SimplyNumbers

Discovering A Life That Matters

Your Destiny Number can guide you toward living a life that really matters to you. As a tool to understand your life experiences, your Destiny Number describes ways in which you can best live in order to live up to your fullest potential. We all have life changing experiences we will pass through. Your own experiences will help to shape the person you will become.

The Destiny number describes those situations, actions and decisions you really are compelled to choose for growth in your life. It's about following your heart and believing in your inner dreams.

At first, others may more clearly see which decisions are best for you. Consider their wisdom carefully. However, the decision on how you want live your life is always up to you. But, sometimes those close to us can easily identify strengths within us, which we cannot yet see. Your choices and possibilities are limitless. Know that the knowledge that comes from living up to your Destiny Number can be vital toward pursuing your personal growth.

In Numerology, we use a letter chart to convert our names to a corresponding number. To Calculate your Destiny Number you will simply add up all of the letters in your birth name (or a nickname if you choose). The resulting number is then reduced to a single digit, by adding together its own numbers:

A, J, S = 1
B, K, T = 2
C, L, U = 3
D, M, V = 4
E, N, W = 5
F, O, X = 6
G, P, Y = 7
H, Q, Z = 8
I, R = 9

Example:
Paris Hilton : 7 + 1 + 9 + 9 + 1 + 8 + 9 + 3 + 2 + 6 + 5 = 60
(6 + 0) = 6

Now, if you also had a Destiny Number 6 like Paris, you would try to keep in mind how your time spent working or just having fun helps to make you feel more confident. For someone with a Destiny Number 6 this might be finding ways to help others connect and find joy in their own lives. When you are younger this might be through volunteer work with a group of close friends. Later in life you may feel compelled to be part a strong part of your community by contributing your time to local schools, hospitals or other community organizations.

Destiny Numbers - Brief Descriptions
Destiny 1:
You'll feel confident when you are: Being inventive or creative, Guiding, Leading, Challenging others
You'll feel challenged when you are: Giving up, Over confident, Domineering, Controlling, Hiding

Destiny 2:
You'll feel confident when you are: Compassionate, Caring, Honest, Receptive, Social, Giving
You'll feel challenged when you are: Feeling isolated, Cut off, Being manipulative, Wavering, Depressed, Chaotic

Destiny 3:
You'll feel confident when you are: Social, Optimistic, Creative, Gregarious, Fun, Caring, Worldly
You'll feel challenged when you are: Domineering, Gossipy, Bragging, Controlling, Manipulative

Destiny 4:
You'll feel confident when you are: Persistent, Loyal, Dependable, Controlled, Determined, Practical
You'll feel challenged when you are: Angry, Heated, Domineering, Fear based, Resistant, Moody, Closed

Destiny 5:
You'll feel confident when you are: Exploring, Curious, Inventive, Discovering, Traveling, Finding your voice
You'll feel challenged when you are: Greedy, Frugal, Coveting, Feeling Stressed, Temperamental, Bored, Uncaring

Destiny 6:
You'll feel confident when you are: Warm, Hospitable, Caring, Parenting, Helping, Concerned
You'll feel challenged when you are: Selfish, Uncaring, Pessimistic, Closed, Mean, Angry, Cold

Destiny 7:
You'll feel confident when you are: Utilizing your intuition, Living Spiritually, Honest, Caring, Having faith
You'll feel challenged when you are: Isolated, Dogmatic, Isolated, Apathetic, Closed, Lost, Angry

Destiny 8:
You'll feel confident when you are: Expressing your authority, persistent, courageous, honest, dedicated
You'll feel challenged when you are: Domineering, Greedy, Manipulative, Dishonest, Disloyal

Destiny 9:
You'll feel confident when you are: Sympathetic, Compassionate, Inspiring, Caring, Determined
You'll feel challenged when you are: Critical, Angry, Manipulative, Bitter, Compulsive

Science Daily: When Self-Esteem Is Threatened, People Pay With Credit Cards

ScienceDaily -People shop for high status items when they're feeling low, and they're more likely to make those expensive purchases on credit, according to a study in the current Social Psychological and Personality Science.

The Situation Room

By now you've seen this situation room photo of President Obama watching live as Navy Seals infiltrated into the compound where Osama Bin Laden was secretly living. The grim reality stands out on the faces of all present. It speaks to the difficulties that many of these people face on a regular basis, and makes them all seem more human and accountable.

However, I'd like to look at the image from a compassionate, symbolic, deeper and more intimate perspective, outside of the political world. For some people viewing the photo in this way may be difficult. Looking at any image from a symbolic point of view isn't about the outside world, rather it's about looking within. If you can consciously reflect on the photo, outside of the political realm, it might begin to help you to catch a glimpse of something within yourself that is normally hidden, unseen or ignored. This photo has the potential to help you to look into your own shadow as it is connected for many of us with painful events, especially September 11th.

I'm not trying to be insensitive to anyone's pain or grief. It's the opposite. I believe that this photo has the potential for us to deeply connect and work with your difficult emotions, memories and fears, as well as compassion and centered-ness. By connecting with the shadow aspect of the photo, you may be able to begin to heal trauma and let go of certain fears which may be restricting or limiting you. The results can be dramatic, although the process may be hard at first.

I do feel that the photo has much to say about the world today. How do you feel? For me, the photo connects with helplessness. I remember the helpless feeling in the pit of my stomach as I watched the planes crash into the buildings. As I look at the photo this feeling comes up. I also recognize that this feeling, although not necessarily as powerful, comes up when I'm feeling stressed or doubtful.

I feel that the photo also speaks to the connectedness and closeness of the world today. For me personally, the photo speaks volumes about a need for compassion. Working with it, I came to the realization that I'm not helpless and my actions, or inaction, can have far reaching impact. I matter. What I do matters. I recognize that having compassion for my feeling, and not simply dismissing it, and believing in myself can be a way to step past some of the helpless feelings when they arise.

Of course, these feelings won't just go away forever. We're human and we have feelings. Other situations could trigger a feeling of helplessness for me, but coming back to compassion and being willing to recognize the feeling can help to alleviate it, instead of pushing it away or ignoring it. Whatever you learn about yourself will probably be part of an ongoing process of insights, realizations and acceptance. It's not an easy or fast process and it may take some time to recognize, accept and move through your feelings and emotions. With acceptance comes new choices and possibilities.

Symbolically, for me, this image allows me to more deeply connect with helplessness, which helps me to recognize that I have value and my presence is important. For you, the photo may connect you to something entirely different. Recognize whatever it is that comes up for you, and be willing to look for a way to process, accept and finally release it. It might be that you recognize your own humanity, and that you begin to take your relationships more seriously. Whatever unfolds for you, allow it to have meaning for your life and be willing to take action that can help you step past restrictions or limits, and bring greater connection and vibrancy to your life.

Facebook poll: Royal Wedding

Did the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middelton bring up any long forgotten emotions or memories for you? Take our facebook poll or leave a comment on how the events may have stirred something deep within your soul.

Understanding numbers that reappear in your life

Understanding the meaning of reappearing numbers, such as 111, 444, 11:11 or 12:34, in your life can seem a little bit frustrating. However, just as I recommend that you at least learn the basics of dream interpretation, I recommend that you find a way to "intuitively understand" these numbers for yourself. Nobody can tell you what they mean for your life. You need to discover their meaning for yourself. Understanding their message doesn’t have to be difficult, and it can be fun.

Ancient Shamans would interpret the meaning of the animals that appeared in their visions. They used their visions to lead their tribes to safety and to find medicine, water and food. Today, many people try to work with imagery from their dreams in order to make changes and bring clarity, health and greater joy into their lives. Perhaps, like the images in a dream or the symbols from a Shamanic vision, you might consider your numbers to be important guidance searching for you. What message do they carry? What wisdom do they have to offer? What empowering actions might they be connected to? If you're willing to be curious, you can be able to answer these questions.

Authors that write about spirit, angels or healing might say that these numbers are indeed from spirit. Psychologists might say that they are connected to the collective unconscious. The methods and wisdom that these groups utilize does have importance. But, their guidance may not directly help you to develop a more intimate understanding of your numbers in a way that is truly personal and empowering.

For me, the real goal is to understand what your numbers mean for you. For someone else, these numbers may have a totally different meaning. Your mission is to find a way to work with the potential that the numbers represent. But, you first need to understand their meaning for your life. How can you begin to connect with and understand your numbers, so that you can work with them to empower yourself? As I mentioned above, you can begin to develop a curiosity about the guidance your numbers may be carrying. When you notice a number, you might ask:

• "What do you have to offer me?"
• "What is your guidance?"
• “What have I forgotten about?”
• “How can I allow myself to deepen?”

-- Or, something more offbeat (these are still for your numbers) --

• “Where are you in my life?”
• “Who are you in my life?”
• “What kind of music do you like?”
• “Where do you like to spend your time?”
• "What questions should I be asking?"

Wait for your answer and record any images, thoughts, feelings or ideas that come up. Be calm and patient, as it may take some time for your answer to come to you. Try to not make the process overly serious, and be open to having fun with this. Ultimately, you’re trying to find a way to work with your numbers in ways that are encouraging and empowering.

Keep a log, and track your questions, sightings and answers. Over time you may notice a common thread to your answers. When you begin to notice this common thread, you will have a course of action that you can take. For instance, you might notice that your answers tend to relate to a particular emotion or feeling. You might then begin to look more deeply at these emotions in your life, to see how you typically express or react to them. Don’t be afraid to explore, as your discoveries could be part of a much larger process that you're helping to unfold.

Another step that you might take is to use your numbers as a page or chapter reference to a book you’ve read. Open the book up to page 111, or chapter 11 page 1, and simply be open to the guidance that is there. You can even use it to help further answer the questions above. I am currently reading a book on ideas about growing a business. I open it to page 111 and find guidance about being a volunteer, so that you can become better known in your community. It's a good idea and generally helpful. Of course some, guidance might not be so immediately clear.

The same advice can work for a film clip, music video, song or movie as well. For instance, you could forward a movie to 1:11 or to 11:11.

I streamed “Mars Attacks!” and forwarded it to 11:11 and Jack Nicholson, playing the President, says: “We are entering the dawn of a new era.” Wow, that message is fairly powerful. Now, I could sit silently and let this message sink in. I could also record how that makes me feel. In the moment, it makes me feel hopeful and ready to take on the world.

Next, I streamed “Shutter Island” and forwarded it to 11:11. In the movie, they were talking about a woman who had escaped the night before. Now, escape can mean freedom, or it could mean letting go of a responsibility. The interpretation is up to you. You might return again and again to this movie to develop a deeper understanding of the message. You might use it a part of a “mosaic” of movies, where you watch certain sections of various movies to develop your understanding of your numbers. Also, you might never watch the movies that I or others might choose.

The movies, books or music that you do pick are part of the fabric of who you are. Think of your questions, movies and books as doorways and your numbers as symbolic keys, which can unlock the deeper mystery of your life. What will you find? What are you expecting? This process might seem strange at first, but you can have fun with it as you begin to see whether the “advice” that your numbers brings in, actually matches or blends with the “answers” that you’ve recorded.

If you're willing to dig even deeper then you might look to the Sutras, Torah, Koran, Bible or other sacred text and reference the appropriate sections within them. If you’re already in a study of one of these texts, then this may have a deeper significance for you.

Allow yourself the time to fully delve into a deeper exploration of your numbers. Don’t give up. Find a process that works for you. At first, understanding and interpreting your numbers might seem a bit daunting. But, with time, patience and dedication, you will eventually see that the guidance that you’re receiving is helping to shape your life in new, vibrant and exciting ways.

Combining Buddhist teachings and modern neuroscience

"One way to practice mindfulness meditation and pay attention to present-moment experiences is to label your emotions by saying, for example, ‘I’m feeling angry right now’ or ‘I’m feeling a lot of stress right now’ or ‘this is joy’ or whatever the emotion is." ~ David Creswell, UCLA research scientist/Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior

In their anger research, scientists David Creswell and Matthew D. Lieberman have found that we can reduce the reactions that occur within the brain in the amygdala (which creates a fear response) simply by putting our feelings into words. When you put your feelings into words, it seems to slow down or "put the brakes on" for the intense emotional responses that you might normally feel, without labeling and identifying your feelings.

“This is such an exciting study because it brings together the Buddha’s teachings — more than 2,500 years ago, he talked about the benefits of labeling your experience — with modern neuroscience. Now, for the first time since those teachings, we have shown there is actually a neurological reason for doing mindfulness meditation. Our findings are consistent with what mindfulness meditation teachers have taught for thousands of years.” ~ David Creswell

Rejection shown to have physical impact

According to new research reported on at Science Daily, social rejection upsets your heart. When you feel rejected, your heart rate drops for a brief time.

Researchers, Bregtje Gunther Moor, Eveline A. Crone, and Maurits W. van der Molen of the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University in the Netherlands were interested in discovering the ways in which social pain can actually affect you on a physical level. 

In the study individual participants were shown photos of unknown people who had rated whether or not they liked the participants, based on the participants own photos. Surprisingly, the participants heart rates fell in anticipation before they found out how they were rated by others.

"Unexpected social rejection could literally feel 'heartbreaking,' as reflected by a transient slowing of heart rate," conclude the researchers in their report.

New study finds new connection between yoga and mood.

Music could help treat emotional and physical pain

“The impact of a piece of music on a person goes so much further than thinking that a fast tempo can lift a mood and a slow one can bring it down. Music expresses emotion as a result of many factors." ~ Dr. Don Knox, Glasgow University

Exciting and interesting new music research about the ways in which music conveys emotion could help with the treatment of various types of emotional or physical pain. A team, lead by Dr. Knox, has already carried out a detailed audio analysis of various pieces of music, with a panel of volunteers, who helped to identify the emotionality of the music. The goal of the research is to develop a formula that will be able to explain the full emotionality of music, and how emotion is communicated through the music.

You can read more about their work at TheNakedScientists. Host, Sarah Castor-Perry talked with the researchers involved with the music research to find out more

Exploring the love drug, joy and sex

Valerie Frankel, of Oprah.com, has posted an article titled ‘Exploring the love drug, joy and sex’. It’s primarily about understanding and enjoying the initial feelings that come with falling in love. It seems like we’ll need these emotions and feelings forever. The author talks about how she feels she is limerent, which is describes an involuntary state, cognitive or emotional, of deeply intense romantic desire for someone else.

Ms. Frankel interviews Dorothy Tennov, Ph.D and Helen Fischer Ph.D on the subject of limerence and love. They both feel that the feeling of limerence will last between 2 to 3 years, but they also state that it can last for longer periods of time. The experts discuss how relationships flow into different stages in which our feelings change and fluctuate. And, Fischer says, "My point is that relationships can be fluid. You can flow from one stage to another if you're able to put energy and attention into the relationship," she says.

Indeed, I can see in my own relationships that limerence can be part of a give-and-take within the relationship. Usually, as I get to know a woman it is a powerful initial feeling, especially when I was younger. But, I feel that a solid, healthy and growing relationship trades its limerent feelings for more fully developed relationship bonds. It’s about knowing and fully honoring the other person, and owning and taking responsibility for the shadow traits and characteristics that you have placed on that person.

The more you can truly honor the other person for who he or she really is, then the more you can develop a real and lasting relationship with them. Working with a tool like the Enneagram can be of great benefit here, because it helps us to understand the motivations behind our desires and actions. Other relationship tools, like Relationship Discussion groups, can serve as important guides in your relationships as well.