Laurie Martin's Blog

Dear Friends,

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a blog post.

A New addition to Smile Across Your Heart:

 Surrender, Trust, Listen, and Take Action

When you feel frustrated or disappointed, this is the time to surrender. We are usually trying to control something or someone that is uncontrollable. Because we can’t control, we get frustrated, disappointed and feel out of control.

SURRENDER to God. Let it go. This doesn’t mean you’re being lazy or passive. This means you’re allowing space for the divine to do his/her magic! And, you are getting into a quiet calm space to hear your own divine intuition. There could be another possibility or opportunity that may be better for you that you may not be seeing right now. I understand living in the so called “unknown” can unsettling, but in the moment you have the opportunity to IMAGINE THE BEST OUTCOME FOR YOURSELF. What does that look like? This is a time for you to trust. This is a time to get quiet, listen and observe.

Surrendering means you have the courage and faith to believe that God knows more than you, that God is more powerful than you, and God has everything perfectly orchestrated for you. He does. And, you also have faith in yourself by believing in the best possible outcome, by getting into a space of trust and peace. ASK God to help you. Ask God if you can feel his/her love inside your heart. Ask God to hold your hand and help you through, ask him/her to handle the details of creating the best path for your highest good.

You will know when to take action. You will know which direction to go towards. It’s usually the path that brings peace.

I offer my life coaching services to you. Coaching sessions are done over the telephone. Read more about life coaching, click here: Life Coaching.

May you take action when your timing feels right! May you shine your heart to eternity!

Laurie Martin

A Boca Raton woman trapped on her knees in complete darkness for five days in the Haiti earthquake. She said, “Nothing is impossible with faith”. When asked, “How did you survive on your knees for five days? She said, “It was faith in the Lord.” She recited psalms, spoke encouraging words to another man and child, and at times screaming to be heard and found. Listening to this woman’s story, I was touched deeply inside my heart. This woman has an authentic and inspiring message to share! She knew her unwavering faith would carry her through, and with nothing else to do, she surrendered to her deep belief in God.

They say this woman will be fine- up and walking very soon! Thank God!

Everything is possible with a belief and faith in “possibilities.” When you find yourself wondering, questioning, or doubting – think of this woman sitting on her knees in darkness and pain for five days. Her spirit carried her through – and so can yours!

Let’s not let this woman’s suffering and profound message go to waste. Use this woman’s tragedy as a lesson for you to realize how powerful you are when you believe, trust and have faith in your life path, in divine orchestration and the beauty within yourself!!!

You are far from being alone. Every prayer, dream and thought is heard and seen. Now is the time to release your worries, fill yourself up with unconditional love from above, and imagine your life filled with love, joy, Truth, goodness and peace in all ways! Spend more time focusing on all the things you love, desire and enjoy! Allow your heart to lead you, and gravitate towards the things, environments and people that feel good, that lifts your spirit, that feeds your soul and allows you to shine!

“I choose to stay aligned with the highest frequencies of truth, love, faith, goodness and beauty!”
“I intend to keep my consciousness on the way I choose to live in all ways- on everything that I love, that feels good and is for the planet’s highest good.”
“I choose to believe everything is in divine order and I relax into the knowing that my thoughts, beliefs and desires take me to my heart’s destination.”

Please leave me your comments!
A heart full of love,
Laurie Martin

http://www.smilieacrossyourheart.com

It was a sunny Wednesday afternoon in southwest Florida as I was cruising north on route 41 heading directly to Stein Mart to look for a pair of shoes. In my head, I had the image of the type of shoes that I wanted to purchase to go with a particular outfit. My cell phone rings and it’s a friend whom I haven’t spoken to in several months. She said, “I’m driving right behind you.” I told her where I was headed and she said, “Oh, you need to go to DSW store.” She told me how to get there and off I went. I walked into the store and a very nice lady walked me right over to the type of shoes I was looking for – and they had my size. In five minutes I was making my purchase.

You too have had similar experiences where spirit is assisting you daily. We are not alone – there is an abundance of divine support!

Life is easier now – less effort, haven’t you noticed? I’m conflicted writing this because I know many people are struggling now with different life themes- separating in relationships, jobs, homes, while at the same time many people are living life more in the flow with strong foundations already built and the structures are coming together. At times, you may be looking over your shoulder, thinking something may fall apart because you are not accustom to this smooth ride. I’m here to tell you that this is the way it’s now! Trust how you feel, believe in yourself, believe things can flow easily and effortlessly!

We have done a lot of personal growth to get to this place, And, God has helped increase our frequency with placing a huge amount of unconditional love here on earth. Stay aligned and ride the frequency of love, faith and trust. If you need suport, I would be happy to offer my personal life coaching services to you. Email me at LaurieM@SmileAcrossYourHeart.com.

Big Blessings,
Laurie Martin

For many people, the holidays are a very joyous time. And, then there are many people that are looking forward to January 2010! Preparing for the holidays for those people may be a stressful time with visions of being with family members whom you don’t necessarily enjoy being around; and visions of crowded malls and parking lots, or eating too much unhealthy food, or maybe the thought of Uncle Rob drinking too much and making embarrassing comments adds some tension to your life. And, we may be missing loved ones during this season or concerned about money matters too.

How can we smile though the Holidays?

#1 Lets create your most joyous holiday intention and vision. Write down your intentions for the holiday. Include in your vision:

How do you want to feel? What would bring the most joy to your heart?
Where are you? Can you choose to spend the holiday is the most peaceful place for you?
Who are you CHOOSING to be with? What foods are you preparing or eating?
What does the energy feel like? Can you hear the holiday music? How does it make you feel? Are you laughing?
Are you playing games? Are you going for a family walk? Who are you talking to?
Are you singing songs? Are you playing outside? Are you going around the table and sharing what you’re thankful for this year? Are you in nature?
Are you playing fun table question games such as:
What is your most joyful memory in 2009?
What do you love most about your life and your family/friends?
What are you most grateful for in your life?

If you’re missing a loved one, it may feel good to share fond memories that you have had with her or him with others. It may feel comforting to imagine speaking directly to them as if they can hear and see you, and I believe they can.

How can you make this story happen? What action steps can you take to create this beautiful story? Please keep in mind you always have a choice of doing something different for the holidays. And, you have a choice which invitations you would like to accept and who you would like to invite. If you are the one hosting the family, make things a little less stressful on yourself.
• Allow others to help you by assigning tasks to family and friends.
• Have others bring a meal, a dessert or games.
• Prepare your meal and shopping in advance before the crowds.
• Play relaxing music with soy candles while you’re preparing your home festivities.
• Shop online to get out of holiday hustle and bustle.
• Drive or fly to your destination during off peak travel days.
• If you are going to someone’s home, ask if you can prepare one of your favorite dishes.
• If you are along, and don’t want to be, volunteer or visit a church or temple service.

Giving to others is always so much fun! Invite someone to your home who doesn’t have family, visit children in a hospital, pay the toll for someone behind you as you’re driving, or find away to help a charity.

If money is a concern, homemade gifts make wonderful presents. Another option is to offer a home cooked meal, give homemade healthy cookies wrapped up nicely, create gift certificates and write fun things on them such as, “good for four hours of babysitting, good or a one hour massage, or walking your dog”, use your talents and skills to create a gift, such as if you’re an artist, paint a picture. Check out this site for more tip ideas: http://www.tipjunkie.com/2009/11/creative-christmas-tutorials-diy.html

#2 Let’s look at your potential concerns.

List each of your concerns or the things that bring you the most stress and rate them on scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst feeling. Read the information below and see if this applies to any of your concerns. After reading this, if your concerns are still just as strong then you may re-consider your holiday choices by alleviating the items that bring your the most stress. You always how the choice of saying, YES to peace and joy!

Here is a fictitious example: You don’t find it enjoyable to be around your brother in law Joe. Your brother in-law Joe is a know it all. He thinks he knows everything about everything and just doesn’t stop talking. Okay, fair enough. Let’s put that aside. Now let’s find that soft spot for Joe. Can this be an opportunity for you to have tolerance for someone different than you? Can you learn to be open to someone with different views, different way of thinking, and different level of consciousness or sense of humor? Can you hold space for him being exactly who he is without allowing his “being” to take you out of a space of peace? Can you hold your power within yourself and not feel threatened by him? Maybe, it’s time for you to use your voice and speak through your heart with Joe. The truth is, instead of listing all of the reasons that Joe is “wrong” as a human being, can he just BE who he is? Take a big breathe. What is he good at? How does he bring love into your family?
EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique is a great way to balance out your energy.

I can remember when I was younger saying, “How am I a part of my family?” And, you have heard the saying, “You can pick your friends but not your family.” That’s not really true. We do choose our family. When we are in spirit form before coming to earth, we choose our family based on the individual family members that will assist us in our life learning lessons and life purpose and who we are meant to help too. We are helping each other embrace and love more parts of our self. Our biggest adversary in life is our biggest gift. Underneath our anger we are learning when and how, and why we give our power away to others.

I had the epiphany that my brother who always hated that I was born– and as a child he would throw me down and actually hit me quit often and we continued fighting through high school. I realized that bless his heart, he was gifting me inner strength, toughness, and courage!!! I’m grateful to him! I don’t spend my daily life with him; we are in two different states. And, we speak roughly two to three times per month, I do love him very much and I do not harbor any anger. And that is the meaning of, “others are our teachers”! And, we are teachers for others too.

Now go back to your list of concerns and see if you can have a new perspective and see if your numbers on your rating scale have changed.
If you are alone for the holiday, and you really don’t want to be, let others know and give them the opportunity to invite you into their family festivities. And, you can consider volunteering at a local shelter or go to a church service.

Choose love over hate, peace over stress, right over wrong, authenticity over a lie.

My coaching services are avialable to you and as gift certificates! My book Smile Across Your Heart: The Process of Building Self-Love can be autographed and shipped anywhere too!

I wish you a relaxing and joyful holiday!

Laurie Martin

One theme I’m hearing a lot these days is, “I want to make a difference in people’s lives.” And, the good news is, it’s very easy!

One reason people are divinely driven to make a difference is because it feels good. It’s a wonderful and powerful feeling to know that you have been a catalyst of peace and harmony in someone’s life. This feeling is what brings true fulfillment!

Helping humanity heal: (Read each one slowly and think about the last time you did each one of these acts.)

Smile at strangers, listen to someone fully without bringing the conversation back to yourself, look into someone’s eyes and say, “I love you”, listen to someone without having to prove you’re right- just let them feel “heard”, communicate the positive qualities you see in others daily, allow room for people to “be” who they are, show your support with compassion, give something to someone – furniture, clothes, an old computer etc, call a relative you haven’t spoken to in awhile and tell them, “I was thinking about you”, answer your phone by saying, “I always have time for you!”, send blessings and prayers to all beings around the globe- maybe a stranger, admit you were wrong, take time to do something for another person, act dependable/reliable to others, lend your time or donate to a charity, instead of anger – have patience, give helpful information to another, tell someone they’re AMAZING without wanting anything from them, respond back to someone with a positive response ‘celebrating what they said’ without trying to prove you are wiser or know more than them, laugh with someone, show respect AND non judgment towards people, have an open mind to someone else’s view or someone who is different than you without trying to show how they are wrong, say “thank you” to anyone who shared their time or info with you, believe and treat all humans as EQUALS regardless of religion, race, sex, financial status, educational status, political status, physicality, eating habits, or age, remember a friend’s important event and ask them about it, share your passion(s) with the world, hold positive thoughts towards others and hold a positive vision and boundaries for yourself, follow your own heart callings and be mindful of self-care, hold reverence for the earth, all of nature, spirit and animals. These are all helping humanity in a big way!!! These are the acts of earth angels. If you are reading this, YOU are an earth angel!!!

Hold a vision for PEACE. The way to get there is through LOVE – through your heart.
YOU are a gift to humanity!!! I’m blessed to have you read my writings. Thank you!

Laurie

Laurie A. Martin

http://www.SmileAcrossYourHeart.com

http://www.SmileAcrossYourHeart.com/blog

Self- Love Speaker
Author of Smile Across Your Heart: The Processs of Building Self-Love
Certified Life Coach
Contributing Writer for several magazines including the “Ask Laurie” Columnist in Pulse Magazine, and the Heart to Heart advice column in the Naples Daily News.

Become a fan of Smile Across Your Heart on Facebook!

Did you know that our thoughts can effect other people’s health? We have the power to help our friends and family feel healthy by what we project onto them. And this happens with each thought we have about them every time we think of them. And, we don’t even have to be near them. Close your eyes. Say, “I ask & intend to connect with unconditional love.”

Get a picture in your mind of a person you want to send positive thoughts to. Say, “I’m connecting with their brain and I’m imagining perfect health for them, celebrating their spirit, and applauding their brilliance and wholeness! I’m so happy for their happiness and successes!!”

Close your eyes. Breathe in and out through your nose. Relax all of your muscles.

Say, “I ask and intend to connect with the frequency of unconditional love. I connect with my higher all wise self. I accept all of my feelings and emotions that I’m having right now. I love them! I love them! And, they are invited to stay if they want to stay, and welcome to go whenever they are ready to go. I accept “what is” going on with me in this present moment:” Take a big breath.

“I have no judgment of my feelings. A feeling is just that, a feeling. And, I know feelings flow in and flow out. I’m accepting of what is inside me, and what is outside of me in this moment, for this is my truth. I love that I can be authentic! I love that I can love my feelings and emotions without making them wrong or bad. I trust life, and I trust myself. I trust I will navigate through my life path, and I’m choosing to do so with peace. I bless my current life situation. I am open to learning. I love myself. I believe that I have many wonderful resources. I choose to live in the energy of abundance!! And, living in this frequency of abundant living, I know from the depths of my being that everything always works out. I trust the magnificent natural intelligence of my body, I believe there are enough jobs, friends, lovers and money for everyone, and I know my perfect resources are aligned in my divine path. And, I choose to be aligned with situations and friends that feed my soul, nourish my spirit and light up my heart! I’m so excited for all the love I share with others, and so grateful for all the ways the universe loves me!”

Now list all the ways the universe loves you in the comment field below!

Laurie A. Martin

http://www.SmileAcrossYourHeart.com

http://www.SmileAcrossYourHeart.com/blog

Self- Love Speaker
Author of Smile Across Your Heart: The Processs of Building Self-Love
Certified Life Coach
Advice Columnist for several magazines including the “Ask Laurie” Columnist in Pulse Magazine, and the Heart to Heart column in the Naples Daily News.

Become a fan of Smile Across Your Heart on Facebook!

To inspire, means internally inspired, which is a connection to your spirit within. It’s a feeling of life force being breathed into you, its absolute Truth on a deep level which creates feelings of joy, bliss, enthusiasm, excitement, immense passion, and feelings of being energized. You know what I mean; you have had many moments of being inspired.

In the case of the October 8, very unfortunate sweat lodge incident in Sedona, Arizona, where three people died and a dozen more were hospitalized, some of the people involved spoke out about being fearful and ashamed, the opposite of being In-spirit.

What can we learn from this? Why is this in consciousness for us to look at? I am compelled to share my thoughts about this story in the hopes that if there is any situation in your life small or large, that you need to take a look at, you can feel empowered to take the necessary action steps in a positive direction for you- one that feels good which is aligned with your heart. And, if you are in a leadership role, this is a great reminder to always be in reverence, humility and sincerity.

In the recent sweat lodge tragedy, important native American traditional ceremonies were violated. The sweat lodge events are derived from very sacred native American traditions. I share with you here a statement from Chief Arvol Looking Horse: “I would like to clarify that this lodge and many others, are not our ceremonial way of life, because of the way they are being conducted. What has happened in the news with the make shift sauna called the sweat lodge is not our ceremonial way of life! When you do ceremony – you can not have money on your mind. We deal with the pure sincere energy to create healing that comes from everyone in that circle of ceremony. The heart and mind must be connected. When you involve money, it changes the energy of healing. The person wants to get what they paid for; the Spirit Grandfathers will not be there, our way of life is now being exploited! There are seven sacred rites to prepare and finish the ceremonies. The values of conduct are very strict in any of these ceremonies, because we work with spirit”

We need to have reverence for other culture’s rituals, and not grab a little here and there and add our two cents and then put a hefty fee and big life changing promises in it.

Participants who spoke out about their experience in the sweat lodge, expressed they were ashamed and fearful, not In-Spirit or inspired, just the opposite. According to Beverley Bunn, a participant inside the sweat lodge, said, “People were not physically forced to stay inside but highly encouraged. It was all about mind over matter, you’re stronger than your body.” Looking back, she said, “it’s easy to see how so many people were overcome. No one was well-hydrated, the sweat lodge was poorly ventilated, no safety tips were provided and appropriate medical care wasn’t available.”

According to Shawn Bowen, a counselor for teenagers arrived on site during all of the chaos at the sweat lodge. She helped a woman who had just exited the sweat lodge. This woman told her that she was afraid to get up and leave the sweat lodge. And, then there was a young boy who told Shawn that he was ashamed because he did get up and leave.

Let this be a wakeup call–giving our power away to others- caring more about how they feel about us, than what is going on inside our own bodies. If you are uncomfortable in any situation with a teacher, or anyone in authority, be wary, especially of fear based tactics. If you feel “ashamed” because you cared for yourself, something is wrong with the teachings. I don’t care who the person of authority is – if you feel ashamed, afraid, uncomfortable and fearful, please take action and remove yourself.

The qualities of a good leader exhibits reverence, humility and sincerity. With Healthy teachings -you are inspired and guided through stories, techniques, positive intentions, exercises and information on how TO TRUST YOURSELF, trust your inner voice, trust your sensations and your body, AND ACT ACCORDINGLY TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. You are commended for taking action that honors what you need to do in that moment that is healthy and considered self-care for you. You are inspired and encouraged to be inner guided to follow your own insight. This is how people build trust to follow their own intuition.

This is very important, if we can learn a couple of things from this offal tragedy, it’s to not be afraid of failing or looking bad in another person’s eyes. And, that you are empowered to say, “No” if you are not comfortable in any way- physically, emotionally and spiritually. And, to always be humble and respect other people’s insight and traditions.

My heart felt prayers go out to everyone involved!

Exercise: Sit quiet, close your eyes, relax, invite in unconditional love, your higher wisdom and breathe for a couple of minutes. Ask yourself these questions:
What do you put up with in your life because you want someone to like you? How does this make you feel? Are you doing this out of fear? What would it look like if you felt abundant? What can you do to feel better? And, who are putting on a pedestal?

On Page 58-59 in my book Smile Across Your Heart: The Process of Building Self-Love it lists actions steps on how to begin your day, and see the world in an uplifting way.

If you have any questions, or you are interested in a coaching session, please email me at Lauriem@SmileAcrossYourHeart.com.
I work with clients on a regular basis to help them learn how to define their feelings, process them in a healthy way, and decipher the best way to verbalize. Healthy Communication is an art, and this leads to better personal and business relationships.

With Reverence!
Laurie Martin
www.smileacrossyourheart.com
Author of Smile Across Your Heart: The Process of Building Self-Love
Self-Acceptance & Self-Love Speaker
Yoga Teacher
Certified Life Coach

For all the southwest Floridians: Please Join us this evening, or any Thursday for the Interactive Inner Wisdom Gathering at 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

This evenings gathering, October 22, we will practice exercises in which YOU can do on your own to remain in balance in a postive way during your work day! Learn ways to release stress from the job, how to stay balanced when people around you aren’t, how to handle conflict and proper communication w/co-workers and in your personal relationships. The intention is for you to feel empowered and “bigger” during your workday!

Remarks from Inner Wisdom gathering attendees:
“Every gathering is a wonderful experience! Thank you!” Claudia Lozano

“Great Inner Wisdom Gathering today! I always feel like I have grown an inch or so after being there!!” Charmaine Powers

“The gathering last week was great! Your discussion about the people living in fear helped me. I was totally on board with everything you said! It is great to hear some forward and progressive thinking!”
Summer Araque

Cost: $20.00, Location: Naples, Fl.

Interested or Questions?
Please Email me: LaurieM@SmileAcrossYourHeart.com

I look forward to seeing you!
Laurie Martin

We are witnessing divine orchestration at play. This is a time in the world in which many people are going through some kind of small awakening. The human species is evolving in leaps and bounds. Every inner stone and pebble is being moved, and we are left with what is underneath – a fear, a worry, a past hurt, a belief system, a perspective that has been buried and doesn’t serve our highest good. It’s time to face the uncomfortable emotions and trust that they are there to help us grow. And, the stones and pebbles would not be moved if you couldn’t handle what is underneath them.

As you are witnessing before you very eyes, this is a time of Truth, which is precisely why we are hearing about many scandals in the news and most recently the scandal with David Letterman. And, we will continue to hear and learn about many more untruths. Things must come up to the surface, to be “exposed” in order for there to be a change. And, we were all granted free will; we all choose how we flow through our life circumstances. (We choose our attitude, we choose to see it as doom and gloom or trust we are learning something and we choose to live connected to love and forgiveness)

So, it’s time to see what is being “exposed” within each of us. Look underneath your stones and pebbles. Try to exhibit an attitude of faith, knowing that you are capable of handling this. You know this is in divine order. And, it is helping you get very clear on “who you are”, “what ignites your heart”, “how you want to live your life”, “what is acceptable to you”, “how you choose to express yourself”, “what type of people you want in your life”. People are in different stages in this big earth awakening– some people are losing jobs, losing homes, losing money, divorcing, experiencing health issues, relationships ending and some people are setting new foundations.

These extremely uncomfortable situations are shaking the stones and pebbles inside us. And, they are meant to.

You ask, “why are we going through all this and where are we going?” To raise our frequency (which means a higher level of love and light), to embrace and accept a part of us we denied or dissconnected from. We must confront our inner Truth. We must learn who we are and become our own best friend. We must learn about unconditional love, faith in divine orchestration versus fear. We must have more reverence for the earth, the environment, for our neighbors, and for each other. The only way to do this is to understand that every thing and everyone is connected energetically, and Truth is unconditional love. We must understand that people and situations are there to help us look inside of us and discern our own insecurities, like a mirror. And, each one of us chose to be here on earth right now at this special time. Your unique frequency is exactly where you are meant to be right now.

We are learning to be more in our hearts (versus ego) for ourselves and for others. We are all becoming more balanced individuals- with masculine and feminine energy. As we grow, we are becoming more in tune with our inner guidance, learning how to trust our own intuition and allow that to be our guide. We are becoming more inner lead versus followers.

We are also learning about equality. Equality and reverence for all living things. We are learning to live in a new energy vibration of oneness, peace for all, and unity. We are leaving the old “fear” mentality and choosing to be in the new lighter frequency. And, this is where you are headed.

Are you wondering why your product, company or services is not selling so well right now? It’s not necessarily anything that you are doing wrong. Have patience. People have a lot on their plates right now. They are focused on healing, growing, and learning, discerning, cleaning out, preparing, and setting up new foundations. Trust, be patient, and stay close to your intuition. Say, “I have the knowing that things behind the scenes are being orchestrated for me.” It’s imperative to sit quiet everyday and meditate.

I offer my book Smile Across Your Heart, The Process of Building Self Love. It’s filled with visualization techniques and exercises– all to help you find that inner peace inside you.

Hire me for a Life Coaching session! Coaching sessions are done over the telephone or Skype. I welcome the opportunity to work with you!
Stay connected to LOVE! Laurie Martin