Pick One

Today seems a very good day to share something that may just assist in your continuing path of Joy and Growth. Just in case you haven't yet uncovered it, or if you've forgotten. It is this:

It makes no difference whatsoever how anybody is flowing back at you. If you will realize this, you will completely release your defensive triggers. Because you cannot be defensive and appreciative at the same time. When you concentrate on appreciating, then appreciation comes right back. But you are really not looking for appreciation to come to you; you want the feeling of appreciation flowing through you.

This is a handy little tidbit, particularly if you are a People Pleaser. I know. I was once very concerned with what everyone did or did not like about me. I would go to great lengths to adjust who I was just to please "them". NOT a great way to live. Nor does this behavior lend well to one's true Joy. Because, as the saying goes, "you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time".

Staying focused on the feeling of appreciation is a magnificent way to craft the life you wish to live. And you can craft your life however you want. That's why you're here. You didn't come to just muddle through, letting everyone else dictate how and why and what you "should" do. You came to be the magnificent Creator that you have always been. Without you, the Universe cannot expand. Without you, there would be no Universe. Don't believe me? Well then...perhaps it's time to break out the microscope and examine just how much of an affect you've had on the world around you. There are people whose lives you've touched in ways that you cannot even begin to comprehend. Your caring, your love, your kindnesses, have had an enormous impact on at least one person, doncha think? And since each of us is a part of the Whole, it would be easy to see how each of us is an essential part of the Universal expansion. Make sense?

Okay. Maybe this is a little bit of a stretch for you at the moment. But here's the thing: even if you don't buy it, even if you think that you don't matter (but you DO!!!), just think about how much better the feeling of appreciation is...as compared to the feeling of defensiveness.

I rest my case.

affirmations and other such "nonsense"...

"There is only a stream of well-being".....

Before you think about that, check your gut. How does that statement make you feel? How resistant are you to this idea? Was your reaction, "Yea. Right."? Or was it, "I can  feel that. It's truth. There is only a stream of well-being."

I pose this today because it has become clear to me that when such thoughts are relayed, should you be in a place of "less-than", words like that can really get your shorts in a twist.

On the other hand...should you happen to be in your groove, for any reason whatsoever, such words can lift you up and take you further into your groove.

Yes or no?

Here's what I mean:

You know all those zillions of "affirmation cards" that seem to be available everywhere? The ones that have those fun images and phrases like, "I am a powerful Creator. Everything comes easily to me." Or, "I am an Abundant Being. Money flows to me with no effort." Or some such.

I recall the first set of such cards I received from a dear friend many years ago. They were by Louise L. Hay of "You Can Heal Your Life" fame (among other things). The cards were nicely laminated with bright, colorful drawings and affirmations for just about everything under the sun. They came in a very sturdy little box that looks good on the shelf and keeps the cards 'safe'. As soon as I got them, I made a few cool little card holders out of some exotic wood scraps I had in my workshop. Then I carefully chose spots where I'd see the cards all day long, reminding me to "state my affirmation".

But I also remember that I was in a pretty icky place at the time. My usually-optimistic attitude had been overshadowed by a very unfamiliar cynicism. Not the best of places to live in. So every time I'd see one of the cards I'd chosen for the day, and try to use the affirmation with gusto, I'd get this loud voice in my head saying, "Yea. Right. What a bunch of crap."

After a while, I put those cards back in the box and put the box on a shelf. Didn't touch them for a long time. Every now and then, I'd dust off the box and wonder, "How come it doesn't work for me?" It was a giant
tug-of-war between me and Me. But for some reason, I never got rid of them. Just kept dusting them and putting them back on the shelf.

Then, not long ago, I heard something that really got my attention. It was Abe, talking about those "silly affirmation cards" that they'd recently made available. They were standing there, reading the affirmations and then making fun of the whole idea. It was hysterically funny. I watched that video several times, completely amused by their antics and feeling the shift as they talked about why those affirmations could never work unless you were already in a space of "allowing". In other words, if you're in a funk, there isn't an affirmation in the world that's gonna change anything. First you have to get yourself in the good-feeling place; then you can say your affirmations and feel them resonate. Made sense to me.

The thing that was so fun about the whole experience was that they purposely (and quite sarcastically) teased about their "product". They told everyone listening, "Don't buy these cards. They're not going to help you until you make up your mind to change what you're thinking...and how you feel." Shocking stuff to say about one's own products, doncha think?

But the best thing about it was that I finally realized "why" those affirmations never worked. I finally saw how futile such practices are...if I'm not deliberately focused. And really, no cards are needed. No mantras or prayers or Books of Revelations are necessary for each of us to find our groove and work our 'magick'. The magick is all around us. It's inside of us. It IS us. The only reason we don't see the results of said magick is because we're too busy fussing and worrying over dumb stuff that distracts our attention from that flow of well-being. It's really that simple.

How do I know?

Cuz I'm living it. NOW. I'm living it every single day and I can tell you this:

It's a WHOLE LOT EASIER than you may think.

So then...

where do YOU wish to focus your attention?

just begin from where you ARE....

Buongiorno, my friends. I hope your world has been filled with wonder and happy happenings since our last visit. It has been a bit...since my last posting, and I am most happy to be here right now to share some 'stuff' that may lend a bit of joy (or, at the very least, EASE) to your world.

A few things before my offerings today:

A short while ago, I wrote a piece regarding my "rambling ego" and the way my writings had changed because of that Scamp. Since that posting, I've given even more thought to the whole matter...and my real reasons for doing this; in other words...is there something I'm missing? Suffice to say that I have moved beyond some of it...and am thoroughly enjoying these missives as a means to share what occurs (to me) without the need to justify this or that. It is, in no small way, a wonderful evolution.

The other "thing" is this whole idea of our personal evolution. There is no question in my mind that we are evolving, however slowly it may seem. There is also no doubt that, as we do, we come to see things with more clarity, more ease, more love. The more I focus on this evolution, the more it proves to be an actual Happening. To me, there is nothing more exciting than to see proof of my expansion. It is, in my estimation, the icing on the cake. And, of course, the cake is chocolate (as is the icing!).....

But...lest I digress further, let me just say that there are a lot of things that have changed in the very recent past. A LOT. And now, rather than attempting to explain or justify or smooth out the wrinkles, I find that I am more able to just let it be and allow you to either take what you like or leave the whole thing aside. Your choice. Mine too. It feels really, really, REALLY good to have acknowledged the differences that make us who we are...and still be okay with it.

Know what I mean?

Okay then.

Moving on....

One of the things that has 'shifted' in my experience is my attitude toward my current circumstances. I am able to see, quite clearly, that while my attitude has always been one of optimism, there were still moments when the least little glitch would zoom me right back to a prior feeling of unworthiness. Or anger (that's been my M.O. for eons!) or, on very rare occasions, despair. While I do not ever write when in such states, I am fully aware of these emotional shifts. I tend to stay in "hermit mode" when they strike, not willing to share such things with anyone. Not because I'm afraid I might taint my 'reputation'; rather because I know that the more I speak of anything, the more I call it to me. "That which is like unto itself is drawn". When things are less than joyful, I keep them to myself. It's really a marvelous way of letting that ickiness just die of natural causes. And ... it keeps the 'high ball' rolling.

So then...

I have the great blessing of being able to stay home, do my work, and take as much time as I like to listen to, read about, explore all manner of joyful teachings. Among them, my insatiable appetite for the teachings of Abraham. Just ADORE those Beings. They are funny, quick witted, and filled with great desire to lead us ever forward so that we might actually live the joyful lives we came here to live. I realize that there are those who might consider this a bit akin to any other "religious zeal". To those I say, (with great love!), I really don't give a rip. One of the things that had kept me from my own evolution for so long was my incessant need to please. That, too, has changed. I'm not here to make you like me. I'm not here to please you at the expense of my own pleasure. And I am certainly not here to smooth out your wrinkles.

You have yours. I have mine.

My journey is my own. As is yours. Should our energies converge for any kind of rendezvous, it will be for one of two reasons:

Either we are both vibrating the same 'stuff' OR
There is something unfolding that will cause us to expand even more.

Granted, these are my 'opinions'. My truths. My perspectives on my world. They might not be yours; and that's perfectly A-OK. I'm not looking for your validation; you need not look for mine (or anyone elses!). We are all so perfectly, exquisitely, absoluteably (cool word, huh) our own...that there is really no need for validation...from anyone, anywhere.

Once I came to this seemingly simple insight, my entire world changed. The life-long need I'd had for validation simply disappeared. The irritations I'd felt from others doing (or not doing) what I deemed 'proper' stopped entirely. All manner of angst just poofed into NoWhereLand. Relationships that had once caused me grief either transformed into harmonious relationships...or they disappeared entirely. People who I'd once judged so harshly became people who I appreciated for their own special qualities. In every case, all those things that had once caused me great irritation just went out of my experience altogether.

While all this was evolving, there was this beautiful, gentle shifting of energies. I started doing little 'tests' to see if I could really affect my world. Little things like lying in the hammock (with my Bruzer, of course) and breathing in the splendor of my surroundings. Appreciating the flowers AND the weeds. Listening to the sounds around me; birds singing and hawks calling, and ravens doing that thing ravens do. Just basking in the moment, without 'thinking' about anything. The more I laid in appreciation, the more there was (IS!) for me to appreciate. Round and round it went...until there was just no way that I could miss the proof that the Universe was hearing me. No words. No prayers. No expectations. Just pure appreciation.

This has been my most recent adventure. And I can tell you, with great delight and utter knowing, that it has been one of the most exciting, exhilarating, mind-blowing adventures I've even taken. And still it continues. Because...(here's the really groovy part)....the more you get, the more you get. The more you focus on what you really want (without going to that place of "....but I don't have it...."), the more the U delivers. It is the most sensational trip of all. And today, in this place of astonishing wonderment...I wanted to share the feeling of it with you.

Give it a try.

You'll see.

It WORKS!

breathe...1-2-3

Isn't it funny how sometimes after long and laborious searching we just kinda 'stumble' onto that very thing we've been searching for? Isn't it funny???

Well maybe not 'ha-ha' funny, but you know what I mean. You search and search and search some more until you're about to lose your mind...and then...WHAMMO! It shows up.

I think it's funny.

It's happened too many times for me to dismiss. In fact, in the past 4 or so years, it's happened a LOT. Every time I try...nothing seems to happen. The moment I throw up my hands and let go, the very thing shows up in the blink of an eye. What IS that?

I'll tell you what it is; (okay. remember: these are my perspectives, not some absolute 'law' thang. just reminding you about that part.) What it is is the Law in action. The Law being that Universal Truth that we so often overlook or dismiss or flat out push against. Everyone has a different name for it. The name doesn't matter. Whatever you call it, it's all around us all the time. If you're reading this now, you are, according to the common definition, "alive". If you're alive, you're living the Law, whether you know it or not. There's (the) "intentional living" and the "living by default". But either way, it's affecting you. Just like gravity. You get where I'm going with this, doncha?

But back to the point of all this...

As most of you (who read here regularly) know, I am most fond of telling a story to make my point (as opposed to the "how to" stuff). So the story goes like this:

For the past almost-4 years, I've been trying to meditate. You know...'sit down in a quiet space wearing comfortable clothes with no distractions and quiet your mind'. I've listened to countless recordings that were supposed to "guide" me through this process. I've read a gazillion books on the subject. I've talked with people who seem to do this with no effort whatsoever. I've prayed, begged, plead, whined, stomped my feet (oh yea. now there's a sure-fire way to get there, huh?), visualized, fantasized, written the words on paper (and subsequently burned them), well...you name it, I've tried it.

To no avail.

I'm an Ants-in-the-Pants kinda gal. I have a brain that goes fortygazillionmilesanhour. I am absolutely not the kind of person who does well sitting still in silence. (gee. what a surprise.) I've written about this stuff before...and shared with you the other ways I find my meditative state. Like gardening or cleaning my house. But I still wanted that sit-still-and-just-breath thing. The more I tried, the more I wasn't getting there. Finally, I just gave it up. I thought, "Well then Missy, maybe you're just not ready for that kinda thing. Leave it be. Quit banging your head on the wall. Move on to what you can do!"

Less than a week after I gave up the fight, something came to me (in an email) that got my heart dancing. From my friends Abraham (and the Hicks') a new meditation CD. Well, you know I had to get it. Just had to. The synchronicity of it all...and that it was Esther's voice (which I happen to love) on that CD was enough for me. "Besides," I thought, "if I don't like it, I can always give it to one of my friends." Went to Amazon and pre-ordered that baby. Got it 2 days after release and guess what?....I actually DID IT! I got my brain to be silent! I got my body to relax! I got in that space I've heard so much about. And all it took was....

"breath in 1-2-3, breath out 4-5-6-7-8" (and also some groovy music that helps you find that rhythm and, of course, Esther's voice in the back ground)

Now I want to tell you that I'm not here trying to promote the CD. I'm just sayin'...I gave up the 'fight' and the very thing I was searching for showed up. Almost instantly. And, to me, that is what the magic of The Law is all about. Do you think I'm pretty freakin' excited about now?

Yep.

Do you think it fortifies my beliefs?

Double Yep.

Do you think I'm going to ride this ride and YA-HOOOOOO my way through it?

Yep. Yep. Yep.

I'm thrilled that I found a way to be still for a whole 15 minutes.
I'm thrilled that this stillness actually does make me feel better.
I'm thrilled to share with you that YOU CAN DO IT TOO.
Just give up the 'fight'.
Let what you want come to you.


IT WILL.

this whole vortex thang....

Most of ya'll know that I'm a big fan of Abraham. Love their sense of humor. Love their delivery. Love the messages. Until now, I've only read the books and listened to some audio stuff, along with any videos they put up on YouTube. Until now.

I finally got off my scaredy-cat ass and purchased a 2-disc DVD called "Getting Into the Vortex". Mostly because the little clip they posted was just too darned compelling to dismiss. That and the reviews. Now, first let me say that I don't base my decisions on what other people say to do or not do. BUT (ah yes. the ever-present "but") I do take those things into consideration when I'm thinking about making such a purchase. Of course I realize that we're all different and we all have our own opinions on such things. So I look at what others have to say, take it all with a grain of salt...and make my choice. Having said all that, I will go further and say this: don't take my word on anything. It's all up to you.

Gee. Aren't you glad I told ya that?

Anyhoooo ~ I bought the set and sat down last night to immerse myself. Had a glass of wine and 2 adorable puppies lounging with me. I was ready for whatever they had to share...and quite eager about being able to "see" them instead of just listening. I find Esther (Hicks) a most pleasant woman to watch...and her willingness to allow them to speak through her is a most beautiful thing.

Now, before I go further let me also say I was never much into the whole "channeling" thing. I just didn't buy it. For the most part I considered it a bunch of hokus pokus and just another way for some folks to take your money. That is, until I heard Esther (or rather, Abraham) speak. There was just something about it that drilled all the way to my core. I just knew it was for real. Don't know why. Don't really care to know. Just knew. Even when my little Lizard Brain would argue with me over it, I'd tell it to be quiet...because even if it is a bunch of hokus pokus, it's still terrific stuff. Who the hell cares who's speaking? If it resonates, it resonates. What else matters? So then...

I got to watching this video and BOYHOWDY! Talk about vibrating! My whole Being was all tingly and the hairs were standing up on my arms and I was gigglin' and hootin' and hollerin' and just havin' a big time. The dogs were looking at me like I'd lost my mind...but that's nothing new either. I really think they get a kick outta my antics....mostly. Apparently it doesn't bother them, else they'd just up and go elsewhere. Cool critters both.

Short of giving you a dissertation here, I'm just going to offer this:

If you have any semblance of desire to move yourself into a different place...whether it be vibrationally, emotionally, spiritually or any other "..ally", this is a video you will absolutely appreciate. They are so right on the nose on so many things...and even if it's stuff you think you've already 'heard', you will hear it in an entirely different way. This whole vortex thang....well, I just didn't quite get what the heck they were goin' on about until I watched this video. Every time I'd hear or read about it, the first thing that would pop into my head was "HOWWWWWW??????? How the hell do I get there? Come on, ya'll! Give up the goods!"

This video goes there. They get all passionate about it too. There are a few spots where the folks on the "hot seat" are a bit...dense. They just aren't hearing what Abraham is trying to relay. Even those people did not annoy me. (and that's saying something). I could feel the patience emanating (from Abraham)...and even saw a hint of amusement on Esther's face. So rather than getting all aggravated, I just focused on what they were offering and let all the rest go.

Gee. What a concept.

There were a few spots in particular that really hit hard. So hard that I had to stop the video, get up and go outside to take a breath. Then I came back in, rewound and watched again. I'm tellin' ya, this was powerful stuff. Between the laughter and the clapping of hands, there were also a few tears. Good tears. That surprising jolt that fills your whole being with such joy you can't do anything but cry. That kinda stuff.

So then...if you're into this sorta thing and you think you might like a little jolt of your own, buy the video. It's worth every dollar.

Here's to ALL OF US getting into that vortex...and spreadin' the joy.