Awesome!

Sedona, Arizona.  Oh, my!  I was in “awe” the whole week I was there.  It was breathtaking, relaxing,   My eyes feasted and every cell in my body memorized the view as well as the feeling. And I remembered…

rejuvenating, peaceful, inspiring, calming – the mountains, the mesas, the red rock.

I remembered that this feeling always happens when I’m in mountains and water at the same time, this rejuvenation.  I also remembered that I can bring this feeling back, through visualization.

Sedona may be the most beautiful place I’ve seen so far, but I do remember other beautiful, awe-inspiring places I’ve seen in my lifetime.  These mind-pictures are in me forever, as well as the feeling, deep in my subconscious, in my soul.

There is a reason Law of Attraction teachers/authors advise you to create vision boards, to go sit in the car you desire, to stamp that bill “paid” and put it where you can see it.  The “visual” helps ingrain it into your subconscious, and your subconscious remembers everything.  More importantly, the subconscious remembers how you feel about what you are looking at, touching, listening.

That feeling of awe is mine to experience anytime I want.  I just have to remember with my head that it is there, inside me, always.

As I thought about this blog I also thought about the word “awesome”, derived from the word, awe, of course.  Many of us are so used to hearing this word, hearing it overused, in different tonalities, with different emotions behind the speaking of it – well, it’s lost its “awe.”  I, for one, an determined to quit misusing this “awe”some word!

Some of you are wondering when I’m going to get to the part about experiencing the vortexes in Sedona.  There are many, and yes, they are real.  It was Awesome!  I highly recommend you go if you get the chance.  In the meantime, find some pictures, sit quietly, and visualize – with feeling!

Wake Up - I'm Dreaming!

A few mornings ago, I was attempting to sleep in since I didn't have to open the Higher Self Bookstore that day. Kafi was scheduled to work all day and I actually had the option of going in or working at home. Or playing - now there's a concept!

My bladder was protesting, but I stayed in the bad, drifting in and out, tossing and turning a little. This is what I remember. A picture showed up in my dream, a scene - a vision. As a story followed, I realized that I was the one making up the story! I was directing and choreographing what came next, scene after scene. That realization is what woke me up. I believe I sat up on the bed with my mouth open, in awe and wonder.

I was creating my dream in a dream. I became aware that I was creating a dream in a dream, a story with characters and scenery and conversation. So now I ponder - how can I create my reality the way I created the dream? Is my reality one that I have directed and choreographed and I am just not aware?

Of course, I have watched The Secret, read more books, attended workshops and set up routines of meditation, visualization, journaling, and affirmations. Then life happens and I get busy handling and coping. Do I allow this because the reality I prefer just doesn't seem to appear as quickly as I want? Probably.

As I learn (by paying attention, noticing, becoming aware, mostly), missing pieces come to me, like in this dream. I recall the feeling of it, of being in a place of no interruptions, no distractions, the easy flow of it. Now I am ready to give it another go.

Exactly how to proceed is not clear, but I have a desire to meditate again. To take that meditation and visualization into my everyday wide awake life. There's a feeling of urgency about it. Once I'm aware it is easier to remember and keep it in the present moment.

Now you are aware as well. Join me in this experiment? Great, let's keep in touch. May our dreams and realities meet in peace and joy.

Resentment

I finished reading The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand a couple weeks ago and have moved on, but the ideas from Ms. Rand's books still surface and lure me into contemplation. My latest musings have been about Mr. Rourke's (Fountainhead character)lack of resentment.

In being true to himself, his values and standards, his life was often unprofitable. He did not resent taking a job in a quarry in order to eat. He did not resent the lack of opportunities, nor did he resent those who bad-mouthed him. He lived for his passion and was patient. He never blamed anyone. He knew he had a gift, a genius, and waited humbly for the right person and the right opportunity to share that gift.

He loved his work, his creations, and was not resentful of those who did not see his creations the same as he did. He did not resent the critics - he didn't care. He just did not care what others thought of him or his different vision of building (he's an architect).

He refused to let his ideas be used and manipulated into something he didn't believe in. He was not resentful that this cost him jobs and gained himself a reputation of being selfish.

When I find myself being resentful, I immediately stop in my tracks to figure out why. I don't like the feeling at all, so I want to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Many times it is a judgment I'm holding I need to let go of. But more often, of late, it is a situation were I have let myself be used or manipulated. Where I had not been true to myself.

I am grateful for my resentment because I know it is a sign that one way or another I've given my power away. And, I look forward to the day I no longer feel resentment because I am always true to myself.

More Baby Steps....

Let's talk more about baby stepping. In the last post I talked about baby steps vs. leaps and how both work in getting you to your goals.

I learned about visualization about twenty years ago, listening to a Jack Canfield tape, I believe. Then I learned about dream boards and setting intentions in personal growth courses. I would practice what I'd learned and sometimes I manifested what I wanted, and sometimes I didn't.

And then we all watched "The Secret." It was a wonderful reminder and triggered me to do additional research. I recognized that I needed to raise my vibration during visualization. Oh, and to feel good! Okay, a little more success.

My thirst for knowledge brought me through two manifesting programs in the last couple years that added neurological adjustment techniques, goal setting, and doing affirmations correctly. So, I got my meditations, my affirmations, my vision board, my story of my masterpiece of a life that I read over and over and over. I keep my vibration up, my brain linked, my picture perfect.....

I forgot the baby steps. I'm trying to get from where I am to where I want to be in one leap. Of course the perfect man for me is on my vision board - smiles, walking together, dancing, hugging, growing old together. But here's the kicker. I forgot to visualize "meeting someone", then "a date", then a "second date."

And there's my perfect body on the dream board - riding a bike, hiking, doing fancy yoga twists. I forgot to visualize buying a bike and putting the present body on it, or walking this present body around the block, or enrolling in a yoga class. My baby steps are missing.

Now, the baby steps are probably listed in the plans as things "to do." And they are still on the "to do" list because - I'm focused on the big picture and I forget to look at the list of things "to do."

Baby stepping in visualization is about being. It's about letting the Universe know what you want to experience now (like, a date!), and allowing that manifestation. If I'm looking off into the future, I'm going to miss that wink from across the room.

So today, I'm breaking it all down in my my visualization. I'm even picking just two or three manifests instead of all twenty-five "I've arrived" future items on my board. Letting the Universe know I'm ready and willing to meet the man, allowing the perfect bicycle to show up, and choosing to feel good instead of overwhelmed. Ah, what a great day!

Baby Step vs Leap

When my daughter (my constant teacher) decides she wants to change something, she usually takes baby steps to get there. One teenie action at a time. Now, for me, I'm the one standing back wondering why she doesn't Just Do It! Take the Leap! No, it's "baby steps, Mommy (she still calls me Mommy - she's 26), baby steps."

Recently I've stepped back to analyze this process versus the process that others choose, including myself. What prompted me was looking at the long list of things I wanted to change and accomplish and being overwhelmed with where to start. Baby Steps? Leap? Both?

It became clear to me that some things needed preparation (steps) before the leap. And some situations begged for a leap, then action in followup steps. For instance, you decide you want to sell your house. Now action must be taken to bring that manifestation to fruition - do you take baby steps or do you leap? If your neighbor and best friend lives next door, you can have her over for a glass of wine and ask her to bring over the appropriate documents along with a For Sale Sign out of her trunk. Leap. If not, it is best you use some discernment as you research and interview for an agent that is a match with you. Baby Step/Baby Step/Leap.

Or, you may take a look around and think that the house needs a lot of work before you can sell it. (read numerous baby steps here) Now, this is very workable as you hold the intention of selling in mind, but there is a danger. Focusing on the work instead of the intention, the goal.
If your intention is not clear, or you have a fear of succeeding, you could be taking baby steps indefinitely, going in circles, creating more and more Baby Steps to take to avoid taking that Leap!

There's really no right or wrong way to do this. It is all about what works best for you! Which way lights you up? Do you love to plan? Are you adding Baby Steps to avoid the Leap? Does the Leap thrill you, and you handle the steps later? Do what feels powerful.

What I know for sure, if it's too hard - I won't do it. That's when I practice Baby Steps. Unless, of course, I don't. That's when I take the Leap - just to get it done! If I need to learn before I jump in, Baby Steps. When I've taken all the Baby Steps I can, I'm at the edge, and I need a push - I ask for it.

As for my list, I've noted that there are some things on it that have been there for years. It's time I quit baby stepping and take the plunge - Just Do It! Here I go................

P.S. My daughter, Anna, just read this before I posted. She explained that, for her, it's like walking. She likes to make sure one foot is planted before taking the next step so she's remains - upright! Like, that step is established and secure, then moving on. And, "Mom," she said, "I have taken Leaps!" I said usually, honey, usually.

Unless - A Manifesting Mishap

How does one say “Yes” to possibilities, and still be impeccable with ones word? How does one manifest purposefully and powerfully, yet not get attached to the results? I don’t think I can answer all these questions today, but I’ll keep you posted as I work it out.

Today I want to look at one way we self-sabotage our manifestations, our intentions and dreams, by the thoughts we have upon declaration of those desires. The unconscious or subconscious thoughts that confuse the Universe about what we really want.

One conversation:

I’m going to Sedona in October with my women’s group.
(unless they all back out)
I don’t have the money yet, but I know it’s coming.
(unless it doesn’t, or I have to pay bills with it, or the car breaks down)
I’m going to hike to the vortexes in the Red Rocks.
(unless I break my leg, or get sick)
I’m going to stay in a wonderful timeshare resort.
(unless there are none available and I have to stay in a dump)

I call this the “unless” conversation that usually happens in the subconscious, but you may notice the thoughts coming up for you if you are aware and truly listening to yourself talk to yourself. This establishes the limitations even before they have an opportunity to show themselves from the unconscious part of you.

Another conversation:

I’m going to Sedona in October with my women’s group! I am so excited!
I have the money! Not in my bank account, but I know I have it! I’m so grateful!
I’m going to hike to the vortexes! I’m getting in shape now and I feel great!
I’m staying in a wonderful timeshare resort with a pool, Jacuzzi, kitchen, comfortable beds, located close to everything I want to see and experience! This is going to be an awesome trip – I feel like I’m there already!

This is a much more powerful conversation. In this conversation, “unless” thoughts may surface, but I recognize them as my own creation and let them go; release them to allow my intended creation to become a reality. And, very importantly, I maintain a vibration of feeling good, being excited, and having the feelings of already being there. In this high vibration I visualize what it is a say I want. Then I take action.

So I ask you to notice what you think when you go for it, whatever “It” is! Do you have thoughts that begin with Unless, If, As Long As? How do you feel when you have these thoughts? What do you do once you are aware of these thoughts and feelings? Let me know and we’ll pick up this conversation then. Namaste’