Category: Life-n-stuff


Dreaming It

Filed under: Creativity, Health, Life-n-stuff, Money, Relationships, Self — Leave a comment
7 July 2011

In the Artist’s Way course, Julia Cameron has us doing affirmations out the wazoo.  I’m on board with this practice, actually.  I lurve affirmations, and when I get stuck in the morning pages, I always know I can write affirmations for as long as I want until the next astonishing thought reveals itself.  Early in the book, Cameron provides a set of starter affirmations to use, one of which is “My dreams come from God, and God has the power to accomplish them.”  While I enjoy that, I decided to tweak the first part, so for me it reads: “My dreams are God’s dreams, and God has the power to accomplish them.”  If I may say so myself, and I’m about to, that is an incredibly powerful statement.  I was using this affirmation yesterday and felt a remarkable shift – mentally, spiritually, even physically.

I mean… think about it.  Seriously.  Are we so egotistical to think that the most brilliant idea or dream we may have hasn’t already been conceived by the INFINITE INTELLIGENCE?!   Or that any idea from anyone, anywhere, throughout time didn’t already exist before they thought it?  Let’s use Einstein’s “E=mc2” energy equation as a point of reference.  It’s well known.  It’s commonly accepted.  As spectacular as this theory is, do you really think that equation didn’t come into play when, say, the Universe was created?  That once Einstein published it, God was thinking, “Son of a bitch!  Wish I’d thought of that.”  Are we really willing to say, “Yeah well… there’s Infinite Intelligence/Source/God, whatever, you know… yeah, it created the Universe and stuff… but my three-pound brain came up with this OTHER, separate idea that’s totes awesome!”  Really? REALLY????

So along those lines, if my dreams are God’s dreams, who am I to (a) resist their demonstration in my experience or (b) presume I have a better system or better set of resources for accomplishing them?  I don’t normally like to get caught up in ‘why’ questions, but I suppose I want to prove a point here.  Why would any of us stand in the way of the Power that created EVERYTHING wanting to co-create our lives with us?!  Why would I think I couldn’t do this or that thing to accomplish a dream or goal that is simply God wanting to express through me?  And why would I think I have a better set of contacts or connections or encyclopedias or internet links or factories to bring those dreams to fruition than the very Source Power that created all of those things?  And with that, why would I let ANYONE outside of my Self tell me I should adjust or rethink or let go of my dreams or goals?  Do they know better than Infinite Intelligence?  What do you think?

My dreams are God’s dreams, and God has the power to accomplish them.  Sweet.  Sign me up.  If God can create… you know… all of time and space and Life and perfection and beauty and Love (and then some), it’s a not a big stretch to think God – working for me by working through me and AS me – can sell a television show.  And whip this body into shape.  And enjoy loving relationships with friends, family and a perfect partner.  And have a sweet abode near the beach.  And start a new company.  And drive a black BMW 650i convertible.  And travel the world in style and comfort.  And be financially independent.  And… and… and… and… and…

There is a power for Good in the Universe, and I can use it – consciously, fearlessly and RIGHT NOW!  Who’s with me?

Comment

Letting Go

Filed under: Life-n-stuff, Self — Leave a comment
3 July 2011

At the spiritual center I attend, we often sing a song with the following lyrics:

I am letting go of the things that no longer serve me.
As I’m letting go, I am healed.   I am made whole.

First let’s clear a few things up.  We all know there is really nothing that needs to be healed.  All healing is simply a revealing of the Truth of who we really are.  And being MADE whole?  What’s that about?  I am already whole and complete, thanks very much, although I do forget it from time to time.  Despite my objections, it’s a lovely lyric.  Whew.  Glad we’ve got that cleared up.  Onward.

We can be challenged at times to let go of the things to which those lyrics refer:  beliefs, thoughts, ideas, behaviors, grudges, expectations of others, illness, people – basically, energy that does not serve our highest good.  The energy itself is not bad – it’s part of the All-That-Is, after all.  But for example, if it’s the energy of 24-hour cable news (or broadcast news, or worse:  internet news), be watchful.  An energy of fear, worry, alarm or disgust about things that usually have little or nothing to do with day-to-day life, or REAL Life (capital “L”)?  Not real.  Perhaps the energy is an old, icky feeling of something from long, long ago that comes up in the seemingly most random of ways, like a song clip you hear, or a smell you notice.  Maybe it’s a habit that is so obviously NOT working for you.  (Yeah, I have some of those.)  Time to be done with it all.

I have a few things in my Life that I am simply OVER, and I am letting go of them.  This nasal infection that’s been coming and going for a year and a half?  Bye.  This aberration of lack in my Life?  That can go.  See ya!  Singledom?  Definitely time for that to be done.  WAY too long stretches of non-creativity or non-productivity (or both)?  Thanks for playing.  Love you, mean it.  Thanks for serving me, but don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.  Poor eating habits; non-existent exercise habits; internet surfing; complaining; gossip… I could go on.  It’s all too much.  I want Life to be simple.  Life IS simple.  And easy!  We make it hard.  And I’m letting go of that belief, too.

I’m amazed at the changes that have taken place in my world these past three weeks.  I have 9 more weeks to go in my Way Mental Summer, and there’s a lot I fully expect to happen.  I’m letting go of ANY pre-conceived notions about my expectations NOT coming to fruition.  Thinking I can’t have it or don’t deserve it?  Buh-bye.  Peace and love and wisdom and power are mine now.  I have access to Infinite Intelligence, and I now use it intelligently.

Comment

Now Looking Forward

Filed under: Creativity, Life-n-stuff, Self — 1 Comment
30 June 2011

If there’s one message that has been throttled into my brain this week, it is this:  stop beating the drums of what was, and start living the Life you want NOW.  Decide to commit!  It was the topic of Anthony Meindl’s blog this week.

On Tuesday, another Facebook friend posted the Abraham-Hicks video below.  Even though the title is “The Law of Attraction and Gay Rights,” there really is a much more universal theme to this video than just Gay Rights.  It is truly about stepping into the Life you were born to express as a Divine spiritual being!  I think my favorite quote from this clip is:  “Live your dream, BE your dream.  And stop looking for evidence that doesn’t support it!”  How many of us are guilty of focusing on past mistakes or experiences or circumstances instead of focusing on that which is pure potential, that which already exists (vibrationally speaking) and which we can reveal in our experience?  If we have the thought, then it already exists (and always has) in the Mind of God.  We’re simply revealing Truth.

Wednesday, my friend Jonathan updated his Facebook status to: “Stop rejecting what you don’t want, open up and let what you want come to you. Keeping your mind focused on what you don’t want keeps what you don’t want present in your reality. Focus on what you DO want and keep that present in your reality!!”  Sound words.  As if that little bit of serendipity didn’t cause me to take notice, that same night at Wednesday meditative service, the reading was about deciding to reject that which you do not want anymore, followed by an entire talk about bursting out of our cocoons and SOARING like the magnificent butterflies we all are.

ALL RIGHT!!  Stop yelling, everyone!  I get it already!

Actually, I’m grateful for all the yelling.  If that’s what it takes for me to continue creating change in my world, I can live with it.  It really is time to ONLY look forward.  Yes, it’s useful to look at the past (but don’t stare, it’s rude) and even the present to gauge whether or not it is the experience I wanted to have in my Life.  If not, it’s up to me to make a new decision, a new choice.  And to know once I commit, it is already done.

By living in the consciousness of ‘it is already done,’ the Universe WILL respond perfectly, and our world can change.  It’s our decision.

Comment

Equal to It All

Filed under: Life-n-stuff, Relationships, Self — Leave a comment
28 June 2011

When wonderful things happen in Life, it’s fantastic to be in the knowing place of, “Hellz yeah!  I’m equal to that!  Of course that happened, because I’m amaze-ballz!”  The barista gave me free coffee – yeah she did!  That cute guy called for another date?  Mm hmm.  Roles in three productions without having to audition?  Totes.  New job offer?  Check.  TV show bought by ABC?  Awesome.  I just won the lottery?  Well yeah, that too!  Bring it on!  Git it.  BOOM!

And then… there are the things that suck.  Yes, yes.  Those who know me know I’m very much in the headspace these days of NOT labeling experiences as good or bad, but rather acknowledging that it’s all simply evolution.  Still… things happen, right?  Logically, we must be equal to these, uh, ‘less-than-ideal’ experiences too, right?  It’s not exactly a picnic to admit it, but why else would we be having them?  If we’re powerful enough to attract the new job, the new romance, the new BMW 650i convertible (black, please), surely that same consciousness is what’s attracting the frustrating financial situation, the neurotic dog, the family stress, the friendship that’s no longer, the group that has excluded you, and so on.  The Power of our Minds is truly fascinating.

If we’re not standing in the Truth of who we are in every moment, we can really get derailed when ‘bad things happen,’ even if only temporarily.  It’s like a sucker punch, and all the air is knocked out of us.  What’s important is to catch a breath and recognize the gift in these moments.  Yeah, even the moments that bite.  What can we learn from said sucker punch?  And are we willing to examine it without judgment – of ourselves, of the puncher, of the outcome – so we can expand and evolve?  Aaaah.  Breathe deep.

Yes, I feel like I’ve been punched lately.  Maybe even feel beaten up a bit.  (It all sounds so dramatic.)  But it’s getting easier to look at it all and know, lovingly, “I am equal to this.  I can learn.  There’s a gift for me in this.  What is it?  What choice do I want to make now?  What do I WANT to be equal to?”  This is the work.

Comment

Grateful

Filed under: Acquaintances, Friends, Life-n-stuff, Relationships, Self, Work/career colleagues — Leave a comment
8 March 2011

Apologies for the month-long gap between entries, y’all.  Not long after my last February entry, I went on a week-long vacation, and since then, I’ve allowed certain circumstances in my life to get the better of me.  But we do our best to learn and move forward, and part of this process is Proving I Am NOT my circumstances.  Let’s trust I’ve learned my lesson.

Speaking of lessons, DAMN!  I sers’ly got skool’d yesterday.  I mean… holy friggin’ God!  I received a phone call that turned into a major test of mettle.  It really was one of those moments when you must ask yourself “what do you really believe here?”  The specific details of the matter are irrelevant, but in a nutshell:  a colleague of mine and I were not seeing eye-to-eye on some recent communications between us.  We were looking at the same situation and having two very different experiences.  I don’t think that’s terribly uncommon — people interpret their reality within the context of their background, experience, or even what may have happened to them that morning at breakfast.  Someone driving down the freeway watching a dramatic, awe-inducing brush fire from a distance is having a very different experience from the person who is watching that same fire destroy their home, and both of them are having a different experience from the exhausted firefighter who just spent 20 hours straight fighting that same blaze.

Anyhoo… my experience of this particular phone conversation was, to say the least, unpleasant.  Content-wise, there were definitely parts of the exchange that made me think, “Hmmm, OK.  I’ll take a look at that.  Noted.”  And afterward, I did take note, and wouldn’t you know, I learned some new stuff about myself.  Sweet!  But there are other, profound lessons that have since been revealed to me as I’ve processed it, and they are PRICELESS.  I’m a little giddy with gratitude for them.

Despite a charged conversation, I never forgot who I was.  My human ego didn’t really make an appearance (that I can recall), and I remained calm.  I was at peace knowing there was nothing I needed to prove.  I stood in my Truth, knowing the impassioned remarks directed my way had nothing to do with me.  (This is a biggie, especially in the midst of personal criticism.)  I was comfortable acknowledging and verbally honoring the validity of this person’s feelings while being in disagreement with their opinions.  And I realized I will always, Always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS treat others with nothing but the utmost personal respect.  I think I’ve been on-track with that last one a long time, but I’m willing to recognize a powerful reminder when I get it.  I trust those close to me will lovingly hold me accountable to that should they discover me off principle there in some way.  I will treat others how I want and deserve to be treated.  There is simply no excuse to do otherwise.

Truthfully, it was only about 10 minutes after the call when it dawned on me how much gratitude I suddenly felt for this person’s appearance in my life — not just yesterday, but for all of our past discussions.

Despite these spectacular a-has, there were still plenty of questions about all of it that were doggin’ me, so I’m also incredibly grateful for the conversations with friends last night who provided much-needed perspective on many levels.  One of them helped drive home how this phone call was a beautiful, Divine gift.  He reminded me how important it is to acknowledge, understand and fully accept into my consciousness the lessons it taught, so that I will never have to go through that experience again, which sounds pretty good to me.  I am also grateful to know that despite heated disagreement, I can authentically hold this person in light, peace and love, knowing they are in the exact right place on their own perfect journey.

Reading this back, it sounds a little “Yeah, I’m totally amazing.”  That goes without saying, of course, right?  But recognizing significant shifts in my consciousness is pretty major.  These shifts are the point of all the work I’m doing, so I’m gonna go ahead and point them out when I notice them.  Thanks for understanding!   =D

Comment

Reseeding

Filed under: Creativity, Health, Life-n-stuff, Self — Leave a comment
8 February 2011

I have a daily routine of reviewing my goals and the things I want to do, be and experience at this time in my Life.  I blogged in January about wanting to understand the feelings the experience of these goals will leave me with.  Lately, in looking over them, it keeps coming to me that I could still be much, MUCH clearer on what I believe with regard to these goals, and why I believe it.

If our lives are a reflection of what is happening in our individualized Minds – and I believe they are – why, for example, do I continue to have eating habits that do not support my goal of getting into the best shape of my life?  There must be some belief still at play that is creating the thought of poor eating habits, and thus that is what is showing up in my experience.  Hmm.  Maybe it would be more accurate to say I must have a belief that is creating a separation in my mind from the Truth of who I Am.  One that is obstructing my clarity of Truth, and one that isn’t serving the idea of my physical body as one that is lean, strong, balanced, flexible and, spiritually speaking, Perfect.

I’m reviewing the top goals in my life to get VERY clear on what beliefs and thoughts I have planted in Mind.  Universal Law does not analyze or make adjustments to what it receives.  Plant a cucumber seed, and you will get cucumbers.  Plant a rose seed, and you will get roses.  Ernest Holmes wrote: “The idea of the full-grown plant must exist somewhere in the seed and soil if it is ever going to materialize.”  Using the aforementioned example, I must be planting seeds of a doughy mid-section, because that is what the Law is giving me.  That is what is showing up in my experience.

I am ready and willing to plant some new seeds in Mind.  I must first be absolutely clear on what the seeds contain, however, because Universal Law works perfectly every single time.  This is my work right now.

Comment

Trusting

Filed under: Life-n-stuff, Self — Leave a comment
2 February 2011

The shift in my consciousness and my life becomes more apparent and palpable each day.  It is fascinating to me how long this process has taken, and I am further astonished in the knowing that it simply didn’t need to be like this!  Ha!  I know I am right where I need to be on my journey, and that I’ve always been in the right place at the right time, so no complaints.  But now that I am knowing and experiencing my Life’s unfoldment more and more consciously, I expect there is going to be an avalanche of activity and demonstration in my Life, starting now.

I have much on my plate right now.  Spiritual studies, classes, creative work, personal projects, and of course the energy drains I’m plugging up and eliminating once and for all.  The potential for overwhelm-ment is quite strong.  Yesterday, with all I knew I was facing in the week ahead, I took my time for my spiritual work in the morning -  journaling, reading, meditation – and opened myself up to guidance.  I claimed a knowing of Divine right action and decided to let that dictate my day.  After all, an all-knowing, Infinite Intelligence likely has some good ideas for me to use.  For all of us to use, I would say… IF we quietly listen, follow through and TRUST.

I definitely have my “to get done” list.  But yesterday and today, I really decided and sensed I would be better off letting myself be still for a few moments now and then, and trusting that Spirit would let me know what to do next.  Monkey mind/human ego crept in, of course, arguing that my time might be better spent here or there, doing this other thing or that.  But it is time for me to trust the Universe at all times, in every moment.  Though there may be temporary lapses when I unconsciously step off principle and forget my Godliness, there is never a moment when I am not held in Love and Peace and Truth.  When I being my awareness back to them, breathe them in, allow them through, and release them out into the world knowing I’m creating room for more to always come back to me in a constant stream, there is more ease, more flow, more grace… and more gets accomplished!

I worked with this meditation/trust technique again today.  Both yesterday and today turned into days of atypical productivity.  I want to have these kinds of days every day!  I claim that now, essentially deciding to trust the process of trusting!  The decisions and processes and work become more inspired, and Life unfolds miraculously.

I Am Trusting.

Comment

Peace

Filed under: Creativity, Life-n-stuff, Self — Leave a comment
1 February 2011

In my last post, I wrote how all my unsettled mental clutter is guest starring in my current experience.  It ALL came up again last night when I was given the assignment to look at my goals (I’ve defined my top twelve), decide which one is most important, and spend the week focusing on changing my consciousness around it.  In seconds, my goal of “releasing all the energy drains on my current list” popped off the page into my face, in metaphorical boldface italics, underlined.  Clearly, this is work I need to be tending to, because it keeps coming back at me.  It makes the most sense, since these unfinished items are siphoning my energy away from me experiencing my Good full strength and unfiltered.

With all of these unfinished items swirling around in my Mind, the clarity with which I can tap into and attune what I need to know about… well… anything and everything else in my Life is compromised.  I suppose this is a belief of sorts, but it makes sense to me, energetically speaking.  When there is upheaval in my Mind of any kind, how can it NOT show up in my experience?  If my Mind is not at peace, or does not know peace, I am adding that consciousness into the larger race mind as well.  That doesn’t sit well with me.  I recognize Peace as mine right now, and so it must come.  Peace of Mind.  There is Peace in MY world, and that’s where Peace everywhere must begin.

January 30 was the first day of The Season for Non-Violence, which is a 64-day educational and media campaign dedicated to demonstrating how non-violence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities.  Peace is possible.  It starts in our own Minds, directing the conscious creation in our own lives.  And then out from us it expands.

I am Peace.

Comment

The World I Feel

Filed under: Health, Life-n-stuff, Money, Relationships, Self — Leave a comment
27 January 2011

As part of her Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity, Edwene Gaines teaches that we should identify specific, tangible goals.  She calls them Golden Goals – your most important desires.  I’ve had an ongoing list since first seeing Edwene speak in 2009, but after seeing her speak Sunday, I knew mine were due for an overhaul.  It was time to reassess, and to get as clear and specific as possible without writing a book on each goal.  (After all, Edwene also instructs you to read your goals three times every morning and every evening.)

On Tuesday night, I went to see Marianne Williamson give her weekly talk on A Course In Miracles.  I’ve never studied the Course, but I understand what it is at a very basic level.  Spiritually speaking, it has many similarities with what I study and believe, and I love hearing the Truth from a variety of sources.  I also happen to enjoy that Marianne is an intelligent and compelling speaker.  This week was about Lesson #128:  “The world I see holds nothing that I want.”

Well, crap.  Which is it, people?!  How shall or why should I set my goals if the world I see holds nothing I want?  What I’m getting from Marianne is that the physical world – the world of form -  is not where I will find anything that makes me happy, and then I have Edwene telling me that “The more specific you are, the faster your goals manifest.”

What I know is that I am a spiritual being living in a spiritual world governed by my use of the spiritual Law of Cause and Effect.  In the scope of my experience in this physical plane – what I lovingly refer to as “God having an A.J. experience” – these goals on which I’m focused, be they things or experiences, are ephemeral.  They are based in time and space.  God, however, is Eternal, Infinite, and unbound by time and space.

Still… a pimped out new 7 Series BMW would be a sweet ride.  A-ha!  There’s the link, I believe.  What we really want are NOT those things as we know them to exist in this realm, but rather the experience of the feeling that new car, new home, $10 million dollars, healthy relationship or whatever will lead us to.  We want to know peace, happiness, love, joy, abundance, beauty – all things (and more) which we can not see, and which are qualities of God, are they not?  Unity with the Divine is our natural state, and these feelings remind us of that.  And it feels goooooood!

Ah, but the question becomes:  how do we experience this Godliness when we don’t have “the stuff”?  I think that’s where creating the goals and being specific comes in.  The clearer we are on what we want, which is really what God wants to experience through us and as us, the easier it is to tap into the feeling we believe that thing or experience will provide.  Each detail unlocks more of the feeling, intensifying it.  In my goal setting work, I’m even going so far as to identify what I believe each goal will make me feel.

When we live from those feelings, we are living as God, and “the stuff” manifests.

Comment

Forgiveness

Filed under: Life-n-stuff, Money, Relationships — 2 Comments
25 January 2011

This is a biggie, y’all.  Forgiveness is one of the most powerful and healing things we can do as spiritual and Divinely human beings.  It’s also connected directly to our abundance and prosperity with regard to money, love, relationships, health and work.  Oh yeah, it runs through everything.

Forgiveness is a popular topic among spiritual thinkers, especially as it pertains to money and prosperity.  I’ve heard Marianne Williamson lecture about how ANY financial debt or adverse financial situation you may be facing is the result of forgiveness work you need to do – and it’s usually your own self that needs your forgiveness.  Along those same lines, Edwene Gaines says that “Debt is a socially acceptable form of self-punishment.”  Yeouch.  You know… both of these brilliant women are doing pretty well financially, so I’m paying attention.

I’ve made forgiveness work part of my daily spiritual practice.  In fact, it is part of my personal “$10 Million Dollar Project” directives.  There are countless forgiveness techniques you can use.  I’ve taken a cue from one of Ms. Gaines’ techniques.  At the end of each day I ask myself, “Have I put anyone outside of my heart today?”  The answer is usually yes, because at the very least, it’s likely I’ve beaten my own self up for something ridiculous.  I breathe deeply, forgive unconditionally, and invite those I’ve put outside of my heart back in.  I usually cap it off by forgiving myself for everything I have ever done wrong in my entire life (or, to be clearer, those things I’ve labeled as “wrong”).  It is powerful work.

Another forgiveness technique I’d love to share is one I found online:

Get into a meditative state of mind (calm, relaxed and peaceful) and think about the person or situation that is bothering you. Ask your soul for a symbol for the relationship or the event. Play with the symbol or image that you receive. If it’s dark, add light to it. If it’s closed, open it up. Working with things as energy is very powerful for as you transform the symbol, you transform the relationship or event as well. This is one of those techniques that is very effective, but I have no idea how or why this works. You can use this same technique when you want to resolve a problem or when you just want to get in touch with your inner guidance.

I’ve been using this a few days, and I absolutely love it!  I’m also planning a larger forgiveness ceremony where I review the phases of my life from childhood, through adolescence and young adulthood, to where I am today, and find out where I need to forgive.  I already know… there’s a list.  With each act of forgiveness, I create more space for my Good to enter in and fill me up.

My pastor just sent me this quote:  “What do you need to forgive?  Who do you need to forgive?  Start with YOURSELF, then continue onward, until there is nothing and no one left to forgive.  And then… watch what happens!”  Sounds like a great plan!

Comment
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.