The Power of a Gratitude Journal

Photo by Arul Irudayam

Written by Raymond Salas

I first heard about keeping a gratitude journal when I bought my mom "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. The concept behind a gratitude journal is simple: Write down five things (or more) that you are grateful for every day. As Ban Breathnach explains, “If you give thanks for five gifts every day, in two months you may not look at your life in the same way as you might now.” From my own experience with this, I do agree with her.


The Power of a Gratitude Journal

After first hearing about keeping a gratitude journal, I decided to give it a try. I bought a journal and wrote down my entries every day. I continued this daily practice for over two years. It was a very transformative experience for me. It felt really good and satisfying to end my day in this way every day.

How powerful is gratitude?

“Every time you appreciate something, every time you praise something, every time you feel good about something, you are telling the Universe: ‘More of this, please.’ You need never make another verbal statement of this intent, and if you are mostly in a state of appreciation, all good things will flow to you.” - Abraham-Hicks

How to Start a Gratitude Journal

If you are interested in starting a gratitude journal, here are my suggestions (taken from my article "The Secrets of My Success"):

"Upon awakening every morning, make the decision to look for things to appreciate that day. There is always something to appreciate and be grateful for. Give thanks for the day, your family, your life, and your blessings, whatever they may be. Start small and watch your gratitude list grow. Later, at bedtime, before drifting off to sleep, acknowledge at least five things from that day that you were grateful for. Do this every day. It’s easy and only takes a couple of minutes to complete. If you feel inspired further, you can even write these five things down each night in your own, private 'gratitude journal.' What will eventually happen is that you will have more and more to be grateful for in all areas of your life."

And now...the "million dollar question":

What are you grateful for?

The Best "Law of Attraction" Movies

Written by Raymond Salas

As it turns out, I didn’t have to go to the Himalayas, study with a guru, or even read a book to discover some powerful keys to the Universe. I simply took a trip down (and online) to my favorite movie rental store and DVD retailer.

Here is what I found:

• The Secret

I must admit that when I first heard about the movie The Secret, I was not in a big hurry to see it. I had already read (devoured actually) Ask and It Is Given and all of the other books from the teachings of Abraham by Esther and Jerry Hicks. I felt like not only was all of this material a great introduction and presentation of the all-powerful universal Law of Attraction, but I was already using many of the suggested processes and tools. And, even though Esther Hicks is actually featured in "The Secret," I figured that I didn’t need to see it.

The irony of course is that the Universe brought "The Secret" to me when I least suspected it (and was open to the idea). One day, I was purchasing a book at my favorite bookstore "The Bodhi Tree" and right there behind the counter was copies for sale of (you guessed it) "The Secret." Previously, I thought that you could only see or buy it online. As I stared at the stack of DVDs next to the cashier, I didn’t even hesitate for a moment to purchase a copy immediately. It just felt right.

After watching it for the first time, I knew exactly why I had bought it. The documentary presents the powerful Law of Attraction, which is the real secret to creating everything we desire in our lives, from the perspectives of the world’s leading scientists, authors, and philosophers.

As the producers of "The Secret" explain:

“ 'The Secret' reveals how to apply this powerful knowledge (about the Law of Attraction) to your life in every area from health to wealth, to success and relationships. "The Secret" is everything you have dreamed of... and is beyond your wildest dreams.”

If you have not seen "The Secret" yet, I highly recommend it. You can check it out here.


My reminders from “The Secret”:

No matter what it is, if you really want it, and if you get out of the way of it, it will happen. It must be. It is Law. It can be no other way. It’s the way this Universe is established. If you want it and you relax, it will happen. *

If you have the ability to desire it, the Universe has the ability to deliver it. You’ve just got to line up with what you want, which means—be as happy as you can be as often as you can be there, and let everything else take care of itself. *

• Don Juan DeMarco

In Don Juan DeMarco, starring Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, and Faye Dunaway, Depp plays a character who really believes that he is Don Juan, the greatest lover in the world. Psychiatrists and others try to convince him that he is not. Eventually, his psychiatrist (played by Brando), as well as many of the women he encounters; come to believe that he really is Don Juan.


My reminders from “Don Juan DeMarco”:

Anything that you will some day live, you have first imagined. Because nothing will manifest in your experience without the imagination process happening first. *

Get so fixated on what you want, that you drown out any vibration or reverberation that has anything to do with what you do not want. *


If you are interested in "Don Juan DeMarco," you can check it out here.

• Groundhog Day

In Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, Murray plays a weatherman who gets caught up in a personal time warp. No matter what actions he takes, he always wakes up the next morning in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day over…and over…and over again. After a while, he begins to change his focus and make different choices for his life causing everything around him to literally transform and eventually manifest his heart’s biggest desire.


My reminders from “Groundhog Day”:

Enlightenment means literally aligning to the Energy of my Source. And genius is only about focusing. Law of Attraction takes care of everything else. Physical humans often want to make enlightenment about finding some process and moving through the process that has been pre-described. But true enlightenment is moving to the rhythm of the internal inspiration that is coming in response to the individual desire. Enlightenment is about allowing my Connection to the Source that is me for the fulfillment of the things that I have individually defined here in my time-space-reality. *


If you are interested in "Groundhog Day," you can check it out here.

• Mr. Destiny

In Mr. Destiny, starring James Belushi and Michael Caine, Belushi plays a junior executive who always wished that his life would have turned out differently. One day, he encounters a mysterious stranger (played by Michael Caine), who gives him everything that he ever wished for – beautiful wife, enormous mansion, sports cars, wealth, etc. All of his wildest dreams come true. However, he soon realizes that he has now created a different reality and cannot go back to the things he loved in his previous one.


My reminders from “Mr. Destiny”:

No one is taking score of any kind, and if you will stop taking score so much, you will feel a whole lot better — and as you feel a whole lot better, more of the things that you want right now will flow to you. You will never be in a place where all of the things that you are wanting will be satisfied right now, or then you could be complete — and you never can be. This incomplete place that you stand is the best place that you could be. You are right on track, right on schedule. Everything is unfolding perfectly. All is really well. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun! *

All the resources you will ever want or need are at your fingertips. All you have to do is identify what you want to do with it, and then practice the feeling-place of what it will feel like when that happens. There is nothing you cannot be or do or have. *


If you are interested in "Mr. Destiny," you can check it out here.

• Miracle on 34th Street

In the Christmas classic, "Miracle on 34th Street," starring Maureen O’Hara and John Payne, O’Hara’s character hires a man to be the Macy’s department store Santa Claus. He says that his name is Kris Kringle and soon fills everyone he encounters with the holiday spirit. Despite all of this, Kris is declared to be insane and put on trial where everyone must help determine if they actually believe that he really is Santa Claus.


My reminders from “Miracle on 34th Street”:

Achieve, first, the vibrational essence of your desire—and then, through the crack of least resistance the manifestation will be delivered… work on the essence of the feeling of freedom; work on the essence of the feeling of empowerment—work on the essence of the feeling of Well-Being… And how do you do that? You can imagine it already having happened and pretend what it will feel like when it is that way. *


If you are interested in "Miracle on 34th Street," you can check it out here.


* All of my reminders for each movie above are taken from quotes by Abraham-Hicks.

The Healing Power of Animals

Photo by Mike Lewinski

Written by Raymond Salas

I remember buying a deck of Medicine Cards a few years ago. For those of you who are not familiar with them, Medicine Cards are a divination tool, based on Native American wisdom and tradition revealing the healing “medicine” of specific animals and creatures. Since their creation, Medicine Cards have been used by millions for guidance, inspiration, and answers to their life’s questions.

I no longer have my Medicine Cards, but one of the concepts that stuck with me to this day was to always pay attention when certain animals begin to consistently show up in my life, whether in a dream, photograph, or just seeing one (or more) of them cross my path in some way throughout my day.

Native American wisdom teaches that these animals and their “medicine” are showing me something about myself in that particular moment. The Great Spirit (God) is communicating to my consciousness through the animal’s presence and the medicine it represents. The word “medicine” in the context of Native American tradition and custom refers to the healing aspect that a particular animal or creature brings to our awareness and consciousness.


Nature Speaks

Awhile back, I kept noticing dragonflies everywhere (for some reason.) They would fly up to me when I was walking. Sometimes, they would fly up to my car’s window while I was driving. Occasionally, several of them would swirl around me and continue to cross my path in other unusual ways. All of this activity continued for almost a week.

Remembering my Medicine Cards, I decided to do an internet search for the term “Dragonfly medicine” to see what the Universe was trying to tell me with all of this dragonfly invasion business.

Here is the essence of what I found (or what really resonated with me at the time):

• Dragonfly medicine encourages you to accept that anything is possible, any goal is attainable, and reality is yours to create.


• Dragonfly medicine represents the breaking of illusions and the removal of beliefs that tell you that you cannot achieve your desires.


• Dragonfly medicine is the bringer of visions of true power.

For the last several years, I have been seeing hummingbirds everywhere. They have been flying up to my window while I am working. I can see them and hear them singing throughout my day (in varied locations). In one instance, the tree outside of my kitchen window literally filled up with them right before my very eyes. I have never seen anything like this before.

After doing some research on the internet for the term “Hummingbird medicine,” here is what I found:

• Hummingbird medicine says to get ready for a strange new burst of energy which may leave your senses reeling.


• Hummingbird medicine symbolizes a renewal of the magic of living, an opportunity to enjoy the Creator’s many gifts.


• Hummingbird medicine brings love like no other medicine can.

In The Animal Wise Tarot, Ted Andrews adds:

“Hummingbird's appearance signals a time of new nectar within our lives. New joy is manifesting around us and our dreams are closer to be fulfilled. We are entering a period of accomplishment.

Hummingbird's appearance always heralds joy and accomplishment. We will begin to see the attainment of our dreams. Opportunity is manifesting around us and we should grab it heartily. Hummingbird signals a time of blessings and new sunshine. New ventures of success and renewed health are a promise.

The hummingbird is a symbol for accomplishing what seems impossible. The hummingbird helps us to find the miracle of joyful living. A beautiful, magical gift.”

All that I can say is “Wow! Thank you my hummingbird friends!”


Animal Medicine for you

What animals or creatures have been crossing your path lately or showing up in your life in some ways? 

What message is the Great Spirit trying to bring to you and your consciousness at this moment?

My suggestion is to remain open and let Mother Nature speak to you in her many wonderful ways. I know firsthand that the healing power of the messages that animals can bring just may be the medicine right now that your heart, mind, and soul has been searching for.

The Master Cleanser

Photo by Mike Mozart

Written by Raymond Salas

The Master Cleanser (also known as the “lemonade diet”) was introduced to me by a co-worker friend several years ago. He told me that he “did it” at least once every six months. He had learned about it from his uncle who also “did it” regularly.

“What is this Master Cleanser and how do you ‘do it’?” I wondered. After reading The Master Cleanser, I found my answers to these questions and more.

The Master Cleanser or lemonade diet was developed by Stanley Burroughs, a natural healer, originally to treat chronic ulcers. Mr. Burroughs worked with the Master Cleanser for over forty years and also recommended it for these additional uses:

• whenever sickness has developed— for all acute and chronic conditions


• whenever the digestive system needs a rest and a cleansing


• whenever overweight has become a problem


• whenever better assimilation and building of body tissue is needed

The Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet Recipe

The Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet consists of:

• 2 tablespoons lemon (or lime) juice (approx. ½ lemon)


• 2 tablespoons of genuine “grade B” maple syrup (not maple flavored sugar syrup)


• 1/10 teaspoon (just a dash) of cayenne pepper (red pepper) or to taste


• 8 oz water, room temperature

The Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet Instructions

Here are Mr. Burroughs’ instructions and guidelines:

Combine the juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a 10 oz glass jar with lid and fill with the water.

Shake it up and drink. (Cold water may be used if preferred.)

Use fresh (organic) lemons or limes only, never canned lemon (or lime juice) nor frozen lemonade or frozen juice.

Take from six to twelve glasses of the lemonade daily. As you get hungry just have another glass of lemonade. NO OTHER FOOD SHOULD BE TAKEN DURING THE FULL PERIOD OF THE DIET.

Do not use vitamin pills.

Follow the diet for a minimum of 10 days or more (up to 40 days and beyond may be safely followed for extremely serious cases). The diet has all the nutrition needed during this time. Three to four times a year will do wonders for keeping the body in a normal healthy condition. The diet may be undertaken more frequently for serious conditions.


Benefits of the Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet

Mr. Burroughs reported these benefits for the Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet:

• dissolves and eliminates toxins and congestion that have formed in any part of the body


• cleanses the kidneys and the digestive system


• purifies the glands and cells throughout the entire body


• eliminates all unusable waste and hardened material in the joints and muscles


• relieves pressure and irritation in the nerves, arteries, and blood vessels


• builds a healthy blood stream


• keeps youth and elasticity regardless of years

My Experience with the Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet

I have done the Master Cleanser twice. I loved it (and the way that I felt afterwards.) I highly recommend it.

If you decide to try it (after reading the book), I suggest that you start on a day when you can relax and be free of obligations. If you consume caffeine regularly (e.g., coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc.), it might be more beneficial to plan on a two-day “phase in” period.

While doing the Master Cleanser, I enjoyed all of my regular activities, including sports, without issue. In fact, I felt great. My thinking was clear and I was highly energized. I didn’t really have any weight to lose, so I didn’t.

Actually, the hardest part for me was consuming the recommended laxative tea each night and the 32-ounces of warm water mixed with two teaspoons of pure sea salt every morning. The purpose of this evening and morning combination is to remove the toxins from your digestive system and colon and help your overall cleansing along. Let me just say that it works very well. In fact, after consuming the sea salt water every morning, access to a restroom for the first hour after is essential. You will probably visit it several times as your body rids itself of everything unwanted. (Which is a good thing!)

Since completing the Master Cleanser, I have recommended it to family, friends, and co-workers with great success.

The Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet has continued to grow in popularity over the years, including with celebrities such as Beyonce Knowles and Jared Leto.

Robin Quivers from “The Howard Stern Show” learned of it from the magician, David Blaine, who raved about it. She was seeking relief from her 10-year struggle with joint pain and fatigue. She ended up doing it three times for twenty-one days each time. Her pain and fatigue healed and as an added bonus, she lost over 70 pounds in the process!


For more information on the Master Cleanser:

If you are interested in learning more, I would suggest reading the book first before making any decision. It is a very quick read. You can order it here.

Disclaimer: This article is intended as educational information only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The author is not engaged in rendering medical or other professional services. If expert assistance is required, please seek the services of a competent professional. You are 100% responsible for what you do (or don’t do) with it.