Live With Intention

I've had this poem by Mary Anne Radmacher for probably 8 years now. I just love it! It's currently "living" on the side of my refrigerator. And for months now it's been calling me to post it here and expound on it. So... here goes..... (her words are in green)

Live with intention.

Do you have a mission statement for your life? What are YOU about? What's important to you? What makes you "tick"? What is your purpose here?

Walk to the edge.

Be willing to take risks and to step outside of your comfort zone. Stretch yourself. Dare to develop your talents, skills, and abilities to their fullest.

Listen hard.

When you talk to someone, really listen - deeply - to what is being said. Listen to what's NOT being said. What is their body language saying? Listen for the feeling underneath the words. What's being said in the silences?

Laugh.

Lighten up! Don't take things so seriously. Stuff happens. If you don't like it, use your energy to change it instead of complain about it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Find SOMEthing positive about it. Do whatever it takes to find joy in your life.

Practice wellness.

Take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritual. Give yourself what you need to be your best self. Don't give yourself away until there's no you left. If you're going through a rough time, be gentle with yourself. Don't wallow in self-judgment or self-pitty. Do what you can with what you've got. Give yourself what you need to bet better.

Play with abandon.

Fully engage in whatever you are doing - without inhibition or restraint. GO for it! Let yourself loose! You ARE the lead player in your life.

Continue to learn.

Keep your mind open. Be willing to think outside the box. Examine each of your beliefs periodically to see if it's still something you "believe" or if it's just a thought habit. Does it serve you now and enable you to succeed in life, or does it limit you? Be willing to learn - expand yourself - on all levels, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

Appreciate your friends.

Friends are gifts from God. Don't take them for granted. Tell them how much they mean to you. Cherish the time you spend together. If you haven't spoken to an old friend for awhile, call them to say hello and catch up. Don't wait until it's too late.

Choose with no regret.

When you make a choice, MAKE IT. Don't be wishy-washy about it. Decide with your whole heart, mind, and soul. Then don't look back.

Do what you love.

Life is too short to put off doing things that fill your heart with joy. Don't let excuses stand in your way. "Some day" is today. Listen to your heart. Find a way to be involved in doing that thing you love doing.

Live as if this is all there is.

Right now, in this moment, this IS all there is. Make the most of it. Appreciate it. Wherever you are, be fully present - in mind, body, spirit. Don't let life pass you by.

Mary Anne Radmacher... author, artist, and inspirator... has been writing since she was a young lass. Her commitment is to writing that reflects the passion and possibility treasured in every day. Her writings are inspirational and are partnered with original and handcrafted art. www.maryanneradmacher.com - www.facebook.com/maradmacher

Here's to continuing the Journey.... Living with intention every day, in everything we do.

-Becky

Soul Song for the Ocean - a response to the Gulf Oil Spill

There's been a lot of finger-pointing and blaming and complaining about this oil spill. And yes, choices were made that did not have pleasant results.... and that were perhaps beneficial (in the moment) to some, and not beneficial to others.

However, blaming doesn't solve the issue. Neither does judging or complaining.I've been searching for the right way to respond to my readers on the Gulf Coast Oil Spill issue, and was inspired with the idea of creatintg a Soul Song fo the Ocean.

I've always been in favor of "going through the back door" as I call it, or "killing them with kindness" some people would say.

In other words, in this situation, send love - unconditional love - to the Earth, to the Oceans, to the families involved in the tragedy, and yes, even to the ones who made decisions that led to all this.

Sending the energy of Love will do more good than sending the energy of hate - which is what we're doing when we criticize, judge, blame, complain.

Yesterday morning, as I sat down to play it, I asked, "What do you have to say? What is your message? What is the Truth?"

From the music, here is what I got...

It's up to you.
Open your heart.
Open your vision.
Speak from your heart.
Come home - back to love.
Have compassion for yourself, for others, for the Earth.
Let go of everything in your life that is not based on Love - on Unconditional Love.
Let your thoughts, words, and actions reflect this Love.
Keep your vision connected to your heart.
We are all connected.
It's up to you.

Here is the link to listen to the music: (accompanying visualization exercise is below)

Visualization Exercise while listening:

• As you listen to the music, visualize healing energy going from your heart to the Gulf Coast and to all the people directly affected by the oil spill.
• Visualize healing energy swirling through the ocean, clearing the toxins and helping to restore ecological balance.
• See healing energy circling the Earth and all it's inhabitants, healing us of the toxins that still lie in our hearts and minds.
• Send prayers of healing and clarity to those in charge of making decisions that will affect the outcome of this.
• Ask that the Highest Good for all concerned be done.

Here's to continuing the Journey.... sending the energy of Love in all we do, say, and think....

-Becky

Where there's a will, there's a way

Think you've got it hard? Watch Barb find creative ways to overcome her obstacles. She gives new meaning to "where there's a will, there's a way."



You may not be able to always choose what "cards" you're dealt. But what you DO with them is totally up to you.

Take some time to reflect on your own life....

What "obstacles" are you allowing to slow you down, get in your way, or even stop you from having, doing, or being all that you desire?

It all comes down to one question, really. Would you rather feel defeated or empowered?

Where there's a will, there IS a way.

Always.

Here's to continuing the Journey... choosing empowerment over defeat... finding creative ways to overcome life's obstacles.

-Becky

P.S. Thanks to Vicki, friend and subscriber, for turning me on to this video!

Tell Me Why - Tribute Continued

Continuing the Tribute from Memorial Day....... The 2nd video, "Tell Me Why".....
(please watch the video 1st, then read comments following- will make more sense)



The answer to "why" lies with each of us.
As we go about our day at work, at school, at home.... in each moment we have a choice....

• to love... or to hate?
• to bless... or to curse?
•  to give... or to take?
• to trust... or to worry?
• to be kind.... or to be mean?
• to pass judgment... or to forgive?
• to keep holding that grudge.... or to let it go?
• to stay in peace... or to get caught up in fear?

And when we choose one choice over the other, we are acting on our heart's answer to "why".

A world where people live in peace will be possible when WE - you and I - choose all of our actions, thoughts, and words from a place of peace, not war.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments.

Here's to continuing the Journey.... choosing peace in every moment.

-Becky

A Memorial Day Tribute

I found two videos today that I want to share.... They are different, but yet they have a deeper similarity......

The first - a tribute to the men and women serving our country. They are someone's mother, father, daughter, son, sister, brother, cousin, nephew, niece...... who risk their lives every day to ensure our freedom.

I have two step-sons serving. One is back and soon to rejoin the civilian ranks. But I have friends and clients who have family members still involved in the military, as I'm sure you do too.

Remember them - the ones still serving, the ones who never came back.... the families and friends who love them....



Imagine a world where there is no more war.... no need for tributes like this...

A world where people live in peace.....

I believe it can happen. But it's not up to our Soldiers.

It's up to us.

When we choose to come from a place of Love, we move toward Peace. When we choose anything that is not love, we move away from it.

It's up to us - you and me.

World Peace..... begins in our heart - in my heart, in your heart.

What will you choose?

Here's to continuing the Journey.... remembering.... choosing love.... choosing peace

-Becky

P.S. I'll post the other video tomorrow.

20 WORDS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Found this video this morning.... makes a great start for a positive, fulfilling day!

Enjoy!

Here's to continuing the Journey.... choosing inspiring words to live by....

-Becky

What is Sacred about today?

"When we acknowledge that all of life is sacred and that each act is an act of choice and therefore sacred, then life is a sacred dance lived consciously each moment. When we live at this level, we participate in the creation of a better world."

- Scout Cloud Lee, Author, Singer-Songwriter, Coach, Vision Us, Inc.

The word "sacred" means to make special; to regard with reverence or respect.

Something becomes "sacred" because we say that it is and "make it so."

You take the moment, the activity, the object..... whatever it is, and giving your total attention to it, make it "special" in some way. You take it out of the realm of "ordinary" and put it into the realm of "holy."
Remember as you go through your day......

It can be something as simple as taking a walk during your lunch break and noticing the beauty of nature around you with your full attention.

It could be putting down whatever you're doing when your child gets home from school and putting your total focus on what he or she is saying.

It might be making eye contact with the person at the check-out counter and saying a heart-felt "thank you."

It could even be giving yourself a moment in the middle of a stressful day to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and remember, "this too shall pass."

Or maybe it's simply appreciating the beauty of the day on your drive home and giving thanks that you are alive and well.

Or taking a moment to indulge in feelings of gratitude for your family, friends, and all the blessings in your life.

What is Sacred about your Today?

Every moment - in each thing we do, think, or say - each one is an act of choice.

Everything about life is sacred when we look at it with reverence, respect, admiration, gratitude....

Here's to continuing the Journey.... making every moment a conscious act..... turning the "ordinary" into the Sacred... living with awareness....

-Becky

The Allegory of the Cave & The Matrix

I remember Plato's Republic from High School/College, but don't remember his "Allegory of the Cave." So, when I found the video of it awhile back, I was very intrigued.

The idea of seeing (and knowing) only the "illusion" vs seeing and knowing the "Truth" is a constant quest of mine. And helping people see beyond the illusion of their self-limiting beliefs to embrace the Truth about themself is one of my passions.

As both a student of A Course in Miracles - which talks about seeing beyond the illusion - and a sci-fi buff, I loved the movie, The Matrix. So when I found this video I had to share it! It talks about Plato's Allegory as well. (A video of the whole Allegory of the Cave is below this one.)

Whether you agree with the philosophies presented, the main message to me, is to explore for yourself and not believe everything that is handed to you in the media, in advertisements, or from any organization.... (and yes, that includes government and church.)

There is usually an agenda. (just for starters..... Media - to keep their ratings high, advertisement - to get you to buy their stuff, government - to keep them in control, church.... well, let's just say that in any "organization" one of its chief concerns is to keep itself "alive"....)

The point is.... Ask questions, look for second, third, fourth opinions. Think.... Feel..... for yourself.

The ancient adage, "know thyself" includes examining your beliefs and knowing why you believe them. 

.... Okay.... I'll get off my "soap box" :) and let you enjoy the videos.... Please leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts.

(And just to be clear, my "agenda" here is to offer thoughts, ideas, experiences, etc that encourage you to ask questions and to search for your own answers.)

"The greatest obstacle to discovering the shape of the earth, the continents, and the oceans was not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge." - Daniel Boorstin, American social historian and educator

Matrix Philosophy - The Cave:


Plato, The Allegory of the Cave:


Here's to continuing the Journey..... learning.... expanding.... seeing past the illlusion...... on the Road to Enlightenment.... (which is what the Journey is all about!)

-Becky

Obstacles are like Log Jams...

Obstacles are like log jams in the stream of life. They can dam up the water and block the flow, or they can eventually redirect the flow or even create an entirely new channel.

Log jams in our life can do the same thing. Except, we get to choose their outcome....

• We can choose to stomp our feet, get angry, and complain about how unfair things are or how bad life treats us.  
• We can choose to throw up our hands, accept defeat, and use that as an excuse to give up and not move forward.
• We can choose to take on the challenge and find a way around it, through it, or over it.

We can choose to see the "log jams" in our life as opportunities instead of a misfortunes. It all begins with a decision.....

Decide to win.

Whatever problem or difficulty you are currently facing, make a decision in your heart that you will get through this to the other side. 

Take responsibility for where you are and stop fighting it. It is what it is. Nothing will ever change by wishing things were different. You've got to roll up your sleeves and get in there, determined to rise above the it.

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, (1927-2003) US plastic surgeon, motivational author, creator of the Psycho-Cybernetics, reminds us:

"We are built to conquer environment, solve problems, achieve goals, and we find no real satisfaction or happiness in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve."

We're built to conquer, solve, and achieve. It's part of what makes the human experience .... well, "the human experience"!

"It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities."

- Eric Hoffer, American Writer, 1902-1983

What obstacles are you being presented with? How might you turn them into opportunities?

Life challenges us to grow and expand and develop into our highest potential.

Will you take the challenge presented to you? Or will you use it as an excuse to stay stuck? 

It's up to you.

Here's to continuing the Journey.... deciding to grow..... or not.

-Becky

Memories or Regrets

A friend of mine sent me some old pictures of my Dad and I've enjoyed looking through them. (Thanks Stan!) Dad would have been 82 this month. Here are a couple of my favorites....

Mr. Joe Cool .... he always was the one with the camera!

And the picture with he and I on the couch makes me laugh..... It's like he's thinking.... "Did I really hear you say what you just said...."

He passed away August 2008. Seems like the more time goes by, the more I miss him.

We had a pretty close relationship while I was growing up. Then after I went away to college, going home was never something I really wanted to do. I was all caught up in my "stuff" and my "issues".

Now at soon to be 52, I regret not ever really "being there" the few times a year we were together. And I miss those "heart to heart" talks we used to have riding bikes to the park.

Life is really too short to let stuff and issues cloud your thinking and hijack your heart. Because once your loved ones are gone, all you'll have left is memories or regrets. And which one that ends up being is your choice right now in THIS moment.

Here's to continuing the Journey.... loving, letting go...... building memories or regrets..... always at choice in the present moment.

-Becky

P.S. In honor of my Dad, please watch the video tribute to him - the Funeral Home put together the video of pictures my sister, Mom and I picked out. The music is a song I wrote for him the night we 'got the call' from the nursing home. It ended up being my 'good-bye' to him.

Also, please check out the piano CD I recorded for him.... His Soul Song, "Stillness" comes with it as a free bonus. You can hear samples there too. (This CD makes a great Mother's Day or Father's Day gift!)

AND - most important - if your mom or dad, sister or brother are still alive, go call them right now! If not, go call somebody that's important to you and tell them so.... Build memories.... not regrets.

I Suck at Hating

While searching online for some of Dr. Emoto's water pictures for a Sound Healing workshop a couple of months ago, I came across a video interview where he talked about his Rice Experiment.

(Dr. Masaru Emoto,  The Hidden Messages in Water, discovered that water from clear springs and water that has been exposed to loving words show complex, brilliant snowflake patterns, and that polluted water, or water exposed to negative thoughts form incomplete, asymetrical patterns.)

In his Rice Experiment, you get 3 jars and put cooked rice in each one then fill them with water. On one jar, you label "I love you" and on another you label, "I hate you". The 3rd jar is unlabeled. You then place them at least a foot apart and each day, to the one labeled "I love you" you say to it, "I love you." The rice jar labeled, "I hate you", you say to it each day, "I hate you." The unlabeled jar you completely ignore. You do this for 30 days.

The results I've seen others do, by the 30th day, the "I hate you" jar of rice is pretty nasty. You can see one example here: www.43things.com/entries/view/3685797. You can see other examples by googling "emoto rice experiment pictures."

My 30-day results picture did not turn out that way. Here's what I got....

 Day 1 - Love

Day 30 - Love

                                                                     

Day 1 - Hate

Day 30 - Hate

Not much difference.

When I started this experiment, I started with the "I love you" jar and did the "I hate you" jar second. But that didn't feel good, so I'd go back and do the "I love you" one again so that I could leave in a more positive frame of mind.

After a few days I realized, oh... talk to the "hate" one first, THEN the "love" one! (Duh! :)

I also figured that I would gather all my frustrations and sort of "throw" them at the "hate" jar as I said the words. But I found after almost a week of doing this, it was getting harder and harder to get into the "feeling" of hate each day.

What this experiment made me aware of was the difference in the "energy" feeling of "love" and "hate." Going back and forth from neutral to love, then back to neutral and to hate - then doing it the other way around, from neutral to hate, then neutral to love - it really fine-tuned my awareness of how those feelings felt in my body.

I highly recommend this experiment for that reason.

Here's to continuing the Journey.... experimenting... loving.... hating..... feeling the difference....

-Becky

Are you living in the GO Light?

This morning on my way to church, while stopped at a traffic light, I watched a bird fly around the traffic light then make it's way up into the bottom of the light fixture. I was fascinated.... I didn't know there was space in there to do that!

But, seeing how we have birds nested up in our dryer vent this spring, I guess if there's a will, there's a way..... and "home" can be anywhere you choose.

Hm.... "living in the green light" I thought. Then I realized my "Freudian slip" calling it a "green light" instead of a "red light."

Pondering further, this question came to me... Are you living in the "green" light or the "red" light?

The green light could mean you're always on the go, never stopping. Or it could mean you're open to new opportunities that come your way, and willing to let go of whatever might be holding you back.

The red light could mean you've got your foot on the brakes or you may be stopping yourself in some way from moving forward. Or it might mean you always 'look before you leap' taking the time to evaluate which direction is best for you.

What are the red lights and green lights in your life? And what are they signaling you to do?

Which one is more "home" to you?

Here's to continuing the Journey.... stopping... going.... choosing.......

-Becky

Hug it Forward

I just discovered this video..... Watch and be inspired to spread your own Hugs!



Hug it Forward is a non-profit organization based in the USA. Their first venture beyond free hugs began in Guatemala with an opportunity to help a community build a school.... out of used plastic bottles and trash!

Click here to see the original video and the project's results.

Here's to continuing the Journey..... thinking outside the box....  and spreading hugs!

-Becky

Now's the time to Shift the Balance

Today each of us - you and me - are hanging in the balance.....

It's the Spring Equinox - the day of equal daylight and darkness.

This is an ideal time to take a look at your life and notice where you've been putting most of your attention....

• Have you been focusing mostly on lack, limitation, fear, worry, dread... and all the stuff that's weighing you down?
• Or have you been focusing mostly on abundance, gratitude, love, faith, possibilities.... all those things that keep your spirits high?

If you're not sure, check your results. Look at the experiences and situations in your life.

Life flows in the direction of your dominant thoughts.

How can you shift the balance toward MORE of what you want and LESS of what you don't want?

"You will never change your life until you change something you do daily."

 - Mike Murdock

What one thing can you change now - today?

• It could be something as simple as driving a different way to work, or shopping at a different store.
• It could be taking a few extra moments to appreciate your kids, or give them an unexpected compliment.
• It might be reflecting on an issue or situation in your life and choosing to see it from a different perspective.
• It might even be... "feeling the fear and doing it anyway"!

The biggest key to any kind of change is letting go of the fear.

Fear steals our innocence and hardens our heart. Faith - Love - on the other hand, is like a beautiful lily pad floating on the water. But if you tie a weight to it, it will sink. Fear is like that weight. It literally weighs us down.

But to get to the higher vibration place, you have to make room for it.... by Letting Go of the fear!

A good way to do that is to join me for the Clear the Fear, Embrace Faith telegathering. The gathering features a powerful guided meditation for letting go of fear, unease, worry, anxiety..... and all the other "flavors" it can show up as. The call will be recorded, so you can listen again.

It's time to shift the balance..... and create more of what you want in life!

Here's to continuing the Journey..... letting go of fear.... embracing faith and love... and having the courage to let go of fear.....

- Becky

P.S. Remember, "He who fears something gives it power over him." (Moorish Proverb) 
Isn't it time to shift the balance in your life and take back your power? Join me tomorrow to Clear Your Fears and shift your balance..... even if you can't make it, register for the call and you'll get the audio so you can listen when it's convenient. Get more info or register here.

Listen to the quiet voice inside

"As you grow and progress on your spiritual journey,
you want to be free to decide who you really are.
Tuning out the chatter of the ego voice
that keeps you enslaved to a limited sense of self
will help you go beyond your usual experience of yourself."

- New Moon in Aries email from The Kabbalah Center

You can choose to listen to your head - your ego - intellect. Or you can choose to listen to your heart - your intuition - the voice of God inside.

The ego voice always operates from a place of fear and limitation and will tell you all the reasons why you Can't.....

The "quiet voice inside" - the voice of Spirit/God/Intuition - will always come from a place of love, peace, and expansiveness and will gently nudge you toward growth....

But you have to decide "Who You Really Are"

Are you an embodiment of fear, limitation, and darkness?

Or are you an embodiment of Love, expansiveness, and light?

Like it says in the Bible, you can't serve two masters. Which will you choose today? Right now?

Fear and limitation? Or Love and unlimited possibilities?

Here's to continuing the Journey.... every day, in every moment...... choosing 'whom we will serve'....

-Becky

If you can't be with the one you love?

"If you can't be with the one you love... love the one you're with" - according to Stephen Stills of the infamous Crosby, Stills, and Nash (1970)

I'm not advocating "free love" here...... just observing a "nugget of truth".... which is:

Be happy where you are.

If circumstances.... your job, relationship, money.... isn't where you want it to be - i.e. you're not happy with it - you'll never change it by bitching, moaning, and complaining, and focusing on how bad things are.

If you want things to get better, you have to first be happy where you are.

I know, that doesn't "logically" make sense. And it's not how most of us have been taught to "fix" things (which is more to analyse, scrutinize, and figure-ize etc)

But in reality, that only brings more of what it is you're not wanting because all you can see is what you don't want. And that just brings more dissatisfaction and  more UNhappiness type feelings.

You see, everything is energy - vibration. Negative, unhappy type feelings have a heavy, low vibration. Positive, happy type feelings have a higher, lighter vibration.

Negative feelings squelch the energy and actually block the energy flow. (Think of a river or stream filled with fallen trees, branches, debris, etc that creates a dam stopping up the water flow.) Negative low-energy feelings short-circuit your energy and create a tight, contracted feeling that pushes what you want away. They invite feelings of isolation.

Positive, up-lifting feelings, on the other hand, keep the energy flowing and create a sensation of openness and expansiveness which invites in possibilities.

Plus, when you're hunkered down in negative feelings and emotions, it's hard to think clearly. And any action you take is made from a place of fear. You're in "reaction" mode.

You may not like where you are or how things are going, but if you can find SOMETHING to appreciate about it all and change your focus from "God, I hate this" to "okay, how can I make the most of this" you'll raise your energy vibration. It will get you out of "reaction" mode and you'll be able to think more clearly. Plus,you'll be empowered to take action from a positive, more loving space.

"If you can't be with the one you love" - if your life circumstances are not what you want - then "love the one you're with" - find something to be happy about where you are so that you're in a better energy space to attract what you DO want.

Here's to continuing the Journey.... opening the flow to possibilities.... appreciating what is... taking action from a place of love.

-Becky

Will you Finish Strong?

"Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it."

- Irving Berlin

The "Finish Strong" philosophy was adopted by the New Orleans Saints in the spring of 2009. Each team member received the "Finish Strong" book by Dan Green and it became a mantra for the team. The book is full of stories about people overcoming adversity with courage.

"We recognized that if we could indeed finish strong in everything we did, we could achieve the lofty goals we had set for ourselves," Drew Brees.

The Saints went on to win the Super Bowl for the first time in their 43-year history.

The first quarter of 2010 is almost over. Will you finish it strong?

Watch this short movie based on the book that inspired the New Orleans Saints......

http://www.finishstrongmovie.com/

Here's to continuing the Journey.... making the choice to keep on keeping on - no matter what.... making the decision to Finish Strong!

-Becky

Fast Way to Get Out of Overwhelm

Overwhelm is one of my favorite self-sabotage techniques. And I can get there pretty quickly.

It happens most often when I get side-tracked - as I discovered again this morning!

I woke up this morning with a brilliant idea for a product tumbling around in my head. While having coffee I mapped out plans for it, then went back to my office to get started.

About 15 or so minutes into it I wanted to incorporate some ideas I'd written out from a teleclass I'd listened to a few days before... but I couldn't find my notes about it. (Yeah... I know, that organization thing... it needs work too!)

So... I thought I'd just look quickly online to see if I could find something similar....

An hour and a half later, making myself close the web-brower...... I was completely overwhelmed and the drive to get this project done had dissipated.

It didn't seem important now. And actually NOTHING seemed important.

But, luckily, I still had at least some wits about me.... Instead of taking a regroup nap (after all, it was only 7:30 in the morning!)... I decided to take a shower and regroup.

That helped me get some perspective and got me out of the overwhelm mindset/feeling - (it's the old actions-change-feelings "trick").

After the shower I wrote down the answers to this question: "What's most important for moving forward today?" (And yes, writing a blog post was on the list :) - also interestingly, the product idea did not make the "A" list for today.)

What DID make the "A" list were things I'd been putting off that really needed to get done and had deadlines this week. (Okay, yes, I admit.... getting organized was on the "A" list. I've been putting it off a long time.... and now things are getting backlogged because of it.)

So - long story short - the fastest way I know to get out of overwhelm is to do that thing you've been putting off that really needs to be done!

Usually the putting-off-of-it is much more time and effort consuming than the doing-of-it!

AND you feel so relieved and have a much lightened energy about your when it's over.

At least it did for me. :)

How about you?

Here's to continuing the Journey.... getting overwhelmed..... and learning to get out and back on track quickly....

-Becky

Don't Limit God?

Growing up in Mainstream Church, Southern USA, I learned that asking God for something specific - i.e telling God what you wanted - limited God in some way.... so that (s)he couldn't bring you what you really needed.

In some metaphysical teachings I've heard "don't ask for specifics" - just focus on generalities and leave it "open".

Then in other new thought circles I've been taught, "YES! Absolutely ask for exactly what you want and envision it in every detail."

So for years I've battled in my mind about which the hell way DO you "ask so that you can receive"? Do you set specific goals? Do you affirm, "I now make $100,000 dollars a year" (when you're making only 50% of that or less?) Or do you affirm something more "reasonable"?

A couple of days ago it hit me like a "duh" thump on the head.......

It's both... And.

You have to know what you want - exactly - otherwise you end up in a vague fog wishing and hoping for "something" better. All the while, your real focus is either on what you currently have and don't want or what you don't have that you want..... Either way, the focus is on the "don't have" - the "wanting" - the "lack of" - because that is the clearest picture in your mind.

So you get more of what is currently in your life - and in your mind's eye or focus.

You remain a "victim" of your world, waiting for something outside of you to come "save" you.

(Been there, done that. Many times!)

Knowing what you want - precisely and exactly - enables you to "see" a new picture in your mind. (A "new reality" so to speak.) And the more details - especially feelings - you can add to the picture, the clearer and sharper the picture.

But it doesn't stop there.

You must "see" this New Reality with a handful of detachment.

The feeling of what you want is the fuel. The details of how it arrives is like the "vehicle".

If you're expecting it to come to you in a yellow Ferrari, for instance, and a blue Jeep Cherokee shows up, you'll be left standing on the curb because you were too focused on a different way to get there - in this case the yellow Ferrari - and didn't even notice the Jeep Cherokee.

Adding "this or something better" to your picture leaves the door open for what you want to come to you in the best way for you.

Plus, I always add "for the highest good of all" as well. (We don't live in a vacuum. Whatever it is we want is usually going to involve other people in some way. Putting out the energy of "win-win" is good Karma as well as just good "metaphysical manners"!)

However, it doesn't stop here either.

Once the picture is in your mind, you're feeling all the wonderful emotions as if what you want is already part of your current reality, and you're open to it showing up in whatever way is best for everyone concerned....

Now you must take inspired action.

Sitting on the couch, visualizing, feeling good, and putting out good energy won't cut it. It's a third dimensional world we live in. You've got to DO something to bring it into the physical world.

So, when you get a nudge or an idea to go talk to somebody or do something or say something..... GO DO IT - SAY IT.... Follow through. Even if it's scary. (Actually, especially if it's scary!) These are promptings from Spirit / God.

You're "new reality" is on it's way. Following through on the nudges or ideas is your demonstration of Faith.

So really.... it's not putting your faith into action that limit's God.

What do you think?

Here's to continuing the Journey... getting a clear picture of what you want, feeling how awesome it is, and showing your faith by taking inspired action.

-Becky

Take a "Do Nothing" Break

Actually, it's impossible to "do nothing" since we're always breathing and thinking and our heart is always beating. 

What I'm suggesting is to use these for a "time out" from hurry and worry.

Take a few minutes - even if it's just 5 minutes (though 10-15 would be better) to just sit and breathe and use your mind for relaxation.....

• Get in a quiet, comfortable location where you won't be disturbed.
• Begin taking slow deep breaths and just focus on the air coming in and out of your lungs.
• Smile. (This step is really important!)
• Imagine yourself sitting on the beach, or beside a mountain stream, or anywhere out in nature that is calming and serene to you.
• Engage all your senses. What do you see around you? What sounds do you hear? What does the ground beneath you feel like? Are there any smells or tastes involved?
• Put your awareness on your heart. How does it feel being in this place? Calm, serene? Are you happy, excited? What are you feeling?
• Enjoy!

Take this "Do Nothing" break as often as you can - at least daily - and allow the "busyness", worry, and stress to just melt away.

 

Leave a comment and let me know how it goes!

Here's to continuing the Journey.... breathing... relaxing.... doing "nothing"..... giving yourself time to refresh your Spirit.

 

-Becky