Can't-Miss Tip To Uncover Genius

How I show up in the world matters.  And I have always tried to be respectful of others without forgetting that I am important too.

Some days, though, I have felt that I just needed to vent and complain and grumble. Then the lousy feelings inside of me would disappear.  I was sure of it.

But, what I noticed is when I complained to a friend about how another person was impacting me or if I shared how much it stinks to get cut off in traffic, I only felt more frazzled.  I did not feel comforted by my ranting or validated by my certainty that I was right.

So, I'm trying a new approach.  It's something simple that I borrowed from the book, The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer.  I am looking for the genius in everything and everyone.

This week, I was commuting back and forth between San Jose and San Francisco.  I don't often have to deal with traffic and drivers who are in their own world and rainy weather that creates accidents.  So, it was the perfect opportunity to practice my new technique.

Each morning, I took a minute as I pulled out of the driveway to breathe and remember my intention.  I put on music that I enjoyed and focused on simply being in my car and driving.

I wish I could say that this alone created a smooth drive, however, that's not how the Universe works, right?  Once you make a declaration, the Universe give us a chance to practice.

Sure enough, there were drivers that needed to pull into my lane at the last minute without signaling.  And there were drivers going so sloooow, in the past, it would have made me crazy.

But, not this time.  As I focused on seeing the possibilities of greatness, it was easy to kindly make room for the driver to slip in front of me.  And, I stopped noticing that there were huge gaps between the car in front me and the car in front of them.

The difference this made in how I felt when I arrived at my destination was amazing!  I was more calm and peaceful and just had a general "feel-good" vibe about me that I can't explain.

The most noticeable result -  one day I ended up being 10 minutes late and, prior to my experiment, I would have been berating myself for not anticipating delays and for not leaving earlier.  This time, however, I somehow knew it was okay that I was late.

As I walked into the conference center, I simply said a quick apology and got down to work.   No one said a word that my being late was an issue.  Not even my boss.  For me, that was huge!

I can't explain how this all works from the simple act of setting an intention.  And, I know that it won't always be this way.  There will still be moments when I forget to cultivate this behavior within myself.  But, I am sure going to make the effort to use this in more and more areas of my life.

That is my hope - that this becomes something I do so naturally, it is now a part of who I am and how I live my life on a regular basis.

So, has anyone else experienced times when choosing to see things differently has created something unexplainable?

Today, I set the intention to allow the Universe to support me in making choices and decisions that uncover the genius in everyone.  

"Tell others about their genius.  Be as complimentary and authentic 

as you can.  In doing so, you'll radiate loving, kind, abundant, 

creative energy.  In a universe that operates on energy 

and attraction, you'll find these same qualities returning to you." 

~Dr. Wayne Dyer, The Power of Intention

"I shall pass through this world but once.  Any good therefore 

that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me 

do it now.  Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." 

 ~Stephen Grellet

Affirmative Prayer:
Going within, there is a radiant goodness, a brilliant light, an unconditional love that is all part of the Divine Intelligence.  This Intelligence is a dynamic force for beauty, for joy, for wisdom, for grace.

In the stillness, this Divine Intelligence moves through me, revealing what is right and what is beautiful in every moment of my day.  And with each action that I take, the excellence of Divine Wisdom guides my steps, expressing the vision that Spirit has for Its life as Sandy.  I am lifted to a higher level of Divine Insight and I am filled with faith as this Insight surrounds me with purpose and with strength.

And it is with purpose and strength that I claim the fullness of Life that is always available in every situation.  I welcome the uncovering of the sparks of genius in everyone that I meet and I allow those sparks to ignite into lives filled with passion and with magnificence.  Declaring that good and more good is right where I am, I make choices that prosper my finances and I make decisions that expose the love in all of my relationships.  I accept the feeling of newness and wonder that my life has as I wake each day, trusting that the Universe has my back in all things.

I am so grateful for the insight of Spirit that brings a calm and a peace to my choices and decisions.  And I am thankful that my purpose is clear as passion guides my steps.    I am filled with gratitude for my connection with others as we share the prosperity and the love that is our Divine birthright.

With great thanks, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  Life is good!  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Who Is Responsible For Your Difficulties?

It's funny how quickly I can get down on myself when I feel that I have failed at something.  I re-live the events and find all the mistakes that were made.  I talk to myself continuously about what I should have done differently.   I start the "catastrophe" thinking.

So - what would it look like if I decided to leave behind the voice that says, "Why do you always screw it up?"  What if I decided to embrace the failure and see it as a gift of guidance?

What if I took responsibility for the choices that brought me to that point?

Now - I can see clearly that I am the only one who can deprive myself of anything.  Life is not holding anything back from me.  Life is not making it difficult for me to thrive.   Those are blame-game stories that let me step back into playing small.

When I have failed and feel like I will never be a success, it's a great time to take a look inside myself.  Maybe I have some old habit that I'm hanging on to that needs to be released.  Maybe it's just that I have been too busy to be present to the moment.

So, what if I just show up and am fully receptive to life?   What if I continue to hold onto the bigger picture for my life and am willing to just "be"?

For me, receptivity is the key word here. Being receptive to everything that life brings allows me to adapt and to be resilient when there is change or upheaval or failure.

Perfect example - with the moving I have done over the last few years resulting in living in an apartment, I started comparing myself to others.   As if out of the blue, I seemed to be surrounded by people who owned their own homes and would talk about how beautiful it was and how excited they were.  And, all I could feel was frustration.  I had failed at the great American dream - owning my own home.

Aha!  THAT'S the story I am telling myself!

So, how do I fix it?  Taking a tip from the book I've been reading, The Power of Intention.  I am determined to keep my thoughts on higher energy feelings around this supposed "failure".  I remind myself how fortunate I am to live in the place that I do.  And, I am truly grateful for the clutter-clearing that was required to downsize.

I do, some days, still question if this is how my life is supposed to look.  After all, if I am a co-creator with the Universe, why have I not created something "better"?

But - I also have great faith in the Universe.  I let go of the feeling that I have somehow compromised and settled for less by living in an apartment.  Instead, I focus on the fact that I AM resilient.  I can adapt to change better today than I ever could before.  And, I trust that the Universe is always guiding me and that I am NEVER in the wrong place.

Best of all, I refuse to play small.  I show up every day as the wise, spiritual person that I am.   And I dare to take big, bold action - even when it's scary - because I know that the Universe has my back.

So, have there been times you've needed to be resilient in your life?  How did you adapt to change?

Today, I set the intention to welcome change, knowing that I am always in the right place at the right time and it is perfect.

"You live in a universe that has limitless potential for joy built into 

the creation process.  Your Source, which we call the universal 

mind of intention, adores you beyond anything you can possibly

 imagine.  When you adore yourself in the same proportion, you're 

matched up with the field of intention, and you've opted for 

the path of no resistance."  

~Dr. Wayne Dyer, The Power of Intention

"Creation is eternally going on; change is always taking place 

within that which is Changeless."  

~Ernest Holmes

Affirmative Prayer:
In the morning dew on the grass, in the fog that blankets the coast, there is a Divine Intelligence that moves through all that is, covering everything in love.  It is a Life that knows only good, only joy, only happiness, and It is a Source that brings fresh wisdom each day.

Looking within, this Source of Love, of Life, moves through and around me, expressing as me, in all that I do and in all that I speak each day.  I am always connected to Source, to Spirit, and my life unfolds with grace and ease as I take each step in my journey.

Affirming that the Universe always has my back, I allow my life to be guided by perfect, Divine order.  I let go and let God provide for my needs as I remain open to change.  I am supported by a Source that wants my highest and best and I stay centered in feelings of trust and of peace.  I am safe as Spirit directs my path and I am transformed as I lean into the possibilities of playing big.  I release any thoughts of lack or failure and welcome the blessings that show up in my life, knowing I am loved beyond measure.

I am so grateful to the Presence within for the gifts that are given and shared as I show up for life.  And I am thankful for the love that surrounds my every choice.  I am filled with gratitude for the abundant supply that is always available to me.

From this place of gratitude, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  All is well.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Plan For Prosperity. Ditch The Same Old Life

Every thought impacts your life.  That has become so clear as I continue reading The Power of Intention.  For the past few days, I have been consciously holding the life I want to manifest in my imagination.  Now, I must take the next step - to examine the obstacles that keep me from connecting to my intention.

Yep, I have to get my hands a little dirty <sigh>.

It is so important to be conscious of the conversations I am having with others and having with myself.  I may be creating barriers to realizing my intentions by talking and thinking about what I DON'T want.

According to the book, "Everything in this Universe is a movement of energy."  This includes your thoughts.

"Every thought you have has an energy that will either strength or weaken you."

So, as I have conversations that are not loving and not valuable - conversations that simply fill space - my energy level remains low, impacting not only me but those around me too.

If I keep having the same old conversations in that low energy level, that will translate to the same old life.

What if I am seeking to up-level my life to one filled with more prosperity and abundance on every level?  The goal, then, is to be aware of my thoughts and raise them to a higher energy level.  This means I MUST start noticing what I am actually saying.

I learned something about myself recently as I started paying attention to some of my conversations.  My husband, Kevin, and I were talking about going on vacation to Hawaii in December.   I agreed that would be nice but we won't have the money.

Wait!   HOW do I know I WON'T have the money?  I was already planning for lack and scarcity.  And - I just set my future in motion with that intention.

With that in mind, I took a minute to stop and change my thoughts to one of possibilities.

I went out to the Travel & Leisure website and started picturing myself enjoying one of the many vacation options they had listed.  And, I wrote down affirmations about how affordable our vacation in December will be - how amazing it will be to stay in a 5-star resort this year - how exciting the opportunities for dining and for spa days and for other activities would FEEL.  I even threw in how luxurious flying first class would be on this trip.

I planned for the prosperity rather than the lack.  And, now the doors are open for the Universe to provide unexpected good where before there was "not enough".

So, how do YOU plan for the prosperity and the possibilities for good?

Today, I set the intention to take responsibility for my thoughts, seeking only to engage in higher energy conversations that translate into a life of prosperity and abundance.

"Faith is expectancy.  You do not receive what you want; you 

do not receive what you pray for, not even what you say you have 

faith in.  You will always receive what you actually expect."  

~Eric Butterworth, Spiritual Economics

"When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."  

~Lao Tzu

Affirmative Prayer:
There is a Presence in this moment that is filled with happiness, filled with joy, filled with bliss.  It is a Divine Wisdom and Divine Intelligence that exists throughout all that is - in the beauty of a green meadow sloping down toward a lush river, in the quiet patter of the rain falling against the window - It is alive and awake to the possibilities of Life.

This Divine Presence of Life is also awake and alive through me, expressing as me, in ways that are filled with the wonder of what will be.  As I move through my day, this Presence of Spirit within guides me and sustains my very being as I allow the flow of happiness and joy and bliss to surround me.

As Spirit expresses through me, my dreams and visions are brought into my every day experience.   I keep my thoughts and feelings focused on the good that is available and it shows up in ways that are better than I even imagined.  I let go of any thoughts of lack and allow the Universe to prosper me in every area of my life - in my relationships, in my finances, in my health.  I am worthy of the flow of abundance that is here now and I am enough, just as I am in this moment.  And, just like a stone that is tossed into a pond, this flow of prosperity and abundance, of happiness and joy, spreads out to others who are open to the possibility of every day miracles.

I am deeply grateful for the good in my life, for the blessings that seem to appear out of nowhere.  And I am so thankful for knowing the nature of God is always my Truth, the nature of Good is always my Divine Birthright.

From this place of thankfulness, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  It is creating through me - right here, right now.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!

How Daydreaming Is Good For You

I've been re-reading The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer.  Boy, what a powerful book.   According to Dr. Dyer, "The secret to manifesting anything that you desire is your willingness and ability to realign yourself so that your inner world is in harmony with the power of intention."

An intention is not a series of goals that you wish to accomplish nor is it a check-list of things to-do.  It's much bigger than that.  An intention is a vision for your life, uncovered as you spend time in contemplation of how you might see your life down the road.

Where you place your thoughts and your imagination is what you will create in your life.

Funny, but I can hear my parent's voices from the past still saying, "Get your head out of the clouds" and "quit daydreaming and get down to some real work."   It turns out they were wrong!

Imagination is our connection to Spirit, to the creative energy within us that wants to express life fully.  When we connect our imagination to the energy of intention, we start to be pulled, through events in life, toward that bigger picture.

And - that can sometimes be scary because an intention won't let things be just as they are.  It forces us to let go of things that are no longer working.  It calls us to re-evaluate skills and talents that we may not have used in a while but will need to tap into again.

Most of all, intention wants to create.  All it takes is being open to doing what you showed up here for in the first place.

So, take some time to simply daydream.  Align your inner speech with your imagination.  Make time to meditate - each and every day - even if only for a few minutes.  Get still and listen to the action steps that your intention is guiding you to take.  And, keep your inner talk focused on the good.   Come from a place of gratitude.

Without doubt, it takes practice.  But - how exciting to be given the thumbs up to practice using your imagination.  And, how fun to be given permission to keep your head in the clouds for a while.

With that in mind, today I set the intention to spend more time in contemplation, letting myself really feel the end result of the vision for my life.

"The law of floatation was not discovered by contemplating 

the sinking of things, but by contemplating the floating 

of things which floated naturally, and then intelligently 

asking why they did so." 

 ~Thomas Troward

"Discover your divinity, find your unique talent, serve humanity with it,

 and you can generate all the wealth you want."  

~Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

Affirmative Prayer:
Feeling the steady rhythm of the heart beating, there is a knowing that everything is Source, everything is Spirit, everything is God.  It is a lovingly intimate Power that moves effortlessly through all that is.  And, at all times, it is a Spirit filled only with good, only with grace, only with peace, only with beauty.

Opening my heart, I recognize that I am one with this Spirit that surrounds and supports and sustains me in every moment.  With every action that I take, I am filled to overflowing with the harmony of the Universe.   And I am urged to greatness by a Divine Love within that guides me to thrive as I align my thoughts and actions and desires with a consciousness of unity.

Keeping my vision focused on this Divine Love, I accept the creative nudge that is pushing me toward the life of my dreams.  As I spend time in contemplation, I welcome the energy of my intention, allowing it to flow through me and move me in a direction that is for my highest and best good.  I claim the prosperity and abundance that are my birthright, releasing any thoughts or beliefs that no longer serve me and keep me in a life of mediocrity.  I am here on purpose, for a purpose and that purpose becomes more clear with every day that passes.  I am always in the right place at the right time, meeting other Spiritual beings having a human experience, and it is magnificent.

I am so grateful for the urgings of my intention that guide me to a life well-lived.  And I give great thanks for Divine Love that delights in my success, that is thrilled for my happiness and that seeks to express through me in beautiful ways.

From this place of thanksgiving, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the law, knowing it is already done.  I let go and I let God.  And so it is.

Celebrate YOU And Change The World

We are meant to live a life filled with joy, with happiness and with love.  I know many of us might believe that on some level but our reality has us question that fact.  I know that can be true for me.

If I'm here to live a life of joy, why do I hate my job so much and why can't I find a better one?

If I'm here to live a life filled with love, why can't I find my soulmate?
 
I'll be the first to admit, I DO compare my life to others.  I see other people who absolutely love their job and I wonder why I struggle.  Or, I see other people who seem to attract money and financial wealth and give no second thought to plunking down serious cash for a fancy dinner or outrageously expensive clothing.  Why do I struggle with my finances and breaking through the glass ceiling?

And THAT is where I give away my power.  When I start comparing my life to others, I'm in a no-win situation.

I am here (and we all are here) to make an impact on this world in my own unique way.  I am here to share my gifts and talents and to live out Life's vision for ME.

When I bring the focus back to me and make the decision to start playing up to my potential, I become open and available for the Universe to guide me and open the doors that lead to joy, to happiness, to love.

On Sunday, Michael Beckwith made a statement that was very powerful for me.  He said, "I am here to change the world."

I am here to change the world!  It's worth repeating a few times, out loud, so that I finally get it.

Seeking to internalize that concept, and, since writing is so powerful for me, I decided to write down and imagine myself surrounded by what I truly want in life.  And, I ask the Universe, "How am I to change the world?"

Then, I let the words flow, not judging or correcting them, just writing them down as they come.  Here's what showed up for me:

Sandy, when you let go of the fear of the unknown and step out 

in faith, life will return to you a multitude of blessings.  Get out and be 

with other people who are enjoying the same things you enjoy.  Be in 

community.  Pick up your flute every day and practice a little bit. 

Take the dog out and be in nature more often.  Celebrate 

everything including your relationship with your husband and children.  
Be more like a child and stay curious about everything.

I could literally feel the shift happen in my body.  And I know the magic will start to work in my life.  So, I'm remaining in a state of gratitude for all that is in my life now and for everything that I trust will be showing up, delivered by a Universe that wants to fill my life with good, with joy, with happiness and with love.

From that place, I set the intention to focus on my impact in the world, letting go of comparisons and remaining in awe of what's possible for my life.

Do you agree?

"Our prayer is that our excellence might come forth 

and serve the world."  

~Marianne Williamson

"What you can do is set up day-to-day goals for yourself, and then

 resolve to begin living with present moment awareness for the rest of 

your life....It is simply a matter of asking yourself at the beginning of the 

day, 'How do I want to conduct my life today?'   Then very directly 

begin to carry out your goals for the day.  When you get good at

 living your present moments one day at a time, you'll see yourself 

changing right before your own surprised eyes."  

~Dr. Wayne Dyer

Affirmative Prayer:
In this moment, there is only One Life, One Divine Power, that moves as effortlessly as the breeze blows in from the ocean and as beautifully as the sun rises each morning.  It is a magnificence that goes beyond words.  It is always available and filled with a love that knows no bounds.

This Divine Power also moves effortlessly through and around and as me.  I simply go within to feel the presence of Spirit and the consciousness of grace that surrounds me and expresses as me.

From this consciousness of grace, I step into my journey as a spiritual being having a human existence.  In each minute of the day, I make Divinely guided choices that move me closer to a life filled with joy and happiness as I share my unique gifts and talents with the world.   I am here to make a difference and to experience everything that this life has to offer.  Even on days that might seem ordinary, there are miracles and magic that is happening, leading me to something even better than I can imagine.  And, as I let go of comparing myself to others who might have more,  I am in awe of what shows up in my life.  It is all so good!  I am nurtured and fed by an ever-increasing abundance of wisdom, of laughter and love.

I am so grateful for the guidance and wisdom of Spirit in my life.  And I am thankful for the miracles that flow as I follow that guidance.  I sit in gratitude for all the good, all the healing, and all of the love that shows up every single day.

And from this place of great gratitude, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing that it is already done.  The magic is happening now.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!

Getting To The Root Of Forgiveness

I have done quite a bit of work on myself around forgiveness.   I have forgiven others for events and situations and it is a growing skill that I am becoming comfortable with. But - I also have a strong need within to be forgiven by others that I feel have wronged.

I am moved by stories that I hear of forgiveness - a mother forgiving a man for killing her child, a soldier forgiven for the attacks on a village that killed a countless number of people.   It seems so easy when I read about it but where does my need for absolution come from?  And why do I not just accept forgiveness when it is offered?

It is a battle within that I am fighting.  I really, really, really want to be forgiven but I don't let it go once it is given to me.   It almost feels as if I have been programmed that I am not worthy of forgiveness.  And yet, if I can forgive others, why would I not be willing to give someone else that same gift of allowing their apology?  Of accepting it and moving on?

For me, I believe it means I would really have to own the fact that I was inconsiderate or selfish.  I don't WANT to believe that about me, however, I am a spiritual being having a human existence.  Being human, it is inevitable that things will get messy in my life.   And, without the messy parts of life, how will I really grow into all that I am meant to be?

So - now I get to the root of forgiveness.  Reading Colin Tipping's Radical Forgiveness, he does a great job of explaining that there is actually a Divine purpose being served in ALL of my actions.  I need to open myself up to see that no one is a victim - it is for everyone's highest and best good.

And, not only did my actions serve a Divine purpose, I actually attracted them so I could heal it!

Knowing that I attracted it doesn't make it easier to heal but it does give me a starting place to realize I am worthy of forgiveness.  On top of that, I can forgive myself without the need for an actual apology from the other person.

My strong need for forgiveness is my soul's cry to heal.  My ego sends me on a guilt trip and my soul is screaming at me NOT to pack those bags.  My soul is reminding me that we are all One.   What I see in another is also what exists within me.  If I can see the perfection in them, then I am also perfect and I am DESERVING of forgiveness.

So, I peel back another layer in my understanding of who I truly am.   I may have to revisit certain issues as they get triggered but I realize that it's okay.  I can start to love myself through these issues and let the layers fall away as I accept myself exactly as I am, right here, right now.

From this place of love, I set the intention for today to embrace the person I am now, having faith that everything in my life serves a Divine purpose.

"You have earned the right to be exactly where you are.  With all that you 

have been through, have been challenged by, have confronted and 

overcome, you have earned the right to live with this, to make it through 

this, overcome this and benefit from the divine opportunity that now stands 

before you.  Everything that lies before you is a divine opportunity."  

~Iyanla Vanzant

Rather than cursing the past, bless it and forgive yourself entirely.  When 

you know that all of those experiences were a part of the divine design of 

your life, you can afford to forgive."  

~Dr. Wayne Dyer

Affirmative Prayer:
In this moment - in this breath - Divine Guidance and Divine Wisdom effortlessly weaves Its way into Life.  Just as electricity sparks the lightbulb, Divine Love shines and illuminates.  As lightening lights the sky and thunder rolls in a storm, Divine Grace overflows with strength and with purpose.

Leaning into this place of Spirit, the Power and Presence of the Universe surrounds me and moves through me.  It is a life force growing and multiplying all that is good and all that is blessed as I embrace the truth of who I am.

Stepping into the Divine Light, I honor all that has come before me and all that is yet to come.  My world is what it is because I have lived a life that is directed and designed in perfect ways.  Every experience, every choice, has been inspired by a Universe that knows only good for me.  I forgive, I heal and I move on, letting it all go and moving to the next opportunity to be a loving presence on this planet.  Affirming that I am deserving and worthy of happiness, of joy, and of peace, I allow God to prosper me in ways that are better than I can even imagine.

Claiming the perfection of this moment, I give thanks for being guided by the Universe as I travel my path.  And I am grateful that each step I take is clearly intuited as I tap into Source Energy.  I am so thankful for Divine Grace and the knowing that I am loved.

Releasing my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, I breathe in and breathe out as a peace descends in the knowing that my prayer is already answered - that no more need be said and I can let go and let God.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!