In Harmony With the Universe

(Unedited Version)

Imagine for a moment that all things come to life when you operate at the same frequency as the Universe. It is said that when we operate at this frequency, in harmony with the Universe, the stars align making all things possible. The question then becomes; how does one find the frequency in a world that is inundated with noise and moving at such a rapid speed?

Everybody is born and is already on the same frequency as the Universe. Living in the moment, enjoying the many wonders the world has to offer. Children rarely judge, criticize or feel the need to be more powerful then the next child. Yes, children poke fun, and do things just for fun with no concept of consequences; they just live in the moment- come what may. Children have no fear, they do things at the spur of the moment, and 99% of the times succeed at what they set their minds to do, the rest of the time when they do fail, they pick themselves up and try again until they succeed. The most classic example is the ability for a child to walk. Babies are determined at just a few months old to get from point A to point B, even if it means a few spills, but eventually they succeed. We are all living proof of this example.

At the age of 11 or at puberty, children begin the hormonal and physical change. Children or now teenagers begin having sexual thoughts, feelings and begin to change their behavior, challenging authoritative figures, such as parents and teachers. These years become the most taxing of all years for everybody involved, but this stage is all part of growing up, as they search for their true identity.

Unfortunately this is also the stage most begin to move away from the frequency at which all things become possible. This is the developmental phase, which introduces a mixed bag of emotions for a child, not to mention any learned behaviors and emotions they’ve already inherited from their immediate influencers.

During this stage, a child is learning how to deal with humiliation, blame, despair, regret, and so on. As a child begins learning these new emotions, they begin to move away from the frequency, the harmony of the Universe. As a child matures and enters adulthood, if the emotions were not adequately addressed, new emotions begin to develop to deal with the unaddressed emotions, a coping mechanism if you will.

Over a period of time, now an adult, he or she will begin to experience episodes of depression, caused by guilt, sorrow, regret, hate, blame and so on, and soon thereafter he or she may also begin to experience anxiety, fear or even phobias.

At this point, any person experiencing any of the symptoms described in this article, among other, will be far from any frequency at which all things are possible - they forget that anything is possible and consider life as they know it the norm.

Imagine a straight horizontal line, from left to right. Now imagine another line that is diagonal, starting at the bottom left corner to the top right corner. As a child experiences and hangs onto an emotion, each emotion can be written on the diagonal line. See how you begin to move away from the frequency of the Universe.

Map out how far you are from the frequency - the harmony of the Universe.

So how does one get back down to the horizontal line, the frequency at which all things become possible? First and foremost you must become aware of your behaviors and the power they have over your everyday life, but the most important of all things is to learn self-love. Without self-love, returning to the frequency at which all things are possible becomes difficult.

Self-Love and Self-Awareness are the two key ingredients for eternal happiness. Master your self-awareness and you too will be in harmony with the Universe making all things possible for you again.

Life
Flowing through you
A serene state of mind
At peace with the universe
Filled with love, JOY and happiness
Emitting an energy felt from across the world
Infecting everyone around you
In complete harmony with the universe

~~Bruno LoGreco

In Harmony With the Universe

Just Plain Fun To Read

Over the weekend I was reading a few of my favorite blogs, as I do almost everyday. To my surprise, San the author of A Life With A View nominated me with a fun award. The award is called, Just Plain Fun Award. I believe, I could be wrong, it started over at another one of my favorite blogs, Out and About in New York City by Daryl. So this morning It is my turn to pass around the Just Plain Fun Award.

bart of Daze Of Our Lives for being open and honest about what he is experiencing and for having an innate ability to depict his emotions with art.

Liara from Dream Builders for her insight and candid opinion when it comes to awareness. 

Jena from Bullseye, baby! for your natural talent for words and poetry, and for inspiring me to breakthrough my mental barrier, to open my mind to a new way of creative writing. 

Chris from Wat da Wat for his opinion on toilet paper, teaching skills but most of all, his parenting skills :)

Jenny, a warm kind soul that has a passion for life and helping others through spirituality and naturally healing. 

CrazyCath and her reflection - for sharing her story and being herself. 

Laura Peach with Silence Is Broken - for sharing her story with her readers, for her honestly, but most of for trusting me, a complete stranger.  

Traisas from Towards Utopia for his clear thoughts and clarity for his life desires, no filters, just Traisas.  Reminds me a lot of myself. 

Beautiful Girl Inside - sweet, sincere, loving lady, learning her way around this mysterious loud world as she supports others on a similar journey.

GoneBackSouth for being herself

Mona's Personal Blog - A life filled with clarity and awareness - she has found her way :) 

Wonderful World of Wieners because I never really know what I will be reading each day I arrive to her blog. 

My newest blog read Partum Vixi Solus as she finds her way from a place of anger to a life of awareness and clarity. 

And finally San, an artist that has the most beautiful energy and ora I have ever felt, which creates the most amazing work of art.  Thank you for the nomination. The non-masculine image did not deter me from accepting it with honor :) 

I apologize a head of time for anyone that I may have missed - Everybody that reads this blog deserves the award, so If I failed to mention your name, you too are awarded the Just For Fun Award.

Have an excellent day

Bruno LoGreco a Toronto Life Coach

Just Plain Fun To Read

Remember Me

Remember me from way back when
We were once really close friends
We drifted a long time ago
Drowned by the crowd
Distant memory from the past
Do you remember me from way back when

Remember when nothing mattered
All the laughter and all the play
Steam whistle choo choo train
Those are the good ol’ days

Remember me from way back when
We are close I am a friend
You trust me and I trust you
Do you remember way back then

I hear you trying to find your way
Back and forth gaining ground
Astray in a world so loud
Back and forth but not a sound
Can you find your way

Sounds of yesterday need to be
I assure you tomorrow’s laughter
Find your way back to me
Your friend always and forever
Never again to be drowned

Master Life Coach, Toronto native Bruno LoGreco

Remember Me

Come back soon

Working on the 100th post - Come back soon

Come back soon

Self-Acceptance

Are you dealing with a major life change, illness or other life altering issue? Are you trapped in a world of self-pain and suffering? Do you want to heal the wound that has imprisoned you in your own world?

If you are dealing with a life altering issue and are finding it difficult to deal with you might want to seek support from a friend, family member or even a professional life coach or counselor. Recovery from any such event is difficult but with support, overcoming your life altering event becomes all that much more possible.

Through self-acceptance and forgiveness it becomes possible to eliminate the shame, the guilt and anger you harbor for yourself.

Dr. Maslow wrote:

They can accept their own human nature in the stoic style, with all its shortcomings, with all its discrepancies from the ideal image without feeling real concern. It would convey the wrong impression to say that they are self-satisfied. What we must say rather is that they can take the frailties and sins, weaknesses, and evils of human nature in the same unquestioning spirit with which one accepts the characteristics of nature. One does not complain about water because it is wet or about rocks because they are hard, or about trees because they are green.

As the child looks out upon the world with wide, uncritical, undemanding, innocent eyes, simply noting and observing what is the case, without either arguing the matter or demanding that it be otherwise, so does the self-actualizing person tend to look upon human nature in himself and in others.
(Abraham Maslow, (1954) pp. 155-156)

The first step to self-acceptance is to choose to recognize the truth about self.
You were taught at a very young age to have pride in what you do, care for what you do and from that your value system, morals, and ethics will develop. But these values, if adapted to your self-image rather than specific situations could lead to lack of self-worth, guilt and shame, rocking your world, imprisoning you in a world of pain and suffering.

Resorting to alcohol, illegal substances or other forms of distractions, is the result of placing situational based values to self-image, pride over the truth. The first step towards self-acceptance is dealing with the truth face to face, no matter how hard the truth is.

Step two to self-acceptance is exploring what you believe about yourself and what expectation you have of self:
1. What are my self-expectations?
*Actions
*Beliefs
*Thoughts

2. How is that different from who I am?
*Actions
*Beliefs
*Thoughts

3. Explore your answers, and recognize the conflicts between your expectations from who you really are.

The third step to self-acceptance is to understand why you believe, think and act the way you do.
Ask yourself the following questions when you think, act or believe something about yourself while placing situational based values to your self-image.

1. When does it happen?
2. What are the triggers within my environment?
3. What are my thoughts, actions, and behaviors?
4. What images do I associate with my, thoughts, actions, and behaviors?
5. What do I believe about the images I have about my thoughts, actions, and behaviors?
6. What are my external fears related to my thoughts, actions, behaviors?

Through self-acceptance--recognizing and believing the truth about who you are is the first steps toward healing your wound, relieving the self-pain and suffering that can be caused by life altering situations.

Learn more about Self-Acceptance and Grieving with Life Coach, Toronto native Bruno LoGreco

Self-Acceptance

I Can't or I Won't Do It?

How do you know you can't do it?

Are you afraid of trying something because you feel like you will fail? Is it because when you challenge yourself to complete a task you feel as if you are going to mess up-- like you are not good enough and as a result you don't bother trying all together.

When was the last time you overcame your fear and challenged yourself to perform at your highest level? If you have never challenged your yourself, how do you really know you can't do it?

The next time you give in to your fear and experience anxiety about completing a task - ask yourself, what am I doing to my future abilities to take on challenges?

When you give in to your fears and experience anxiety about trying something right NOW, you also are questioning your abilities to deal with and achieve challenges for the future.

So the next time you decide to say, "I can't do it" consider rephrasing your statement to, "I won't do it."

Master Life Coach, Toronto native Bruno LoGreco

I Can't or I Won't Do It?

Risk

Risk

About Nothing or Maybe About Something

A Riddle a raddle
Oh wait no such word as raddle
Faddle paddel
heck there's no haddel

A little of this, a little of that
just enough to get on with this
looped de loop he goes
where he stops nobody knows

Thank you Jena
I have a smile on my face
not because I'm a poet
and didn't even know it
but because its fun
and means absolutely nothing
just a thing of the moment

Again Thank You Jena
because here here I am
a moment in time
with myself
here and now
talking about nothing
or maybe about something

You decide

About Nothing or Maybe About Something

Do You Have a Creative Outlet?

Do you have a creative outlet that allows you to relax and explore your creative side?

A creative outlet can be a way to improve self and recharge your battery at the same time. Using your creative side allows you to recognize your strengths and interests and also helps you realize your goals. You will find that a creative outlet is vital in helping you to reconnect with yourself and spend quality time with self while you rediscover who you are.

When you exercise creativity, you are connected with your spirit and inner self. During the creative process, you tap into the abundance within you. We all have talents and a creative spirit, but not everyone knows how to tap into that creativity.

One of the first steps in reconnecting with yourself and tapping into your creativity involves relaxing yourself and doing something that brings you joy. Something like arts and crafts, music, or gardening. You may want to meditate, spend time with someone you love, or spend time journaling. A creative pursuit helps you make the most of your strengths. In turn, discovering and using your strengths will allow you to clarify and understand your goals and values. (Strengths equal talent plus passion)

If you've ever felt disconnected from yourself or your goals, a creative outlet is a good way to recharge and connect with self. Many people don't believe they are creative, but the truth is that we all have a creative spirit within us. Sometimes all it takes is someone to help us explore and discover our talents our passions.

Unlocking your creativity and finding a creative outlet allows you to explore yourself, make time for you... Who knows what you will discover.

Toronto Life Coach Bruno LoGreco

Do You Have a Creative Outlet?

Identify

Have you ever given any thought to why you react to another person's comment, or to something you read? A comment, not positive not negative but a comment that you identified yourself with, meaning you resonate with and made it personal? What happens over the next few minutes--The volume in your head becomes louder, one thought leads to another, your feelings ignite and all of a sudden you are emotional.

You have allowed a comment, perhaps by a stranger, to effect your state of being. That would suggest that someone other than yourself has power over you that could control your emotions--a key to unlock your emotions.

To understand why you would allow another person to control your state of being you must first be aware and accept that you have allowed another person to gain control of your emotions. Ask yourself what it is that you are reacting to. Are you reacting because you have made the comment personal--an issue you are dealing with on a personal level? Are you reacting because of the lack of validation, perhaps your expectations are too high and unknown? Are you reacting because you know more, you have a bruised ego?

Often time understanding why you react to another person’s comment is the key to unlocking your self-awareness. Perhaps you are reacting because you did not receive the validation you were expecting--The question then becomes; What are my expectations and why do I have expectations of others? You might have to dig deep to find the answers.

When you learn the answers to your questions, you will be on your way to learning how to becomeself-aware, and in the process you will have changed the locks to your emotions too.

Identify

Slowly

On Sunday afternoon I was traveling on I90 towards Albany New York when this song started playing on the radio, the song completely captured my attention and changed the remainder of my drive back to Toronto. The song that played on the radio was Macy Gray - Slowly. Attached are the lyrics.

SLOWLY
Would it be so bad if we just stopped for a while
And enjoyed the thrills we could all be still let the world just pass us by
But it's all hurry hurry run run there's no time for this
We want more and more got to win got to score so afraid of what we'll miss
And it moves so fast
Nothing lasts
This too here will come to pass
Wanna spend my days away from all the fuss
Wanna spend them with you baby but you're in a rush

Slowly
Why can't we just take our time
Slowly
I wish that we could take our time

Yeah we're all getting older realize there's no fountain of youth
This is it came quick it's a lift it's a bitch it's your moment what you gonna do
Yeah time would you be a friend oooh bless us with the chance
To really grow up could you slow it up would you postpone the end
Cuz you move so fast
Nothing lasts
This too here will come to pass
Wanna spend my days away from all the fuss
Wanna spend them with you baby but you're in a rush

Slowly
Why can't we just take our time
Slowly
I wish that we could take our time

Cuz you move so fast
Nothing lasts
This too here will come to pass
And it flies and it rolls like the storms and the thunders
Stop and love me baby
Our days are numbered

Slowly
Why can't we just take our time
Slowly
I wish that we could take our time

Stop and love me baby
Our days are numbered
Take my time
Slow it down
Slowly

~~Macy Gray

A few minutes after the song ended I noticed the bridge just ahead I was not in any hurry to cross the bridge this time, rather, I slowed down and enjoyed the beauty the stood just outside my car. The river below was surrounded with beautiful lush, green trees by the river bank, blooming flowers--it was truly a spectacular site.

I later stopped at a service area to refuel and grab some grub. In the past I would run in, use the mens room, buy lunch, refuel and be back on the road within fifteen minutes. This time I took my time and slowed right down and ate lunch at at one of the tables instead of eating in the car while driving. Thirty minutes early, thirty minutes later, does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? No, It really does not matter. That was a thirty minute rest that I deserved.

Route 90 travels through the historic farm country of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York before running through the small towns on the shores of Cayuga Lake.

Even as a Life Coach, I too recognize I need to slow down.

Slowly

Acrophobia

Today I must cross this bridge again. Last week I traversed the bridge without a thought. As a matter of fact I did not realize I was on the bridge until I was almost completely across it. I am confident that today I will traverse this bridge with no thought, with no issue, and without the need for a distraction.

Happy Sunday

Acrophobia

How To Avoid an Episode of Depression

Do you want to avoid experiencing an episode of depression?

The easiest and most effective way to limit your exposure to depression is to nurture your mind, body, and soul.

Often time an episode of depression is triggered by lack of sleep. A person might not realize that with each passing day their bodies do not get the required amount of sleep, it slowly wears them down. Over a period of time, their mind slowly begins to shut down leaving the person fatigued throughout their day, making simple decisions complex challenges. If you are sleeping less than seven hours nightly, consider adjusting your sleeping patterns to include between seven and eight hours of sleep.

Once you start sleeping properly you will feel more energized and physically able to take a walk or check out the local gym for a good physical or cardiovascular workout. A good physical routine should consist of 3 to 4 days a week, between 20 and 40 minutes, whether its walking or weight training. A proper physical routine combined with a proper sleeping regiment will reduce your chances of experiencing an episode of depression, especially during the winter months.

With a good sleeping pattern and a physical activity, a healthy eating habit should be considered for optimal performance. Fueling your body with proper nutrition, from breakfast to dinner, including drinking enough water through out your day is equally important as your sleep and physical activity.

To avoid an episode of depression the easiest and most effective way is to sleep between seven and eight hours, exercise and eat well.

Bruno LoGreco a Toronto Life Coach

How To Avoid an Episode of Depression

Procrastination

What challenge or task are you putting off today for tomorrow?

Its no surprise that you along with 95% of the population will put off completing a challenge/task today in hopes of completing it tomorrow. Tomorrow, 20% of you will find another excuse so that you could put off addressing your challenge/task for another day. In fact, if you are among the 20% of the population that experiences chronic procrastination, you have tons of excuses to justify why tomorrow is better than today. Excuses such as: I don’t have enough time to successfully complete it today—I’m not feeling creative enough—I work better under pressure.

There are many studies on chronic procrastination--some studies show that procrastination is a behavior associated to perfectionism, while other studies show that procrastination is a behavior a person experiences if they fear success.

Procrastination is known to be a mechanism for coping with anxiety when having to start or complete any task or decision. For the purpose of this article, I will focus on the 20% of the population that experience chronic procrastination.

When a known procrastinator is faced with a challenge/task, they evaluate their capabilities, their level of confidence, and how successful they feel they will be in completing the challenge/task. If they lack confidence in self, or fear the outcome of the challenge/task, they are more likely to push out the date as far as possible. This is why New Years Resolution are made and just as quickly broken.

Often time decisions are made without proper forethought. A procrastinator is eager to be involved in many challenges/tasks, at work or at home, so that they can prove to themselves and those around them that they can be successful, proving their self-worth. Unfortunately, this impulsive behavior further strengthens the procrastinators mind set, creating new doubts and fear, while their level of confidence continues to drop.

Any distraction is a good distraction for a procrastinator whose level of anxiety continues to rise with each passing day. Emails, research, anything they could deviate their attention to so that they don’t have to think about what they agreed to do—whether it was an agreement made with self or to somebody else they feel possess authority, like their boss, parent or even their spouse.

With no confidence, negative self-talk and the fear of the outcome sets in-- you might or might not be consciously aware of it-- your inspiration and motivation did not come knocking today, but you hope that tomorrow will bring you exactly what you need so that you can kick-start the task at hand--your anxiety level rises as you divert your attention again.

Are you born with the procrastination gene or is procrastination a learned behavior?

Perhaps procrastination could be tied to a gene, or maybe it could be tied to your childhood and your immediate influencers. Perhaps you grew-up in a controlling environment where you were unable to develop some of the key essential life skills such as internalizing your own intentions and learning how to act on them. Maybe you rebelled against your parents during your teens not wanting to relinquish control.

6 Steps To Overcome Procrastination:

1. Write all the challenges/tasks you’ve been putting off for the fear of failure
a. Work Projects
b. Losing weight
c. Setting personal goals
d. Accomplishing house projects

2. For each activity you are afraid of completing, ask yourself the following questions:
a. What am I afraid of?
b. What outcome do I fear most?
c. What can I do to change the outcome so that it will be in my favor?

3. Create a plan
a. Breakdown your plan into manageable chunks
b. Create small tasks for each chunk

4. Replace negative habits with positive habits

5. Complete one task each day
a. Check mark the completed task in your plan

6. Monitor your progress within your plan as you build
a. Motivation
b. Confidence
c. Self-esteem

To learn more about Master Life Coach, Toronto Native Bruno LoGreco, visit www.brunologreco.com

Procrastination

Breaking Bad Habits

People often need to be reminded that 95% of what they do is automatic and only 5% of their actions require conscious thought.

Imagine having to learn to drive a car like it was your first time each and every time you sat behind the wheel of your car— Think about the amount of thought and awareness you would require to drive your car, especially if you drive a five speed vehicle – Step on the clutch, shift into first gear, slowly release the clutch while stepping on the gas peddle, release the clutch slowly until it is fully released. Step down on the clutch while releasing the gas peddle, shift into second gear, release clutch accordingly while stepping on the gas peddle.

Do you think you have time to think about anything else? Do you think you could change the CD in the CD player or engage in a conversation with your passenger? Not at first, but after you learn and master how to drive a five speed vehicle you won’t have to think about it anymore--Driving becomes automatic allowing your conscious mind to attend to more important things.

Unfortunately, this is how bad habits are formed in your day-to-day life too. You could be exercising one of your bad habits this very moment and not be consciously aware that you are doing it. For example: You could be biting your nails, running your hand through your hair, picking at your skin, or biting your lip. Other habits include complaining about soreness, how tired you are, or lighting a cigarette while sitting at the computer.

If you could create a habit then you could break the habit too. How do you break a bad habit? By replacing a bad habit with a good one. First you must become aware of the bad habit and the conditions that trigger your habit. Make the necessary changes to your environment and remove anything that may trigger your habit.

Replace the old habit with the new one-- slowly but surely the old habit will weaken while the new habit strengthens. However, if you revert back to the old habit, all your efforts in developing the new habit will weaken and become harder in future attempts—become aware as new habits emerge—such as putting things off, self-talk, or justification.

Habits take time to be created and undoing habits also require time and dedication. Anytime a person travels between two points, the time between the points is dedication.

Seven steps to break a habit

• Make a conscious decision to break the habit
• Become aware of your thought process and your habit
• Create a plan to get from point A to B
• Make necessary changes to your environment
• Replace a negative habit with a positive habit
• Exude determination
• Become aware of new habits

Master Life Coach, Toronto native Bruno LoGreco

Breaking Bad Habits

Weekend is here....

Weekend is here....

Success

Often times I'm asked what the meaning of success is. Does a person achieve success in one aspect of life, or all aspects life? Is success tangible? Is success an illusion that only an individual in doubt can see? How does one become successful? And can everyone be successful?

In order for a person to become successful they must first and foremost take ownership and responsibility for their life -- owning up and taking 100% responsibility for their current circumstances, acknowledging that the current level of success was once a goal that was attained --the quality of their relationships, careers, and the environment in which they live today is what they set off to accomplish a long time ago.

Being successful also means there is less complaining about the past, which cannot be changed, and more action towards the future which has many directions, which all can be changed within fifteen seconds.

Once a person takes responsibility for their life and decide to lead instead of sit and wait, they go after what they want using their strengths. Talent plus passion equals strength. With strength a person could live their childhood dream. Set a target and aim towards it.

Believe in self, because if you don't, nobody else will. You have to believe in yourself and your strengths to be successful.

Start acting like you are successful, and success will find you. In fact it will come knocking at your door. Act as if you are already where you want to be - Think, talk, act, dress, and feel as if you are already where you want to be.

When a person takes full responsibility for their life, they believe in themselves and believe in their dream and start acting like they have already achieved their goal, the fear they once had will slowly begin to dissipate, freeing the person from their insecurities while building their confidence and self-worth.

Success is really anything you set your mind to accomplish – from the smallest of tasks to the largest of challenges: Success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose

Life Coach, Toronto Native Bruno LoGreco

Success

Canada Day

High eighty's, sunny, clear skies - beautiful day indeed.

It is early Tuesday morning in Toronto, on a statutory holiday. The gym does not open its doors until 8 am. (Not that I've been in any hurry the past few weeks to get to the gym) The gym to me is effort, and effort should be accomplished Monday to Friday between 5am and 6pm before or after work. This is just in my world

I believe a healthy exercise routine, consisting of 3 to 4 times a week, twenty to thirty minutes of strength training or aerobic exercise, can increase a person personal well being and reduce the level of stress and anxiety. Check with your physician first just to be on the safe side.

I've been going to the gym since I was 18 years old. I remember the first time I walked into a gym--I was tall, thin, with not an ounce of muscle on my body. I sat down at the bench press, I lay down sliding myself down as my head glides under the bar--hanging on the bar are 25lbs weights, one on each side. My friend is behind the bench press he is going to spot me. I start with my first repetition, I could barely get the bar back up when someone approached my friend and asked if they could be spotted. My friend thought I was okay with the weight and walked away. Do you see it coming? The bar slowly starts to descend, my breathing increases as the bar makes its way down to my boney chest... And there it sat, with a number of people all around me, a bar lies on top of me, and I have no strength to lift it back up onto the bench, and nobody is coming to help either. So I do the next best thing, I roll the bar down my chest to my waist, unto my laps— As I sit upright and grab the bar from my legs. As I am getting the bar down to the floor my friend comes running back...

I did not let the incident stop me from going back to a gym - I thought the incident was quite comical. I did not get mad at my friend for leaving me to fend for myself. What I did take from the incident was to never panic if I ever found myself in a situation where I could not lift the bar back up onto the bench, that I could roll it off and get myself backup in the seated position.

If you are wondering if I have ever had to roll the bar off since... The answer is yes. :)

Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day