By Gina Alzate, The Concept Whiz

People are wonderful teachers of lives well lived consciously and lives not lived at all.  Lately, I find myself intrigued on how fear affects the human consciousness.  In my mind’s eye, I see the remarkable differences on how fear and love engage our psyche.  Realizing the vantage point of polarity, I watch how people choose to live their world and listen to their reasons for their choices.  Then, I turn these observations inward to see which hold true for me. I have much to learn still.

I sense people with fear as contracting, closed, bottled up, walled in, frowning, depressed, angry, hopeless, confused and confined.  I sense people with love as expanding, open, generous, communicative, smiling, joyful, optimist, empowered, mindful and free.  What is most interesting is how our voice modulation tells others which reality we believe is true for us.

The energy we radiate to others either propels or attracts them to our midst.  We send subtle clues to the world on how we view ourselves and what we believe we deserve in our lives.  The words we use and how we express them gives out so much information about our beliefs, values, prejudices and intentions.  As listeners, we could discern if thoughts or feelings are prominent to them.  We are also able to distinguish their primary language frequency, whether or not they prefer to see, hear or touch their experiences.  We could distinguish if they are speaking from the power of fear or the power of love.  When we listen closely, we could hear fear or love coming from the voice through the vibrations of their energy.  We either want to run away from them or come closer to them.

When we feel the power of  fear, we find ourselves provoked or feel our energy leave our bodies. We activate a flight or fight mode within ourselves.  We become powerless and hopeless.  We are compelled to compete for resources or affection as we feel there is not going to be enough for everyone.  We become victims rather than victors of our circumstances.  When we lose our centeredness, we find ourselves drawn to the world of confusion and hatred upon which fear thrives.

On the other hand, when we feel the power of love, we find ourselves comforted, peaceful and safe.  We are empowered, inspired and invincible.  We see possibilities of our dreams coming true.  We feel confident how the world is as it should be.  We become powerful to live the lives of our imagination.  We feel generous and inviting, joyful and loving.  We think of collaborative efforts, with an eye for win-win solutions to our problems.  We overcome our challenges with grace and ease.  We think of the world as a generous place to expand our minds and our hearts.

I often wonder, when we communicate with one another, how many of us are truly cognizant of how we affect others through our speech?  The next time you find yourself in a heated exchange with someone else, think this thought.  Are you speaking from the power of fear or the power of love?

About Gina Alzate

Gina Alzate is The Concept Whiz. She is Holistic Life Designs’ Metaphysical Therapy Educator. She is Host of several online radio talk shows and Broadcaster for World Radio 365. She is a lifelong student of Leadership and Empowerment, World Travels and Diverse Cultures, Metaphysics, Holistic Health and Spirituality. She teaches about human consciousness and personal awareness through radio broadcasting, writing and workshops on land and at sea. Contact her through World Tours and Cruises. Follow her on Twitter @GinaAlzate.

By Gina Alzate, The Concept Whiz

I had an interesting conversation early this morning about boundaries and expectations in relationships.  At first, I was not sure where this discourse was headed or if it was at all in our best interest to continue as it was clear to both of us, neither of us knew for certain what the other was talking about.  Yet, we continued on our downward spiral to nothingness, both believing we were making our intelligent points of view known.

Then, it dawned on me, how we both were in search for someone to validate our points of view as we saw them.  Could anyone truly see how we see the world or come up with similar conclusions to make sense of our experiences?  I wonder how that could be true?  We all have differing points of references and relevant stories.  We all have different goals and aspirations.  We all have different forms of expressions and ways of communication.  Yet, somehow, we assume others would understand as we understand for ourselves the points we are making.  Then, we feel disappointed when our realities do not match our expectations.

Some things I’ve learned in life are… If I expect for anything to happen then I open myself up to disappointment unless I have come to accept some things are not meant to be as I wish them to be.  No matter how well we feel we have expressed ourselves, there will be someone who will beg to differ adamantly, not understand us at all or dismiss us completely.  Then, there will be others who will carry on with our conversation, yet they are not present with us or they are forming their own opinions without hearing ours, or come up with a totally different interpretation than originally meant.  Then, we wonder why we have misunderstandings, arguments, fights or feuds.

It took a conversation like the one I had this morning to remind me how people are truly on their own individual journeys.  There is no right or wrong on how we perceive the world.  On what basis could we judge an experience as bad or good?  How well could we really know anyone when we are still getting to know ourselves from the inside out? For now, I am content to think how our experiences with others serve as milestones to remind us how far we have come to understand ourselves fully.  How I feel about it is a totally different story!

About Gina Alzate

Gina Alzate is The Concept Whiz. She is Holistic Life Designs’ Metaphysical Therapy Educator. She is Host of several online radio talk shows and Broadcaster for World Radio 365. She is a lifelong student of Leadership and Empowerment, World Travels and Diverse Cultures, Metaphysics, Holistic Health and Spirituality. She teaches about human consciousness and personal awareness through radio broadcasting, writing and workshops on land and at sea. Contact her through World Tours and Cruises. Follow her on Twitter @GinaAlzate.

By Gina Alzate, The Concept Whiz

As I look back upon the path of life choices I took to get me where I am at this point in time, I notice several moments in my life along the way have been my dark nights of the soul.  Reflecting on my most recent journey to wander through mysterious landscapes filled with awe and mystery, uncertainty and doubt, strength and courage, I realize that those dark nights gave me the depths and heights my understanding of the universe could reach.  At the moment those nights filled my heart and mind with doubts, I felt a profound sense of longing for peace within the deepest core of my being.  When deep sadness overwhelmed my existence, I felt the healing power of tears as they washed my pain away.  Then, I remembered how a slight touch through kind words and loving acts opened the portal of God’s love in my heart once again, reminding me my dark nights of the soul came to me when I separated myself from God’s love, joy and peace.

About Gina Alzate

Gina Alzate is The Concept Whiz. She is Holistic Life Designs’ Metaphysical Therapy Educator. She is Host of several online radio talk shows and Broadcaster for World Radio 365. She is a lifelong student of Leadership and Empowerment, World Travels and Diverse Cultures, Metaphysics, Holistic Health and Spirituality. She teaches about human consciousness and personal awareness through radio broadcasting, writing and workshops on land and at sea. Contact her through World Tours and Cruises. Follow her on Twitter @GinaAlzate.

By Gina Alzate, The Concept Whiz

I watched the US Vice-Presidential Debate between Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden of Delaware last week, and I found it very interesting to take note how the Governor’s performance was equally an enlightening demonstration of Dale Carnegie’s principles on “how to make people like you”.

Clearly written in his highly influential book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie explained the Six Ways to Make People Like You. As I watched the debate and the post-debate analyses, I cannot help but think of Carnegie’s principles at play.  Those of you who watched the debate, see if any of the 6 principles below were adeptly applied by both candidates.  The way I saw it, the reference to ‘other people on the Principles’ was aligned with ‘the American people’.

Six Ways to Make People Like You by Dale Carnegie

Principle 1:  Become genuinely interested in other people.

Principle 2.  Smile.

Principle 3.  Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

Principle 4.  Be a good listener.  Encourage others to talk about themselves.

Principle 5.  Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.

Principle 6.  Make the other person feel important – and do it sincerely.

About Gina Alzate

Gina Alzate is The Concept Whiz. She is Holistic Life Designs’ Metaphysical Therapy Educator. She is Host of several online radio talk shows and Broadcaster for World Radio 365. She is a lifelong student of Leadership and Empowerment, World Travels and Diverse Cultures, Metaphysics, Holistic Health and Spirituality. She teaches about human consciousness and personal awareness through radio broadcasting, writing and workshops on land and at sea. Contact her through World Tours and Cruises. Follow her on Twitter @GinaAlzate.

By Gina Alzate, The Concept Whiz

How often have you gone through your day and upon looking back, you find yourself reflecting on anything meaningful that happened in your experience?  If you are like many of us, unless there is anything catastrophic or sensational that captured our attention, our days are passing mirrors of one another.

I find it fascinating that the level of appreciation for new experiences for many of us is expressed as low or non-existent.  Many of us live as if we have lost our ability to be in awe with the wonderful surprises the present brings to our lives.  When I watch children delight in the moment, I feel a tinge of sadness that many of us did not carry that joy through our growing years.  When we make any attempt to be childlike again, how many of us experienced any sort of reproach to behave like responsible adults?  So, is it any surprise how our days pass us by without a sound?

Whatever is remembered in our experience is a milestone marker in our lives.  Many a times those milestone markers tend to mark unhappy and unpleasant moments.  We remember the unkind words said to us, the unpleasant experiences unkindness and rage generate, and the bereavement tragedies and humiliation bring into our lives. We remember the pain, the sorrow, the hurt, the loss.

Yet, it takes a sense of finality in our lives before we once again could appreciate the beautiful presents Spirit brings us…the abundance in our lives, the enjoyment of our world, the pleasures of our bodies, the smile of passers-by, the loving hands of friends and family supporting us, the wonderful ray of sunshine when all is well, the gentle ocean and mountain breeze reminding us of our senses, the glorious sunrise and sunsets of our inner and outer lives, the graceful sways of billowy branches mirroring our growing pains.  When we realize time is about to run out in our lives, we are prompted to remember the love of our children, the caring warmth of our beloveds, the roller coaster rides on which our souls journeyed and collected memories throughout our lifetimes.

Whatever is remembered in our experience is a milestone marker in our lives.  Let these milestones be abundant that we have much to remember at the end of our days and know how loved we are.

About Gina Alzate

Gina Alzate is The Concept Whiz. She is Holistic Life Designs’ Metaphysical Therapy Educator. She is Host of several online radio talk shows and Broadcaster for World Radio 365. She is a lifelong student of Leadership and Empowerment, World Travels and Diverse Cultures, Metaphysics, Holistic Health and Spirituality. She teaches about human consciousness and personal awareness through radio broadcasting, writing and workshops on land and at sea. Contact her through World Tours and Cruises. Follow her on Twitter @GinaAlzate.

By Gina Alzate, The Concept Whiz

My friend, Joan Branch, and co-host of our new Blogtalkradio online talk radio show, Journey with Gina and Discover the World, has had her share of rites of passage among her family members and friends just this month alone, with one of her son’s wedding as the milestone marker of the month.

Weddings are milestone markers for many of us.  To some they signify beginnings, to some endings.  Some feel endless joy, some feel dread.  It all depends on the meaning we give it.  Some were heavily involved in organizing it, some just showed up to the wedding site or the reception.  Some take it further and envision new futures with the Divine Union of Souls, some see it as mergers of assets and ambitions.  Some find it as a reminder of traditions and affiliations, some see it as a legal requirement.  Some feel it as natural progression of their love and romance, some think of it as a matter of convenience.  Whatever the range of meanings weddings bring to mind, they are in the experiences of the beholders and mark their own path to spiritual growth.  These meanings are their milestone markers.

About Gina Alzate

Gina Alzate is The Concept Whiz. She is Holistic Life Designs’ Metaphysical Therapy Educator. She is Host of several online radio talk shows and Broadcaster for World Radio 365. She is a lifelong student of Leadership and Empowerment, World Travels and Diverse Cultures, Metaphysics, Holistic Health and Spirituality. She teaches about human consciousness and personal awareness through radio broadcasting, writing and workshops on land and at sea. Contact her through World Tours and Cruises. Follow her on Twitter @GinaAlzate.

Two of my online talk radio shows are hosted on BlogTalkRadio.  Holistic Life Designs with Gina Alzate discusses matters on holistic, metaphysical, spiritual and practical issues we encounter in our daily living.  Journey with Gina and Discover the World discusses world travel, diverse cultures and inner journeys of the soul.  BlogTalkRadio is social networking with an online talk radio component.  It is user-friendly and fun.  The listeners have the options to join the live chat room and comment on what is being discussed on the air and/or just have fun meeting new friends in the chat room.  After a few shows, one becomes familiar with one another who often visit the chat rooms.  The listeners have the chance to call-in on the show, speak with the host and guest, and still maintain chat time.  BlogTalkRadio is truly a highly interactive platform for social networking.

- Gina Alzate of Holistic Life Designs

By Gina Alzate, The Concept Whiz

Do we really know how much time we have on Earth to fulfill our life purpose?  I wonder at times whether or not I am living my life purpose.  How do I know?  What reference points do I have especially if I am treading on new paths?

The other day a new friend, who was a Philadelphia police officer, got involved in a high speed car chase and the other car smashed right into the passenger side where she was seated.  She was pronounced dead soon after at the hospital and the news of her death reached my phone hours later.

Her death came to me as a shocker.  She was younger than I am, so full of light and spunk, and we were both single mothers.  I really liked her.  She was fun and blunt.  She had a good heart but will not think twice to put any of us in our place.  We bonded the first time I met her.  We shared stories one would tell strangers, and our stories evolved to be more personal as time went by.

What does one say when such news arrive suddenly?  Death comes to us all, yet somehow we lose focus on what truly matters and we forget that at any one point in time, death comes for us too.  My new friend’s death served to remind me not to take life for granted, but to get my priorities in order and to make sure all my personal affairs are taken cared of as I make things right with others and with myself.  I am saddened by not being able to be with her again, to have fun with her on those Friday Girls’ Night Out to go salsa dancing, to hear her stories about finally finding real love and the heart-wrenching journey she took to take back her own personal power.  We will definitely miss her.

Death is definitely a milestone marker, for the one who passed and the ones who are left behind.

About Gina Alzate

Gina Alzate is The Concept Whiz. She is Holistic Life Designs’ Metaphysical Therapy Educator. She is Host of several online radio talk shows and Broadcaster for World Radio 365. She is a lifelong student of Leadership and Empowerment, World Travels and Diverse Cultures, Metaphysics, Holistic Health and Spirituality. She teaches about human consciousness and personal awareness through radio broadcasting, writing and workshops on land and at sea. Contact her through World Tours and Cruises. Follow her on Twitter @GinaAlzate.

By Gina Alzate, The Concept Whiz

How well do you remember your days? What makes me ask you this question is the idea of celebrations as milestone markers of days we wish to remember.

Just the other day, one of my sisters turned 40. To me closing a decade and beginning a new one is a milestone marker. So, I celebrate them in a grand way. I tend to travel to far away places and meet new people, creating beautiful memories to remember time and time again when life gives me moments of sadness. When I asked what she decided to do to celebrate her big day, she nonchalantly told me she just went to work. I then wondered how often we take for granted our reasons to celebrate life. My sister just completed a decade of roller coaster rides, where she experienced tremendous soul growth. It may not seem to her now, but as an outsider looking in, I saw how far she traveled. She has gone through so much upheaval in her life, with tides of change coming to her left and right without letting up, and she came through it. So, when it was time to say goodbye to those long years of struggle, having a birthday to mark that decade turned out to be just another day.

At what point in time do we stop celebrating our achievements, our triumphs, our accomplishments? Have we become so jaded from our challenges that we do not recognize when the sun finally shines upon us? But then again, I am looking at my sister’s circumstances from my point of view, that perhaps she does celebrate her milestone markers and prefers to go through life one day at a time, no highs or lows, but just to be.

About Gina Alzate

Gina Alzate is The Concept Whiz. She is Holistic Life Designs’ Metaphysical Therapy Educator. She is Host of several online radio talk shows and Broadcaster for World Radio 365. She is a lifelong student of Leadership and Empowerment, World Travels and Diverse Cultures, Metaphysics, Holistic Health and Spirituality. She teaches about human consciousness and personal awareness through radio broadcasting, writing and workshops on land and at sea. Contact her through World Tours and Cruises. Follow her on Twitter @GinaAlzate.