I AM... Harmony, Gem #2

"He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the Universe." - Marcus Aurelilus



As a human, you have freedom to choose.  Your free will allows you to decide what you think about.  There is plenty in the world that is displeasing.  You cannot deny it, but the good news is you can choose to focus on whatever you wish. 

If you focus on discord, negativity or injustice, you will feel separate from God and others.  Your path will be difficult; emotionally, physically and spiritually.  If you focus on that which brings you delight and pleasure, you will see beauty in the world and experience yourself as one with God and all there is.  You will draw more beautiful experiences to you and enhance your overall health.

Know that you are one with all and choose to focus on that which brings harmonious feelings.  Move forward, knowing that you are supported, loved and never alone; no matter what the circumstances.

Affirmation:   I AM... Harmony.  I AM one with all there is.  I see beauty in my world.  I see beauty in myself and others.  I experience my life harmoniously.  I AM... Harmony.

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On Awareness

"Awareness heals." ~ Ezna Bayda



Do unwanted experiences that create pain and suffering continue to show up for you? Would you be open to the concept that Awareness and then the simple act of changing your thoughts about these experiences, could transform them? If so, read on...

There is tremendous power in the Awareness of your thoughts and emotions. It gives you the ability at a moments notice to choose what you wish to experience next. How do you develop this Awareness? Through Meditation! Meditation is the best practice to heighten your Awareness of your thoughts, of your soul and your connection to Spirit. When you live your life from the standpoint of your soul connected to Spirit, your Awareness on a conscience level naturally heightens. You become very aware that you truly are the creator of all of your life's experiences. You know that you will always have the power to choose what you experience next. That you are, indeed, a co-creator with God. It is from my personal meditation that my Awareness continues to become stronger as time marches along. Here is how Awareness has worked for me.

When an experience that has created discomfort in me occurs, I step back from the situation, observe it, and take note. Then I ask myself this: "What do I wish to experience next?" Do I want to have the experience of pain and suffering or do I want to experience peace? It is the deliberate choice that gives me the new experience. For example:

Just this afternoon a lady in my office building misread my actions and took offense to them. She was quite rude in her behavior towards me and stormed out of the building not allowing me to explain my actions. Initially, I did panic and usually, I'd fret and worry all day over something like this. However, though Awareness I became instantly aware of my emotions, stepped back, observed them and chose to experience this differently. I took a few deep breaths and examined my thoughts and my heart. I knew I had no bad intentions in my actions and I certainly did not know what was going on with her. I chose to not take what happened personally! I chose not to have judgment of her, the situation or myself. I then literally surrounded the situation in the brightest Light I could and let it go. The rest of my afternoon was a bright and cheery one!

A word of caution! Be careful not to criticize yourself or think that you should not be feeling a particular way about a situation. Being aware is not denial or suppressing your emotions. It is quite the opposite. You fully experience and observe the feelings that have arisen. You do not judge them! Then through your Awareness, you choose to either continue feeling the way you do or you choose new thoughts and therefore new feelings and hence a new experience. There is power in Awareness. Awareness heals. You are a powerful co-creator with God. Through meditation and connecting your soul with Spirit, you become fully aware of this loving power!

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I AM... Enough, Gem #18

"Discouragement is not the absence of adequacy but the absence of courage." ~Neal Maxwell




Know that you’re more than enough just as you are. There is nothing you have to prove to yourself or anyone else to claim your worthiness.  You were created in the image of God, the I AM with your own individual expression and unique gifts.


Your own personal gifts are enough! It does not matter what gifts others have. Focus on yours! You have everything you need within you to create a purposeful and rich life.

What undue pressures you put upon yourself! Do your best each day and know it is enough. Some days your best may seem better than others. Knowing you are enough does not have to be based on how much is accomplished on a daily basis.  Each day you are enough. When you remind yourself of this, you will feel confident and self-assured. You will feel lighter and more joyous! Those around you will sense your joy and will feel more joyous themselves.

You are enough -- own it, believe it, and live it!

Affirmation:

I AM… Enough. I have special gifts. My life has purpose and meaning. My best is enough. I release undue pressures. I exude confidence and grace.  I AM… Enough.

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                                                     Copyright 2011 Denna J. Shelton

I AM... Perfect Health, Gem #8

"Take care of your body; it's the only place you have to live."~Jim Rohn



YOU ARE the unique and divine expression of your Creator, God-I AM! YOU ARE created in the divine likeness of Him/Her. YOU ARE here on Earth to experience growth, expansion, love and joy as a co-creator in this likeness. Your physical body is the storehouse of your divine expression, Spirit, designed to facilitate travel for your journey. There are many choices to be made daily in regards to your body. Some choices may or may not support your journey, so be careful what you choose.


Listed below are five components of perfect health. One affects or builds upon the other. Balance of these components support you in a healthy physical body enabling your Spirit to soar.

Movement - Choose the movement that you enjoy to keep your physical body strong, flexible, energized and healthy.

Rest - Give yourself the rest you need to feel balanced and refreshed. Remember your stress level needs to be monitored and attended with Love.

Nourishment - Forget the fad diets out there. When choosing foods, stop and ask these two simple questions: "Is this food honoring my body? Is it giving my body the nutrients needed to support good health and function properly?

Mind - Unhealthy thoughts will create an unhealthy body. Choose thoughts that give you a feeling of wellness. Reject thoughts that give you a feeling of discord. Carefully choose the books you read, the music you listen to, and the movies you watch. All input affects your overall well-being.

Meditation - Spend time either listening to soothing music, strolling in nature, focusing on the breath, or perhaps visualization to name just a few. Choose a form of meditation that YOU enjoy. This will give you keen awareness to who you truly are.

YOUR ARE a unique and divine expression of your Creator. Choose carefully to support your physical body as you travel on your joyous journey.


Affirmation: I AM Perfect Health. I honor my body. I choose healthy foods. I exercise my body. I rest peacefully. I choose positive thoughts. All my choices are healthy. I AM Perfect Health.


A clip of 11 minute visual meditation, TwentyGems, www.twentygems.com, affirming perfect health...

Letting Go....

"...but keep in mind that letting go isn't the end of the world, it's a new life." - unknown



Ask yourself this... What am I holding onto that keeps me stuck in living a life of limitation, fear, and boredom? Is it limiting thoughts about myself? Is it worry about other people's opinions of me? Is it the unwillingness to let go of material possessions that keep me stuck in a job I hate? Is it a worn out pattern in a relationship? What is it? In your heart you know the answer!

 Now, ask yourself this... Is now the time to finally let it go; to set myself free of the chains that bind me? It is clearly your choice!

Letting go creates a new life - a new beginning! Where you have been has been important. It has helped shape who you are. But have faith that by letting go of that which has you stuck in negative thoughts and experiences leads you to a richer life. Gently let go and set your intention to experience a life of freedom and joy! It is time!

Affirmation: I AM... free to choose in every given moment.  I let go of all that binds me.  I embrace a richer life.  I AM...free!



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Denna J. Shelton, Copyright 2011

Reawaken to CHRISTmas!

If you are one of the brave ones who still says “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays”, good for you!   But even when you say, “Merry Christmas”, do you say it in the spirit of what it really is or do you say it stressed to the max because of the added financial burden or seeming lack of time for tree decorating, shopping, baking, etc.?   Every Christmas season (which seems to roll around faster every year), the challenge is to remember what “Christmas” is all about. Many would certainly say it is everything but “Merry!”   I want to share with you what I believe a “Merry Christmas” represents along with one simple suggestion to make it the “Merriest” ever!

My favorite part from the "Sermon on the Mount" is when Jesus says, “Ye are the Light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your Light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (King James)   Jesus’ birth and life was to help you to remember who you are.   You have a Divine Spark of Light within to live a compassionate, powerful and miraculous life!   The Christmas season is the time to reawaken to that Divine Spark of Light that lies deep within your heart – to remember who you are!   As you do this, then you can shine your Light brightly throughout the Christmas season demonstrating a life of love and compassion as did Jesus!   What better present could you possibly give to your friends and family?!   It is the same gift God gave to you through the birth of Jesus – a Divine Light shining brightly into the darkness!   A “Merry Christmas” is the “Joy” of you shining your “Light” brightly, beaming love and compassion as Jesus so perfectly demonstrated.

So how do you reconnect to that Divine Light within to have the Merriest Christmas ever?   Here is what works for me: 10-15 minutes a day in meditation.   Meditation has been proven to be the quickest, surest way to connect with the Joy within you.   I’m sure many of you are now saying, “Oh sure…let me just add that to my list on top of shopping, baking, mailing presents, etc.!”   But again, let me ask you…”What is a Merry Christmas?”   Wouldn’t the brief but powerful time you spend in meditation be worth having the ability to truly experience a Merry Christmas?   Also, many of you are probably saying, “I’ve tried meditation before, I can’t quiet my mind and not only that it kills my knees to sit in the lotus position.”   Before you discount this idea, let me tell you there are many, many forms of meditation such as a journey meditation, strolling through nature, focusing on the breath, listening to soulful music and what works for one person may not work for another.   Out of all the many forms, I’m confident one will work for you!   The main thing is to take the time to remember who you are – to reconnect to that Divine Light within so you may shine your Light brightly as Jesus, not only throughout the Christmas season but every day!


Have a Joyous- Merry Christmas!

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Denna J. Shelton, Copyright, 2010

On Gratitude

"Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot." - The Hausa of Nigeria



As Thanksgiving approaches, thoughts turn to gratitude. For some, it’s the once-a-year holiday ritual around the dinner table as each person states what they are most thankful for, i.e: family, health, job, etc.

Having an attitude of gratitude throughout the year, however, is nothing short of transformative. That’s because of the universal law that states: What you focus on expands. In other words, what you appreciate appreciates. And, where attention goes, energy flows.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes that help remind me to have an attitude of gratitude throughout the year!

"Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality." - Alfred Painter

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." - G.K. Chesterton

"Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty." - Doris Day

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." - William Arthur Ward

"Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has plenty: not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some." - Charles Dickens

"Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road." - John Henry Jowett

                                                                       Happy Thanksgiving!



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Denna J. Shelton, Copyright, 2010