A Funny Thing Happened…

… just a few days after my last blog.  I arrived at the store in the morning and Charlotte was excited to show me the new space that had opened up for lease across the street.  It was awesome, I agreed, with a view of the bay!   But I was looking to sell, not get into another lease.

The buyers I mentioned last month had an unfortunate habit of not communicating with me regularly.  In fact, just two days earlier I had left another message for them to call me with no answer.  Now, I needed some answers if I was going to contemplate moving across the street.  I left another, rather terse, message.

Shortly after, the mail arrived, and in it was a letter from those buyers saying they were not going to be able to buy the ‘Higher Self’ after all.  So, finally, an answer.  Now what do I do?  Call Jeff and Jo!  [Jeff and Jo Currier own ‘Ways to Wellness’ in Midland, Michigan, and were looking to expand when they heard about the Higher Self Bookstore going up for sale this past spring.  They absolutely met my intentions as perfect buyers and caretakers and the staff who met them agreed.  Alas, the bid they gave me, at that time, was less than I could accept.]

So, I called ‘Ways to Wellness’ and was told that both Jeff and Jo were out for the day.  I said I’d call the next day.  Ten minutes later, Jeff is calling me back!  I told him ‘what was what’ and he said he was coming up to Traverse City to see the new space … NOW! 

It would take Jeff almost three hours to get here which would spill into the time I was supposed to babysit my grandson.  Not to worry. A wonderful volunteer, Amy, stepped in last minute and became great friends with my grandson, Jonathan!

Jeff met with the real estate broker and looked at the space across the street; then, he met with me to look at the new numbers and figures; and then, he asked what price I wanted.  Because the store had been doing so well (since I made the decision to sell) I was able to reduce my asking price.  Jeff said, “We can do that!”

While I was waiting for Jeff to arrive, I received a text from one of the not-now buyers.  She said that the four of them (yes, two couples had intended to buy) had conducted a burning ceremony to release their connection to the store and to call in what I needed.   I sent a text back saying that it was working! AND, expressed my gratitude.

That day the energy in the store was like a Light Tornado or Possibilities!  Once that boulder had been moved, everything just flowed into place. Why things moved as they did until now I'll never know, but I do know it was all perfect.

Since that day it has been a whirlwind of activity as we prepare to change ownership and move (yes, move!) the business across the street!  We will sign papers AND move on November 30^th!

The Higher Self Bookstore will continue with enhancements at 313 E. Front Street!  The rest stays the same including personnel, readers, and regular events.  No, I don’t know what I will be doing other than taking a sabbatical and getting quiet so I can hear clearly the “whats” and” wheres”  the Universe has in mind for me.

For more info on Jeff and Jo and Ways to Wellness, visit www.waystowellnessstore.com.  It has been my extreme pleasure to have shared with you and intend to write at least one more blog.  Thank you for letting me in.

Integrity and Following the Rules

Rules were created to establish order, am I right? Without rules - chaos! If a rule, or law, no longer supports order then steps should be taken to change or cancel it. However, until that is established, the rule should still be followed. You know, status quo and all that.

I have a confession to make - I'm a rule follower. At the same time, I'm the first one to declare, "Challenge Authority!" I have not been practicing what I preach, and I am waking up to the fact that the rules are just not keeping up with the fast-paced changes that are occurring.

Somehow, I had incorporated "following the rules" into my interpretation of integrity, and a woman of integrity is who I have chosen to "Be." By this, what I mean is, I stand by my word. If I say it, I will do it. My word is my bond, you can count on me. Over the years, I have been more careful with my "word" and this practice has resulted in more balance in my life, not over committing my time, etc.

Of course, there have been times when I had to change my priorities and change my word. As an example, just in the last 24 hours, I agonized about traveling home today as I had said I would. A blizzard has just passed through this region and it is still snowing. I know I could get on the road and make it back to Traverse City, Michigan, today - driving slowly, and carefully, and watchfully of other drivers on the snow-covered, icy-in-places, I-75 North. Tomorrow it will be sunny. One would think this would be an easy decision, but for me it was not.

I recognize that I have become attached to this identity, a woman of integrity. I follow the rules, even to the detriment of my well-being, the well-being of my family, and of my business. Some of the agreements I entered into years ago did not take into account the changes that have occurred, neither by me or the authority I gave my power away to. The authority (the companies and people I gave my word to, either verbal or under contract) insist I keep my word. What to do?

First, I detach from the unfair limitation I placed on myself - the strictly defined and restricting label of integrity = rule follower. Second, I will assess what the truth is. What was true then is not always true today, so I will not proceed blindly into this is the way it's always been done so do your duty or else. Third, I willingly step out of the box (in this case the box is about always following the rules) and see just what can be done for the highest good of all with harm to none (which includes me!)

It amazes me that it always come down to the same lesson no matter the challenge, the issue, or the situation: Notice, awaken, detach (let go), step out of the box, and let the how show up as I take action.

It's okay to change my rules when the game has changed. It's okay to keep my word and I will, and I will allow for amendments and addendums - for the highest good of all (me included).