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How to Have the Best Day of Your Life, by Edwige Gilbert

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Bonjour, dear reader! How is your day going? Well, I hope! Only so-so? It's Comme si, Comme ca? Well, things could be worse, right? What's that? They are worse? Oh Mon Dieu. One of those days, is it? Well then, I'm sorry, I truly am. May it pass, may it pass quickly! Things will be better tomorrow, right? Voila, that's the spirit!

While I have your attention, though, a question for you, if you don't mind: did you ever think about the importance of a single day in life? Yes, it's true: it comes and goes all in a blink, but for all its fleetingness, the day is what it's really all about, isn't it? It is the most fundamental, the most natural unit of time we ever experience. There are hours and minutes and seconds, yes, but because a "day" is defined by the rising and setting of the sun, the daytime is elemental. Our minds and our bodies are anchored by it, our lives are made up of it (composed of the many thousands of days we've awakened to, worked through, said good night to…). So you're with me now? Tres bien, dear reader. And have you ever considered how many days there really are? Why, there are legions of them, an entire catalogue: good days, bad days, boring days, days we dread and days we anticipate, days that surprise us, days that terrorize us, days we'll always remember, days we pray we'll one day forget. So yes, my friend, these really are the days of our lives, are they not?

On our good days we count our blessings; on our worst days, we console ourselves with ready-made expressions like "I guess it's going to be one of those days," or, "well, tomorrow is another day." Here's another question for you now, though, dear reader… did you ever wonder why we have the days we have? Is it simply fate, a random accident? What is it that causes us to have the days we have? This is a simple question, but absolutely important, since our days are vitally important to us. Added up and stretched out, our days become our entire lives!

I'm going to surprise you now, perhaps, for I'm going to suggest to you that our days really are ours, that they truly do belong to us, and that ultimately the kinds of days we experience are actually up to us! Yes, things can go wrong, other people and events can make the day difficult, but these external things themselves do not have to mean a bad day… such days become bad days when we allow them to become so, when in our reactions we amplify their difficulty. So how we react is a vital component here. I'm going to go even further, here: I'm going to suggest to you that you can actually become a creator of your days, that it is you, dear reader, who is in control!

So what kind of day would you like to have today, tomorrow, the next day? How about the best days of your life? Okay, you are smiling at me now, aren't you? What is this woman talking about… creating great days? What planet is she from? She's lost it completely! But hang on a moment, sil vous plait! It is possible, I assure you. A great day does not have to be one in a hundred. A great day does not have to be an accident! We don't have to sit idly by and wait for the next one to come down the chute. A great day can be a planned event! Now that's a powerful thought, isn't it! But guess what, my friend, it's true, it's absolutely true. We have the power to create the days of our lives, the greatest days of our lives, and, therefore, great lives! The only sad and surprising thing here is that this is a secret that only a few of us seem to know! We have the power to create the lives we'd like to live, one day at a time. I'm here today to share this secret with you! I'm letting the cat out of the bag. And though this idea might strike you as a little different, a little revolutionary, even, I assure you it is absolutely possible. I've bet my life on it! Come with me now, then, and I'll teach you how to give yourself the simplest and most wonderful gift possible… the greatest day of your life!

The first thing I'd like you to do is to stop reading (though not until the end of this paragraph, okay!). There isn't much we can do about today, because this day's die has been cast. But tomorrow, well you know the expression… tomorrow truly is another day. You've already done the most essential thing you can do today, and that is opening yourself to the possibility that you just might be able to create some better days. That, my friend, is more than a day's work! So let's call it a day then, shall we! Let's agree to meet again in the freshness and possibility of tomorrow's morning. So if you are still with me, dear reader (and I do so hope your are!), put this article down now, ideally somewhere within reach of your bed, and go on and live the rest of your day the best way you know how. But before you go, I want you to promise me that the first thing you'll do upon waking up tomorrow is to reach for this article. You promise? Wonderful! So now I wish you all the best. We'll see you tomorrow, then…

Bonjour! Good morning! You remembered my promise! Magnifique! So how are you feeling this morning? Did you sleep well last night? You're well rested, I hope! Here's another question, a very important one: how are you feeling about what's to come today? Are you looking forward to the day? I certainly hope so!

You've no doubt heard the expression "today is the first day of the rest of your life." Well, guess what… that day has finally arrived! The first and most essential thing for creating the greatest day of your life is thankfulness, for above all things, the day is a gift given to us by the universe. Aren't you glad for this gift of a new day, this chance to begin again? In the movie Groundhog Day, the main character is given the opportunity to relive the same day over and over until he finally gets it right. And do you remember what it takes for him to get it right? A fundamental shift in perspective, that's all! It's a wonderful idea and an amazing movie, but the fact of the matter is that we all have this opportunity! Each day is a gift, an opportunity for all of us to finally get it right. So for this reason, and every other reason you can think of, take a moment now to acknowledge the gift of your life, the gift of others in your life, the gift of your health and well-being. Focus not on what you don't have (or what you might still want), but upon what you do have at this present moment… all the many little things that on previous days you have taken for granted… all the many small blessings that a life contains. You have done so? Wonderful! Now place a smile on your face, and allow the corners of your mouth to lift up towards your ears. This smile is called the "Inner Smile," an ancient Chinese practice that brings a sense of contentment, gratitude, and completion.

Do you have your smile now? Wonderful! Now please smile at this calm, safe moment and the many blessings of your life and declare, "I am happy for the gift of this day in my life. I am happy to be me. My day is filled with infinite possibilities. I am connected to the world of infinite possibilities." Doesn't that feel amazing! Now that you have opened and aligned your mind to the world of infinite possibility, I would like you to turn to the body. Take a moment now to become aware of your breathing, that simple, elemental thing that you do all the time, that you have done all your life, but about which you never think. As you breathe in, feel your lungs expand, becoming aware of the vital organs as they take in fresh, cool air. As you breathe in, say "yes" to new life. Charge each breath with the word "yes." The day is a miracle, and so is the breath! The Chinese call this charged breath "chi," the fundamental energy of life. As your lungs expand, recharge, and renew, your body becomes infused with this life energy, with this chi. Now I'd like you to visualize all the oxygen in each life-giving breath as the color of sparkling golden light. You've done so? Excellent! Now visualize the air you exhale as a smoky gray cloud. In with the golden light, out with those spent gray clouds. Open up your lungs now to take in new choices, new opportunities for joy, enthusiasm, courage, and strength. Your great day begins with great breaths!

You are feeling calm now, aren't you! Wonderful! Calmness is the very foundation of your great day. Now I would like you to keep your awareness of your breath wherever and whenever you can, okay? This is a vital ingredient in the recipe for the greatest day of your life. Return to the breath as often as possible, for awareness of the breath is awareness of life itself.

Here's another vital ingredient of the recipe. Whenever you are assailed by disturbances or agitations of the mind, I need you to use these three powerful words: "Calm… Centered… Connected." These words are magic, my friend, another essential component in the foundation for your amazing day. Repeated over time, they will create a reconditioning of your mind and of your mind's responses to the day's events. These words are an elixir, the key that will unlock the door to a profound calmness of being. You can use them any place and any time you feel a need to return to emotional balance. Say them with me now: "Calm… Centered… Connected." Say them often: on the train, on the bus, in line at the supermarket. "Calm… Centered… Connected."

Now that you are aware of your breath, now that you are experiencing a new calm, let us now turn our attention to the body in order to awaken a deeply rooted and vibrant energetic force that will allow you to become the absolute master of your day. Here we return to the Chinese concept of "chi," the body's vital life force. Here now for you is an ancient but absolutely simple technique for managing your chi, for becoming the managing director of your own energetic system, and for becoming the sole creator of your great day.

I would like to now vigorously tap your head, face, and neck with stiffened, outstretched fingers. Now move down to your arms, torso, legs, and feet. Be vigorous, my friend, for you are awakening your vital, yet dormant life force, your chi! As you awaken it, know that you are also expelling all the stagnant, grey, sluggish chi from your body as well. This may take some faith on your part, but trust that such an ancient and powerful technique does not get passed from generation to generation over thousands of years unless it works—and it does, my friend, it truly does!

So, dear reader, I would like to give you one final but absolutely essential ingredient in the recipe for the greatest day humanly possible… are you willing to learn now how to discover some real treasures with which to fill and fulfill your coming day? I hope so! Allow me now to give you a taste of a delicious little French dish: it's called joie de vivre, and it's the most wonderful recipe for finding and fully experiencing life's most simple joys simply by paying appreciative attention to the ordinary events and moments of the day. Joie de vivre is really just about fostering and encouraging in you a sense of wonder, playfulness, and curiosity about life's little things. Your experience of joie de vivre today will be quite straightforward, actually, but I can assure you that it will lead to some quite fantastic new experiences! This is it, my friend: take a different route to work today. That's all there is to it Simply walk down a street you never or rarely take. If you don't walk to work, take a walk at lunch. Either way, it doesn't matter. As you do so, however, become curious! Forget about work for awhile! Instead, have a look and a listen to the many new sights and sounds that will surround you. This is your Fresh Start! As you walk, try to develop awareness of your physical self in relationship to the physical world. Consider the idea that there is actually a very powerful connection between your feet and the earth, your head and the sky. You might consider that your feet "kiss" the ground that your head "touches" the heavens. Once you have made this essential connection, turn your awareness to some of the people with whom you share the planet… have a good look at them today, my friend! Today they will not be ordinary! What are they actually like (no generalizations, please)? What or who do they remind you of? Develop curiosity about these new people in your life and you will experience some joie de vivre today, I can assure you. Deepen your appreciation for others. Do your best to experience other things and other people in a joyful, curious and appreciative way and you will be well on your way the French art of living a joyful life through joie de vivre!

And so I leave you now, dear reader. Go out and continue to create the rest of the greatest day of your life! Remember its infinite possibility. You have already made an amazing start with your new awareness of your breath, your use of the 3Cs (remember, "Calm… Centered… Connected"), the activation of your vital Chi force, and finally, your new openness to experiencing life's simpler pleasures, which the French call joie de vivre. Remember that this is your day and no one else's! Remember that this day belongs to you! Remember that you are now the master builder, the creator of this day, the next day, and the next day. Finally, please know that whatever happens to you today, victory is yours! Victory to you, dear reader, for in your new willingness, desire, and ability to create the best day of your life, you have surely achieved the greatest victory possible!

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2008. All rights reserved.

12 months ago, I had a very large mirror fall off the wall. Nothing was broken, and there was no apparent reason for this, for the cord and hook were both secure. This happened on my late father's birthday. Could this be him? Many different things have happened in the house over the years: lights have turned on by themselves, my shower has turned on by itself, objects have been moved. I have also seen the spirit of my cat and of my mother once when I was on vacation, but only for a few seconds. (I will never forget that!) When the lights flicker, I get a tingling feeling on my left leg, and so I respond and talk to whatever spirits may be about. I am wondering why this event happened on my father's birthday. Was it him telling me that he is the one behind all of these phenomena? If so, why knock the mirror off of the wall? It was so scary!

Jean

Susyn:

From your father and mother all the way down to your cat, it appears that you are very sensitive to the spirits of your loved ones. This is a special gift, for it keeps you in close touch with the spirit world. Because you have had so much unexplained activity in your home, it is likely that your mom and dad have taken up residence there. Lights turning on by themselves, showers and faucets running, and objects being moved are all signs that your house is alive with paranormal activity.

You do not mention it, but I wonder if you are living in the same house that belonged to your parents? This could be the reason you experience so much paranormal activity there. Your ability to see your mother's apparition while you were on vacation indicates that she is with you wherever you go. She acts as a guardian angel, always watching over and protecting you.

I definitely believe, as you do, that the mirror falling off the wall on your father's birthday was his way of trying to get your attention. Your father's spirit did not want his birthday to go unnoticed! His ability to move a heavy object off the wall, along with the fact that it did not break, affirms that he was attempting to send you an important message.

I think it's really interesting that he used a mirror to make his presence known. Spirits often show themselves through mirrors, so perhaps he was giving you a clue as to how you could see his image as well. You may want to stand in front of this mirror and take a few photographs. I wouldn't be surprised if his image or a light orb shows up in the background.

Another thing to consider is the mirror itself. Did your father have any special connection to the mirror? Was it his? If not, he may have just been asking you to reflect on his special day. If you did not do so, he might have been suggesting you pull out photos and mementos to reflect on the life you shared together.

I do feel that your father's spirit was the one who moved the mirror, but also that there are a number of entities in your house who can take credit for the many paranormal experiences you have had. None of these feel negative or harmful; it's just their way of letting you know they are around. In fact, taking pictures of other areas where you experience high spiritual activity could reveal more orbs or unusual images.

If the spirits in your house become too active or continue to frighten you, I recommend smudging your home. This won't chase out any benevolent spirits, but it should help tone down some of their activities.

*****

Oceania:

We tend to be more sensitive, emotional and aware on the birthdays and death anniversaries of our departed loved ones, and therefore more likely to notice and attribute meaning to events that might be overlooked on a more ordinary day. Objects falling to the ground can be caused by the shifting of the house or the earth beneath it. Since we can't know for sure whether your father or Mother Nature knocked the mirror down, I suggest you assign meaning to the crash rather than to try to explain it.

While it may simply have been a rambunctious hello from Dad, look for a deeper message from him or create one of your own. Any outer object can reflect our inner wisdom, which is why I use tarot cards to help access higher truths.

Think of the words, images, songs and stories you associate with mirrors. For example, when I think of one, I hear Michael Jackson singing: I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways. No message could have been any clearer: If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change!

Mirrors also remind me of the Greek myth of Narcissus, a young man who looks into a pond and becomes so enamored with his own reflection that he continues to gaze upon it until he dies. His name is the origin of the psychiatric term narcissist, which refers to a person focused upon themselves to the exclusion of others. Perhaps you're having a narcissistic moment or contending with a narcissist in your life.

Instead of providing children with the mirroring that would help them discover their unique natures, narcissistic parents impose their own feelings, tastes and goals on their children in hopes of creating mini-me's. Psychologist Karyl McBride addresses this dynamic in her book, Will I Ever Be Good Enough?

You can repeat the above association exercise with the words light and shower, since those objects grabbed your attention in the past. Just for fun, I tried combining all three objects into one visual symbol and came up with a makeup mirror that had lights around it. As you looked into it, I saw you being showered with sparkly fairy dust. It was washing away parts of you that were no longer needed or that no longer fit, and leaving only those parts that were current, authentic and genuine.

Given this vision, you might view these extraordinary events as invitations to clarify your values and see yourself as you are today in a crisp, clear way.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.