Its A Brand New Day

Waking up one day and realizing your world just isn't working for you is the first step into an incredibly exciting new journey. That awakening is to be the first of many. Maybe you've been reading self improvement books and feeling like something is missing. That's a sure sign your life may be changing, especially if you are beginning to question your own spirit.

Have you listened to yourself lately? I mean really listened? Did you hear anything? Maybe your inner voice has been quiet and suppressed for so long it forgot how to speak. Maybe it really has wanted to speak but hasn't been given permission.

Recently I saw the result of a study on one of the prime-time news shows. The study showed that by the time a child is five years old, that child will have been told "No!" over 100,000 times! What are the ramifications of this? Just imagine. A child's only job is to just be who they are. That's it! Can you imagine that if 9 times out of 10, the child was just being him/herself and was told "No."? Eventually the child internalizes this simple word into the understanding that being the self is not okay.

The painful truth is that most of society has been raised this way. What does it mean when this child becomes an adult? That adult is shut off from his/her spirit and is living life according to someone else's rules, limitations, ideas, parameters and belief systems. This adult may be unable to make decisions without consulting others, looking to others to make the decisions for them.

This is where that underlying word "No!" setup the outside authority figure that the adult still looks for today. He/she doesn't realize, and was never really taught, that when you become an adult you also become your own authority figure. That may be an implied belief at 18. "You're an adult now and you have to make your own decisions," the 18 year old is told. This statement, however, does not include the words, "You no longer require our (parents') permission. You are your own authority now." Wow, wouldn't that have been nice if it had been spelled out like that. Unfortunately we take some of that authority and dump it into doing things that we've always wanted to do externally, like drinking, partying and more.

But, how much of that is a rebellion and how much is remembering your spirit and the inner truth of your being? It gives you something to think about.

Maybe you've never rebelled. Many women suffer from the "good girl" syndrome. This may be the worst offender in the case against remembering your spirit and inner truth. The good girl syndrome is so deeply ingrained that the child seemingly lives to please others. Others are the priority, and the self doesn't really matter. In fact, it feels as though the self doesn't even exist. It's been so long since the self had a chance to speak that there is virtually no sense of self left at all. All those times being told "No!" have accumulated into a pliable body, a seeming automaton, a robot who is only here to serve others. Sound familiar?

Is it any wonder why so many people are searching for assistance in this day and age? The book industry is loaded with self-help books. There is a growing discomfort within this world of robots. Like Robin Williams in Bicentennial Man, there is a growing desire within our own lives that makes us stop and say, "Wait a minute, this is not enough for me. I have a voice and somewhere deep down inside of me, I have a self, and it's time I found out who that is."

Being a robot no longer works for us once we have that initial awareness, that one little light bulb that turns on inside that says, "There must be something more to my life than this." That one little sentence begins a domino effect inside, tumbling down the building blocks of denial that formulated the structure of our lives at such a young age.

Once this crumbling begins, it truly is a 'brand new day.' The world begins to look different and feel different. That's because you are different. You asked a question and found a voice. Now is the time to begin the search to find your self. It's in there somewhere, underneath all those denial blocks, limitations, boundaries and belief systems. A self is waiting to be born!

Remember, our parents always did the best they could with what they knew how to do. If they had been raised any differently themselves, then they would have raised you differently, but they weren't. So, there's no blame here, plain and simple. It's just finally time to start breaking the generational family patterning. It starts with you.

Your questioning and questing breaks the chain. You know that once you remember your self, you will pass a new way of being onto your children. As you grow, learn and discover your self, you can't help but share that new expression with others. Remember to welcome your self to this world. Remember that it truly is OK to just be your SELF!

© 2001 Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is an Intuitive Counselor who assists clients to create extraordinary transformations in their everyday lives. Her work is uplifting, empowering and success-oriented. You can visit Jodie's website at http://www.illuminationsnetwork.com for further information and to schedule a private intuitive session. You can also look for weekly updates to her blog at: http://intuitiveinnovations.blogspot.com

P ublisher's Guidelines: You may freely publish this article online, in email newsletters, or in print so long as the resource box and byline are in tact. Author would appreciate a notification, but that is optional.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Palestinians pray over the bodies of  people killed near a United Nations school Tuesday, during their funeral in the Jebaliya refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Israel's military paused its Gaza offensive for three hours Wednesday to allow food and fuel to reach besieged Palestinians, and the country's leaders debated whether to accept an international cease-fire plan or expand the assault against Hamas. With criticism rising of the operation's spiraling civilian death toll and Gazans increasingly suffering the effects of nonstop airstrikes and shelling, Israel's military said it opened 'humanitarian corridors' to allow aid supplies to reach Palestinians.(AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage.



People looks for jobs in front of computer screens at the California Employment Development Department in Sunnyvale, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. The country lost nearly 2 million jobs through November and more bad news is expected this week when the government releases data on weekly jobless claims and December unemployment. No matter how bad those numbers are, and economists expect at least another 500,000 jobs were lost last month, the pain is stretching into 2009. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)AP - Pink slips are piling higher as companies scramble to cut costs even deeper to survive the country's economic and financial storms.



President-elect Barack Obama gestures during a news conference at his transition office in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, where he introduced Nancy Killefer, right, to the newly created position of chief performance officer. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)AP - Pointing with concern to "red ink as far as the eye can see," President-elect Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to tackle out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending and named a special watchdog to clamp down on other federal programs — even as he campaigned anew to spend the largest pile of taxpayer money in history to revive the sinking economy.



Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris, left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."



Protesters yell during a demonstration against the shooting death of Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Grant was shot and killed by a police officer after an altercation on a BART train station platform in Oakland on New Year's Day.  (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)AP - Protests over the fatal shooting of an unarmed man by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer turned violent Wednesday night with windows broken, fires set and train stations closed.



President-elect Barack Obama is welcomed by President George W. Bush for a meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, with former presidents, from left, George H.W. Bush, Bill  Clinton, and Jimmy Carter.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.



In this photo provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation, water rushes past a washed out road near Blewett Pass on U.S. highway 97 in Washington State on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in Washington State. (AP Photo/Washington State Department of Transportation)AP - Rain and high winds lashed Washington state Wednesday, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures as the heavy snowfall that has buried parts of the state began to rapidly melt.



Workers put bulletproof glass on President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Reviewing Stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)AP - The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.



Christian Bale accepts the favorite action movie award for 'The Dark Knight' at the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2009 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)AP - Holy People's Choice Awards, Batman!



Harvard's Jeremy Lin (4) drives for the basket in front of Boston College's Rakim Sanders in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP - Jeremy Lin scored 27 points to lead Harvard to an 82-70 upset over No. 17 Boston College on Wednesday night, three days after the Eagles upset previously top-ranked North Carolina.



Israelis take cover before a rocket fired by Palestinians in Gaza lands in Beersheba, after they attended the funeral of Israeli soldier Alex Mashavisky at a cemetery, January 7, 2009. (Eric Gaillard/Reuters)Reuters - At least four rockets fired from Lebanon exploded in northern Israel on Thursday, wounding two people, police and medics said, in an attack likely linked to Israel's offensive against Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip.



President-elect Barack Obama listens to a question from the media following a meeting with members of his future cabinet and economic advisors at his transition office in Washington, January 6, 2009. (Jason Reed/Reuters)Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama will call for quick action on a fiscal stimulus package in a speech on Thursday aimed at reassuring Americans that he is determined to stem the economic crisis.



A share trader reacts while checking share prices in front of the German share price index DAX board at the German stock exchange in Frankfurt, December 18, 2008. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)Reuters - A fresh wave of profit warnings and job cuts soured investor sentiment on Thursday after an employment report suggested U.S. job losses in December could be the worst in almost 60 years.



Senate-designate Roland Burris talks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Reid's office on Capitol Hill, January 7, 2009. (Larry Downing/Reuters)Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday to swear in Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.



A customer looks at listings on display outside a Brown Harris Stevens offices in New York, June 4, 2008. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)Reuters - It took war, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and the collapse of some of New York's famed investment banks, but Manhattan apartment prices are finally falling.



Reuters - U.S. cities are vulnerable to an attack like the gun-and-grenade assault that terrorized Mumbai for three days and killed 179 people, the White House homeland security adviser said on Wednesday.

Ali al-Marri, who has been held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, is seen in this undated photograph released to Reuters on January 6, 2008. An early test for President-elect Barack Obama will be the case of suspected al Qaeda 'sleeper' agent Marri, which will force Obama to take a position on his predecessor's claim that anyone the president deems a national security threat can be imprisoned indefinitely without charges in the United States. (Handout/Reuters)Reuters - The case of Ali al-Marri, accused of being an al Qaeda "sleeper" agent and held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, will be an early test for President-elect Barack Obama.



Bernard Madoff is escorted in a vehicle from Federal Court in New York, January 5, 2009. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff should be jailed for violating a court order by mailing $1 million worth of diamonds, watches and other jewelry to friends and family, U.S. prosecutors told a court on Wednesday.



Israeli soldiers patrol the Israeli-Lebanese border. Four rockets hit northern Israel from Lebanon early Thursday, military sources told AFP.(AFP/Mahmoud Zayat)AFP - Four rockets hit northern Israel from Lebanon early Thursday, military sources told AFP.



A Palestinian protestor flashes the V for 'victory' sign in front of an Israeli soldier near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's old city. Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.(AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.




Re-Developing Your Vision

One of the most important things we can do for our businesses,... Read More

Synchronicity

Synchronicity: the coincidence of events that seem related but are not obviously... Read More

What Life is All About?

When we look at lives in any places in this world, we... Read More

Fulfill Your Dreams: Believe in You

What we believe plays a very big role in outcomes in our... Read More

Afraid of The Light?

Plato once said, "It is easy to forgive a small child afraid... Read More

Breaking Bonds

I am just out of high school, and I have come to... Read More

Flight Delay

Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 6, 2003It took... Read More

Nine Things More Important than Capital

When starting any enterprise or business, whether it is full-time or part-time,... Read More

Looking for a Better World - What Every Person Can Do!

Each night, when I put my head on the pillow and turn... Read More

Why Should We Keep Our Thoughts Clear?

From my experience some healings come instantly or during short period of... Read More

Walking on a Path of Life

We set out walking along a route where one foot walks on... Read More

From the Hint of a Rainbow to...

The grey sky of morning contained an ominous quality. The clouds were... Read More

Boarded Windows

You know how images trigger emotions? You can see something that can... Read More

Adversity, What Is It Good For?

As I sat down to write this article, I was reflecting back... Read More

If I Hurt You, Then Im Sorry

This statement has stopped many a war in my house. My oldest... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt ....Part 6

Continued....I have since grown a lot. I have grown through God's help... Read More

Self Help When Youre In Debt

It's no fun being in debt.Money shortages are always stressful and serious... Read More

Living Authentically in a Masked World

Humanity seems to be the only species that never seems pleased with... Read More

Inspiring Values of Unforgettable Teachers

All of us recall special teachers - people who not only taught... Read More

Why Does it Take So Long to Slow Down

Why do we wait so long, before we start thinking about whom... Read More

Why Are We So Lost? The Journey Home

Did you ever wonder how you ended up where you are in... Read More

Stay With It!

I walked out of his office inspired. All I could immediately recall... Read More

Addicted To Her

Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 4, 2003I dated... Read More

Growing From Good To Great

I have never been fond of white-water rafting, probably because I don't... Read More

The HUGE Deposit of Diamond in You

Something happened to me some years back that is worthy is sharing... Read More

Reality Check

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 16, 2002Two years... Read More

The Power of Notes

Notes are very powerful. They express your thanks, encouragement, sympathy, apology, congratulations,... Read More

Dreams and Desires, Wants and Wishes Journals

Have you ever dreamed of a new house? Have you ever wished... Read More

Adages for the New Age

The old familiar adages just don't do it for me any more.... Read More

You Are So Unreal

Mankind's ability to give life to lifeless objects, gives rise to much... Read More

Tim McGraw had it Right - Live Like You Are Dying!

Chorus: An' he said: "I went ski diving, I went rocky mountain... Read More

How Healing The Past Empowers Your Future

Everyday I meet people who have a chronic upset that runs their... Read More

Make Mistakes! Its Okay - Really!

When you fall, do you get right back up? Do you learn... Read More

Believe In Yourself And Become a Winner: Lessons from Hollywood

Copyright 2004 Priya Shah A while ago I made it... Read More

Who are you?

I have a question for you.Who are you?This may be a simply... Read More

The Art of Letting Go

It has been six months since I left the corporate world ?... Read More

What is My Life Purpose?

Why am I here?If you haven't already asked this question, I'm sure... Read More

The Karate Kid

I have an unexpected relationship problem. It's hard to believe it has... Read More

What We Believe We Create - Love is the Creation

I once was told by the Angels that our concept of Love... Read More

Wanna Trade Places?

Even immediately after my car accident, every single person who saw me... Read More

When Failure is a Gift

I wanted, for many many years, to be a mystery writer. Finally... Read More

Listening to Your Inner Voice May Save Your Life

"I was washing my breakfast dishes one morning when it occurred to... Read More

Anamchara - Making Sense of Life

Many successful persons advise you start your day with a list of... Read More

The Cracked Pot

Letters on Life#3Some experiences you never forget. In some of them there... Read More

Thoughts on Loving

Loving. It seems like such a simple concept. But those who have... Read More

Living on Purpose: One Rock at a Time

I just got back from Colorado where I spent a week relaxing,... Read More

Get Out Of Your Own Way

One of the biggest obstacles to our self growth and personal development... Read More