Try Guided Imagery Meditation to Manifest Your Heart's Desire!

5 Easy Steps to Guided Imagery Meditation

By Art Stanley

With most things in life, having a guide -- particularly at the beginning -- makes it easier to master.

Learning this process to gain the full benefit of this glorious gift is also easier when you have some help. That's what guided imagery meditation and visualization is all about. It's like having a qualified guide or coach to take you through the process, anytime you want.

Here are 5 easy steps to guided imagery meditation and visualization.

1. Get into a comfortable and relaxed state. That's the first and most important step to guided imagery meditation and visualization.

You've got to be relaxed to make meditation work and the more relaxed you are -- the better. Allow your entire body to go limp. Simply release any tension as you relax your muscles. Start at the top of your head and work your way down your body, consciously relaxing every area and letting all tension fall away.

2. Calm the mind. It is possible to relax physically and still have your mind running at warp speed. But the state you want to achieve through your guided imagery meditation is the exact opposite. You need to free yourself from the continuous and random flow of thoughts.

The first time you try this, you'll find your mind jumping from one thought to the next, without any reason or logic. It simply isn't used to letting go and feeds on thought, whatever the nature. But freeing yourself of the internal dialogue is crucial for meditation and visualization.

3. Focus on your breathing. Take long, slow, deep breaths. Don't strain though. Keep it easy and peaceful. Relax more and more each breath. By concentrating on your breathing, you help to control your mind's tendency to think about other things. Focusing on your breathing alone occupies the mind while relaxing the body, which is ideal for our purpose.

4. Attain a meditative state of mind and body. Allow yourself to sink deeper and deeper into a more calming and peaceful place. This is your target destination -- to find profound peace of mind and comforting tranquility where you are connected to Spirit and where no resistance exists. Once you've found it, you'll know you've discovered heaven on earth.

5. Now that you've attained this wonderful state of complete relaxation, simply project images of what you want to accomplish on the screen of your mind. With guided imagery meditation and visualization, all you have to do is follow along. As the images are painted for you, simply add whatever elements of detail you like. This makes it your own -- your unique creation unlike any other.

Choose something specific and be definite about your ability to manifest it. Involve as many of the senses as you can. Feel at one with your desire now. Do this and you will have applied the secret of guided imagery meditation and visualization to manifest what you want.

"Guided" means that your led every step of the way. It simplifies the process and shortens the learning curve. Simply choose a recorded CD that fits a desire of yours. And then follow the narrator's voice as you are gently guided through the entire process.

Ready to tap into your unlimited mind power to create the life you want? Guided imagery meditation and visualization can give you everything you want, without the struggle, stress and strain. Just follow along on this powerful guided visualization and affirmation session and live the life of your dreams today. Click here for more.

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Wine Tasting, Anyone?

How to Give a Perfect Wine Tasting Party
By Caroline Silverstone

Hosting the perfect wine tasting party will make you the talk of your social group. The perfect party will allow you to entertain your guests and ensure everyone is happy. You will feel less stressed and more able to enjoy the party yourself, too, when you know you have planned your party carefully.

The following five steps will help you to plan the perfect wine tasting party. By following these steps you will be taken from the pre-party planning to wrapping up the party. You will find everything you need to make sure that your party goes off without a hitch in these five steps.

Step One: Find the right setting

You want the setting to reflect the overall atmosphere of the party. The party should be relaxing and laid back. You want people to be able to talk easily so there should not be a lot of noise. You also want a well lit area so people can see the wine.

Step Two: Decide who to invite

You should follow the general rule that a bottle of wine can be used for 15 to 20 people. Any more and you will run out of wine or be unable to give an adequate tasting amount. If you have less people then you will need to plan for the left over wine storage. Additionally, having the right number of people ensures that the conversation will not stall and that everyone will get a chance to speak their thoughts on the wine without being talked over or feeling crowded out.

Step Three: Prepare supplies

You want to ensure that you have everything you need for the party. You will need glasses that are made to match the wines you will be serving. You will need napkins. You will also need something to cleanse the palate in between tasting. You should choose bread at minimum. You can offer other foods, but be sure to follow general pairing guidelines so the taste of the wines is not ruined.

Step Four: Keep the party flowing

You want to make sure that the party keeps flowing. Move from wine to wine at a pace directed by your guests. When the conversation tends to slow you can move on to the next wine. Make sure you follow cues carefully or you could end up with awkward silence in between each wine.

Step Five: Closing the party right

Sometimes people like to linger about after wine tasting parties. It can be helpful if you have a way to wrap up the party that makes it clear the party is done. You may wish to send each guest home with leftover re-corked wine. You could also provide taxi service to get everyone home safely. Anything you do should make it clear the party is complete and everyone should leave. This is not rude, but important so that you are not stuck cleaning up into the wee hours of the morning just because a guest or two refused to leave. This will leave a good tastes in everyone's mouth.

An excellent resource to find out best wine accessories and wine decanters.  The website also provides great info related to glass wine decanters and where to get the best wine products from.

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Schedule an Appointment with Yourself!

When the demands on our time seem relentless and eternal, and we feel like the life we are living is not our own, it becomes increasingly difficult to put our needs anywhere near the top of our "to do" lists. We are too busy taking care of everyone else, while we barely find time to eat meals sitting down or head to the bathroom when nature calls. As time passes, we begin to wonder, "Whose life is this anyway?"

As women, we are notorious for taking care of others at our own expense. Eventually, though, we start feeling resentful, unappreciated, and used up. When concerned friends and relatives tell us we need to make time for ourselves, we quickly respond with "I DON'T HAVE THE TIME!" Of course, we are right. The empty time slots in our calendars fill up rapidly, often weeks in advance. So what can exhausted women do?

The answer is simple. We must first decide that OUR NEEDS MATTER! Then we can schedule appointments with ourselves in our calendar that we honor as much as we do all the other demands on our time. What might we do during our scheduled appointments? Try the following and/or come up with some of your own ideas. The possibilities are endless.

• take a nap
• meditate
• go for a walk
• play with a puppy/kitten
• turn on the radio and sing or dance
• exercise
• get a manicure or pedicure
• go shopping
• swim
• read a book
• journal
• draw
• play a game
• get a makeover
• write a letter
• talk to a friend
• daydream
• take a bubble bath
• go wine tasting

Copyright © 2008 by Holly Cox, L.C. P.C., C.D.C.®

Godiva Chocolate, Fine Wine, and a Bubble Bath!

Last year, my son and daughter-in-law bought me a bath tray designed to hold a book, a glass of wine, and anything else that might add to the experience of indulging in a long, hot soak. On days when I'm running on empty, needing some "me" time, and craving a little bit of pampering, I select a great book to read, pour myself a glass of LA FANTASÍA ("Fantasy") dessert wine from the Castello di Amorosa Winery in Napa Valley, lay one piece of Godiva Chocolate on my tray, fill the tub with steaming hot water, drop in a fragrant LUSH BATH BOMB (see above), and slip into the silky, scented water. After allowing myself this retreat from the cares, concerns, and demands of daily life, I feel recharged, energized, and ready to take on the world. Try this tip for yourself when you feel the need for a little rest and relaxation! You'll never want to get out of the tub!

Copyright © 2008 by Holly Cox, L.C. P.C., C.D.C.®