Steps to change.

http://theupmagazine.com/  There are so many opportunities out there for you to explore and start your own business.  The Up Magazine has a host of articles that will help you learn how to put your business together and learn from the experts at Google for instance and how to promote your business on line.  It is presented as a magazine for 'socially connected professionals.'

Perhaps you are still at the pre-contemplation stage according to The Cycle of Change and will feel reassured that what you are experiencing fits into a pattern that is common to all people.  It's not about forcing yourself into a new place in your life but following your inner guide and finding what is right for you. One of the instructions that are posted on the internet for using certain features reads 'permission to always allow.'  How easy it is to give permission by clicking on a button.  It is more important to allow yourself to have the time and space you need to think things through.  I encourage you to spend time in nature and having your environment quiet so that you can contemplate and sit and meditate to connect with your Higher Power and become receptive to what messages unfold.  We are dovetailing together as you learn to listen within and follow your own intuition.  Wayne Dyer has made a movie to help people identify their life purpose called The Shift which can be viewed on line.  Dr. Dyer writer in The Wisdom of the Tao that what you want once put out to the Universe (I say a prayer to my Higher Power) will come to you.  Visit his website today and read what his has to share about creating the life that you want or finding your purpose http://www.drwaynedyer.com/
If you need to know more about getting in touch with your inner core power and what it takes to go forward I would like to suggest that you read this article by Tony Samara called 'How can I be closer to my dreams today?'
I wish you all my very best and hope that you will start the day by setting your intention.  Mallika Chopra shares about Harnessing the Power of Intention which is a powerful tool to learn about and use with regularity along with a meditation practice and vegetarian diet.
Warm Wishes, Rita

Trust in your ability to get through the process and be happy.

In the West we have great value for justice and people's right to work and yet I see a trend with nurses who go through the investigation and disciplinary system with the Board of Nursing unable to get these rights met. People often prejudge nurses who are put under investigation resulting in being marginalized in their personal as well as professional lives.  Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) has recently posted information regarding how the system works for most people who are ten times more likely to be tried by an agency than a court.  The rules are different as information is withheld from the person who is accused.  Many nurses are unable to pay the fees for legal representation or are unaware that they can and surrender their licenses.  The fear factor plays an enormous part and if they are unused to being approached in a manner which is forceful from my own experience they succumb to their fear.
I have a more positive vision for how this process can be done if nurses will stand up for themselves and their right to protect their license and ability to work.  Rep. Tony Shipley (R-TN) has recognized that there is a need to protect licenses and he passed a law to have the SBRN report to a committee within 74 hours of any suspension or revocation.  This means that the agency has then to explain and provide grounds for this level of intervention.  I will be interested to see if there are changes in the number of licenses that are suspended or revoked since this law was passed.  He also introduced a law which has the SBRN report any fines over $1,000.  For most people this is a lot of money especially during a time of crisis and not being able to earn income.  Most of the state board of nursing websites do not report fines but ones which I have visited have fines ranging from a few hundred dollars to ten thousand!
I advise any nurse to contact his/her MP or State Representative to disclose the charges and how you were approached.  All details are important for politicians to learn how the process is handled and the impact it has had on the individual nurse.  Many I think are in fear and are shamed by being on a list that is mailed out to all license holders statewide.  For most people this type of public humiliation is overwhelming and degrading.  I encourage nurses to come out of the corner and be strong and confident in his/her ability to go through the process and stand tall.  Florence Nightingale shone a light and I want you to keep shining yours. Florence Nightingale is considered the Mother of Nursing and in fact did not want licensing bodies.  Perhaps seeing a powerful establishment that is removed from the realities of nursing practice which would not have been the case if those responsible who were closer to the nurse and environment in which he/she worked were decision makers.  The trend for revocations has increased over the past five years and with the present care setting it is unlikely to reverse.
Some practical and supportive advice for nurses undergoing state board discipline:
1. I always have to make it clear that I have great faith in One Creator and to turn to the One you know and call Him by name to assist and guide you through the process.  Sometimes it is during times of stress and personal challenge that we become clearer about our relationship with God and rely totally on Him to help us through a crisis.  This is your time to learn that and accept who you are and trust in your ability to draw upon this inner strength and power.  Don't let go and give up but know each day you will go a little further and deeper because the Power that you are drawing from is far greater than any human factor.
2. On the metaphysical level see the situation as being of equal size or smaller than yourself and breath deeply to abate any fear.  Learn to enjoy life with this hanging over your head because you will learn to trust your ability to move forward.
3.  Fear is about as negative an experience as we can experience and it doesn't serve us at all.  We are far removed from the evolution of man when the fight or flight mode of response reacted as quickly as our knee jerk response does today.  We have a higher brain and if we retrain our thoughts to pause and train our mind to think positive thoughts we shall be less likely to continue to feel fear.  Write down what you think and if that is true.  Ask yourself what your Higher Power's teachings are for the content of your thinking and what he/she would do in the same situation.  Pray and write down what comes up from your inner intuition about the situation and rest assured that you are being guided.
4.  I highly recommend that nurses connect by way of www.meetup.com  Mother Teresa said that it is better to connect person to person than to wait for leaders.  Studies have shown that supporting others improves well being through increasing certain hormones.  Once you befriend someone you can share the experience being mindful to make sure that you don't disclose details that should be kept between yourself and your lawyer.  Perhaps small groups will be able to help stabilize any nurses who are more vulnerable because of the investigation period being prolonged for instance.  It will be interesting to hear from nurses and share stories about how lives are changed and uplifted because of this experience.  Transcendence is always possible despite how tragic and stressful the situation is.
5.  Make sure that you do the very practical things that will help you survive the process.  Legal advice and representation is a must and researching for a lawyer who is specialized in license law is essential.  Keep a notebook with you to got down any information where ever you are is helpful to your case.
6.  Rest and relaxation are important.  I recommend that you meditate daily.  There are instructions on the website that I follow that I find works very well www.TonySamara.org  Attend Church or any other type of spiritual meetings you are draw to.  Take up yoga which helps to relax the body and gain an inner equilibrium.  Walk in nature and enjoy time in solitude.  Perhaps you have been used to being around people everyday and now find that you are alone.  Turn the experience into a positive on by viewing it as a time for self contemplation and journaling.  Keep a daily journal and note thoughts and feelings that arise.  When a negative thought arises jot it down and the feeling that you experienced.  You will then become aware of how negative thoughts bring you down and start to have positive thoughts.  It's a choice we have and we can either be unhappy and feel bad or work on ourselves until we get it right.
7.  Sleep is necessary and I recommend that you don't turn to pills to make you sleep but rather set up a routine such as bathing before bed and drinking hot milk which has a natural sedative.  Daily exercise should help make the body tired and ready for rest also.  You can meditate as you are going to sleep and that helps focus the mind and let it calm down.  Repeat the name of God inside and focus your attention between the eyes.  You will find the instructions on the above website.
8.  Don't worry, be happy should become your motto.  Repeat it as you walk around.  Feel and believe that you don't have to worry and feel the difference when you choose to be happy!
My thoughts are with each and everyone of you are you learn to adjust and stand up for your right to defend your license and work.
Please feel free to contact me lawrencerita511@gmail.com as I am always happy to hear from those who are undergoing state board discipline.  Always in my heart and prayers.

Networking enables nurses to get the contacts needed to be successful in business.

 As nurses we have a propensity to be proactive for our patients and now we have to learn the arena in which to draw into our circle the people who can help us restructure our lives to earn the income we need for our life style and keeping the home fire burning so to speak.  I read a quote by Mandella recently that went something like this "Things seem impossible until it gets done."  So true when you are under investigation and you are unable to work it's an overwhelming situation and you are on unfamiliar territory.  But hears where your strengths will get you through.  As a nurse I'm certain that you had a repertoire of people and agencies that you could turn to for resources and information for your patients.  In the same way you can now start to get into the arena of the business world and learn the ropes of entrepreneurship.
Depending on your experience at home, school and in the work place with computers you may want to enroll at a local college and take basic classes.  I find a lap top works best for me and you can always check out I pads.  The smart phones are excellent if you feel comfortable with working with a smaller instrument but it allows you to keep a stead stream of incoming and outgoing contact with the links you choose.
A friend who runs a local library is able to generate income and survive in a time when many are being closed because she has engaged with artists who come and perform; writers who give talks and storytelling.  She has learned to be innovative and part of her marketing is going to have to involve the use of social media which is a challenge for her at this point.  I remember when I joined facebook and twitter how confusing it seemed and now am learning more about google circles and am getting ready to write a book and share more with different groups.
http://www.crowdfundingplanning.com/ provides solutions to raising the needed capital to start a business.  Perhaps you are really good at cake decorating for instance and can work on a business plan to reach customers.  Who do you want you ideal customer to be?  Perhaps you want to develop your own precipices that are organic and have less sugars for instance.  Geared toward children but keeping the calories lower and thus avoiding obesity.  Cakes for diabetics?  The ideas can be endless and once you follow your interests and hobbies and channel them into a business model that can provide income you will be able to join networks such as www.ewomennetwork.com which has local chapters throughout the US.
The basic premise of eWomen Network is that you do something helpful for someone else first.  This is my philosophy also and that is why I find good things keep coming back to me because you link and connect in the community when you give.  I mentioned volunteering at the Library before and that is where I have made so many beneficial connections and am able to work on projects and get the resources and support that I need. Reaching out to others not only helps others but is uplifting for our own being and soon you will have circles of people and goals outside of the sphere of nursing that your golden opportunities will shine before you!
Write daily positive affirmations about yourself and on a time line write out what you want to manifest in your life over the next six months, the next year and the next five years.  Be specific about the money you want to earn and start writing out the steps you need to take to make it happen.
Remember you are not alone and if others give you the cold shoulder because of the difficulties you face just let them go.  You are better off without them anyway and as Oprah says "Surround yourself with positive people."
Start writing your goals and networking on line and see how much things change for you!  Feel free to contact me lawrencerita511@gmail.com

Make an inner shift.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXtywJ_ozyY&list=PL428FDAA90A7E67E4&feature=endscreen
When a life changing event takes place such as can happen to nurses as well as doctors who get caught up in  circumstances in the work place as many are finding in the Mid Staffordshire Trust for instance.  I have often heard nurses comment that there aren't any other places to work when they were asked why they thought the nurses stayed when conditions had deteriorated to the point where families were holding vigils outside to show their concern over the lack of care of their loved ones.  This shows me that nurses must develop more moral courage and take the chances that may be needed to get out of dangerous working situations.  It might mean patching together some temporary assignments and figuring it all out as you go along, but the worst thing to do is freeze and stay when your inner intuition must be screaming for change.
We have many warning signs around us at times but refuse to pay attention because the mind will give us all kinds of answers.  Learn to go into and connect with your heart and listen to what you really want and really need to do for your life.  I hope that you are not part of a bigger investigation as the Mid Staffordshire Trust where the Police force have been called in to investigate for criminal liability on the part of the staff involved.
If it is a matter of money and fear of not having any if your leave your current job watch the above video and work through the blockages that are causing you to feel that you will not be able to provide for yourself.  Do an on line search and sign up for mailings about job opportunities form nursing agencies.  Have your resume up to date and send it out to those agencies that have the placements that you want.
Keep a folder for copies of letters of recommendation and past evaluations.  School reports with course content can be helpful also.  Stay organized and the more you can showcase your talents the stronger your appeal will be.
I have emphasized in the past the importance of developing spiritually as we are spiritual beings and that is where your power lies.  Find the right path for you.  This week I reconnected with someone I got to know in California who has developed a world wide following now and she offers practical advice for living without and bigger religious context.  I will share this link so that you can begin to see the work that you need to do inside.  http://www.dharmadialogues.org/ Catherine Ingram's Spiritual Teacher was Indian and the other person whom I have found interesting is http://www.tonysamara.org/  Tony studied with Buddhist Monks during his adolescents and later with Sharmans.  You have to find the kind of teachings that blends with your soul and will help you heal and make sense of what happens in life.  Not that there will be a concrete conclusion to your search but an inner expansion and knowing of what is right for you, what is beneficial to hold on to and what is better to let go of.
I hope that you are coping and do not be pulled into negativity because of others judgmental attitudes toward you.  Keep writing down positive affirmations and repeat them at least three times per day and feel the shift inside as you practice.  One example is:  I have the capability to deal with life's problems and remain calm and steady inside... When faced with problems I am able to mobilize and pull together the support and resources I need... Life has its ups and downs and I like everyone else must go through them and this too will come to pass.
Please feel free to contact ,elawrencerita511@gmail.com

Being pulled back by the past.

Most of us have the feeling of being pulled back by the past.  It may be memories that are sweet and full of the magic that made an aspect of our lives more vivid.  Such as attending a beautiful ceremony, listening to an opera with a great tenor or something that captivated our soul.  Most of us however, are drawn back into the past because we feel the longing to complete an aspect of our lives such as a broken relationship.  Unresolved conflicts with loved ones who were cruel to us that we hang onto because that pain has found a perfect home within us and it's easier to keep a feeling that is familiar than learn how to clear the negativity from our consciousness.  They don't have to exist because quite simply they don't exist any longer.  It is your minds propensity to drag you down that never ending spiral of negative emotions when we start to recall the past.

It is not a blocking, denying or suppressing that I am talking about.  It is an inner clearing and recognizing when negative emotions grab our inner soul and turn our inner experience into one of pain and anxiety.  When you go back into a bad memory all of the emotions associated with the occurrence are rekindled and the more you allow your mind to take you back the faster the experience will recreate and the more intense the feelings.  The reverse also true.  Once you are able to clear inner negative junk that has accumulated from past experiences through meditation and other spiritual practices such as prayer and mantra repetition called jappa you will be able to monitor your inner state and immediately recognize and respond when negative thoughts occur or a negative feeling attaches itself to your inner state. 

Set aside at least half an hour daily to meditate.  Choose an area that will be undisturbed and keep it clean and prepared for meditation.  As you sit there and meditate regularly the energy or power that you tap into in meditation will accumulate thus making it easier to go into meditation.  Please see my Youtube.com meditation tape for instructions.  Your mind will come up with all kinds of reasons why not to meditate and when you sit to meditate it will chatter and your body may ache.  Let it all take its course as it will eventually go away as your heart becomes lighter and full of love.  The heart rules the mind and you are in control of your mind and emotions.  It takes a disciplined practice to walk the spiritual path but your choice is to stay at the level of pain due to spiritual contraction or to follow the teachings of liberated Master's who can show you the way.  When I taught adolescents in a detention center how to meditate I used the analogy of what it's like to keep walking into a brick wall and then realizing that life can be approached differently.  It's up to you when the time is right you will want to change.

Things that you can do to focus your mind on positive things when you wake up is to keep a picture of your higher power by your bed so that you connect visually with that Being before you have time to think of anything negative.  Repeat the name of your higher power or mantras that you have been given by a Master.  Breath deeply and easily and thank God for the new day.  Gratitude is an uplifting spiritual practice.  One practice that I have done and found beneficial is to picture my Master's feet above me in the shower.  In the East the feet of the Guru are conduits for God's power or Shakti to pour out to the devotee.  That is why Indian's touch the feet of the master and some worship the sandals or padukas that represent the Guru's feet.  Know that you are being cleansed of all past actions as the power of the Master's feet flow down to you and all negativity's are washed away in the water from your body.  Grow in silence.  Learn to be quiet with God.  That means not having the television or radio on even as background noise.  The more you are silent and the less your senses are pulled outward the more you will connect with your heart.

If you have a particular issue with someone that is causing you inner distress try to go inside and ask yourself to identify what it is that needs to be resolved.  Journal after meditation and what that you experience in meditation will come up if you need to work on particular issues.  Try to resolve problems with relatives and friends and if they are not open to discussing the issue then you will have to pray and release them from your life.  You cannot win every person or battle in the way you would like to end things.  People can have control over many aspects of your life.  They can steal your money for instance or try to do you out of an inheritance as has happened in my family but they cannot change how I respond with detachment and love.  This Power that we possess likes to be in harmony and if people cause disharmony it won't be something that we can live with.  Especially as we are developing on the spiritual path it is good to stay in good company with others who are also on the spiritual path.  For enlightened Master's they can handle the bad karma and energy of people.  Learn to be protective of your own Power.

Your diet is a key component for your spiritual development.  Choose foods that are full of life and have the energy giving force in them still.  I have often seen people eat vegetables that look wilted.  How can that possibly charge your cells?  Become mindful about all that you expose your body to.  That means buying clothes and products that have not been produced by way of harming animals.  In the health food stores there are many organic products that are non-animal tested.  Be aware of the harm caused through dies.  I am a nurse and a patient told me that his great toe and bone became infected due to wearing socks with a dye that got under his toe nail.  If you can wear organic cotton socks with natural dyes.  Gradually your consciousness will want to choose these things for now be mindful and decide what you can give up.  If you can eat only vegetarian foods.  If you buy animal produce Wal-Mart buys from farmers who allow the animals free range.  Buy locally if possible from farmers markets and select the heirloom fruits and vegetables.  The usual store varieties and genetically modified and there are questions about the risks to our health.

Be gentle with yourself.  Learn to structure your day and keep to routines.  Cook for yourself instead of eating out and enjoy the simple foods.  Rest and keep to a regular sleep pattern that will support you spiritually as you meditate and connect with your heart and higher cortex of the brain.  You have been used to responding to emotions that can be brought under control.  Keep to the practices and you will reap the fruits of your efforts because you will have the Grace of your higher power to support you.

Please feel free to contact me at: lawrencerita511@gmail.com

Today reaffirm your belief in yourself.

When your life seems to be going slow or you have a sense of being in a holding pattern it is important to use the inner tools of enlightenment.  Your mind will want to take you down the spiral of despair but there is no truth to your life not being just as it is supposed to be because it doesn't fit your definition of where you life should be.  Perhaps it is in the financial realm, health, relationship or spiritual development that you feel there is a lag.  A spiritual leader used to say "Don't worry be happy!"  Quite a lofty ideal set in a few simple words but true non-the-less.

Use affirmations to keep your mind focused on your goals.  An affirmation is a short paragraph or sentence that says in positive terms that you will achieve a particular goal.  Today I affirm that I will reach out to and uplift a new group of people who will benefit from my work.  Today I affirm that I have the benefit of reaping the rewards of the spiritual work done to date and will be supported by the Grace of my Master.  This is how affirmations work.  They provide the framework for you to build upon to empower yourself on the inside.  There is no room for negativity and self doubt when you are filled with powerful words of positivity. 

Write your goals down and take the necessary steps (or objectives) to reach your goals.  Write three long term goals that you want to achieve by three months out from now.  Then write short term goals that go with the long term goal that you will measure in 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and at the months end.  Keep track of your achievements and if something is obstructing your path, (most of us experiences a shortage of funds, time or other resources,) don't think for a minute that it means that your project will be derailed.  Instead focus on the parts of your plan that will work until you can draw in the needed money or other resources. 

I encourage meditation and prayer.  Prayer so that you can ask God for what you need and meditation so that you can listen to what God is telling you to do.  Use guided imagery to see yourself with the money you need.  If your goal is to earn a set amount of money - make that amount HUGE!  Why limit yourself with what the universe can supply.  In today's economy it is not unusual to hear predictions about the economy getting worse and worse.  This is good to know and we all should be diligent about making plans to survive a crisis and vote for the right person to represent the public good.  However, don't get too hung up because ultimately God is in control and his universe is abundant and He wants to give us what we wish for as His children.  This is where faith plays an important role in your life.  You have to make the practical steps toward your work and caring for yourself and allow God to bring what you need to you.  It is more about surrender than control.  Know that where doors are closed and things or people in our lives have departed it is another opportunity to elevate your life to new realms of experience. 

Letting go and surrender is a slow process for most of us because it is our natural tendency to want to hang on for dear life to what we feel is secure.  In actuality nothing is secure and the only thing that is for sure is your relationship with God.  Pay attention to who is being brought to you and what resources come to you and use gratitude to infuse potential into all situations.  Every situation is like a seed that can grow into a flower or a huge tree like the mighty oak form a small acorn.  Surrender to what is and sit back comfortably into your life as it takes the form that you wish your life to be.  If your are looking for a broad following then spending time on the web is what will get you to your goal.  Surrender to putting in your personal time.  I have heard of people who sign up to apps that deliver messages at prescribed intervals on Twitter.  In my estimation they are missing out on the real benefit of social networking and that is about relationships.  Gaulding who was a Life Coach coined the term "Return on Relationship."  You will have to let go of habits such as using technology to cut corners.  Prioritize your time and spend as much time as you can building relationships.  Surrender means that your faith in God is such that you can depend on Him and Him alone to provide the circumstance and means for you to reach your goals.  Praise Him and open your heart with gratitude.

Intention is the clear will that you exert when you set goals and objectives.  Intention is like a sharp arrow that is thrust toward the goal or bulls eye from the bow.  There is some practice required and like the archer the more skilled he/she becomes the faster and more accurately the arrow hits the target.  Having a mind that is one pointed comes through spiritual practices.  The one which I insist on having people follow is Meditation.  Start with fifteen or twenty minutes then build up to an hour every day.  Keep a journal and write down what comes up for you.  You may find that your own consciousness will direct you to make certain changes in your business to help you grow and succeed.  The more you meditate the easier it is to access that part of you from which creativity springs forth in whatever form that is uniquely for you.  Mine is business and teaching through writing and networking.  Yours may be music, math, athletics of something else.  Don't suppress your creativity because it is a power guide to direct your path that will help you be successful and earn money. 

Finding balance in your life will bring the harmony that you need to draw money and success.  I have found since spending time with my spiritual Teacher that a disciplined life works best for me.  That means eating vegetarian foods.  If you are not ready to give up meat eating I recommend you shop at Wal-Mart or another store where they buy from farmers who allow animals free range.  Keep your life simple so that your energy can be directed toward your work, thus less distractions with other responsibilities.  Every hour of the day should be planned with activities and spiritual practices and reading that will benefit you.  Make your life your number one priority and put your needs first.  Although we are taught that this is approach is selfish -  it is not.  My Teacher said that we can have all the zeros in the world but unless we put a one first they mean nothing. 

Words are powerful and I want you to read spiritual texts that are meaningful to you.  Claim Biblical passages that assure your protection and good.  Empower yourself through these truths.  Stay away from nonbelievers as much as possible and limit the amount of conversation.  If you have to engage with someone who is not positive keep it short and simple.  Always be polite but that doesn't mean that you let people tread on you.  The work you are undertaking is transformative and it will rattle certain people's cage!  When they see the change in you they will attempt to sabotage or bring you down to their level.  This is lower human behavior and you will take the higher road.  Like a stone being tumbled on the river bed you will become sooth.  Let the process happen and keep yourself uplifted.  Gandhi said "I will never let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet."

Keep your words pure, sweet and simple and breath easy when you feel the pressures of life come upon you.  A French proverb says that a good conscience is like having a feather pillow on which to rest one's head at night.  Try to do the right things and trust God and trust yourself to live the life of your dreams.

Please feel free to contact me:  lawrencerita511@gmail.com