Gratitude: The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

Gratitude: The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

by Gladys Diaz

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The other night, we held our monthly Intimacy Skills Training Webinar.  The topic of the webinar was “How to Get More Help, Gifts, and Compliments: The Magic of Gratitude.  Being on the call was – in a word – magical!  In just a few minutes of doing two exercises, all of us on the call were able to experience a “shift” in the energy around us – and this was a virtual meeting with women from all over the world.

In the first exercise, we walked through a few “less-than-desirable” scenarios and looked to see what it was that we could be thankful for.  It was amazing how we were able to find things to be grateful for, even  when a guy arrives late for a date without calling to say he’s going to be late; when our man chooses to invite a friend who just broke up with his fiancé to what was supposed to be a romantic dinner; and when our guy changes a light bulb 3 weeks after he said he would, and after we tripped on the stairs (true story!).  It was wonderful to see all of the things that the women were typing into the chat box as reasons for which to be grateful in situations where we could just as easily choose to be upset, make sure he felt guilty about doing something “wrong,” and potentially end up in a bitter argument.
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Learn, Grow, and Change Your Life!

Learn, Grow, and Change Your Life!

by Gladys Diaz

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You know the saying: Once a teacher, always a teacher!

Over 20 years ago, I started my career as an educator. All of my life, I have loved the process of learning, growing, and teaching! Call me a “geek,” but I love coming across new information – particularly when it comes to inspirational and transformational information! If there is something that will help me in my personal and spiritual growth and development, I’m all over it!

This is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about what I do. In my heart, I will always be a a teacher – whether I have a group of students, teachers and administrators in front of me, or a group of amazing women who are interested in learning the skills and habits that lead to life-long romance – I was born to teach!  And there is nothing I love more than working with women who are committed to having extraordinary, passionate, loving relationships and teaching them the skills and habits that lead them creating that in their lives!

That’s why I am thrilled to be co-hosting two calls next week with NY Times best-selling author of The Surrendered Single and The Surrendered Wife, Laura Doyle. Heart’s Desire and Laura have worked closely over the past few years to empower women in all stages of relationships with the skills and habits that lead to attracting, creating, and nurturing a passionate, intimate, loving relationship that lasts for a lifetime!

Real-Life Skills for Real-Love Breakthroughs!

These calls will be chalk-full of real-life, practical information that you can start implementing right away and begin attracting and living in the relationship your heart truly desires. And, to make sure you get the information you want, we’re offering separate calls for women who are single and those who are married or in relationships. All of the details, as well as the link you can use to register right away is included below.

I know you want the type of relationship where you feel loved, cherished, and adored every single day… The type of relationship where you know that you are becoming the best version of yourself and sharing your life with a man who is absolutely right for you… The type of relationship you were born to share in! And I know that these calls will help you create and experience that every day for the rest of your life!

So, go ahead! Click on the call that’s right for you, and join us next week! And, yes! Feel free to share the links with the women in your life who are also committed to experiencing the life and love their hearts desire!

Call for Single Ladies Who are READY to  Attract & Marry the Man Who is Right for You!:

You’ll learn:

  • What to do on a first date to set the tone for the rest of your relationship
  • What makes you the most irresistible to men (hint: it’s not about appearances)
  • What to do when a guy you’re interested in doesn’t call you
  • The one most important thing to do to attract the right guy

Date: Thursday, November 15, 2012
Time: 9:00 PM Eastern
(that’s 8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific)

Register: How to Attract and Marry the Man Who’s Right for You

Call for Ladies Who are READY to Learn  Mind-Blowing Relationship Tools that Work Immediately!:

You’ll learn:

  • The indispensable first step to achieving a passionate relationship
  • What makes you totally irresistible to your man (and it’s not about the way you look!)
  • 3 phrases that guarantee intimacy to get the connection you crave
  • Why he’ll want to do more for you when you start doing less for him

Date: Monday, November 12th 2012
Time: 9:00 PM Eastern
(that’s 8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific)

Register: Mind-blowing Relationship Tools That Work Immediately
Teaching and working with women, and empowering them to live the love they deserve and desire is my passion! I look forward to connecting with you on the call and being part of your Love Journey!

Have questions or comments?  Leave them below!  We love hearing from you!

Photo credit: rearechelon via photopin.com cc

Your Heart’s Desire Thought of the Day: To Have Power, You Must Surrender!

Your Heart’s Desire Thought of the Day: To Have Power, You Must Surrender!

by Gladys Diaz

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Surrender to this moment, accept things and people as they are, and your heart will begin to open.

~ Jonathan Mead

One of the main principles that we cover in our workshops and coaching is that of “surrender.” Now, when people hear the word “surrender,” they tend to think of things like “defeat,” “giving up,” or “getting stepped on.”  However, surrender is more of a spiritual term, and it does not involve losing, getting beaten down, or not having a voice.  Instead, surrender is about acceptance – Accepting people, things, and situations exactly the way they are and exactly the way they are not.  It means that rather than resisting and resenting the way a person or situation is – then trying to “fix,” change, and make them “better” – we allow it to be the way it is now, knowing that it’s perfect the way that it is.

Now, I usually get a lot of arguments and questions from people right about this point in the conversation that sounds something like, “So, you mean, we should be happy that there are kids starving all over the world or in our own backyard,” or “So this means that I’m ‘stuck’ being in an unhappy relationship,” or “So, I’m supposed to pretend that I don’t want to be in a relationship and get married?”

If those questions (or some like it) were screaming out in your head, don’t worry!  Relax.  This is not what it means!  Surrendering does not mean agreeing with, suffering through, or pretending that we’re happy about something we’re not.  It just means acknowledging: This is the way it is right now.  I may want it to be a different way, but, right now, this is how it is.

This acknowledgement creates acceptance.  And, in the space of acceptance, there is now room for freedom (to choose or not choose to do something differently), for peace (of mind and spirit), and for love (free from judgment – unconditional love)!

So, how does this look in a relationship?  Perhaps my husband is overweight, and I think he “should” eat more healthy foods and exercise.  I can take two approaches to this situation.  I can drop hints for my husband, make comments about how much weight he’s gained, give him “helpful suggestions” about what he “should” eat and do – basically, I can nag him about it and totally pour water all over the embers of intimacy…  Or I can surrender my need to control him and just allow him to be who he is, make the choices for himself that he sees fit, and stand by him, no matter what.  And, then, if he chooses to make changes, I can be his biggest cheerleader, completely trusting in his ability to do what’s right for him. This leads to him feeling respected, supported, and free to make his own decisions.

If I’m dating, and a guy I’m seeing works really long hours. I can hint that he needs to make more time for me, be upset with him for doing what he feels he needs to do for his career, or decide that a guy who spends too much time working is not the guy for me – Never mind that when he is with me he treats me like a princess, makes sure I’m having a great time, and that he’s determined to make his life (and, perhaps even our future!) better.  I’m just going to walk away from what could possibly be the relationship I’ve always wanted… Or I can surrender, stop trying to control him, the relationship, and the situation, and make the time that we are together count!

Acceptance does not require “agreement” or having to “settle” or “be stuck” with the way things are in the present.  It simply means that we acknowledge and accept that “It is the way it is right now.”  Whether we are referring to our lives, careers, relationship or relationship status: It is the way it is right now.  And if we can accept it, rather than resist it, refuse it, or try to fix it or force it to change… If we can just let go and bring acceptance, grace, and gratitude, in the space that is created, peace is felt, love is possible, we feel empowered to make the changes necessary within ourselves, and we begin to experience freedom… peace… bliss!

Have you been trying to control someone or something in your life, only to feel “powerless,” resentful, and unfulfilled?  If so, take on the practice of surrendering and accepting people things the way they are so that you can open a space for them to become what they can be!

Photo credit: Sabbir Siraj via photopin.com cc

Your Heart’s Desire Thought of the Day: Let Joy Seize You!

Your Heart’s Desire Thought of the Day: Let Joy Seize You!

Moments of happiness sieze us

 

Happiness is something that comes from within.  If we spend our time looking for it outside of ourselves – in things, places, accomplishments, or in another person – we will always be searching.  We’ll never reach that place of contentment and fulfillment.

So, how do we create happiness, and how does being in a relationship affect that sense of joy?  I strongly believe that happiness – true happiness – begins with gratitude.  It begins by seeing all that you already have, the blessings that fill your life, and allowing yourself to really experience the feeling of gratitude.  Does that mean that you just have to “settle” for what you currently have?  Does living in gratitude mean that you don’t continue to dream, to reach, and to grow?  No!  It just means that you acknowledge what already is, express gratitude for it, and, in doing so, attract and allow more of what is good to come to you, playing your part by taking actions consistent with what it is you want.

And, now, what about relationships?  Most people want a happy, loving, intimate relationship.  So, of course, that means that you would have someone there with you, experiencing and creating the happiness with you, right?  Perhaps the best way to explain it is thinking of your partner’s role in your happiness as “the bonus.”  He adds, contributes to, and enhances the happiness that is already yours.  When we are happy, we attract more happiness.  So it stands to reason that, when you already are experiencing joy in your life, you naturally attract someone who (1) recognizes the joy in you, (2) is attracted to that spirit of joy, (3) and sees himself as capable of adding to that joy!  See, the joy you radiate is what has him notice you in the first place!

So, take some time today to experience joy.  Even if there is some sadness in your heart… Even if, right now, you know your life is not exactly where you’d like it to be.  Just take a few moments, and notice the blessings and miracles that already surround you.  Then just sit with them for a bit and allow yourself to experience gratitude and just feel the happiness filling your heart.  As you go about your day, hold onto that feeling and radiate it in your speaking and way of being and allow joy to seize you!

 

Share your moments of happiness with us!  We love to hear from you!

 

Photo credit: Franchesca Rullan of FCPR Studios

 

Your Heart’s Desire Thought of the Day: What Are You Telling Yourself?

Your Heart’s Desire Thought of the Day: What Are You Telling Yourself?

by Gladys Diaz

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There are days when I realize that I’m not being very loving to myself.  Sometimes that can mean I’m not taking time to practice self-care, and, more often, it’s in the form of negative self-talk.  For someone who has committed her life to bringing love into the hearts and lives of women, I can be pretty brutal in the way that I speak to myself.  I’ve been doing some personal development sessions with a friend of mine, and the last session we did had to do with how unforgiving we can be to ourselves.  And I see how, although I am usually a very compassionate, forgiving, and accepting person with others, I hold myself to almost unreachable standards, and I can be really hard on myself when I don’t meet those standards.

So, rather than giving myself a further “lashing” by making myself “bad and wrong” for not being more loving with myself, I decided to take a few moments and just write down a few affirmations that I can post on the wall right behind my computer screen (I call it my “Inspiration Wall,” because I have positive quotes, sayings, and the pictures of the people I love most on the wall (of course, my amazing husband’s picture is right in the center of the wall!).

 

Here are a few of the affirmations I wrote:

I am beautiful, inside and out, and deserving of love, especially my own.

I am intelligent, creative, and inspiring.

I am divine, blessed, and anointed by God.

I am generous, patient, compassionate, and forgiving.

I attract love, joy, peace, and abundance simply because of who I am.

I deserve rest, fun, and pleasure.

I am receptive, gracious, and grateful.

The love I give flows from me, because I am a source of love in this world.

I am the embodiment of love, grace, wisdom, and power.

I am growing, becoming, and evolving into the best version of myself.

 

A couple of things happened as I wrote down the statements. At times, I hesitated and wanted to revise what I wrote, because it felt like “too much.”  I don’t want to come across as vain or full of myself.  And then I thought, “Wait!  I am full of my Self!  And this is who I am!”  So, I let go of the inner-critic and just allowed the thoughts to flow.  And, as I read them aloud to myself, I was moved. Because, even when I’m procrastinating, even when I don’t honor my word, even when I allow unloving words to escape my lips, the essence of who I am is love, grace, and compassion.  And this is only true because I say so.

I’m making a promise to myself to read these affirmations to myself at least once a day.  I know that the love I want to see in the world begins with me, and that comes from how I speak to myself.  I can’t draw from an empty well!

What about you?  What are you telling yourself?  Are there affirmations you say or want to begin saying to yourself?  If so, please share them below and click the box to be notified of comments on this post so that you can read other women’s affirmations and we can encourage one another on this self-love journey!

 

Photo credit: jessamyn via photopin.com cc

Your Heart’s Desire Thought of the Day: Are You Wasting Time?

Your Heart’s Desire Thought of the Day: Are You Wasting Time?

by Gladys Diaz

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Last week, a “cyber-friend” of mine lost her husband.  Although it was a virtual friendship that started when she heard me speak at a business woman’s networking event, we did create a connection by commenting on one another’s Facebook posts.  Soon after we became FB friends, I learned that her husband had been battling cancer for over 3 years.  Immediately, our connection grew stronger, with me having experienced my late husband’s battle with cancer over 14 years ago.

Whenever she would write about some good news they received, I felt like I was celebrating right along with her.  When they encountered a roadblock or received bad news, I was saddened along with her and tried to send words of hope and encouragement.  A few weeks ago, they were given the news no one wants to hear, that there was nothing else modern medicine could do to treat her husband’s cancer.  I was frightened for her.  I remember hearing those words and being so unwilling to accept them.  I remember praying harder than ever and begging God to keep my late husband alive.  Although I continued to pray for a miracle, I was afraid for her.
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