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Life is now! If you wait to start your dream, you may not get a second chance. When you feel the inkling to move, then move; jump in! Accept the challenge. Make something happen. It’s all up to you.
If we don’t choose what we want, then life chooses for us. Maybe we don’t feel worthy enough to choose for ourselves; or maybe we don’t understand how to. But all of your dreaming—the seeing and planning and having—is all wasted if you never start.
Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they give you some solid tips to overcome some of the “blockers” that stop you from getting started on your dreams. They really want to encourage you to begin “choosing and doing” right now.

Links
Do It! – Let’s Get Off Our Buts
by Peter McWilliams and John-Roger
©1991 by Prelude Press, Inc.

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Trust is something that is essential in all relationships—whether it is a love match, a friendship, or a work partnership. We exercise trust when we marry, when we leave our children in the care of another, or when we provide services for others.
We develop trust with the idea that it is a matter of integrity and good moral choice to abide by certain agreements, whether spoken or inferred. Trust is most definitely a choice. We are hurt when these agreements are broken. We will not be happy when there is a lack of trust.
Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they discuss how trust is built in a relationship, how to manage trust, and how to repair trust when it is broken.

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What is “flow?” Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Me-high Cheek-sent-me-high), noted as the originator of coining the name “Flow Psychology,” says,

“. . . if you focus attention on anything, it is likely that you will become interested in it. Many of the things we find interesting are not so by nature, but because we took the trouble of paying attention to them.”
Flow is a mental and physical state of being where you are completely in the moment; your whole being is involved while you’re using you talents to the fullest. You become absorbed, totally involved in the activity for its own sake. Time flies; ego falls away; every action, movement, and thought “flows,” one from the next.
Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they talk about “Flow Psychology” and how to get into the “flow!” Using your creativity and then boosting your task into the “flow” is immensely enjoyable. Bill and Kira say that, “Being in the ‘flow’ truly leads to more happiness in your life!”

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Just like your physical body, your living space needs to be balanced. When “personal treasures” begin to overwhelm you, it’s time to de-clutter. A disorganized space creates stress that can leave you feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, and emotionally drained. Clutter is like the old saying, “too much of a good thing.”
Clutter not only affects your ability to function joyfully, it also steals your creative powers! All of us have things that we absolutely love and we don’t want to even think of getting rid of, but are many of these things really being used?
De-cluttering is often a work in progress for many of us—it’s ongoing for sure. Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they talk about some of their clutter issues and offer helpful suggestions on how to de-clutter your space!

Links
How Clutter Can Destroy Your Health: Get Organized Today
By The Alternative Daily
http://www.thealternativedaily.com/how-clutter-can-destroy-your-health-get-organized-today/

How to Rid [Your] Home of Negative Energy
By Sally Painter, Feng Shui Practitioner
http://feng-shui.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Rid_Home_of_Negative_Energy

How Clutter Affects Your Brain (and What You Can Do About It)
By Mikael Cho
http://lifehacker.com/how-clutter-affects-your-brain-and-what-you-can-do-abo-662647035

How Clutter Affects Your Life, & Secret (But Simple) Military Communication Techniques
By Daniel Hayes
http://simplelifetogether.com/slt-010-how-clutter-affects-your-life-secret-but-simple-military-communication-techniques/

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Just like your physical body, your seven energy centers, or chakras, can be adjusted and balanced. The benefits to a balanced “energy body” are: more vitality in mind, body, and spirit, and keeping the spiritual pathways open to receive inner intelligence, healing, and guidance. In fact, many healers say that “dis-eases” of the physical body begin with imbalances in the chakras.
Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they describe balancing methods for each of your seven chakras, and how you can keep them in tip-top shape.

Links
Warning Signs Your Chakras Are Out Of Balance
by Reshma Patel
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-13433/warning-signs-your-chakras-are-out-of-balance.html
6 Simple Ways to Balance Your Root Chakra
by Jennifer White
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4514/6-Simple-Ways-to-Balance-Your-Root-Chakra.html
Simple Chakra Balance Test
http://balance.chakrahealingsounds.com/chakra-balance-test/
Solfeggio Frequencies and Tibetan Singing Bowls
http://balance.chakrahealingsounds.com/about-us/solfeggio-frequencies-tibetan-singing-bowls/

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There are 7 energy centers in the body called “chakras” and each one also houses our mental and emotional strengths. They are the psychic-soul mind-body connection points between you and the inner worlds.
Each chakra responds to a different color of light and they work both individually and in concert to guide and heal your body in physical, emotional, and mental “dis-eases.”
Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they name the 7 chakras, describe their influence on the body, and how they work together for your benefit.

Links
Warning Signs Your Chakras Are Out Of Balance
by Reshma Patel
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-13433/warning-signs-your-chakras-are-out-of-balance.html

6 Simple Ways to Balance Your Root Chakra
by Jennifer White
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4514/6-Simple-Ways-to-Balance-Your-Root-Chakra.html

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From time-to-time, all of us get stuck. It’s what we do next that really counts! The more creative you are at becoming unstuck, the less likely you will be stuck in that same way in the future.
Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they share 5 ways to get you unstuck and get your mojo working again. They have used all of these methods at one time or another and have found success in each of them. Listen in and add some new tools to your kit bag!

Links

Bruce Lipton: Think Beyond Your Genes
https://www.brucelipton.com

Psych-K Centre International
https://www.psych-k.com/about/

Quantum NLP
by Christiane Turner

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Dr. Joseph Murphy

The Key to Hypnotism Simplified
by James T. McBrayer

Creative Scripts for Hypnotheraphy
by Marlene E. Hunter, M.D.

Self-Hypnosis: It’s Theory and Application
by Melvin Powers

Self-Hypnosis: Creating Your Own Destiny
by Henry Leo Bolduc

Instant Self-Hypnosis: How to Hypnotize Yourself With Your Eyes Open
by Forbes Robbins Blair

The Power of your Mind Versus Fear
by Coptic Master Hamid Bey

Extraordinary Healing
by Marilyn Gordon

The Heart and Soul of EFT and Beyond
by Phillip and Jane Mountrose

Energy Tapping
by Fred P. Gallo, Ph.D. and Harry Vincenzi, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of how you feel when you imagine and focus on what you desire. That’s the key to having your desire come true. If your dream or desire feels like a dilemma or injustice, or work, or anything other than just sheer pleasure, you will not follow through. You will not move toward it.
On the other hand, if your desire, dream, or goal pleases you when you think about it, then you are in the right vibrational stance to have it.
Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they describe how your feelings—how you feel when you hatch a dream—determines how successful you will be in the process of manifesting that dream.

Links
Law of Attraction: 4 Things Screwing Up Your Manifesting Mojo
by Kelli Cooper
http://www.livelifemadetoorder.com/blog/law-attraction-manifesting-mojo/

The Universe Is Rooting For Your Success
by Pratishtha
http://www.justfeelgreat.com/category/manifesting-desires/

The Five Principles for Manifesting Your Desires, Spirit Junkie Style
by Gabrielle Bernstein
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gabrielle-bernstein/manifest-desires_b_1404543.html

Higher Feelings Manifest Your Desires Faster
by Enoch Tan
http://www.trans4mind.com/counterpoint/index-success-abundance/tan8.shtml

The Role of Feelings in Your Manifesting
by Dr. Wayne Dyer
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Articles/The-Role-of-Feelings-in-Your-Manifesting.aspx?p=1

The Law of Attraction Center: Enjoy Your Life
Law of Attraction Success Stories
http://www.lawofattractioncentre.com/

YouTube Video:
Celine Dion & Elvis Presley – If I Can Dream

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You were born to create! This is why children are naturals at creativity. All things on earth have a natural connection to Source Energy, and you can use “intention” to tap into it at will rather than stumble across it from time-to-time.
Your personal joy, expectation, and love for all things will get creativity working for you. Don’t stop practicing until you become a manifesting machine! Also, practice gratitude for all of the support you are given, knowing that you are indeed blessed.
Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they share their thoughts on creativity—what it is and how you can jump-start it in your own life!

Links
Miracle Manifestation Story

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It’s true! Laughter really is a contagious expression of emotion. When shared, laughter binds people together, and it increases happiness and intimacy.
Just hearing laughter primes your brain and excites you to smile and join in the fun! After laughing for only a few minutes, you can feel better for hours.
Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. It also lightens your burdens and inspires you with hope. A good laugh is fast and dependable in bringing your mind back in harmony.
Join Kira and Bill Van Ittersum as they share their thoughts on laughter as the best medicine!

Links

Laughter Therapy
http://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/laughter-therapy/

Laughter is the Best Medicine
by Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph. D.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm

Stress Relief from Laughter? It’s No Joke
by Mayo Clinic Staff
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456?pg=1

New Study Proves That Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine
by Yagana Shah
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/22/laughter-and-memory_n_5192086.html

7 Health Benefits of Laughter
by E.C. LaMeaux
http://life.gaiam.com/article/7-benefits-laughter

Is Laughter the Best Medicine?
by Susan Brink
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140606-laughter-jokes-medicine-health-science-laughing-yoga/

Laughter Is the Best Medicine: The Health Benefits of Humor
by Noreen Fraser
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/04/16/laughter-is-best-medicine-health-benefits-humor/

Laughter Makes You Happy
by Andrew Weil, M.D.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03232/Laughter-Makes-You-Happy.html

8 Health Benefits of Laughter
by Melissa Breyer
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-health-benefits-of-laughter.html

This Is Why People Who Laugh More Are More Productive Than You
by Daniel Wallen
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/7-reasons-why-laughing-makes-you-more-productive.html

Can laughter cure illness?
by Victoria Vogt
http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/laughter-cure-illness.htm

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“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; except, you are the one getting burnt.“ –Buddha
What is forgiveness? At a minimum, it’s an acknowledgement of your personal pain and loss and can, in time, lead to letting go of hatred or ill-will toward the person(s) who harmed you and your loved ones. Forgiveness helps clear, or “reboot”, your emotions so you can once again perform at your best and even experience full happiness. When done thoroughly, forgiveness is the healing of a festering emotional wound that keeps hurting you and those around you long after the “harmer” has gone his merry way.

Kira and Bill Van Ittersum talk about forgiveness and its challenges, and give several tips to arriving at a neutral (healed) emotional state.

Links:

Forgive and…Feel Happier
by Christine Carter, Ph.D.
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/raising_happiness/post/forgive_andfeel_happier

Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness
Lesson 121, A Course in Miracles
http://www.acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=121

Understanding Forgiveness
by by Sonja Lyubomirsky
http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/topic/forgiveness/understanding-forgiveness

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Dr. John C. Maxwell, a pastor and professional speaker on leadership has this to say about the power of momentum:
“A train travelling 55 mph on a railroad track can crash through a 5-foot thick, steel-reinforced concrete wall without stopping. That same train, starting from a stationary position, won’t be able to go through an inch-thick block in front of the driving wheel.

“It is never the size of your problem that is the problem. It’s a lack of momentum. Without momentum, even a tiny obstacle can prevent you from moving forward. With momentum, you’ll navigate through problems and barely even notice them.”

Kira and Bill Van Ittersum talk about momentum and self-rewards and many other tips to Fulfilling Your Dream in this lively podcast. Listen in and find out how!

Links:

Achieve Your Goals: Momentum, Intentions, & Positive Change, by Samantha Roberts
http://www.thelovelystars.com/achieve-your-goals-momentum-intentions-positive-change/

Learning To Be An Effective Leader And Manager
https://epigeum.com/downloads/ulm_accessible/uk/01_intro/html/course_files/in_3_10.html

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You have your dream: now what? Time for your plan, that’s what! A plan, or goal, keeps you on track and moving forward to your dream. A plan should also be flexible and change as new and better ideas show up.

Listen as Kira and Bill Van Ittersum share helpful tips to better planning and goal setting. Dreams without a written goal or plan are like raindrops—they fall freely from Heaven but they don’t last long.

Links:

How To Set Goals For The Life You Actually Want: It’s Time To Stop Setting The Wrong Goals And Start Using Goals To Determine The Journey, Not The Destination, by Stever Robbins
http://www.fastcompany.com/3029765/work-smart/how-to-set-goals-for-the-life-you-actually-want

A Simple Guide to Setting and Achieving Your Life Goals by Leo Babauta
http://zenhabits.net/a-simple-guide-to-setting-and-achieving-your-life-goals/

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What do you want to do? What do you like to do? Will you give yourself permission to see your dream and then go after it? It’s really all up to you. The dream that lights you up is yours alone, not your Mom and Dad’s, not your teacher’s, not your priest’s, or minister’s, or preacher’s.

Listen in as Kira and Bill Van Ittersum give some fun and easy tips to help you get that completed image of your dream firmly anchored in your mind. They also cover areas like “soul searching” and “legacy planning” to help you pick the perfect dreams for you.

Kira also shares her personal experience with her “vision board”—why it’s important to her and how you can make one for yourself, and why it’s a fun activity to teach to your kids!

Links:

Golden Rules of Goal Setting: Five Rules to Set Yourself Up for Success
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_90.htm

Goal Setting: Your Guide to Setting Goals:
How to Set Personal & Business Goals You Will Achieve by Susan Ward
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/goalsetting/a/Goal-Setting-Guide.htm

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Many people wait for an external life-threatening emergency before they allow themselves the time to search for and then develop their inner greatness. But, what if you began today to discover your inner talents, loves, and desires? How would you live differently? What exactly would you do?
If you can see it, you can be it! In his famous book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill said, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” A great way to get started is to write out your own Personal Bucket List. Then study-up on creating goals, goal-setting, goal-planning, and goal-action. Your future self will thank you!

Links:
Goal-Setting-for-Success.com
http://www.goal-setting-for-success.com/motivational-stories.html

The Bucket List – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bucket_List

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Keeping a gratitude journal is one of the best kept secrets of the most successful people. Being thankful, and writing these thoughts down, sets up your mind to tune into the Inner Power. Gratitude journaling paves the way for goodness, prosperity, and understanding to flow into your life.

Gratitude journaling won’t guarantee that you will never experience pain, loss, or suffering in your life, but you will have greater insight because of this journaling. Also, a great tip is to re-read passages of your gratitude journal on your “down” days. This practice is guaranteed to turn your mood around in short order!

Links:

1. Turn Pain to Joy: 11 Tips for a Powerful Gratitude Journal by Louise Jensen
   http://tinybuddha.com/blog/turn-pain-to-joy-11-tips-for-a-powerful-gratitude-journal/
2. The Early-To-Rise System of Gratitude by Craig Ballantyne http://www.earlytorise.com/journal/
3. Keeping A Gratitude Journal by Paul B. Taubman, II, http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/keeping_gratitude_journal_0.html
4. Tips for Keeping a Gratitude Journal by Jason Marsh
   GGSC [Greater Good Science Center]: The Science of a Meaningful Life
   http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/tips_for_keeping_a_gratitude_journal
5. How to Practice Radical Gratitude by Christine Carter
   GGSC [Greater Good Science Center]: The Science of a Meaningful Life
   http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_practice_radical_gratitude
6. How Gratitude Beats Materialism by Jason Marsh and Dacher Keltner
   GGSC [Greater Good Science Center]: The Science of a Meaningful Life
   http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/materialism_gratitude_happiness
7. Make a Gratitude Adjustment – Feeling thankful is one key to happiness, so count your blessings for a boost by Lauren Aaronson
   https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200602/make-gratitude-adjustment
8. Joe Vitale’s Clearing Technique #3 – Gratitude and a Law of Attraction

What Gratitude Can Do For Our Lives! By Bob Proctor

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How do you communicate with heart? Can it be taught, or does it have to be caught? Kira and Bill Van Ittersum believe that if you follow a few simple tips, you will improve your communication style and your personal happiness will automatically grow in the process.

Of course, even when we have the best intentions and we’re trying our hardest, communication can fail. Bill and Kira have some funny stories to share that describe what happens when communication goes wrong.

Links:

1. Abbott and Costello’s Who’s On First? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcRRaXV-fg
2. “Daddy said YES!” A story of miscommunication, http://mengalings.blogspot.com/2013/01/daddy-said-yes-story-of-miscommunication.html
3. Miscommunication causes confusion by IMCONFIDENT, https://imconfident.wordpress.com/tag/men/ (Note: Scroll down the page to the “Feb 22” blog entry.)
4. Father and grown son, on “patience in conversation.”

Greek (?) video with English subtitles.

5. Communicating without words. Give a little love, get a little love! People helping people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT-HBl2TVtI

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“I saw the most beautiful smile today, from the outside in, while looking in a mirror. And I am happier from the inside out.” http://www.thankthenow.com/happiness-smiling-smiles-self-love/

“There is perhaps nothing more powerful in beginning a conversation, or in overcoming an interpersonal challenge, than a smile—a warm, genuine, sincere smile that emanates from your heart, from the inside out.” ‒Bob Burg, author and speaker, http://www.burg.com/2011/04/from-the-inside-out/

Listen in as Kira and Bill Van Ittersum discuss the practice of “Smiling from the Inside Out!” They challenge you to make this a daily practice in your own life. You’ll thank yourself for it!

Links:

1. Smile from the Inside Out, http://www.thankthenow.com/happiness-smiling-smiles-self-love/
2. From the Inside Out, http://www.burg.com/2011/04/from-the-inside-out/
3. Today’s Affirmation – “Today, I Smile from the Inside Out!” – http://mydharma.ca/todays-affirmation-i-feel-blessed-for-all-i-have/
4. The Power of a Smile: Key to Living Happy Inside Out! – http://maura4u.com/power-smile/
5. The Science of Smiling: A Guide to Human’s Most Powerful Gesture, https://blog.bufferapp.com/the-science-of-smiling-a-guide-to-humans-most-powerful-gesture
6. Does smiling make you happy? – http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/smiling-happy1.htm
7. Inner Smile Guided Meditation by QiGong Master Lee Holden, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLu7X7flE5U

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Experts say that getting engaged in life is one of the top ten things we can do to create more happiness. It’s true; plugging into life can give you the necessary juice to propel you toward discovering and exploring your inner passions. On this podcast Kira and Bill Van Ittersum are sharing some great ideas about things that are easy, inexpensive, and enjoyable to begin doing just that.

Of course, finding your juice doesn’t have to involve social engagement at every moment. There are also lots of ways to experience your bliss that do not directly involve others. To ultimately get the most out of life though, sharing the activities that you love—whether it’s the doing or the end result— is really what brings light to your soul. This also enables you to see firsthand how your life can make a difference for the world and for those close to you.

Kira and Bill hope this podcast will help you to get deeper into the game of life, for life really is a game. It’s one you’re creating for yourself one day at a time. So get your piece on the board and make your game a great one! Kira says, “We love your smiling face and we’re at your door asking, ‘Will you please come out and play!’”