How do you respond when someone asks you how you are? Usually your answer can be short and brief. How you respond reveals a great deal of where you are in the moment.

Your response can be negative, so-so, or positive. Negative could mean lousy, resentful, angry, hurt, depressed. While so-so can indicate that you are hanging in, surviving, feeling stuck and not feeling as if you were living your life fully.Your positive resopnse could be: great!, fantastic! and the person who asked you the question would automatically feel the zest and enthusiasm of your energy as you are expressing yourself.

Which category do you identify with? If you answered negatively or with a so-so response, your vibrations go out to the other person on a very low level and they may be put off by it. The truth is as you make the negative or so-so statement, your body takes on the image of these feelings as well and you carry them with you until you are ready to release them with a more positive response. Do you really believe you feel any better after using this means of expression?  Of course not! The negativity perpetuates itself through your body, emotions, your mind and spirit.

If you really believe that someone else is going to change this pessimistic attitude you are carrying, you are wrong.It is up to you to determine your thoughts and the attitude you choose to present yourself to another. Are you even aware that you are expressing yourself as you are? Many people express themselves negatively without being aware that they are doing so. This is because negative thinking is habitual. It is a conditioned belief that you have bought into. Your words are your own, self-fulfilling prophecy. Your mind is attracted to negative people, circumstances and experiences that reflect your belief.

When you make a choice to repeatedly state that your life is magnificent, your mind moves you to those positive people, circumstances and experiences that reflect this optimistic belief that you have chosen to focus on.

Take a few minutes to focus on some negative thought with your eyes closed. Really get into the thought and feel what you are feeling as you view the experience in your mind's eye. Notice areas that are holding stress; notice your breathing: the rise and fall of your belly with each breath and exhale.Do this for a few minutes. Make note of all that you experience so that you may write about it at the completion of the exercise.

Now close your eyes once again focusing on something wonderful; something funny, something that brings joy into your heart. You need not focus on this more than 20 seconds as this is all it takes to shift your perceptions, your vibrations, your energy and your feelings. Feel how you are feeling. Is there any stress? How is your breathing now? How is your posutre? Your optimism reflects on your entire being...mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually in the moment. Again, focus on these feelings so that you can write about them.

When you come from a space of feeling optimistic, other's of like minded experiences will be attracted to you. More positive experiences will come into your life. The Universe gives you what you focus your attention and expectations on.

So, the next time someone asks how you are doing, when you want to say lousy or whatever, change that thought immediately to "wonderful" and test consciously how both of you feel and respond with your vibrancy. Your attitude determines how your life will flow.

As a caregiver, you are more apt to fall into modes of depression, anger, fear and resentment. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't be acknowledging these feelings. You must understand that they are a part of you. But there are other aspects of yourself that will strengthen you and help you to pull through the given circumstances or situation. The choice is all in your attitude and perception and the choices you make.

Take time to write about the feelings you experienced in both exercises. Work at doing this as much as possible, writing your feelings after your experiences. This will help you to shift your perceptions and attitudes towards coping with all the challenges you face in your role as a caregiver.

By responding or acting as if you are more optimistic, your vibrations raise your energy levels more than you can imagine. For some of you this can transform you automatically. For other, it may take time and concentration until you are able to change your faulty belief systems. Stick with it! Don't give up! It Works!

How do I know? I have been there!!!!!!

Remember to be gentle and nurturing to yourself. Richest blessings.