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    A Spiritual Oasis:

    Encouragement for Overcoming Life's Biggest Challenges

    Debra Oakland

    www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 2 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    Living in Courage

    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland

    All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be reproduced or transmittedin any form or by any means without written permission from the author.

    Produced in the United States of America

    For more information on how to live in courage

    visit us at

    www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 3 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    CONTENTS

    Endorsements

    About the Author

    Chapter 1 Lets Start A Conversation

    Chapter 2 When Will My Life Change?

    Chapter 3 Appearances vs. Opportunities

    Chapter 4 In the Silence

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 4 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    Endorsements

    Debra Oakland has clearly written Living in Courage from the heart. This is

    a book that guides people to summon the courage to face life's biggestchallenges. You will find wonderful nuggets that you can apply to your life

    now.

    ~ David Riklan, Founder of SelfGrowth.com,the #1 Self Improvement Website on the Internet

    www.SelfGrowth.com

    Living in Courage is a masterpiece that speaks directly to the human spirit.Debra Oakland has gifted us with a rare glimpse into the secret, untappedchambers of our true selves. She invites us to wake up to our

    magnificence. She illustrates clear, concise ways to face difficult times andturn tragedy into triumph. As you journey on the path to pursuing your

    dreams and following your passions, the poetic words in Living in Courageare likewise and loving words from a best friend. She speaks honestly and

    inspires you to discover greater aspects of yourself. A must read for alldream-makers, their clients and friends!

    ~ Phil Johncock, Award-Winning Author & Educatorwww.GeniusCourse.net

    Debra Oakland has used her craft to guide you through the process ofgathering your courage to live your best life. Her own courage and

    remarkable ability to summon light and love for the benefit of others allowsher to share the principles that can provide you the tools to begin living your

    most authentic life now! Living in Courage is a MUST read. What are youwaiting for? Your best life is waiting!

    ~ Nicole McKinney, Marketing Consultant, bcad [email protected]

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 5 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    Debra Oakland speaks of courage, but truly she speaks to our heart, giving

    us a glimpse of the true power of courage that we can all call upon duringtimes of need.

    ~ Lennie Appelquist, Founder of FreeMarket Media Group,http://freemarketmediagroup.com

    Before you take anyone's advice, always look at the results they're getting.

    Debra Oakland is a radiant example of how to overcome some of life'sgreatest tragedies and triumph by living with courage of the heart. In Living

    In Courage she shares with you some of the invaluable practical tools shehas obviously used very successfully in her own life and how you too can use

    them to reach your own peace and fulfillment.

    ~ Caroline Reynolds, author ofSpiritual Fitnesswww.CarolineReynolds.com

    To me Debra Oakland rocks. She is a very special person. Brave,determined and caring, all of which comes out in Living In Courage, a book

    we can all learn something from. I have only known Debra for a few months,but she has on more than one occasion supported and motivated me (kicked

    my ass!) to keep on doing the things in life that I have sometimes been

    afraid to try. By writing Living In Courage, Debra has used her specialtalents to bring the same support and motivation she has given me, toeveryone seeking ways to live their life with passion and fulfillment. My

    advice to everyone is to try Living In Courage with Debra as your guide.

    ~ Steve Tallamy, Genuine guy sometimes stumbling his way through lifewww.mind-developer.com

    Debras inspiring words have given me a much needed boost to remember to

    look within for my answers and to remember that everything stems fromlove. Especially self love. Taking that special quiet time for myself each day,

    I know will make a huge difference in my life.

    ~ Andrea Susan Glass, Ghostwriter of Information Productswww.WritersWay.com

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 6 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    Living In Courage both inspires and encourages us to take those first steps

    towards embracing our true selves and transforming our lives. DebraOakland shares her life, her heart, and her wisdom to help you find the

    necessary courage to overcome fear and limiting beliefs, to experience

    lasting joy, and to realize your unlimited potential. No matter how manytimes you read Living In Courage, you will always discover new wisdom thatenables you to more easily live the abundant life you've always dreamed of.

    ~ Chris Cade, Spiritual Author and Mentorwww.Spiritual-Short-Stories.com

    I have known Debra Oakland through most of the years when she faced thefearful situations she describes in her book. Her courage, and the courage of

    her husband Cody, have been undeniable and inspiring. And a few yearsago, when I was faced with a life-altering medical challenge, and was afraid,

    she offered her support and compassion and prayers to me. And I was lessafraid, and I survived, and I am grateful. Debra does the things she tells us

    we can do. She knows whereof she speaks. If courage is contagious, Debrais a carrier. Her book is a valuable souvenir of times past, and a reassuring

    guide through times to come. Please read it; we will all be better for it!

    ~ Donald Hendricks, Artist, Legacy Designs & Publishing

    www.paperdolls.com

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 7 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    About the Author

    Imagine this: over a 6-year period, I lost my 21-year old

    son, my unborn baby girl in my 8th month of pregnancy, 2

    brothers to AIDS, and my father. I could have given up,

    felt sorry for myself, made it about me, instead I asked

    myself what each one of them would have wanted for me,

    and that was to live a life of courage, to encourage others,

    to have a wonderful life.

    Hello, my name is Debra Oakland. I am all about Living in Courage. This

    subject fascinates me because of all the possibilities it presents. Courage

    means different things to different people all over the world. To navigate

    through this world we live in requires a certain amount of courage from each

    of us. I hope you will join me in my exploration.

    You may learn from what I have to share in this eBook and I hope you will

    share your thoughts, stories and experiences that have required courage in

    your life. Many people are looking for answers to some of lifes biggest

    questions. Your stories can make a big difference in another persons life.

    I am blessed to live in Laguna

    Beach, California with my husband

    Cody. We both feel grateful for so

    much in our lives. The words

    Encourage, In Courage and Living In

    Courage have come up every

    morning for months now. These

    words come up in my dreams, my

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 8 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    thoughts and they follow me around like a small child tugging on my pant

    leg wanting immediate attention. I am intrigued, interested and eager to

    explore this subject, not knowing where it will lead, but knowing in my heart

    it will be an incredible journey down a path of love and light.

    On my website at www.LivinginCourageOnline.com I look forward to sharing

    stories, conversations and photos as we walk down a road together with like

    minded people who want to live in a world filled with Encouragement.

    Imagine a world where we all support each other, pursuing our dreams,

    being fearless and courageously moving forward towards our passion.

    Each one of us has the capacity to make choices that will change not only

    our lives, but the lives of others. What could be better than that! Since we

    are always growing and expanding, this will just get better and better. I am

    on a journey of discovery. Wont you join me?

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 9 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    Lets Start A Conversation

    I would like to start a conversation

    with you. How do you think and feel as

    you move about the day? Where are your

    thoughts and feelings being directed? As

    you have a dialogue with yourself, what are

    you talking about and where is your

    attention going?

    Why is it so hard to let go of judgment of ourselves and others? Habits are

    hard to break, especially if they are ingrained from a very young age.

    Judgment is one that sneaks in, sometimes very quietly, and often is as

    glaring as a neon sign.

    You see experiences as rich, valuable, bad, awful and everything in

    between. Why do we have this habit of needing to label everything, to

    place everything in a category? When you place assessments, labels and

    evaluations on your experiences, these influences or labels create what is

    feeding back to you. When you see a movie, you are asked if it was it good

    or bad. The same with relationships, vacations, restaurants, people in your

    life and every arena you participate in. We label, label, label.

    I believe this locks it all away inside us and does not serve us. What if we

    chose a middle ground? Most people now agree that thoughts become things

    when fueled with feelings and emotions. We are told that there are universal

    principles and formulas, such as mathematical or scientific formulas, that

    when applied effectively produce exacting results. What if thoughts married

    and blended with deep, rich feeling to become things? Imagine if this were

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 10 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    true for you? What if you became conscious of all you are thinking and

    feeling as you move about your day? How might your life be different?

    Nip the negative in the bud. Face it and say, You have no power over

    me. I am stronger than you. Think about what molds you, strengthens you,

    prepares you and makes you a better person. The challenges we have

    frustrate us and can seem never ending. Because we judge people, places

    and things, we limit ourselves without realizing it. It seems like the minute

    we label, we put the lid onpositive or negative. What if we could see all of

    our experiences as valuable, as a gift, even if we dont understand them or

    realize there was some value in going through them? Our challenges are

    really an integral part of the growth process.

    If we can walk the middle ground, perhaps this will groom us to be

    set free. What if we take the lid off of these experiences? Perhaps we wont

    keep going through the same challenges again and again. Taking the lid off

    can mean forgiving yourself and others, loving yourself, strengthening who

    you are and opening to a whole new you, providing a different outlook on

    life. If we want change, we have to start somewhere. The answers are inside

    of us.

    We can control our attention by the intentions we set. How does your

    attention sometimes take a detour into a place that is less than desirable?

    Be honest. What experiences are coming up over and over again? Maybe

    revisit that place in you, and see it as a reflection of the past as you releaseit. Be gentle with yourself. Intention regulates Attention. Set your intentions,

    determine what you will become, what you will manifest, what you will do to

    make a difference in this world. By setting your intentions first, you are

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 11 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    qualifying, and not labeling. Choose experiences that serve you where you

    are, and sculpt yourself into the person you want to be.

    There is a law of continuity and momentum. Give yourself all the time

    you need to change. See and feel what you want as living pictures. Most

    people want change yesterday and have no patience with the process of

    growth and self mastery. Change your dialogue from I cant or I wont to

    I can and I will. We are very powerful within ourselves and can raise

    ourselves to great heights of attainment.

    If we let love be the driving force in everything we think, do, say and

    feel, our lives will transform. Love your humanity. Love every part of it.

    We are great at nurturing, caring and supporting others, but when it comes

    to ourselves, sometimes we fall short. Give yourself permission to be

    supported, nurtured and loved. Make this a quiet dialogue inside yourself,

    and realize that what you place your intention/ attention on is feeding your

    experiences back to you.

    Every conclusion we make radiates through us, and people pick up on

    it. If we could stand balanced between the masculine and feminine within

    ourselves, we would create a much more fulfilled life. There is a balance

    between the mind and the heart that is so important if you want to live an

    authentic life with dreams fulfilled. When you qualify or set your intentions

    first, you find richness in experiencing all life has to offer.

    Live bigger than life by using your authority to direct life. Stand in the

    light. Be a light generator. Now you stand in front of the experience, set with

    intention, instead of labeling the experience after it has happened. Create

    your own opportunities. Choose what happens in your life. If we each take

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 12 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    responsibility for our own lives, we can make a difference in our world and

    the world of others.

    Thank you for engaging in this conversation and listening to the inner

    dialogue with me, myself and I.

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 13 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    When Will My Life Change?

    This question comes up for everyone at some

    point. When will my life change? And why

    hasnt it changed yet? I am a good person, a loyal

    friend, a loving parent. I work hard, I am honest,

    and on and on it goes. For some, year after year.

    Many of us think of the future as a place

    where our lives will look different. We will

    have our new car, new job, new home, a new

    relationship with ourselves and others. But what

    about now? Now is where the answers, gifts and future outcomes lay. Right

    Now! Not yesterday, not tomorrow. Those are only thoughts. Where are you

    NOW?

    Life can pass right by and we miss most of the important clues, the

    arrows along the way that point us in the right direction. Most people think

    they know what will make them truly happy. But when you ask them, it is

    usually something outside of them. Maybe if they have more possessions,

    they will finally be happy. Possessions are wonderful and we are welcome to

    all we want, including money and supply, beautiful homes, wonderful loving

    relationships, joy or anything you can add to the list.

    I am sure you know people who have money and many beautiful or fun

    possessions, but are miserable and lead very unhappy lives. On the other

    hand, we all know people who seem to have it all and are happily leading

    productive, exciting, fulfilled lives.

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 14 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    When will it happen for you? Do you think you have to wait for a wonderful

    life? Do you think it is random, that life deals you a deck of cards and you

    take what you were dealt? Who taught you that? There were uncountable

    numbers of people in your life since you entered this playground as a baby,

    who molded and shaped every part of you, who influenced the person you

    have become. Most of those people were doing the best they knew how,

    teaching you what they thought was right, giving you the love and nurturing

    they felt you needed to assist you in your growth as a fully developed adult.

    We tend to teach from our perspective as we built our beliefs,

    behaviors, habits and knowledge of the world around us, then pass it on to

    others. Throw in fear, judgment, labels, blame, criticism and confusion,

    along with all the love, care, protection, information, peace and happiness

    and there is a level of confusion that grows into a large tree of positive and

    negative beliefs within us. This tree can have very deep roots, and it may be

    extremely difficult to pull up and out so we can replant new seeds.

    There are people all over the world teaching methods to help us

    have a better life. We have religion, spirituality, politics, motivational

    speakers, gurus, parents, teachers, friends, lovers and a long list of others

    that can go on for pages. Who is right, who do we believe or trust to steer

    our life? If you find the answer through one method or another, stick with it.

    Not all methods work for all people. Dont judge what works for one and not

    another. There is no right answer, no wrong answer. Thinking so is only ego

    and labels speaking. We all find our answers in different places. Look insideyourself first, because anywhere else you look will give you pointers back to

    yourself. Thats where you will discover all your answers.

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 15 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    What if we could all love more and control less? Controlling takes an

    enormous amount of energy. Love requires no control. It sounds very simple

    to say that love is always the answer. Yet, when we successfully open the

    floodgates in our human selves and stay in the present momentwhere all

    our gifts are, where love isthen we will see tangible evidence that we can

    direct, without limitation, the power of who we are.

    Love is essentially who we are, connected to all life. Control your

    attention, pour love into yourself and onto everything in the world, no

    matter what you think you know or see. There is great power there for you.

    When you can do this, you can direct your life into unlimited expression.

    Love everything, love yourself free. There is a field of certainty, and

    when it arrives, the environment is perfect to direct your life. Knowingness

    grows within you, The Tree of Life can now grow tall within you, revealing

    the secrets of life and all that wishes to flow through you out into the world.

    Love is the great principle of life that animates our human forms. Love beats

    our hearts. Love is the Holy Grail and provides you with all the proof you

    need, when you take profound control of your attention.

    The Will is the driving force of your feeling body. Direct it into your life

    purposefully, with intention. Humankind has been hypnotized into accepting

    so many untruths. This time on Mother Earth is a very important time for us

    to wake up, to discover our own divinity, to have a wonderful life. Embrace

    life. Love your humanity.

    You are limitless love, and as you embody this as knowingness within, you

    will always be living in courage.

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 16 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    Love, Live, Life

    L Living L - Learning L - Loving

    O On I - Infinite I - In

    V Vital V - Visible F - Frequency

    E Ecstasy E Empowerment E - Eternal

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 17 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    Appearances vs. Opportunities

    Have you noticed that the human

    mind is very selective and only

    hears what it wants to hear? Our

    minds try to make us forget that we

    are courageous and powerful creators

    of our own reality. I know for myself,

    that I have been tricked long enough.

    There are Universal laws of truth that

    prove how powerful we are, and we can apply them with great success.

    First we have to accept that the appearances we see are not always the

    truth of who we are. Here are some of the appearances we might see

    in our lives:

    Unemployment Disease Lack of Finances Psychological Problems Loneliness Body Issues Relationship Issues

    When we focus on these inaccurate qualifiers, they will ultimately

    manifest themselves in our lives. They have gained such momentum

    through the power of concentration, attention and acceptance, that they

    appear absolutely real. Collectively and individually we have given

    appearances the power to act out, generation after generation. The great

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 18 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    history and psychology behind these limitations have gained a foothold in

    many peoples lives.

    If we can create an approach to these forms that have taken on a life of

    their own, and put them in the context of appearances, the mind can take

    a different outlook. The mind conceptually knows that you can have an

    appearance one day, and it can be gone the next day or sometime shortly

    thereafter, for example with a common cold. Our mental body can accept

    this concept of appearances that come into our lives which can eventually be

    overcome. See these temporary appearances as opportunities that guide you

    back to your authentic self.

    Know and feel that these appearances are not fixed. The world of

    conditions seems so fixed, that putting everything in the context of

    appearances can allow for a meltdown of the issue you are facing, especially

    when you arent thinking of it as fixed.

    Here is an effective solution. Say to yourself: For me, appearances from

    this moment forward are opportunities. See the silver lining behind the

    appearance; the opportunity is a gift. You are not without power in your life.

    With knowledge, application, self-determination and the understanding of

    your right to life, you are able to direct incredible forces of energy. You

    really do have the power to change every appearance.

    Plant a seed (a new dialogue, a new decision) in the garden of yourconsciousness. Expect results from the agreement made between you and

    your Higher Self, or whatever name you give your Inner Power. Consciously

    or unconsciously, we have given our energy and feelings to these

    appearances. Walk across the bridge and make an agreement in your

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 19 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    heart (a source of constant encouragement), that to the best of your ability,

    you will see all limitations or appearances, from this day forward, as

    opportunities for growth.

    Your heart is that divine aspect of you that will keep reminding you of

    the decisions and choices you have made, and it seeks to strengthen your

    decisions until they are fulfilled. The pressure that comes from the heart is a

    gentle pressure, only wanting what is best for you. Take the opportunity to

    prove that there is within you, that which is greater. There is the Inner I

    and the Outer I. The Inner I is the greater power and has Infinite

    Intelligence at its command. You can release Infinite Intelligent Energy into

    any condition to prove it has no power to sustain itself, unless you give it

    power otherwise. Will you do it? Your True Divine Nature can make contact

    with this, the greatest power in the universe.

    Mind your thoughts during daily activities. This is so important to

    remember. We get ourselves set for the day, feeling very positive, and then

    we allow some despondency, maybe a little anger, irritation, judgment of

    self or others, blame or some good old guilt to creep in. Do not let these

    emotions run your life. Look them square in the eye and say, You are an

    appearance only. You are energy acting in a very limiting way and you have

    NO power over me. I take my power back from you NOW.

    Understand how much power you have to direct your life. It is not

    your spiritual work or prayers that are failing. It is the moments in betweenthat set you back, when you go on with the rest of your day and do not take

    control of your thoughts and feelings. Watch your silent dialogue during the

    day. Be aware of what needs to change or be replaced with a positive

    thought, feeling or word. Now you will move into your power, now you will

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 20 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    see change in your life. Have fun the process of directing your desires into

    perfect manifestation.

    Fear is the breeding ground of any appearance. Fear gets its energy

    from feeding off the emotional body. Rise up! Take a stand against fear and

    all of its family. Be resolved not to fear. What is there to fear, when you

    come from a position of love and light? Say to fear, If I fear you, you will

    take my energy, and you have no law to maintain or sustain yourself. You

    are a human creation. No part of my will accepts this condition. You are

    energy acting, and I am going to zero you out. You are nothing.

    Dont feed the challenges. Pull out of mass consciousness and live in your

    power. Have this quiet dialogue with yourself: I know I will be okay. I know

    I am going to get through this. Whatever the appearance is, I know it is an

    opportunity. I know there will always be more than enough. I know I am

    safe in this body. I know this great force inside of me will have its victory

    over this appearance. I do not lean on what the world reports back to my

    senses. I lean on the great inner light of my divinity. I live in courage and I

    am safe.

    Think of yourself as all powerful, and there is no place that your power

    does not exist. You are the authority of how quick the light grows in you. If

    there are challenges in your life that seem very difficult, be honest with

    yourself and know there is a part of you that is still feeding the energy

    acting up in your life. Be very gentle with yourself without judgment, andremember to forgive yourself and others.

    Live in the light, love in the light and take a stand in the light . Turn

    and face the light every day, and be very grateful for the life it has given

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 21 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    you. There is great intelligence in love. Trust in that intelligence to guide and

    direct you as you move forward towards your goals, dreams and aspirations.

    There is never a moment when you do not have more than enough energy

    or life force to create the most incredible life you desire, if you are directing

    your life stream and choosingopportunities over appearances.

    The light of every human being is needed in this world. Be courageous

    and shine your light for all the world to see. Your potential is greater than

    you can imagine, and I am here to encourage you on your life journey. The

    limited person sees the negative appearances in life, the unlimited person

    walks with courage in the direction of the opportunity. I believe your

    strength and power makes you unstoppable when it comes from a place of

    love and light. Make wise choices and walk in the direction of your dreams,

    where you can never fail.

    Have the courage to live the life of your dreams. Once you set your

    Intentions, it will be much easier to take control over your Attention. May

    your life unfold beautifully. Awaken the Sleeping Splendor I know is within

    you. I send you love from my heart to yours, from one light to another.

    I send you love from my heart to yours, from one light to another.

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 22 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    In The Silence

    In the stillness and silence there are answers

    to all your questions. There is a presence inside

    you that is waiting to be heard. Every road or path

    taken leads back to you. In the stillness of the

    presence is all that you desire. In the stillness of

    the presence is all that you require.

    It is time for humanity to take a journey back

    to self. Living in a hectic and technological world

    can be overwhelming. The whole world is in a vibrational shift right now. The

    way we access information is changing the way we lead our personal,

    business and social lives on a global scale. Let us pull away from the outer

    for a period of time each day and take time out for a quiet moment. Let us

    be in the stillness, and sit in the silence, being grateful for all that we have

    in our lives and all that is to come into our lives. Then we can renew our

    whole system of energy. Refreshing our body, mind and soul is essential and

    necessary. We are vital organisms that need nurturing.

    Are you giving yourself some time each day to drink in the peace of a

    quiet moment? Even a very short period of time can make the whole day

    shift into a place of order. Life can seem to get away from us during busy,

    hectic days. We all have them, some more than others. Everyone feels this

    way, yet it seems like it is only happening to us. We forget that most peoplefeel that there is not enough time in the day to accomplish all that needs to

    be done.

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 23 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    It would have been helpful to receive a personal handbook at birth

    that was different for each individual. Imagine your name stamped on the

    cover. No one else could read it; for your eyes only could see the

    information. Anyone who tried to read it would only see blank pages. When

    you went to this book, the past messages were no longer there for you to

    see. You could only read what you needed to have presented to you at that

    moment in time. The future messages were not yet created.

    That sounds magical, intriguing, like a great, fun adventure, like playing in

    the moment. Maybe you have not thought about this, but that book is inside

    you right now. Only you hold the key. There are doors you have not

    dreamed of opening yet. The power of now is being taught across the planet.

    It is time to get back in touch with ourselves in the stillness of the presence,

    the heartbeat, the breath, the life we have been given. We forget that each

    moment is precious.

    There is a world full of books, songs, poetry, movies, conversation

    and any area you can think of that leads us back to that place within us that

    is home, that is love. We each have a pressure inside of us that some feel

    more than others that leads, guides and pushes us forward. When you pull

    away from the mass consciousness in the outer world and come back to who

    you really are, the core of your creation, then you will contribute to the

    solutions in the world. Every choice you make offers a contribution to the

    collective. Imagine making every decision based on this question: Is the

    decision I am making right now in the highest and greatest good of myself,others and the planet? Is this a decision that will pull me up to higher

    ground, harming no one in the process?

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 24 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    There are many questions you can ask yourself along those lines. So start

    asking yourself some important questions. Only you can know what those

    questions are, for each of us leads a different and varied lifestyle. Are you

    happy? Why not? You get to choose.

    Change it, Wake up, Rise up and take a stand in your life against

    negative, poisonous behavior that does not serve you or anyone else on this

    planet. We are all connected. It is time to get serious. We have wasted

    enough time being in conflict with ourselves and others. Can you see what

    has come of this conflict? We have war, disease, dysfunction, unhappiness,

    violence, drugs and an endless list of atrocities. And these have all

    escalated.

    Have we learned nothing? What do you value? Do we just sit back and

    allow this to overtake us and destroy us? What a sad story. On the other

    hand we have a human spirit that is unmatched. The stories of love,

    courage, happiness and all things wonderful are everywhere amidst the

    chaos of everyday life. What are you going to do to change your life? Are

    you not happy and utterly fulfilled by living and breathing? You have choices.

    Start thinking about them.

    Ask yourself some tough questions. What do you want? Do you even

    know? Have you forgotten to think of yourself while taking care of others?

    It is very easy to take care of others, so thinking about your own life is put

    on hold for another day. If you do not take care of yourself first, loveyourself first, love your humanity, your higher powerwhich is different for

    everyoneyou will not effectively help others. Maybe you do great things

    helping others, yet you put yourself aside. You are giving away your true

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    Copyright 2008 Debra Oakland 25 www.LivinginCourageOnline.com

    power and your ability to give of yourself in a much larger way than you

    could ever imagine.

    Never leave yourself out of the equation. You can have it all. Most

    people have not been taught to believe that. Want everything, label nothing,

    judge nothing. Why cant we have what we want? We can. Who told you

    otherwise? Why do we listen to people who learned what they think is right

    for you from others who didnt know what you needed? When we are in

    alignment with our desires, we are more loving to ourselves and in a better

    position to help others.

    Wake up and start thinking for yourself. You have the answers, you

    always have. There is a great sleep going on, like a hypnosis that is chronic

    on this planet. Do you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution?

    You get to decide. If you are happy where you are in life, that is perfect.

    Now you can help someone with what helped you. Pay it forward with a

    smile, encouragement, a hug, a meal, money or whatever you have to give.

    Do you know how this will make you feel? This can change your life and

    the lives of others. Remember, love yourself free first, and then you become

    a light in the world. You cant give what you dont have. Fill your life with the

    light you came here to spread. Spread your wings and fly. Spread the

    greatness inside you around and see what comes back to fill your lifes cup

    to flow over. When yours flows over, it can reach many others in ways that

    may amaze and astound you.

    Life always gives back when you are living from your heart. Stay

    present and pay attention to the great game of life we all came here to play.

    Are you playing to win or to lose? The choice is, as always, yours. Make this

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    choice a matter of great importance. Be resolute and let nothing stand in

    your way to live a life of greatness. I know you can do it. If one of us can do

    it, we can all do it. Connect to the greatness you see in others, and

    remember that greatness is in you also, as we are all connected. Be resolute

    and do it for you, for in that place you do it for all.

    www.LivingInCourageOnline.com