Circumstantial Evidence

I think I fell asleep a couple weeks last month. Reminded me of this article, slightly edited and abridged, found in whole at www.higherselfbookstore.com. I hope you like this share:

Circumstantial Evidence (from the Archives - abridged)
by Ricki Blanchard

When I was little, my grandmother gave my cousin and me identical dresses – except hers was pink and mine was blue. My cousin was pretty and petite, with tiny features and long, dark hair she could wear in banana curls. I, on the other hand, was a little chunky with hair that waved in all the wrong places. My mother once described me as "handsome." At four years old, I knew that pretty little girls wore pink. So what do you think I decided to believe when I didn't get the pink dress? I was not pretty enough. "Not" and "enough" being the operative words here.

Of course, I did not go around for the next fifty years telling people I was not pretty enough for pink. What I did do was forget that I made up that belief at four years old. I forgot it, then I forgot that I had forgotten it. I did, however, let the belief manifest itself in various and wondrous ways.

If you don't believe me, well... I have evidence that I was “Not enough!” I came in second place in the handwriting contest in fourth grade. I came in third in the drawing contest in fifth grade. I was co–captain of the majorettes in ninth. I was co–editor of the high school newspaper. I was tied for the best looking four–eyes my senior year. I was second chair in the flute section, then I was put on probation as a music major in college. I was the second woman my ex–husband proposed to and wore those secondhand rings.

Get the picture? Then you can understand how I created the belief over the years that someone else could do it better, and I should let them. I forgot that I made up that belief as well. And yes, I have evidence that that belief didn't just go away either. I left my husband because he deserved someone who wasn't angry all the time. I let other people take care of my daughter whenever possible, eventually letting her go live with her father and his new family. Promotions went to the better qualified. I hung out with married men who never did leave their "better" half.

When it was suggested to me that I created my life, I was flabbergasted. If this were true, why on earth would I create this particular life for myself? Because my beliefs create my life, even those I had forgotten. And, the human brain would rather be right than happy!

What if I was enough? What if I got the blue dress instead of pink because blue was my grandmother's favorite color? What if grandma wrapped the dresses and didn't even remember which dress was in which box when she handed one to each of us? What if pink just wasn't available in my size? No, I created "not pretty enough" and got to say, "See, I'm right!" all over the place.

I had given the incident meaning, and then I drew from my past to give meaning to the events that followed. Not consciously, not intentionally. Kind of like sleepwalking.

We humans are meaning–making machines. We give meaning to everything – what it means to be successful, what it means to have money (or not to have money), to be a woman, a man, to be single, married, old, young – everything! Those meanings, those beliefs, create what we experience and how we perceive. They create our reality, what's true for us, inside and out. What it means to get pink roses instead of red. What it means to get a blue dress instead of a pink one.

Yes, I bless the day someone was kind enough to give me a shake and offer me a new concept to play with. I continue to explore and learn and experience myself as the creator of my life. I read and ask questions, but mostly I have sought out and participated in courses that let me really experience just how I do it, so I can go out and do it on purpose. And I am committed to offering others a gentle shake and a new idea to try on.

Today, I am pretty when I choose, handsome when I choose, and beautiful – just as I have always been – all the time. The woman I am today still prefers to wear black. The little girl in me loves to cuddle up at night in her new pink robe. I am accepting of others and enjoy the wonders of who they are, not who I think they should be. I am accepting of myself and recognize that I am an awesome, powerful creator – even when I've dozed off and created something I didn't prefer.

I invite you all to explore, ask questions, challenge indoctrination, and wake up others along the way.

What's So Bad About Feeling Bad, Part Two

Now, I did not plan to practice what I preach. I did not intend to sit around feeling bad. I did not set out to prove a point, to you or to myself. This "Part Two" was not on a list of things I'd like to write about in the future. But I must admit, I spent a good portion of this past month in and around feeling bad. I think because in some way, it felt good.

What prompted me to write more on this subject was references in my recent reality about the Dark Side, Shadow Work, and going through hell to get to heaven. Yes! That's it!

I spent much of April being in a low place, like a "shadowland", sitting and waiting for "what next?" Like watching a soap opera and becoming addicted, rushing home at the end of the day (if I bothered to leave the house, that is) to sit on the couch and wait and watch. Then I participated in the reviews and ratings. There has been a whole lot of drama at my house lately, and I got caught up in it (yes, I knew I shouldn't but I did anyway).

I even tried to direct some of the scenes myself, suggesting more enlightened alternatives to the scripts being played out. I discovered that I really have very little influence from the low place I was in. It's about vibration, vibration, vibration!

That was an aha moment, but that's not the only one. I learned the subtleness of drama, drama I had never recognized before - very sneaky stuff! I woke up and noticed where I was and what I was up to. Then decided to stay a couple days longer because it really was quite fascinating to me! I opened up, sat up, took notes, and was able to get many aha moments: remembering who I am, remembering that I CAN consciously create my day and not just sit and see what my unconscious brings to me -surprises not of my preference, one right after the other. More, much more - glad I visited hell to get to heaven.

I had had a type of Dark Night, walked through my own hell, dwelled in the shadowland of low vibration. I do believe I came out Lighter than when I went in. There are many books and resources about the "Shadow" and getting to know our shadow-selves will serve us by helping us recognize the shadow, love the shadow, but not let the shadow lead and repeat the patterns that limit us.

About a week ago I intentionally started to raise my vibration. I let people around me know that that was what I was up to so they could write me out of their drama scripts. And I invited those people to come along! There are enough soap opera stars in the world and we don't have to be one of them.

By one ticket to Shadowland, get two tickets to Paradise! Free! Thanks for reading.

What's So Bad About Feeling Bad?

What is so bad about feeling bad? This question popped into my head while deep in discussion about why we do the things we do to avoid feeling bad. Think about it! Think about all the instant gratification stuff we do to avoid feeling bad: eating, drinking, sexing, drugging, watching TV or other zone-out screen watching (games, computer), spend too much money. Feel bad, do this feel better - for just a little while, then do it again.

And that is just what we do for ourselves. Think about all we do so that the others around us will not feel bad: lie, cook, pour, lend, look the other way, gift. All just so that we feel better, that we have some peace.

But look at all the opportunities we missed just because we didn't take the time to listen and understand the "bad" feeling to begin with. Fix it fast - with a bandaid. Poke your finger into the bleeding hole, and don't move! How often have we interrupted someone else's "aha" moment by handing them a tissue, a chocolate, keys to the car?

I'm sure I have missed out on some awesome breakthroughs, for myself and others, by making the bad feeling bad and trying to put the fix to it immediately. What is so bad about feeling bad? Not a thing. Not one little thing.

So use it. Take the opportunity to have a little chat with yourself next time you have a feeling you call bad. It just may be the "big" one you've been waiting for, the aha of all ahas! I'm certainly going to be with the next bad feeling long enough to get clear on it before taking any action, if any action is required. More importantly, I am no longer going to help someone avoid the bad just so I can feel good.

This will not be easy, but I do not feel "bad" about that in the least!

To Get Out Of It You Must Be In It!

I have started walking, usually in the mornings. I know, I thought an alien had possessed my body as well - the jury is still out. Anyway, I'm up to about two miles in 45 minutes. Yes! This is good.

A couple mornings ago, after wrapping myself up in coat, scarf, hat and gloves, I started out and immediately noticed just how cold it was. I've been walking in the cold (I am in Northern Michigan you know!), but today the wind was up and I was very tempted to turn around and take off all the layers (why I haven't bought long johns yet is a mystery), and put in a Jane Fonda video.

But I kept moving forward. My mind started playing with the possibilities of getting what I wanted in a shorter period of time so I could get out (of the cold!). I don't run. A couple years ago my sister and I ran across a parking lot to see if we could run because it had been so long since we did. We could, we were happy about that, and we stopped. A week or so ago I had to run across Garfield to get to the track - it wasn't awful. Last weekend end my sister was walking with me and suggested a short jog - 30 seconds. I made it 20 seconds. It wasn't awful.

So, hey, why don't I try mixing up the walking with a little jogging.....must be the alien speaking again. I'm saying: What? You know I don't run! It will hurt! I'll fall down! I'll break something! and so on and so on.

The alien possessing my body kept me walking, then jogging for 30 seconds, then walking, then jogging. On flat planes and inclines. As I was adjusting to this new "can do" I started thinking of other situations where I would like to "get out of it" and how changing what I did could provide the same effect, reap the same rewards, in less time. Wow, the possibiities!

I had to be "in it" to see a new way "out." I needed the challenge to be immediate, in this case anyway. I suppose one can look at it from a distance and analyse and come of with possible solutions. But I'm guessing the best ideas come from being "in it" or having been "in it" and never wanting to go there again.

So, I got a good work out and shaved off about 15-20 minutes (I always forget to check the clock before I head out). I just may try it again! I could still use some long johns - and a good sports bra.

The Latest "Cuss" Word

This is my holiday gift for you, wishing you a wonderful, prosperous 2010! Someone asked me to think of the perfect gift I'd like to receive and my response was "that one thing that keeps me from manifesting, experiencing, allowing and receiving prosperity into my life."

So, how can I give this to you? I'm not sure but I do have an observation that just may be the trick for some of you. I know the application of this gift is already making a difference in my state of affluence.

For the last couple months I have been noticing the phrase "I can't afford it", being used by myself, my employees, customers, friends and family. It became like a red flag, demanding I pay attention.

Some people said "I can't afford (something)" in order to shut someone up. You know, the "Hi, how are you?" "Fine." - end of conversation conversation. Many times when I heard the "I can't afford....." I just knew it wasn't the truth, whether the speaker recognized they were lying or not.

And way too often it was just what it was...a belief that it just wasn't possible, a conversation about lack. Especially now with all this talk about the economy and bad times. Listen closely and you can hear a choir of "can't afford" at any time across the country.

I have decided that this should be considered the newest, latest "cuss" word/phrase, that a penalty should be paid for each utterance. I have given some of my friends the equivalent of "cuss boxes" for their quarters, dollars, whatever they choose, and asked them to spread the word.

Because...this particular phrase of lack is totally dis empowering. At the very best, it is a bad habit, complete with negative energy and low vibration. We need to eliminate it and replace it with empowering, vibration raising affirmations.

Now, exactly what kind of affirmations to use have eluded me until recently. The problem with affirmations are unless they have even a slight chance of being true for you, they are empty words and will not fill the void created by NOT saying that phrase of lack.

So I have this suggestion instead: talk about what you are choosing to do with excitement and passion. For instance, instead of saying I can't afford (that something), say with enthusiasm something like "oh, I just love it, but I am so close to saving for (name it), or so close to paying off that credit card and being debt free!!! Yeah!!!

Get the idea? Be excited about your goals and your progress, not down about stuff you choose not to have just at this time. Do not buy into the victim hood community, avoid the woe is me sayers, the we are family in doom and gloom.

Just imagine for a moment everyone being excited about tomorrow and its possibilities, as a choir, at any time. What a difference - and how could the Universe possibility say no?

Have a Happy, Prosperous New Year!

Deserving vs Earning

This may be a little deep for the Holidays, but I think it's an excellent time to do some soul-searching. If we can find some gunk that tends to block our holiday good cheer, and get rid of it - all the merrier!

Okay, so I'm still looking into this internal/external thing which, for me, tends to take me in circles until I get to the core. So hang in there with me, please.

We often read/hear that in order to manifest we must believe we are deserving. Now, I can justify why I deserve something. Say I want to manifest a raise in pay. Do I believe I deserve a raise in pay? Well, of course! I earned it! Just look at all the great things I've done for this company! Oh my gosh, they probably don't deserve me! So why isn't a raise in my reality?

Using justification for deserving is an ego trap! It does not raise my vibration to the level of the "raise" I want! It can get me started toward a feeling good vibration, but I must be careful not to take it into an anger or victim-hood low vibration. It is best to feel deserving without the need for justification. Deserving - internal, justification - external.

When and how does one separate deserving and earning? Do you deserve or earn respect? Do you earn or deserve a camera? You may deserve to be trusted, but if you have abused that trust with someone, you may need to earn that trust back. Earning is a doing thing, an external thing. Deserving is internal - a feeling thing, a way of being.

So, in order to manifest, there must be the internal and external. Deserving (internal feeling) and earning (the external action) through speaking, doing, writing, taking the steps toward the goal. They can actually feed each other toward creation! I raise my vibration as I take action, and my increased vibration makes action more focused and, dare I say, pleasurable! Which helps me feel better still!

So, now, is naughty or nice an internal or an external? And do we give gifts based on deserving or earning/justification? Oh, this puzzle is too big for one sitting. Puzzles have always been one of my favorite things to do this time of year....but I usually have help!

Your comments are most welcome and appreciated! Oh, and thank you for passing this forward!

Love and Light and Happy Holidays!

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!