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.

Truth, or Wannabe?

I was reading through some of my older articles (before blogging) and ran across Truth, or Wannabe? It was written, obviously, not long after 9/11. As I read, it occurred to me that 2012 could easily replace 9/11 in the article. 2012 is a hot topic and much has been written and much is currently being discussed, well, everywhere!

Give it a try and see what you think:

There has been a plethora (I love that word!) of articles and books written since 9/11. They offer advise on how to go on, how to grieve, how to face your fears, how to cope, how to change the world, and even some proclaiming the end of the world. In my opinion, some were written from the heart, while others were written to make a buck. Some reinforce religious dogma, and some would have us building bomb shelters. Some are meant to exalt, and some are meant to tear down.

Like anything you read or intend to read, you’ll know the truth when you read it. The trick is knowing what is true for you, and what is merely evidence of what your ego wants you to believe.

For example, if you are holding a belief, or wanting to believe, that extraterrestrials are our only salvation, I’m sure that you could find written material that will support that. I call it “gathering evidence.” If a certain religion must be blamed for the world’s woes, I’m sure you can find evidence for that as well. In fact, for several weeks after 9/11, an acquaintance filled my email box with attachments of “you need to know!” propaganda against Islam. He doesn’t know me very well.

When I’m reading something new, I first tap into my good ol’ common sense. If I can’t make sense of it, I go to step two – what am I resisting here? What do I believe that blocks my understanding? If I come up with something, great! This is my opportunity to look at what’s up with me, what do I believe, and does it serve or limit me. If it is not working for me, I get rid of it. Now I’m more open to new ideas, new truth for myself.

If I come up with nothing, I pass on it. I know my truth, and this isn’t it. Or, I’ll search for further explanation of the text.

I trust myself to know the truth when it is presented. How do I know truth? It is an “Aha” moment, an excitement in my body, or a warm feeling of confirmation, a flash of light in my mind and heart, and a desire to be the messenger of truth.

How do I know what’s not true? A “no” whispers, sometimes shouts, throughout my being. I feel sad and heavy. And I want to be the messenger of what is NOT true.

If I feel anger, I go directly to step two, because anger is a clear signal to me that fear and self-righteousness are present.

These steps do not always work for me the first time. A previously dismissed truth will re-present itself to me repeatedly until I “get it.”

You may recognize yourself taking these same steps, consciously or unconsciously. I hope this is so, because there is a “plethora” of soul-feeding, peace-creating literature out there.

I’ve talked a lot about my truth, and your truth. The truth is, we are all one, each one of us is “we”. When one of “we” gets right down to it, right into the heart-afire, glory be, connected-in-love truth of it, we will all get it. If what I believe separates me in any way from you, it is not the truth. If what you believe separates me from you or you from me in any way, it is not the truth.

Some tips on what to read post-9/11: If it ain’t about love, it’s about fear – skip it. If it ain’t about unity, it’s about separation – save your money. If it ain’t about peace, it’s about war – read it only if you’re looking to justify and collect evidence pro-killing. If it’s a very, very old book written by old men – just know you may also need a library of other books offering definitions, explanations, interpretations, expansions and modernizations.

And guess what? This is not the truth! It’s my truth, what I believe, and you must find your own truth. You and your Higher Self.

Meaning of Life

Meaning of Life
by Ricki Blanchard

On the day I was born
I was given one canvas
And an endless supply of paints
In every hue imaginable.

“What shall I paint?” I asked.
“The Meaning of Life,” was the answer.

So I began to create
With quite elementary strokes.
As time went by, my pictorials
Became more elaborate and sophisticated.

I possessed a free hand early on.
But then I painted what others
Thought I should, or what I
Thought others wanted to see.

Layer upon layer, pictures and
Landscapes, always changing
Sometimes retro or repetitive
On my one and only canvas.

More than once I colored
Over a scene still wet
To obliterate what was there
Making a total mess of it all.

My paints would become
Disorganized and scattered
Needing patience to pull them together
into a workable palette.

How this old canvas can withstand
The many coats of my imaginings
Are beyond my understanding,
But hold it all, it does.

You see, the Meaning of Life
Is exactly how I see it when I see it
Carefully or carelessly brushed
On my one and only canvas.

The canvas itself is meaningless.
All that is and No-thing at all.
A surface on which to illustrate
My illusions, ever-changing.

Of late, I find my paintings
More unique, less detailed
Vibrant and soft at the same time.
Always ready to be the one and only canvas
for a new view.

Stream of Thought

I began preparing (in my mind) to write about expectations. Recently reading a great blog by my friend Jennifer Tavana, I had some ideas I wanted to record for you. Mostly about being attached to outcomes in the business of manifestation. Then I started thinking about all the different ways of manifesting there are out there, published and promoted by various well-known and not so well-known authors and teachers.

My mind proceeded to how people are still bad-mouthing the DVD "The Secret" and how I thought this was quite unfair since The Secret actually has all the elements of manifestation in it if one is paying very close attention. Often people are leaving one or more key parts out of the practice.

Then I started thinking about what those parts were, like raising your vibration. What does that mean and how do you do that? Abraham-Hicks says "feel good." Simple, yes, but how?

This was followed by my review of how I manifested being in Traverse City, owner of the Higher Self Bookstore. How did I raise my vibration to make everything fall into place to perfectly? Well, I was excited, and scared - same energy in the body so I called it excited, maintained that excitement, and took steps to get answers to the questions that came up along the way.

Of course, I shifted to contemplating why it didn't seem so easy now, to manifest. I know more now, I have more knowledge about the business of retail and service, so I think I expect that I should have the answers already and try to force the outcome. Checking off all the things I've read and learned about manifestation, I find I keep forgetting a key part - high vibration, feeling good.

So what the heck am I going to write about today? Notice how your thought stream flows. We all do it. I started out in one direction (writing about expectations) and rounded back to how I should know this stuff already. What did I accomplish, what did I manifest here?

What comes to me is that focus was missing for me this morning. How about you? Did you notice lots of different thoughts flowing through your head as you read this? Did you get distracted at times, or confused, lose your place?

So here's your tip for the day, and days that follow. Practice focus. Like an experiment! See if your vibration raises a little (or a lot!), if drawing to you what you say you want happens just a little more easily (or a lot!). Let me know how it goes.

Oh, I'll write on these other topics in more detail later - when I'm more focused!

Let's Get Philisophical

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand was published in 1957, and the philosophies are still discussed today in many circles. I had read it about ten years ago, after it sat on my shelf for about fifteen. For me it was an excellent read, though I struggled with much of the philosophy. I did take away the importance of self-love, self-respect, self-integrity, and self-value.

I've got about a hundred pages to go in this second read (it's over 1,100 pages of small print)and I don't understand all the points Ms. Rand is aspiring to make but I am getting much more out of it this time around.

Indoctrination is key throughout the story, and I think what I've chosen to believe as truth over the years is one reason I've tripped myself up in understanding Ms. Rand's views. Indoctrination can be defined as impressing on others something as true to obtain a particular behavior. These beliefs are accepted as "self-evident" by those who prefer to jump on board rather than think or do their own research.

Now, I know that I will not research every statement that comes my way, especially if it is of no concern to my immediate reality. But I am taking pause now to review some of the beliefs that I accepted because they "felt right", and shared them with others as truth, resulting in perpetuation of the indoctrination.

One of the key indoctrinations being challenged in Atlas Shrugged is the belief that the needy deserve to be considered and served first at all costs. My knee jerk is, of course, we are here to be of service. I am here to serve you. Being in service to others is noble and brings me closer to God. Where did these beliefs come from? And, are they true?

I provide a space called the Higher Self Bookstore providing access to books, goods and services to those who choose to explore, learn, and grow. I do my best to make sure the prices are fair, the quality is good, and the energy is positive. I love my "work." It is my responsibiity to keep the doors open.

Every day, without fail, I receive requests for donations. I feel guilty when I say no, and sometimes I feel resentful when I say yes. Where did these feelings come from? Is it that indoctrinated belief that I am my brother's keeper? What does that mean?

These are some of the questions I am asking myself as I try to understand Ayn Rand's philosophies. Some will read this and righteously proclaim me selfish to have such thoughts. Are we not here to explore and gain knowledge, especially about ourselves?

Imagine being absolutely sure in your beliefs, your purpose, your value. Imagine having the courage to change your own beliefs when new information is presented. Imagine a world of confident people who know their worth. Ah, what a feeling!

There is much to explore here so future blogs will include discussion as I ponder the philosophies of Ayn Rand. By the way, I have been feeling quite guilty about taking the time to read this book - when I could have been in working in order to serve others...now where did that come from?