James Bowie: Humanitarian Award Recipient!

I am pleased to announce our newest recipient of the Sage Institute's Humanitarian Award.  James Bowie has worked tirelessly to make this world a better place, one person at a time.  Through his amazing efforts with Hull Homeless Outreach, a nonprofit organization in Kingston Upon Hull in the United Kingdom, James has been able to transform lives and make true, lasting change.

He founded this organization in 2013, and has been helping to provide the homeless with a voice ever since.  Together, with those who have volunteered their time and effort, James has been able to empower others to be their very best.  Jame's Bowie's organization does not turn away anyone who is in need of their services; the mission statement of this great charity includes the words, "to believe and make others believe in sharing, caring, and helping those in need."

If any of my readers are seeking more information about this great organization, check out Hull Homeless Outreach's Facebook page to learn more about how to get involved.  You can also have a look at their website, which has links to GoFundMe and explains other ways to help.

We are proud to present James Bowie with this award.  People like James make the world a better place by not just helping others, but by inspiring others to do so as well.  Thank you, James and Hull Homeless Outreach, for everything that you do!

What Sign Is Pluto In Now?

Currently, Pluto is in the sign of Capricorn, where it will stay until the year 2024.

What this means is that, generationally, there is a struggle with power and authority.  During this time, many people will be trying to reclaim control of their lives, and of the environment around them.  You'll see this manifest in ways such as society's renewed interest in trying to make less waste, being more self-sufficient, living "off the grid," growing their own food, making their own stuff, homeschooling, simplifying and streamlining what was previously quite complicated and complex.

During this time, it is very important for people to realize what they have control over, and attempt to change it.  Fine-tuning that which we have power over can make a world of difference in our lives.  Conversely, it's also vital that we realize what's bigger than we are -- what we cannot control -- and learn to make peace with those things as we tweak the areas of our life that we can control.

Capricorn rules over money, authority, and yes, greed.  Therefore, we are likely to see the falls and failings of the rich and powerful during this time.  People who have shown greed and dishonesty are likely to get a come-uppance at the hands of this astrological sign.  Additionally, corrupt authority has a chance to be exposed, shocking and appalling the public.  Again, this is karmic in nature as Pluto exposes the dirty backroom dealings that have controlled too much, or steered certain situations in ways that they should not have been.  Finally these dealings will be exposed for all to see.

Pluto's position in Capricorn might feel stifling or cold, but in fact, this is a very healing and therapeutic astrological time period.  Take heart!  Pluto's journey here seeks to destroy what feels restrictive and unnecessary, and instead paves the way for something new -- it knocks down existing structures, giving us space to rebuild what will serve us better.  Pluto will expose the truth, unpleasant as it may seem, and help us learn from what is, so that we can determine the best way to shape what's to come.

Affirmation Definition: What Are Affirmations, And How Can We Use Them?

The term “affirmation” can sound so magical, so esoteric.  Is it an incantation?  A chant?  A mantra?  I suppose if that’s what you want it to be, it can be.  However, it needn’t be shrouded in such mystery.  In the simplest of terms, an affirmation is a simple phrase, sentence, a prayer, or even just a word that you can think or speak out loud in order to gain personal power.  As its name implies, an affirmation affirms — it makes things happen, turns a neutral or negative thought or feeling into something more positive.

Affirmations, while simple, can have an immense amount of power!  They can transform your relationship with yourself, and with others.  They can enable you to view the world differently.  Affirmations can aid in comforting you during times of fear or distress, and can even help you to attract positive people and situations in your life.  In short, affirmation power can open up your entire being, and make you, yourself, become a wellspring of positivity for yourself — and source of positive energy for the universe through which to work its wonders.

The best part about affirmations is that anyone can use them — instantly!  They are free, they are fast, and they require nothing more than faith and conviction.  There are many places to find affirmations online, but you can also create your own as well, to fit whatever situation you need.

Remember that words have power.  Thoughts create action.  Affirmations can bridge the gap between thought and deed, in order to empower you to be your very best self so that you may improve your own life.  They can help you see new opportunities where none existed before.  They can open your heart and soul to new experiences, so that you can enjoy all that life has to offer.  They can also uplift you, comfort you, and enable you to heal yourself spiritually — so that you can continue to be your very best.

Humanitarian Award: TechFromVets.Com

ConsultTheSage.com is so very proud to bestow our latest Sage Institute Humanitarian Award to our friends at TechFromVets.com, an organization that is making the world better for our soldiers as well as the rest of the world.

This amazing organization is more than just your average technology company. It is owned and operated by military veterans; TechFromVets.com specializes in a number of different types of software development including, apps, websites, and other digital marketing materials. The skills which these veterans learn during their time in the military can translate into productive and proactive civilian duties as well.  Not only are these soldiers putting their sharp skills to good use to support themselves and their families, they are helping companies in the private sector benefit from their expertise.

Check out www.TechFromVets.com to learn more about this organization’s exciting projects!

Let Life Bloom: Easy Ways to Be Positive Every Day

Have you ever wanted to be more positive?  Of course you have!

I am not talking about those imaginary people who wake up every morning with perfect hair, who sing at the sun and allow birds to fly in and chirp a happy morning tune to begin each day.  Those people only exist in fairy tales!

But we do all have our own "emotional baseline" -- some people tend to be generally happier and more positive than others.  The ups and downs may be affected by situations around us, or even those of our own choosing.  Even though it's not possible -- or healthy -- to be 100% positive during every waking second of our lives, there are ways that we can each manage those emotional baselines in order to become happier and more productive.

Instead of waking up with those chirping birds, try to avoid things that tweet -- including social media -- in that first hour or two of your day.  As an alternative, strive instead for quieter and less distracting ways to wake up in the mornings.  Eat a healthy breakfast, meditate, and get ready for your day on your own terms.  Immediately jumping on your phone, especially diving into social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter -- as much fun as they may be -- can really "harsh your mellow" and put you in a more distracted, more negative frame of mind, even before you've gotten out of bed!  Tend to your own body's needs before picking up that smart phone.

Keeping your work and living spaces free of clutter can also help to keep your mindset positive.  I don't know about the rest of the world, but I can get downright panicky when I lose something.  Life is so much easier when my stuff is organized.  However, I am not always the most organized human being -- in fact, I'm still working on that!  I probably always will be.  But I do know that cutting my clutter has helped me to discover what is most important in my life, and it's also enabled me to find it a little easier.  When you minimize, you can prioritize, which can in turn make the pacing of your life slower, easier, happier.

Spending time around children and animals can help too.  See the world through the lens of someone a bit simpler than you.  Kids are naturally imaginative and intuitive, without all of the complications that adults sometimes like to throw into things.  Animals, too.  There is nothing like going on an adventure with your favorite kid, or taking your dog for a walk -- watch how they notice and enjoy all of the little things that we tend to miss!  If you don't have either of these in your life, borrow some from a friend.

Remember to take notice of those little things in life.  Our lives are made up of small moments, and there's lots to love in each one.  Take care of yourself, take care of others, and let others care for you as well!