The Abundance Experiment, Day 14

Through my consciousness of my God-Self, the Christ within, as my source, I draw into my mind and feeling nature the very substance of Spirit. This substance is my supply, thus my consciousness of the Presence of God within me is my supply. ~ expert from The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price

It's very interesting when I ponder this statement. At first, nothing much was coming up outside of the blah, blah, blah in my head. And then, as I continued to sit with it, two ideas emerged and merged. The first is that we as humans have constructed the word and definition of "enough". Our sentiment, "My cup hath runneth over", is again a representation of our limitations on what is enough. The Universe holds no measuring device for "enough" or "not enough". When I allow myself to sit with this curiosity inside of me, all of my problems and fears seem very, very small. I'm surmising that the secret is to tap into the infinite supply that is within without suppression, without judging what is "enough" or "not enough". When I am able to do that, when WE are able to do that, the possibilities will truly be endless.

The Abundance Experiment, Day 13

"I'm conscious of the Inner Presence as my lavish Abundance. I am conscious of the constant activity of this Mind of infinite Prosperity. Therefore, my consciousness is filled with the Light of Truth." exert taken from The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price.

I'm rolling with the punches, as they say. Who "they" are eludes me, but nonetheless, they do say it!

My new tenant decided not to take my house. In 24 hours I went from elated to fearful to grateful, just like that. I was so happy that I had someone who checked out well want to take the house. Then, I was uncomfortable/fearful for a short time when I found out he'd changed his mind. Afraid of all the "what if's" that could be. Then, as I pondered the way the fear felt in the pit of my stomach, I recognized with gratitude that God likely just helped me to dodge a bullet. It's expensive and frustrating to have rapid turnover in a rental house when you can't manage it yourself. Likely, he wasn't as good of a fit as he appeared, and by him leaving before coming, it saved me from having him decide a month or two down the road that it wasn't a good house for his needs. Whew!

I've been noticing how cool that phenomenon can be. I used the example with a client recently, when she was expressing concern over the dating experience and how hurtful it was to get blown off by men at different times. I told her to envision a large funnel. At the top of the funnel it is very, very wide and open to men of all kinds coming into her awareness. Little by little, they get squeezed out as they come down into the narrow part. At the bottom is a filter and that filter catches all the men who aren't good fits for her. Sometimes it happens by them blowing her off for a planned date, other times it's seeing how they treat a waitress in a restaurant. The filter helps to keep us from continuing to date the "wrong" men. God letting us off the hook before we get too many feelings invested. If we pay attention to the filters, we save ourselves a lot of grief. Now, that isn't to say that a man has to be perfect to make it all the way to you. No. The man certainly doesn't have to be perfect. It's just that his issues and quirks, and your issues and quirks, have to get along. You figure this out by all the subtle nuances of dating.

Now, that may seem like a huge digression, but indulge me for just another moment...

The Universe does that for everything in our lives. We just have to pay attention and not invest too much energy in the outcome. The Universe ALWAYS has our best interests at heart. Even if it appears that that isn't the case. If you can look at a scenario with detached awareness, you will always, eventually, find an understanding about why this or that happened. It may still have been a painful experience, and yet the learnings are paramount.

Apparently, someone even better and more suited is going to rent my house. Soon!

The Abundance Experiment, Day 6

1. My inner supply instantly and constantly takes on form and experience according to my needs and desires, and as the Principle of Supply in action, it is impossible for me to have any needs or unfulfilled desires. ~ exert from The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price

I I went shopping today, not for anything specific, but mostly just to move the energy around.... I'm giggling a little right now because I think that's the first time I've ever used that excuse before to go shopping! I bought a few little things here and there, and each time I made it to the register, the prices were discounted even more! It was a fun experiment of shopping and supply in action!

I'm finding that I'm not processing these last few statements as verbally as the first couple. I guess I feel somewhat like I would be redundant, as I'm actively trying to live with these principles deep within me, flowing out of me. The laws of cause and effect are naturally occurring internally and externally.

The Abundance Experiment, Day 4

Through my consciousness of my God-Self, the Christ within, as my source, I draw into my mind and feeling nature the very substance of Spirit. This substance is my supply, thus my consciousness of the Presence of God within me is my supply. ~ expert from The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price

I was thinking about earlier about how interconnected everything is. An example I sometimes use with my clients is this, we breathe oxygen that the plants and trees provide for us by their exhalation, our exhalation of carbon dioxide provides the gas that they breathe. We are dependent upon each other in a reciprocal way. We live in a reciprocal universe.

Everything comes from God and is God and that includes me. When I forget that that current of energy runs through me and is me, when I ignore that I am tapped into "the" conductor of the Universe, I miss out on the fireworks. I'm curious... if it is that simple, why do most of us "forget" so often who we really are and what we are connected to?

The Abundance Experiment, Day 3

"I'm conscious of the Inner Presence as my lavish Abundance. I am conscious of the constant activity of this Mind of infinite Prosperity. Therefore, my consciousness is filled with the Light of Truth." exert taken from The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price.

Today was an interesting day, filled with lots of introspection and poignant conversation with a dear friend. I feel as if I am hyper-analyzing my thoughts, feelings, and reactions of the reality I am creating. Catching myself when I'm not remembering who I truly am, and calling myself out on it. And then, teaching myself to let it go. To not hold too tightly to what I think I may be doing "wrong", but rather acknowledging how I can have a better experience by making a different choice next time, and then being done with it. It feels very freeing. I'm beginning to understand on a deeper level that Prosperity and Abundance have everything to do with my inner representation. In fact, that may be the only factor that ultimately matters. The "Inner" therefore, creates the "Outer". This is my beacon. My Light of Truth that I must follow as I create my reality, as I create my "Lavish Abundance".

The Abundance Experiment, Day 2

"" I lift up my mind and heart to be aware, to understand, and to know that the Divine Presence I AM is the Source and Substance of all my good." -John Randolph Price, exert from The Abundance Book.

The Divine Presence I AM... I think that that is the Source and Substance of ALL. Good and Bad, those judgments that I put on circumstances within my perspective. Everything the Universe puts in my path is for my very best. Some things may be interpreted as "bad" by me, and others as "good", but ultimately all for my BEST.

I say this with a bit of a smirk, I must confess. Today was a very good day by my personal standards, and yet I had something happen that could have absolutely taken my vantage point to a disturbing low. I somehow missed a stop sign on my way to dinner, leaving a long day at work. And, I wasn't alone as I missed my stop. Conveniently, there was a police officer to witness my infraction and he very kindly, but firmly, pulled me over and presented me with a ticket! At first I was so confused... I've driven this route a hundred times and have always stopped. Somehow tonight my mind was on something else, likely food, and I just didn't stop--had zero recollection that there even existed a stop sign there. It was all so very bizarre.

My immediate reaction was that of scoffing disbelief that just on day 2 alone of my prosperity plan I would LOSE at least a few hundred dollars, that I don't believe (didn't believe) I can bear to lose, by a simple oversight. And, I sat in my truck for a few moments collecting myself and reflecting on the irony. Some may say that Murphy's Law was out to get me. I actually used to truly believe that I would jinx myself from anything that I wanted if I thought of it too much or showed too much joyous emotion. Thankfully, I learned a while ago that that kind of thinking was crap. Negative. And, counter productive. However, it's obvious to me that some strands of that former consciousness still harbor within me, or I would have right away noticed the gift of my ticket...

This is my gift from tonight's experience: The Universe was playfully testing me. Before it starts allowing the energetic flow of money and abundance my way, it needs to know that I can release all attachments to what that will look like. I need to let go of the feelings of "Lack" and fully, deeply... penetratingly deeply, OWN the beliefs that money is a revolving door of energy.

Although the ticket certainly didn't feel "good" in the human kind of way, I recognize on a deeper and WAY more trustworthy level, that it was for MY GOOD in the highest sense of the meaning. And so, we close on Day 2 with a little drama, a hint of an antagonist character, always a plus for any story worth reading, don't you think?

The Abundance Experiment, Day 1

Forward

Today I start a journey of self-discovery and increased awareness. I have read the book, The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price, and am applying the principles and instructions for allowing the full spectrum of Abundance to not only come into my life, but to overwhelm me so that the Abundance also flows out of me and into others', as it is intended. This is a process of dedication and serious belief change.

I have decided to do Mr. Price's 40 Day Prosperity Plan publicly. Journaling my innermost thoughts and beliefs, allowing myself to be completely transparent and vulnerable to whatever audience chooses to follow this journey with me. This plan ascends as such, one time per day I will write out, in order, one of the ten statements from the book. I will meditate upon the words for several minutes, and then journal my thoughts, feelings, and feedback as to what I see happening in my world, which may or may not be effected by this Prosperity Plan. I will use some critical judgment, as well as, intuition and spiritual insights. Bear with me, as I could get mushy from time to time doing this experiment!

I will appreciate your feedback, even if you think I won't like what you have to say, because this, like any good experiment, will only become richer with input from a variety of opinions.

My hypothesis is that money will flow freely to and from me, building momentum and solidarity, as the God-given energetic tool that it is. I also believe that I will see abundance in other areas where it "feels" like it's been lacking, namely, in the romance department! I'm open to abundance how ever it shows itself to me, and I will share candidly with you. If you choose to take on this Prosperity Plan, I strongly urge you to purchase the book, read it, and then begins when you can fully commit to 40 continual days.

From the book, as instructed:

This day, February 6, 2012, I cease believing in visible money as my supply and my support and I view the world of effect as it truly is... simply an outpicturing of my former beliefs. I believed in the power of money, therefore I surrendered my God-given power and authority to an objectified belief. I believed in the possibility of lack, thus causing a separation in consciousness from the Source of my supply. I believed in mortal man and carnal conditions, and through this faith gave man and conditions power over me. I believed in the mortal illusion created by the collective consciousness of error thoughts, and in doing so, I have limited the Unlimited. No more! This day, I renounce my so-called humanhood and claim my divine inheritance as a Be-ing of God. This day I acknowledge God and only God as my substance, my supply and my support.

Day 1

"God is lavish, unfailing Abundance, the rich omnipresent substance of the Universe. This all-providing Source of infinite prosperity is individualized as me—the Reality of me."

Thoughts:

At first glance, I think to myself, "Oh, heck yeah!" Years before The Secret became such a phenomenon I had learned about beliefs and the structures that support them. I had come to realize that just as a single grain of sand is still, nonetheless, sand... I am also fully God, as we all are. So, this type of thinking on the surface, isn't new. It is the core basis of my beliefs.

And then, the thought occurred to me... "if you truly believed this to be true, then you wouldn't have to do this Prosperity Plan experiment. You would already be living in Abundance." So, apparently I have some serious, deep rooted beliefs systems, likely that I was taught by my parents and grandparents, that I still believe to be true. They have always feared lack, and I need to own that I do also, so I can release it and stop making it true.

The next thought that I process is this, "Infinite prosperity??? What is that? What would it look like? Will I be able to handle it if it really comes to fruition?"

Ah-ha... now I understand why this requires 40 straight days to reprogram this multi-layered belief matrix.

In the words of Goethe

Melanie Sargent - Mirror Image
In the words of Goethe: 

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events ensues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”

What exactly are you waiting for? You can choose to move forward or move in circles. Which direction will produce greater results? When you inspect your life, what do you see? What aspects of yourself are worthy of pride? Where are you weak or reactive, where you can let go of the ties that bind you to that negativity?

Explore within. Brainstorm. Allow the thoughts, ideas and feelings to flow as if from the wellspring of Spirit itself, for that is what you are and where you came from. When you have created your list of who you think you are and what you think you are capable of, check in with it. Is this accurate? Is there more? Perhaps even check in with someone who is positive and close to you. Perhaps they see greatness where it has been hidden from you. Perhaps there is an untapped strength that will be the driving force behind you manifesting your greatness!

Once you have fully let it all out, then clarify. Isolate down where your strengths are and where you need a power partner to help you with your weaker areas. Create a manifestation list of what you want to make happen in your life; your relationships, your career, your loves, your fitness level, where you live... whatever comes up for you. Make it pretty or strong using nice paper or colored pens, etc., so you'll enjoy looking at the list and absorbing the information, feeling empowered as you do.

Then, put it into action. Make it happen with one little step or one giant leap! Start. Just start doing something and stop letting life slip past you without letting your light shine.

Go Big, or Go Home!

Life is the ultimate challenge. Just living. Getting up in the morning, plugging away through your day, going to bed in the evening... and all the minutia in-between. It can be such a drag at times or at other times, the best thing ever!

Why is it that some evenings I muster every ounce of strength that I have just to cook up a pot of Top Ramen, finding no pleasure in the cooking process, the eating or the clean-up. Although other nights I feel inspired and create masterpieces of creative cuisine, loving the chopping, sautèing, washing the dishes, presenting the dishes, eating the meal, washing more dishes... ah... the memories of my fondness for cooking settles over me with a smile. But, let me tell you, the mundane daily must-do's can really bore me and get me down!

I was thinking about all the ways I prescribe to changing my outlook, and therefore, my mood, around these ordinary tasks and I was struck with the concept that I shake it up! I get out there! I DO things, go places, visit people, throw parties, exercise, tickle my teenager until he wants tackle me into submission! I create new experiences so that my life constantly has to evolve and grow, so it never really becomes too repetitious. Right down to the food I cook... rarely do I ever produce the same thing twice!

Life is an adventure that needs to be explored! We live on a planet that is full of opportunity! And, I know what you may be thinking... "Well, with this economy, there needs to be cut-backs and sacrifices. Can't just run off to Rome to see the Pantheon, now can we?" lol Perhaps not. But, I would wager to say that most of you haven't even explored your own backyard, much less the community that you live in. So, check out what's happening in your home town. What do tourists want to see when they come to your town? Have you ever gone to check it out? You may live in NYC, and you see the Statue of Liberty every day from your office window, but have you ever actually taken the ferry out to it, paid for a ticket and explored the Statue itself?

Get creative. Get moving. Get curious.

Go big in life, with colorful things that please you, surround yourself with people that warm your heart or stretch your mind, take that trek to the beach that you've waited all your life to do, taste a bite of that ethnic food that scares you, take a painting class knowing full well that your 5th grade art teacher told your parents you had no talent for art, sing in the shower, take an algebra class at the community college if that's your thing, take pictures of inanimate objects and use them as your facebook profile picture, just do something! Or, just go home!

My Story

"All of these lines across my face. Tell you the story, of who I am. So many stories of where I've been. And, how I've got to where I am. But, these stories don't mean anything, if you've got no one to tell them to. It's true, I was made for you."

Brandi Carlile croons these lyrics in her song, The Story. And, oh what a song... that lady has some serious pipes!

The reason I bring these lyrics up is because I've realized that I am getting old. Well, at least, older. I'm getting the telltale crinkles around my eyes, the darker sun spots on my face and hands. Some of my skin is getting crepe-y. I catch myself on occasion wanting to fight it! Fight these signs that steal my youth! Spend countless dollars on services to delay the inevitable! Alas, my budget won't allow for fancy treatments or plastic surgery and I wonder if I'd go back to smoother skin if it meant that I would have to erase the many smiles that created the permanent crinkles. The hours worshiping the sun, playing outside and laughing with my friends, to rid myself of some age spots. The manual labor of gardening and massaging people, chopping wood, painting color on my walls... would I go back and do it differently, just to have the delicate, beautiful hands of nobility?

I don't think so. Actually I know I wouldn't. Every line, wrinkle, spot and sag is a story. It's my story. It's my experience, my memory, my life. It hasn't all been good, but it's been mine. Now, about those gray hairs springing up! Those, I think, are because of my son! :) But again, wouldn't trade 'em for nothing!

Here I am, sharing my thoughts and feelings through the medium of this blog, unsure if anyone ever reads it or even cares. But, perhaps it really doesn't matter anyway? I'm putting the words out there, the thoughts that may or may not hold relevancy for someone. I'm expressing myself and sharing my story, and like Brandi says, paraphrased, your story doesn't mean anything if you haven't someone to share it with....

So, thank you. Whoever you are, for letting me share my story, parts of me, the old and sagging parts, the young and invigorating memories... with you.

I Don't Want Your Weeds Infesting MY Garden!

Michael Caine once said, "I have a policy. I never listen to anyone explain why they CAN'T do something." he added that it was because he didn't want to be convinced by it.

That's so intuitive, isn't it? How often do we allow ourselves to be talked out of a great idea just because the person we were talking to had a bad experience with something similar. Life is so subjective. You take one person who gave up everything to pursue his dream and ends up losing everything, dying a pauper. And another person, with similar dream who also gives up everything, and hits the nail on the head and is able to manifest her passion and have the life she'd always dreamed of! The difference between those two people may be something big, or something very minute. (see anything written by Malcolm Gladwell for more information on this phenomenon)

Imagine talking to the man about how you would like to manifest your passion and what advice he may give you. Then imagine talking to the woman about the same concept. Understandably, the two people are likely to give very, very different advice. And, are either one correct? Is the woman correct, just because she was successful? Was the man correct because he was not? Likely there would be valuable information to gain from talking to each of them. The problem arises when you take on the outcome with their story and let it taint your experience.

Each of us are so wonderfully unique, with strengths and weaknesses that accommodate for greatness, or act as Murphy's Law for others. So, it's important to evaluate ourselves constructively before we dive in to anything headfirst. Make lists.

1. What am I good at? What am I poor at?

2. Am I an introvert or an extrovert, and how does that play into my idea I'm wanting to manifest?

3. Who and what are my resources?

4. What type of financial backing do I need to manifest this? Where will I get the necessary funding?

5. Do I work best alone or in a team? What is my motivation factor?

Once you do the initial brainstorming about who you are in this world, then you can see if it would be prudent for you to gather a team and/or investors. Then take some time to write out an outline of your 5 yr. goal and how to get there step by step, writing it in the present tense with measurable results. Continue doing this for your 4, 3, 2, 1 year goals and 6 months, 3 months, 1 month goals. All of these goal writing steps should be taken in specific, strategic, results oriented language.

Using your Goals as your guide, create a plan of ACTION. How are you going to implement your skills and those of others in order to go the distance with manifesting your dreams? What things do you need to do daily? Weekly? Monthly?

All the while you are putting together the outline for your future, remember when and if you choose to share your ideas with others, that you don't allow their negative interpretations to become your reality! Their stories are their own. Go forth and create your own reality, your own story! And, allow it to be fruitful!

The Go-Giver

I was just thinking the other day about this brilliant little book that I was given to read by a friend of mine called, The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg and John David Mann. This little jewel can be read in the course of an afternoon. It reads much like a story, with lessons intertwined. The format reminded me of the book, The Celestine Prophesy, that I read many years ago, where the main character goes about doing his thing and a series of "coincidences" or "learnings" appear that teach the reader simultaneously with the character.

The thing that I really enjoyed about The Go-Giver was the way that the authors were able to craft an enjoyable story with the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success. These "laws" exact the components of very successful people, with the idea that if you apply these Five Laws, you can also become successful. So, here they are:

"THE LAW OF VALUE

Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.

THE LAW OF COMPENSATION

Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.

THE LAW OF INFLUENCE

Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people's interests first.

THE LAW OF AUTHENTICITY

The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.

THE LAW OF RECEPTIVITY

The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving."

~by Bob Burg and John David Mann

For a long time in my life, I held the belief that for me to be a good person, I needed to give, give, give and it wasn't necessary for me to receive (much). But, what happens when you do that is that you deprive other people of the joy of being able to give too. My former husband told me repeatedly that I was a really good giver, but a terrible receiver, and ultimately, it played a role in destruction of our marriage. Part of that equation was that he was a really good receiver... I suppose that was the attraction, the opposites attract phenomenon, until it got old for both of us.

It HAS to be reciprocal, cause when it's not, everything falls apart! So, when we go about our business, as well as, our personal lives, if we make a concerted effort to give more than we intend to receive, and yet still keep ourselves open to reception, the universe will cooperate and give, give, give! Both needs met simultaneously!

I encourage each of you to open yourself up to these five laws and explore how to fit them into your lives. Allow the success to follow, and ENJOY!

You lead, I'll follow... or, maybe I should Lead?

A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be.~ Rosalynn Carter


Isn't it terribly uncomfortable, this thing we call living? Here we are, going through the motions, day in and day out, and constantly wanting. We continue to do what we do, and we continue to dream of what we want. My question is, when did we decide that the two ideas were mutually exclusive? When did we back ourselves into the closet, pull the door closed, and then proceed to lock the door. From the inside. When did we decide that life had to be so hard and unsatisfying?

I believe that life is hard. And, satisfying. It's hard because I push myself towards new challenges. I ask tough questions. I think and feel deeply, I often over-analyze and explain my feelings to people until they are bored into oblivion or they feel condescended. So, in some ways, I guess I contribute to life being hard not only for myself, but for others as well!

As we push one another and ourselves though, we push through our self-taught limitations. We dip our toes into the metaphorical pool of possibilities. And, we find that the water feels good... Much like diving into a cool pool on a hot day, shocking and uncomfortable at first, then stimulating, refreshing, soothing, enlightening later! All new things are unnerving at first. And yet, typically, once we fully dive in, they become normal and safe in a hurry.

I think it's important to look at what is normal and safe in our lives and see if that resonates as a "good" thing or a "bad" thing. Look for small changes you can make that will motivate you towards fulfillment and joy! Maybe it's something just as simple as rearranging your living room to start. Maybe it's hiring a life coach to help you carve out and give form to your ideas so you can manifest your deepest desires. However you decide to do it, do it! Make some changes. Try something new. Carve your path and make your own torch to light your way!

Check out this awesome, yet bumpy, video clip on being a leader!

Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy

www.youtube.com

Leadership Lessons learned from Dancing Guy. Read transcript at http://sivers.org/ff Original video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA8z7f7a2Pk

Riding the Wave!

The metaphor is a bit cliché, but I like it though for my purpose of todays topic. You see, it's versatile as well as, ambitious! For instance, have you ever tried to surf? It takes time and practice, over and over getting tossed by the waves, wondering if you are ever going to resurface, wondering if ever it's going to be easy... until finally one day your feet find themselves beneath you and you are standing, perhaps a little wobbly, and being propelled towards the beach by an undeniable wave! This, my friends, is the way life often operates.

And, it is also the path to success.

Those who make it big in life are those that choose to keep trying. To fall again and again, refining and perfecting their entrance, their exit, their posture, their timing, their proposal... tweaking all of their approach to align themselves with success!

I believe that all of us are meant to ride the wave. We are all meant for success, we only have to define what success means to us individually. I don't mean what society has told us it's supposed to mean, but the meaning that is clear to us on the deepest, most cellular level. Only we can know that and often it is a very private understanding.

My thought for today is, what is your definition of success? Are you living it? What steps do you need to take in order for you to metaphorically stand up on your board and ride your wave? Who do you need to talk to? When you sit quietly, what does God or your intuition tell you? If you were to die now, would you be pleased with your life? What would you change?

Write out what comes to you and I challenge you to start taking action and manifest your own success. One baby step at a time, learning from all the times you have fallen and will fall, Ride YOUR Wave!

It's NOT Who We ARE, Not Really, Anyway...

I was having a deep conversation with one of my friends last night and she made a comment about emotions, and how she felt often disconnected from them. It hit me in a very profound way, as I've often noticed that my emotions so often feel disproportionate to the event that caused, or sometimes didn't cause, the actual emotion.

I'm wondering if there are many others out there that feel this way? I'll try to explain more in depth what I mean...

Sometimes, in the midst of a deep emotion, I'm struck by the thought that if I were on the spiritual plane, I wouldn't be emoting at all. Likely, I would just be reflecting upon the learnings the event provided. It sounds cold and callous to even write that, because there are certain events that are surely worthy of deep emotion. I do believe this. I just sometimes also believe that if I were in Spirit form, or rather, sometimes when I am more aligned with my spiritual self, the emotions wouldn't be so profound because I would understand fully the continuance of everything. For example, my humanness allows me to cry when my Grandmother passed away. I'm crying for selfish reasons because I will miss her and do miss her in my life in the physical form. My spiritual form sees it as a wonderful opportunity for my Grandmother to shed the body that was no longer serving her and to move on to new challenges. My Spirit sees it as a rebirth into the next phase of the life cycle. My Human self sees it as the death and loss of something valuable.

The contradiction is obtuse. And, conversely, acute. Eckhart Tolle talks much in his book, The New Earth, about how to better align ourselves with our Spirit self. And, I agree so much. And, I disagree in part as well. His brilliant book was groundbreaking in many ways and so elegant and helpful. The part that I disagree with are minor, but huge in the big picture. I believe that we choose as Spirits to have human experiences and that we aren't meant to experience life solely from an esoteric perspective. We choose to be here. We choose to experience hurt, joy, frustrations, love, empowerment and impoverishment. We choose to feel deeply and fully a myriad of emotions and experiences.

So, sometimes in the midst of an emotional outburst, I will chastise myself for the emotion. I will go into a disconnect with my feelings, trying to explore the highest good of the situation and why or how my emotion is acceptable, or not, and how to improve it later. I think its okay to do that, as it may help me in my journey to understanding myself and what I am doing here, but I also think its important allow human expression as it radiates.

And so, I come back to the idea that we are NOT our emotions, just as we are NOT our occupations, or anything else that we align our selves with. We are not nouns, but an abundance of adjectives!

We are Spiritual beings that have chosen to have a Human experience. And, that doesn't just involve positive experiences! While we are in human form, it is only natural and necessary to have human emotions. That's what we signed up for and that's what we are getting.

I encourage you to explore when and how you most emote. When is it acceptable in human form? When is it unacceptable? What can you do to balance your humanness with your spirituality? If you look at the way you emote from a higher perspective, what do you see? What do you feel? What type of human experience do you want to have? Chunk up or down your perspective so that you can find the balance that will best serve you and others and enlighten you at the same time!

Welcome 2010! OMG! What Do I Do Now?!

I'm regrouping and reframing here in Santa Cruz County, California! Between apartment hunting and searching for my essentials in a massive 26 foot moving van, and not having a steady income flowing, I think I'm holding it pretty well together!

Did I mention that this is scary?! Holy crud, making a humongous leap of faith like this kind of move is like being set on the edge of a cliff, blind-folded, spun around 10 times (like the game "Pin the Tail on the Donkey"), and then told to walk forward and trust that the Universe isn't going to let you walk off the edge! But, alas, I am doing just that, trusting my instincts, trusting the Universe, and allowing it to flow. And, it will flow... right?!

So, I'm drinking my coffee on this lazy Sunday morning and wondering, when is the last time you've done something that you've really, really wanted to do and have felt the cosmic "pull" towards doing, even though it's scary and the end result is unclear? Have you pushed through and done it? Have knocked on the door of the unknown and walked through?

So, let me be frank when I say that if you are really, really wanting to rob a bank and you think that the Universe if guiding you to become an infamous bank robber, it's likely NOT the Universe, it's mental illness. You see, the Universe will call you to action and change and steadfastness only with things that are ecological (good for you, others and the world) and stealing isn't ecological... even when you're good at it!

What is the Universe calling you to do? It's now 2010 and the world is your oyster. I know there has been a lot of gloom and doom talk about the economy. I know that the "economy" has become the #1 excuse for all the problems of the world.

And, I think it's crap.

The economy cycles, when we get more "up" financially, people start getting greedy and then Karma comes in and hands out tickets. Then we start falling into a "down" cycle and people start depending more upon one another and helping out for the greatest good. So, my point being, don't let the down economy stop you from manifesting your aspirations! Now is the time to take your well designed goals and turn them into reality!

Be brave, young soldiers, step up and out of your comfort zone and trust that the Universe will guide you in your quest. And, I will heed my own advice and keep plugging away with all of the details to make my dreams a reality too!

Happy New Year!

The Advantages of Being "Un-Friended"

The word of the year is "un-friend". How about that? Isn't it interesting that a word that has so many negative connotations can become a "word of the year?" So, I want to share a story about being un-friended and perhaps it will help you with keeping perspective as it did me.

It's hard sometimes to not get upset when you are un-friended through resources such as facebook and myspace. This recently happened to me and even though the un-friending took place by someone that I was wanting to un-friend myself, it still stung. You see, this person and I have had a very tumultuous relationship. And, as much as I didn't see her as someone I wanted to associate with on a personal, one-on-one level, I did want to maintain some sort of acquaintance. I didn't want to burn any bridges or hurt any feelings, and frankly, I wanted to be able to be social with her if I saw her out and about. That being said, our last encounter was one that I still sometimes find myself replaying in my mind, trying to make sense out a narcissistic mess! So today I pondered what it meant to me that she didn't even want to be friends with me via a social networking site.

And, then the weight lifted.

I realized that I have been asking the Universe to put people into my life that will help me grow and become better. People that will mirror both my strengths and weaknesses. I want to surround myself with other seekers and ones that aren't afraid of what they find out about themselves. People that will be proactive in making necessary corrections. And, the Universe is answering my prayers. The people that need to be in my life for me to live out my purpose, are the people that are in it in every present moment. And that means that its okay for people to filter in and out when its appropriate. In essence, the Universe did a little weeding for me. And, as with any growth, it can sometimes be painful or touchy, but none-the-less beneficial.

So, next time you want to "un-friend" someone, or they "un-friend" you, think of it as the Universe's way of helping you get out of a relationship that no longer serves you. Helping you to focus on growing your garden, not just weeds!

We Aren't Perfect

But, we're perfect in our imperfections. Someone said that to me one time in answer to my question of why people do bad things.

Why do people do bad things? Why is it that sometimes we even KNOW that its bad, and we still can't stop ourselves from doing it. The next question is, who decided that it was bad?

I'm just going to let you pause for a moment to absorb that last question...

Did someone a long time ago make a list of "rights" and "wrongs," and then sell the package to mainstream earth? Or did it come about organically, based on the consensus of the times and the needs of the people?

I've noticed that in the last 100 years the definitions of what is "right and wrong" has certainly evolved. Funny, similar concept with me... And you? Have you found that your ideas about what are right and wrong have grown, changed, mutated, become blurry or otherwise as you have enjoyed and detested the world around you? As the hair on your head becomes thinner and the inevitable grays become thicker, are the ideas and beliefs thinning and thickening as well?

In the early 1900's, us women were choosing to have full and equal responsibilities as that of men. At some point, that choosing became demanding and the demanding became fighting for our rights for equality. In the 1960's, Black Americans stood up and fought for their rights. Currently, Gay Americans are demanding equality as well, and thankfully starting to actually make some headway! Years back, this wouldn't have even been thought possible. People wouldn't have even thought twice about bigotry towards women, minorities, and homosexuality. But now, people are coming together and demanding a new precedent be set for what is "right and wrong"! I am thrilled to see justice be served and our brothers and sisters be given opportunities that never should have been excluded from them in the first place!

So, right and wrong... What is it that you have to be so dog-gone right about, right now? Because maybe someday very soon, you'll change your mind.

Get What You Want!

Will Smith says that he lives his life without a Plan B. He says that when you have a Plan B it diverts your attention from Plan A, the plan that you really want to manifest. Will Smith is a genius.

We can live our lives having back-up plans for when things don't go as planned, but when we do that, we give the Universe an "out". If we focus on what we want, we get it (or sometimes something even better that we didn't even know we should want). When we focus on something we don't want, we get that too. So, if we are focusing on Plan A, but giving attention to Plan B, I think the Universe may get a little confused as to what we really want, don't you?

So, first you really need to decide what you want. Many of us out there have no real definitive clue as to what we want. We know what we don't want. We have some vague ideas about what we want and maybe even some ideas about how to get what we want. But really, when it comes down to it, the Universe doesn't reward vagueness. It rewards specific, measureable beliefs and desires. So, figure out what you want.

I suggest writing it down, handwritten or typed and go through everything that pops into your head. If you are wanting to know what you want regarding your job, focus on things that within that scope. Likewise, if you are focusing on material possessions, during the exercise keep with the possessions and don't deviate unless your Higher Self dictates to you that you are masking with "stuff" what you really want and need. And then, you may realize that you have just experienced a life-altering breakthrough-- but that's a whole 'nother blog!

After you have written everything down that comes to mind, begin the pruning process. For a tree to grow and bear lots of luscious fruit, it needs to be pruned and tended. The same is true for getting what you want. So, prune your document. Start by converting all of the sentences that are in a negative format into a positive expression. For example, if you were to say "I don't want to work for anyone else ever again!" Perhaps you could rephrase it to something like, "I choose/want to be self-employed". Line by line, recreate into a positive format all of your wants.

Then, eliminate all of the things that are redundent. You don't need to say the same thing over and over to get the results you desire. What you do need is to clarify anything on your list to be as specific as possible.

After you finish fine-tuning your list, it's time to give it status. Print out your list onto nice paper with a font that appeals to you, or handwrite it in your best writing and then put it somewhere that you can easily see it and keep it in your awareness on a regular basis. It's important to reflect on it and perhaps even fine-tune it further as you get closer and closer to manifesting what you want.

And lastly, you need to begin to ACT on these WANTS. Life if full of motion, not stagnation. When things are stagnant, they disease and die, when things are in action, they flourish and prosper. So, begin by acting. If you are wanting to be loved, for example, be loving (Dalai Lama). If you are wanting to work within a certain field, volunteer, go back to school for the education, read books on the subject, turn in your resume` to prospective employers... ACT, DO, CREATE, LEARN, INSPIRE!!! Go forth and put your wants into form!

Sometimes it is only with time that we are able to really be clear as to what we want, but until we start doing the exercises towards that understanding, we will only get leftovers, otherwise known as, Plan B.

Secondary Gain

What are we to do when our identities get so intertwined with our physical and emotional ailments? Consciously, we don't want to have the "issue", but unconsciously, there may be another strategy going on. It's called Secondary Gain. There is a part within many of us that really needs something that is produced by the issue. For example, someone who is on disability may hear about the latest technology that will heal them and allow them to live a full and productive life. Well, as much as on the surface one would without fail think that that would be fantastic, the undercurrent dilemma, however, could be really challenging to manipulate. Now you have a person who will need to go back into the work force, rather than accepting the disability checks each month. Even if the person isn't lazy, the potential fears of not being good enough, having to interact with others again, possible job retraining, etc... would be enough to create some hesitation and anxiety about healing.

Secondary gain isn't something that people generally think about and plan around, because it is largely unconscious. And, it is the underlying motivator of WHY we do WHAT we do. At this point, we need to dig deep into the subconscious mind and clear the negative motivators so that they will forfeit their hold, allowing us to achieve our goals. At least, this is one theory.

Gary Craig, the founder of EFT, believes that our energy system in the body changes polarity and therefore does a reversal. He calls this phenomen "Psychological Reversal" or PR. Until we can reverse the polarity, we will continue to get opposite results of what we think we want. For more information about his excellent theories and treatments, check out his website www.emofree.com.

My theory is that it is a combination of both. Emotionally clearing the roadblocks is just as essential as making sure you're not trying to drive the wrong way down a one-way street! Although, sometimes once your heading the "right way", the emotional roadblocks go away!

So, think about something you would like to be different in your life. What is it? What has prohibitted you from making the change? What could you gain from NOT making the change? What could you lose? What would you gain from making the change? What would you lose from making the change? Who will support you in making the change? Who will be against it?

As you look deeply into your issue you would like to change, what do you see? What do you feel in your body? Where do you feel it? Are there baby steps that could help make the transition smoother? Would it be beneficial to have a coach or mentor to model? If so, please feel free to contact me for a free e-mail consultation (www.essentialblueprint.com) or for a referral to someone who is certified in your area.

Good luck in making these positive changes in your life! You can do it!