What Are You The Best At?

Nurturing the creative side of me has always seemed like good advice to take.  Allowing for creativity is supposed to use a different part of the brain and sharpen our mental acuity.  So, I've pulled out my flute to begin playing again.  And, I've taken dance classes to get my body moving.   I've also explored writing, painting, cooking and singing.

In reading quite a bit of spiritual literature, a common theme seems to be that we are each here to share our unique gifts and talents.

I thought if I explored a few options, one or two of my creative explorations would lead to finding the ONE that resonated deeply.  I was sure I would suddenly be caught spending all hours of the day following this compelling urge to excel at my gift.

I could see myself moving mountains to play the piano until I mastered the skill with ease and a natural flow.

I felt confident it would be clear that I was meant to sing the lead in The Phantom of the Opera with a voice that made the audience come alive.

Instead, I feel like I'm still standing on the sidelines, waiting for the coach to put me in the game.

So, I'm left asking, what is it that I am the best at?  What is it that I can do that no one else can do quite like me?  The answer that comes back to me is to keep searching until what I am seeking finds me too.

And with that, today I set the intention to continue fostering my creative talents until I discover the one that I am the best at, allowing my life to thrive in new and meaningful ways.

"As you shift and change your own experience, the experience of 

the whole human race begins to shift and change as well."  

~Neale Donald Walsch

Affirmative Prayer:
Taking a breath and turning my attention within, there is a sweetness that is the all-good of Spirit.  It is a Divine Intelligence that is more beauty, more joy, more love than can even be imagined.  It is seen in the smile on a child's face and is felt in the softness of a caress.

I am an expression of this Divine Intelligence, being lifted into a greater version of myself in unique and beautiful ways.  I am the vehicle for the One Life to shine here in this moment and every moment going forward.  My heart and my mind remain open to the possibilities being created as I allow the strength and wisdom of Source Energy to sustain and support me.

In this moment, I accept the magnificence that is seeking to express through me.  My unique gifts and talents begin to reveal themselves as I step out and try new creative ventures.  Whether it is singing or dancing or playing music, there is a genius within that is unfolding beautifully and perfectly.  I am raised to my highest expression of the One Life as I embrace the many different choices of creative opportunities.  I welcome the journey of discovery and know that what I am seeking is also seeking me.  And, I affirm that the Universe is supporting me in this journey of discovery with a love beyond explanation.

Accepting my good, my heart is filled with gratitude that there is so much Life still to discover.  I give thanks for my unique gifts and talents that touch and bless not only myself but others around me.  And I say Thank You, Sweet Spirit, for a life that is thriving, filled with huge abundant prosperity and abundance in health, wealth and happiness.

Breathing in the gratitude, I release this prayer to the Law of Mind, knowing God's got this and it is done.  Joy fills this moment.  And I say Amen.  Alleluia.  And so it is.

Photo my own

Doing Nothing

The more I am on my spiritual path, the more I see that there is nothing for me to do.  And, I have the Universe's permission to do nothing.

Really, at the heart of doing nothing is the faith that it is Spirit doing the 'doing'.  My work is to stay in the flow and spend time in prayer each day.  My work is to hold the vision of my dreams and desires and sit in expectancy of my good.  My work is the process of taking small steps driven by inspired action.

It's been a journey to let go of needing to figure everything out myself, especially in a society where I'm told to set goals and prioritize lists.  But, it's been a journey, more and more, of peace.

Knowing this is about allowing, what I'd really like to do is create a miracle in the next few months.  One of my recent written affirmations is to effortlessly receive a minimum increase of $5000, with grace and in perfect ways, to pay for our sailing trip around the French Polynesian Islands.

Here's my plan.  I'm setting aside time each day to read something that will put me in the mindset of Spirit.  As I do that, I move into seeing my desire taking form, and hold onto a deep feeling of excitement and gratitude for its unfolding.

It may happen very quickly and it may take some time, but I'm committed to doing this practice until it happens.  I don't know HOW exactly the outcome will unfold.  I only know that there will be an amazing outcome, far better than I can imagine.

So, today, my intention is to hold the vision of the finished creation in my mind, to sit with it and love it, and to be grateful for its manifestation.  

"Listen to your soul. Hear your Self. The guidance you are getting is to follow your heart." 

~Neale Donald Walsch

Affirmative prayer:
Moving into the stillness of this moment, there is the recognition of something beyond this grand Universe.  It is an Infinite Intelligence that is larger than life.  It is a Creative Wisdom as majestic as the mountains.

I know this Presence as the love of God, moving in me, through me, and as me.  And, in this sacred moment, I know this Presence intimately.   Spirit is always present, guiding me to a greater expression of myself.  I am connected to the One Perfect Life and revel in this relationship with something bigger and more intelligent than me.

I am never alone as I release the need to figure things out by myself.  I focus on my heart's desire and surrender to the Divine Wisdom that leads me into inspired action.  I accept my good and experience peace and wholeness.  I hold in my mind that which I'd like to have, feeling thrilled and excited as I sit in expectancy of its unfolding, and a way is made from no way.  I welcome the success and abundance that I only need allow to reveal itself in every moment of the day and I say 'Yes' to living from the overflow.

Thank you, God, for your presence today and every day.  I give great thanks for this moment that brings me closer to the manifestation of my heart's desire.  And I am grateful for the peace at the heart of every word I speak and thought I think.

From this place of peace and joy, I release this prayer to the Divine Law of Mind, knowing it is already done.  Everything I desire is right here, right now.  No one and no thing can stop it.  And I say Amen.  Alleluia.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Tomas Sobek/Flickr

But I Don't Want To...

"But we always go to Aqui's on Friday"  As soon as I said the words, I stopped in my tracks.   I've been so busy with my recent efforts in my career that I've fallen back into easy routines at home.

In my defense - if I'm in a routine at home, I know that one area of my life will be settled and structured and comfortable.  But - what my family experiences is that I'm so set in my ways, I'm not much fun to be around.

So, when my daughter wanted to try a new pizza place downtown, my inner child started stomping her feet and whining, "No, no, no...."  Wow, I seriously need to lighten up!

Of course, I really do enjoy my favorite Mexican restaurant but I also know that the Universe is guiding my life.  And when someone suggests I try something different, my job is to jump in with both feet and say "Yes, of course, I'd love to try the new pizza place."

Because I never know who I will meet that might change my life.  And I never know what might happen that could alter my path.  And I never know if that decision might be the catalyst for change in my daughter's life.

Sure, it could also just be that we go for pizza and have fun.  Maybe THAT is what the Universe intended...a little levity to balance the hard work.

So, where are YOU stuck in your routines?

Today, I set the intention to remember the importance of being available to stepping out of my routine and jumping into new experiences, having faith each experience is here to serve a purpose. 

"Perfection is the obstacle of creation and the enemy of achievement.  At some point, 

you've got to say, 'This is good.  And this is enough.'  If you cannot do this, you will never 

get anything done - and that is the opposite of what you want, is it not?"  

~Neale Donald Walsh

"You are braver than you believe, stronger that you seem and smarter than you think."  

~A.A. Milne from "Winnie the Pooh"

Affirmative Prayer:
Sitting in the garden, feeling the wind softly blowing, there is the Allness of Life that moves through the trees and flowers.  It is the blossoming of the rose each morning and the softness of the dew on the grass.

This Creative Intelligence is always available, speaking to my heart and reminding me that, at my core, I am Divine.  I am safe and protected as the Universe surrounds me with love and light.  I step into this truth and choose the joy and happiness that is my inherent nature.  Goodness flows from within me, spreading through my life in perfect, beautiful ways.

Knowing that I am never alone, I am overwhelmed by the inner voice that thunders through me, telling me that I am the beloved, here to share my gifts and talents.  As I say, 'Yes' to new experiences, I tune into the beauty of each moment.  I accept that my life is changed, up-leveled and uplifted in magnificent ways by simply being available to new opportunities.  I am transformed as I stay tuned to the all-good that I call God and let myself rise to each occasion with a spring in my step.  And I affirm that as I hold thoughts of what is important to me, I easily balance the hard work with lightness and fun and laughter.  I am here on purpose, for a purpose and I am enough.

I am thankful for the guidance from the Universe, showing me how strong and capable I am.  I am filled with gratitude for the confidence that I will be okay when I step out my routine. And I give thanks for Spirit's wisdom that flows to support and sustain me through all changes.

With an open heart and open mind, I release this prayer to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.   I hear the guidance clearly and trust deeply in my good.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of David Kracht/Flickr

Does Trying Something New Scare You?

One of the things I really like about myself is that I am willing to dabble and explore new things.  A lot of people would feel intimidated or scared or exhausted to continually try new things but, for me, it's energizing.

I sometimes find it strange that that's the case because I'm such an introvert.  After a while of being in the surge of social energy, I start to find I need to recharge by some time spent alone.

Knowing all this, I recently stumbled on something new and fun - The August Break.  It's a project where you take a photo a day for the whole month of August.  The site that runs this provides a list of suggested topics for your pictures and then, you post them to Instagram or Flickr using #augustbreak2014.

Why am I doing this?  Because I believe we each have our own unique gifts and talents that we are here to share.  And, if I'm always trying new things, it might just turn into the opportunity that reveals a hidden strength and allows me to shine.

If I am always waiting around for the right time or the perfect conditions to get started, I could be waiting a LONG time.   I'm not sure who said it but I would agree - there is no time like the present.

What's even better is that my husband, Kevin, LOVES taking pictures and is really good at it.  And, I don't even hesitate.  I'm smart enough to ask for help and get a few useful tips and pointers when I have a person willing to be a teacher.

So, here's my key take-away.  When we make the space to start saying "Yes" to new opportunities and to release things that we may have tried and decided weren't quite the right fit, we move closer to living in the flow of using our gifts.

The beauty in that is, because we are are all one in sharing our human experience, not only does this choice impact ME, it could easily become the catalyst to impact someone I come into contact with in a way that allows THEM to shine.

When one is living authentically, we are all living authentically.  

And for that reason, I keep my eyes open and my radar tuned to the wisdom of my inner guidance.  This month, I'm taking pictures. Next month?  Only the Universe may be able to answer that one.

So, how do YOU feel about dabbling in new things?

Today, I set the intention to be led by my inner guidance, trying something new that inspires me so that I might step into an incredible life.

"Life cannot grow old.  Within us is the unborn possibility of limitless experience.  

Ours is the privilege of giving birth to it."  

~Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind

"The time has come for your to nourish your soul.  When was the last time

 that you swam naked?  Or sang in the shower?  Or blew bubbles?  

Or prayed really softly, not from need, but from love?  Has it been awhile?

  Then hurry.  Do it.  Hurry.  That is life that is going by...."  

~Neale Donald Walsch

Affirmative Prayer:
As the light of day breaks through the morning fog, there is a recognition of the One Divine Intelligence.  It is a power and strength that celebrates the effortless start of the day.  It is a love and a joy that smiles and says life is good.

This Divine Creative Intelligence surrounds me as grace as I allow It's expression through me.  I frolic and play with this Infinite Love, laughing as Life moves as me, diving into the ocean of possibilities.  In this moment, I see only joy and happiness, everywhere present and I call it all exquisitely perfect.

In this moment of sweet surrender to Spirit, I am led on an adventure of the heart and soul.  I let go of any fear to try something new and embrace the opportunity to swim naked or blow bubbles or sing in the shower.  I trust that the Universe is guiding me to new experiences for a beautiful, sacred reason and I simply need to claim that my ultimate best is right here, right now.  Welcoming the fun that happens easily as I remain open to receiving, I am inspired to chase my dreams as I participate in this game of life.  And I affirm that my life is incredible as I watch the transformation happening, all in Divine, perfect timing.

Living my life in this way, I am filled with gratitude for the presence of a Source that wants only my highest and best.  I am thankful that each day I thrive as I realize that I have everything that I need.  And I am grateful that my dreams are coming to fruition, always appearing in amazing and magnificent ways.

Trusting that the Universe is supporting me in all things, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it will not return to me void.  It is set in motion and already done in the One Mind.  All is perfect, whole and complete.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Go to Susannah Conway's site if you're interested in joining....

Can You Acquire Faith?

"Faith is a mental attitude toward life which can be cultivated.  It can be consciously acquired.  Any desired state of consciousness can be acquired if we work at it long enough." ~Ernest Holmes, How To Use The Science of Mind.

Last weekend I was sitting in an airport, waiting to catch a plane to Pittsburgh and wallowing in my unhappiness.  This weekend, what a difference!  I spent time with girlfriends at a beautiful ocean-side resort, enjoying every minute of our time together.

I absolutely believe that making a conscious choice to up-level my thoughts during my spiraling misery manifested into the amazing experience I just had, filled with laughter and joy and sharing.  And, so, while I know that what we focus on is what we attract, it also reminded me that what we focus on will multiply - beyond what we might even imagine.

This experience also reminded me that my faith is being up-leveled too.  Most of the time, I'm convinced I have the faith that everything is working on my behalf.  But events and circumstances creep up on me and before you know it, I'm looking at what appears in my life and thinking that life is just a crap shoot, led by luck and by chance.

What I have been TAUGHT about faith previously is that I either have faith or I don't - there is no middle ground.  And what I'm LEARNING is that faith is something we acquire as we go through the phases of our life.

So, when I'm feeling unhappy, it's a time to cultivate my faith and trust this is for my best.  When I'm feeling hurt by someone else, it's a time to believe there's a bigger plan at play for my life.  And when I'm feeling bored or stuck, it's a time to get quiet and shift my mental attitude to hear the still voice within that is guiding me.

Then, when I start to see situations revealing themselves in a way that works out even better for me, my faith grows.   By working on my spiritual practices consistently, I can expand my faith so that it becomes easier to leave behind the thoughts that life is all about lucky moments.

My life is at choice, NOT at chance.

As I keep putting my attention back on what I want, and hold the increasing faith that the Universe is supporting me in realizing my dreams, I notice that I get less uptight about issues and more accepting of the notion that I'm doing the best I can and getting better each day.

Faith is an evolution of my consciousness, shifting from 'life is happening TO me' toward 'life is happening FOR me.'

And, as difficult as it can be sometimes, I'm beginning to appreciate the times in life when I need to dig deep for my faith.  I am seeing that often there is a nugget of gold buried within the lesson and only with my growing faith am I able to find the buried treasure.

So, where are YOU at with your faith?  

Today, I set the intention to cultivate my faith that the Universe is always working for me, letting go of the negative thoughts around difficulties and having the courage to learn from them instead.

"I stopped waiting for the world to give me what I wanted; I started giving it to myself."  

~Byron Katie

"You have only just begun to discover your magnificence.  This period of your life 

marks a New Beginning.  You can feel it.  And you have only just begun 

to know the treasure and the glory of You."  

~Neale Donald Walsh

Affirmative Prayer:
Breathing in and letting go, there is a consciousness of Spirit and a deep knowing of Divine Wisdom.  It is an endless cycle of renewal just as each Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter is a time of renewal for all that is.  And as the flowers bloom each day and the trees stand strong, this Creative Intelligence never wavers in the pure joy and happiness of Its nature - Divine Love.

Feeling the energy of Love being called forth from within, I am in harmony with the joy and happiness that is expressing through me.   As Divine Power surrounds me, I relax into the grace that flows in me and as me, moving effortlessly in all areas of my life.  I am nurtured and sustained in this present moment, never separate from my all-knowing Source of perfection, of beauty and of peace.

Declaring the perfection of my soul as my Truth, I am free to laugh and sing and dance, enjoying my life as I up-level my thinking. I embrace a deep and profound awareness that my faith is always growing, always being acquired, and I can release any barriers I have built to prevent my magnificence from being discovered.   I welcome the new possibilities for my life as Spirit reveals Itself as courage and I am a channel for this expression of learning and adventure.  I am guided and I am directed in all that I do and I revel in the knowing that my present is shaping my future in beautiful, amazing ways.

I am deeply grateful for the courage to be exactly who I am meant to be, knowing I provide value in what I do.  I am thankful for the situations that come into my life at the right and perfect times, allowing me to grow and cultivate my faith.  And I am filled with gratitude for the events that propel me forward into realizing the dreams for my life.

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

Turning Your Dreams Into Reality

"We are at liberty to choose what manner of life we shall live.  We should feel that in this choice we are backed by all the will, all the purpose and all the law in the universe."  Ernest Holmes said this in the book, How To Use The Science Of Mind.   Wow, how awesome is that!

I get to choose how I create my life.  By learning to use my thoughts and my feelings, I get to not only create a life that works but I am supported by the Universe in the process.

It's so easy to say that and another thing to actually believe that statement.  One reason it might be hard to believe is that if I buy into this concept, that means I also must take responsibility for what I'm creating.

Ugh, responsibility.  That's one of those words that my monkey mind loves to toss around - and toss out!  One of the many voices in my head (and there are a few - a whole committee sometimes!) loves to play the victim.

It's not my fault I'm late paying a bill - I had to pay way too much in taxes to the government.  

OR, it's not my fault I missed an important deadline - my boss makes it impossible for me to stay on top of things.

The TRUTH is that there are other voices in my head that I can choose to listen to instead of letting my inner victim rule the day.  I can choose to hit 'pause' on my critic and hit 'play' on my inner mystic.

My inner mystic says that I can let go of jealousy and worry and fear; those will keep me stuck - affirm and FEEL love and faith and trust instead.

My inner mystic says to tap into my imagination and create new thoughts that support the life of my dreams.

And - my inner mystic says think thoughts that bring joy and happiness - the Universe is here to support me and fill my life with unlimited possibilities.

Ernest Holmes also states that "man not only has a right to individualize creative power, nature has imposed this necessity upon him....his thought will always be creative, whether he knows it or not."

So, if my thought will always create my life, I guess it's time that I DO take responsibility and start creating a life of endless opportunities for abundance; a life of beautiful, meaningful relationships; and a life of powerful service to other people I share this journey with.

There is more to my life than I can imagine and it's my choice where it goes from here.

Today, I set the intention to use my thoughts to create a life that is filled with unlimited potential and possibilities for joy, abundance, prosperity and happiness, knowing that the Universe is here to support me in that reality.

"We are all spiritual and mental broadcasting stations.  There is a Silent Force flowing 

from us in every direction at all times.  How necessary it is that we assume the role

 of the announcer and broadcaster.  How necessary that we write our own program

 and deliver it ourselves."  

~Ernest Holmes

"Tomorrow is the most important day of your life.  Your greatest moment, your greatest

 achievement, your greatest adventure lies in the future, never in the past. There is a 

new you waiting to be created tomorrow.  That is the joy and wonder of the dawn.

  That is the excitement of it!"  

~Neale Donald Walsch

Affirmative Prayer:
In the beauty of the morning sunrise and the endless renewing of life, there is only One - One Divine Mind, One Divine Presence.  This Presence moves with a power and a grace that brings joy to all that exists in this moment now.

Acknowledging the joy and the grace and the power, I embrace this Divine Presence as It flows through me, expressing as me.  I align with the harmony that I call the Universe, Spirit, God and I am aware of the unfolding of something beautiful that is seeking to emerge.

Knowing that my thoughts are always creating, I welcome the blossoming of ideas that become form in ways that sometimes seem impossible.  As I let go of any thoughts of fear and step into more thoughts of a life filled with joy and prosperity, new opportunities for joy and prosperity seem to appear miraculously through serendipitous circumstances.  I am free to choose happiness and abundance, trusting that Spirit knows what is for my highest and best good and is directing me from that place in all things.

With deep gratitude, I watch in delight as my life is filled with more and more joy and happiness.  I am so thankful for the prosperity and abundance that is manifested in ways even better than I can imagine.  And I am grateful that I simply need to focus my thoughts and my imagination on wonderful possibilities and the Universe backs me up with the manifestation of thought into form.

With a grateful heart, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done. It is a beautiful day to be alive and my life is blessed.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!