I've been busy! With internal changes, more than on the outside...

There is no coincidence that it was my birthday this month, and as in the past few years it marks a new stage of my life.

I can feel it. I can realize how I'm looking at life differently, and how that is affecting all I do, bringing about changes in many different areas. I'm thrilled - the changes are not always the smoothest, but I love seeing how the onion always has one more layer to peel off ;-)

I have also felt the urge to go back to my music and my art - and I have composed a little dance soundtrack and an art piece with watercolours. Actually, I first painted something with watercolours, and then cut it up in equal pieces and pasted it all back together randomly - so the "real" art piece is the final result, which I like more than the initial painting.

I'm looking forward to the next coming months of my life - they feel very exciting!

This funky web site presents a similarly funky initiative: The Plastiki Expedition - sailing in a boat made of 12.000 plastic bottles.

The Expedition has the goal of spreading the message of how it's possible to be more environmentally friendly, among other things.

Visit the web site for The Plastiki Expedition and check the pictures - this is just such a cool idea.

You may have been feeling lately that you're being pushed towards the edge - in your relationships, your work, or whatever else. You may have experienced sudden changes, whether smooth or rocky, which are leading you to a newer version of you.

You can choose to keep on living in the smaller version of you, or step up to live in the larger version of you which you already own. This newer version of you is like a very good coat you have but that you've never worn: it's there, just waiting for you to use it.

But why then don't we step up happily to wear our new coat, to be a larger version of ourselves?

I believe it's because of fear: it's easier to deal with something bad we already know than with something we don't know, even if it's good - because we keep our attention fixed in the uncertainty.

I believe we also have fear of our own greatness: What happens if we step up and dare to be ourselves, but we cannot keep it up? Will we disappoint ourselves and others?

Because of these fears we don't act following the voice inside that tells us what to do at each moment and at important points of our lives. Its advice doesn't look compatible with the reality around us or with who we think we are.

But you can always choose.

It may feel risky. It may feel lonely. It may feel a very unpleasant scenario.

It's not so. Magic happens when you choose to step in to your own shoes - the whole universe conspires to help you.

It only looked scary to take that small step. It wasn't, actually. Later on you'd wonder why it took you so long to take the step.

You know which step I'm talking about. Take it. I'm taking mine. Let's live a newer, larger version of ourselves. Let's dare ;-)

Every month I receive emails from readers - some of them contain questions or comments, and some of them are contributions, such as a positive story, an article or a tip.

This month Munawara, from Pakistan, shared this positive story:

"My closest friend,

I know you for as long as I can recall and today I am taking the liberty of writing this letter to you as I hope it will bring happiness and ease for both of us.

My friend, in my view, you are not responding to the world around you but to the images in your brain. You project those images on the people and situations around you and start fighting with them. Sadly, you are a prisoner of your own mind. You are fighting with the projections of the ghosts in your brain and that's why your fight never ends, you always have enemies and you always have painful situations in your experience. And trust me my friend, you are not alone, unfortunately, many of us do this but to a variable extent.

Perhaps, going into your mind, meeting those ghosts, sitting with them, listening to them, loving them and then making peace with them can change all the reality for you. You would be able to see colors and beauty, flowers and sky, peace and contentment which is every where, every where.

With lots and lots of love,

Your sincere friend."

You can read this positive story on its page at "A letter from me to myself".

Thanks, Munawara! :-)

Before we dive in to this month's recommendation: you will remember that in the previous newsletter I announced the contest "How To Live The Life Of Your Dreams" - a free copy of this revealing ebook was the prize.

Maria, from UK, won the contest - thanks, Maria, for such a good entry!

You can read the review of "How To Live The Life Of Your Dreams" here or buy your own copy here.

Now, my June recommendation for you is a poem by Stephen M Nash, from SelfHelpCollective.com. Not only inspiring, this poem is enlightening and freeing... enjoy!

I believe that being grateful for something is one of the most powerful tools to feel better immediately. Here are the two thanking bits of the month:

Thankful for... home-grown spinach! This is the first year I'm growing spinach and we've already started eating them - and they're much more tasty than the supermarket ones. I feel a new sense of appreciation for the food I eat, as I can see how long it takes for a simple leave to grow!

Thankful for... incense. I have a special incense burner, with its charcoal and everything, and gorgeous incense which is only sold around the Cathedral in Seville. I love it - the blend of myrrh, orange blossom, rosemary... just awesome.

What are you thankful for? Send me an email through the Contact Me form and let me know!

Thank you for reading this issue of Dare To Play It Big, the free positive thinking newsletter of The Benefits Of Positive Thinking.

Care to send me your thoughts about this issue's topics? Email me and let me know!

If you enjoyed this newsletter, please pass it along to your friends, family and colleagues, or send them to the Dare To Play It Big sign up page. I thank you in advance.

Stay well,

Cristina