What we need to beleive to have success?

Having success starts by becoming aware of what has stopped us so far and introspecting deep and long enough to notice all the beliefs that have caused the setbacks.

This is not only the process of clarifying to our own eyes the modus operandi we live with but at the same time it is taking responsibility for it.

The introspective process stars just as the painful emotions arise, like fear, frustration, apathy, self-criticism. It takes courage and curiosity to figure clearly what we are secretly suffering from. With practice, it becomes easy to hear our victimized inner self speaking: "I never get what I want, I can't, I am alone, I don't deserve, I need to be punished, I can't keep what I have, etc..." Sound familiar?

These personal beliefs that I call our "true religion" are hidden under a brilliant layer of lesser complains. I say "brilliant" because we can buy into them and get stuck, never understanding that there is deeper anathemas to be uncovered to gain liberation from our inner tyrant. This "blanket" layer of belief sounds like this: "Money is hard to make, I must work harder to succeed, Rome did not get built in one day, I need an other diploma, I can't have it all, my karma must be bad., etc...". or anything that sounds like a stop but is not so emotionally charged as our " deep dirty secrets" .

Of course this is all good for those who share my concept of success : being able to create a shift when needed and experiencing life was something that is constantly evolving. In this context what we need to believe in to have success is that it is safe to be who we are, so we do not need to be afraid of self- discovery.

Pharaohs'bling- bling

Jewelry did not always used to be just ornamental. Starting with ancient cultures and now-extinct civilizations, wearing gems, crystals, metals, bones or seeds had little to do with looking good; it was a mean of protection and empowerment. Pharaohs , kings and emprors were advised by their astrologers to collect and surround themselves with the best specimens in order to deflect bad luck, undo curses, and attract health and good luck needed to assure a long and prosperous reign. Warriors wore metal armors with power emblems and protective symbols, and even common folk would wear as much stones and metals as they could afford. Shamans knew what seeds, twigs, feathers, bones or pigments could be used for.

Malachite in Egypt was also grinded down to powder and used as an antiseptic against eye infections due to sand storms. They would put some around their eyes, and make up was incidentally created this way!

Now, jewelry has become an accessory for vanity, to add attractiveness and beauty or to make a cultural statement. I will not say that beauty is not contributing to one's life and health, but I am interested in reviving the notion that gems are alive, vibrant and capable of altering our energy field.

There are many ways in which our jewelry can help us. Wearing a short necklace will influence the whole body and specifically the throat chakra—helping to communicate from our heart. A medium length necklace will help the heart to clear up old wounds, and warm it up to feel joy. A longer lariat shields wonderfully the solar plexus, so sensitive to women (which is why we naturally cross our arms, or carry handbags as protection). Also, while fashion has not brought back the crown or tiara as a popular decorative item---and I hope it will (please Mr. Galiano would you consider it ??)--our relationship to the divine could certainly be facilitated by some amethyst sitting on our head.

The next time you are considering a piece of jewelry that is made of natural materials, go beyond what meets your eye and build a relationship with the gem or the seed or the metal it is composed of. Allow yourself to think of it as an invisible, very powerful shield, and allow its vibration to support you in your daily life.