures . That in itself is not a bad thing. Nevertheless, with few restrictions, the lure of profit/ reward and the reality of corporate control, one cannot help but wonder if profit based intentions could possibly be an implication of why situations like the above listed recurs.

http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/health/2008/03/06/Gates.Foundation/

The Ugly :

Next, and not for the faint of heart, are the horror stories of vaccine damage and death. http://www.thinktwice.com/stories.htm and an account from a medical observer, Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD http://www.thinktwice.com/nosodes.htm

The Good:

Our history is full of incidents where Polio, Measles, and Diphtheria ran rampant and caused widespread illness and death. Without immunization, these and other diseases would still plague our present generations. Therefore, it is plausible to assume that benefit outweighs risk. http://www.vaccineplace.com/?fa=explore/vaccineSafety

What is vaccine and how does it work? The Vaccine Place gives an excellent account: http://www.vaccineplace.com/?fa=explore/general.

For important vaccine information that should answer many if not all of your questions:   http://www.thinktwice.com/articles.htm

The following link is to an interesting abstract on how Dutch parents’ decision to vaccinate their children is determined http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TD4-4GYNXCT-5&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=897983df93aa77f72309a3f13b257e13

In reality for every cure, there is risk, and unfortunately, we are equally subject to risk as well as cure. America’s overall health and life expectancy has improved and scientists have eliminated many dangerous diseases worldwide and controlled others through immunization.

We are not forced to immunize and the final decision is still up to the public. We will have to think long and hard and learn to consider risk when weighing options. As free thinkers and a coddled society, we expect cures, financial stability, abundance and we generally get it, but we have to realize that in the process we will always be called upon as a sacrifice to the Corporate Gods.

We can have what we want as long as we are willing to pay the price…

Well, back to the reseach, see you soon.

How Do I Write a Sales Letter?

Initially, I’d like to familiarize you with terms that apply to an effective sales letter.

Benefit – what your product can do for the reader

Feature – something that makes your product or service essential also describes your product or service

Endorsement - testimonials

Cost to value ratio –the value is more than the price

Premium – free bonus

No-risk guarantee - assuring no loss to the customer

Call to Action – informing reader what he/she should do next

Incentive – motivation

Mail merge – creating a personalized form letter

Test – analysis

Bona fide –real, true, above-board

USP Unique selling position – what makes your product/service different

Ok, now we can start at the beginning. Before you even consider sitting down and using precious time writing your sales letter, the first thing you must do (as good writers do) is research. Find out whom you are selling to and exactly what you are selling. Know why people buy, what your ideal price should be, and which words motivate, influence, or turn off your perspective client.

Before you get to the letter itself, I’d like to comment on the envelope. Sounds like putting the cart before the horse, but it isn’t. The first contact you make with your potential prospect is the envelope. Make it look professional, official and for goodness sake, use a stamp. Metered mail looks impersonal. That’s fine for direct mail, but that is not the best way to approach a new prospect who knows nothing about you or your service/product.

You want to use the envelope to capture attention and reaffirm your original offer. Example: “Free $250 coupon towards purchase” or use the words “Time Sensitive, Urgent”. Make sure you have a return address. That implies that you are credible. Don’t use fancy font, it can look “cartoon-ish” and very unprofessional. It is acceptable to use a professional, personal photo.

The first thing you have to master is a killer headline. It has to be attention getting and alluring. http://www.copyblogger.com/magnetic-headlines/

http://www.copyblogger.com/how-to-write-headlines-that-work/

The body of your letter has to be personal. Begin with, “Dear (their name)” and address their need. You are trying to build a relationship. Your prospect needs to feel trust and needs to believe that you have something that will make his/her life better or resolve their difficulty. You must immediately offer a clear benefit . Use words like “you” and “your” and questions like “How would you like to get____”? This signals that customer needs are a priority.

In the following paragraphs, you must establish credibility. (1) Explain who you are and what you have to offer. (2) Outline key benefits of your product/service. (3) Use a testimonial to build trust. (4) Give a case study or tell a success story. Don’t be general. (5) Give reasons why your product is better. Use short, simple sentences that suggest positive results. Example: “Four out of five doctors recommend…” or “Research proves that…”

Summarize. Be brief. Describe product/service and re-state services and benefits. Example: “You will get_____ in just one package”. Do not make a list.

End with price and urgency. Example: Respond by (this date) and you will get 30% off.

Add a premium (something free). Add a no-risk guarantee.

Remember to make the letter memorable. For example, give helpful tips or information that one can re-use for reference, etc.

Make it easy to scan and easy to navigate by underlines, bold, list bullets, etc. Using a template can make things easier. http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/tips/word-tips.mspx

Include a call to action. Tell the reader when and how to act next and give them an incentive to do so.

Use conversational words that build a relationship.

If you are using inserts make sure they are consistent with what you are selling (order forms, reply forms, booklets, inserts).

Know when to use long letters or short letters. The rule is long, but the exception is scanners. They don’t want a long letter. Again, research your market before your write and learn to write for both scanners and those who want detailed information.

 There, you can do it!  Happy Sales.