Why Is This Such A Struggle?

Why were we so eager to move away from Verizon for cell phone coverage?  That's the question I'm asking after two days of waiting to get my new iPhone 6 activated.

For me, I feel like we jumped ship too quickly.  For Kevin, it's a new toy to compliment his Apple TV and, of course, his phone was activated this morning on our new carrier.

HE wants to make the switch and I am the one feeling frustrated.  He's calmly going through the motions of the purchase and the activation and the learning curve and I'm complaining and feeling like my blood pressure is going through the roof.

I'm ready to hash it out and he's asking if I can help him get Audible working again.  Breathe, Sandy, breathe......

And just that quickly, I realized that it was very likely ME creating this chaos.  I'd forgotten one of my basic spiritual practices - to visualize and see events how I would like them to be.

I never took the time BEFORE we started this process to see it going easily and effortlessly.

I never felt the feelings of peace through the change.

And, I never gave thanks and felt gratitude that we're prosperous enough to have new, amazing technology without a second thought.

<Sigh> lesson learned.  My craziness does nothing at all to help.

So, I'm off to go for a walk with the dog and to turn this around.  It's a beautiful day and I need to make amends with myself and trust that everything really is okay.

So where are you focusing on the obstacles rather than seeing things the way you want them to be?

Today, I set the intention to remember that what I focus on is what I create and I have the power to create experiences that are positive and beautiful and work for everyone.

"Every problem has a gift for you in its hands."  

~Richard Bach

"See only what you wish to experience and look at nothing else."  

~Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind

Affirmative Prayer:
In the quiet of this moment, there is the recognition of a freedom of the soul that is Divine Spirit.  It is the vibrant Intelligence of Source that awakens all that is to the possibilities of life.  It is a Creative Wisdom that transforms each step into one of power and strength, of happiness and joy.

This same vibrant Intelligence also exists within me and I remain open to guidance of the Universe.  I am the joy and happiness of Spirit expressing as me in all of my daily activities.  Just as the summer breeze blows through the trees, I am gently and softly surrounded by Divine Grace that moves my steps forward in perfect ways.  And I see that I live and move and have my being in the unconditional love of God.

Accepting the truth of my natural Spiritual brilliance, I am filled with self-kindness and self-compassion, even in the face of seeming struggles.  I welcome the learning that comes from each experience as I make mistakes that provide beautiful life lessons.  Closing my eyes to what is no longer working, I open my heart to the knowing that I have the power to create a perfect day, month, & year.  My world is expanding in amazing ways as I take the time to visualize how I would like my life events to be, filled with peace and grace.  I revel in the courage of my inner strength that says I am worthy of the abundant life that is emerging.  And I affirm that I am open to receiving my highest and best good as I go with the flow of the Universe.

Embracing my inner wisdom, I am filled with gratitude for the way events manifest in my life as I take the time to visualize.  I am thankful for Source that tells me I am deserving of the happiness and the prosperity that uplifts me.  And I am grateful for the gifts that pour down on me as I move through problems with ease.

Surrendering to Spirit's love, I release this prayer to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done and I am guided perfectly.  The best things are always happening to me!  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Trekking Rinjani/Flickr

What To Do If The Shoe Doesn't Fit

Since taking a sabbatical a few months ago, I've been kicking around ideas and trying to get clear on what's next for me.  A few ideas have been very intriguing but things haven't quite lined up yet.

Admittedly, they may not have lined up because it's not what I think it should look like.  So, I'm trying to be more mindful of letting go of pre-conceived notions and simply allowing events to unfold.  And, I take a few steps in the direction that my heart's desire says I should go, waiting to see where this path will lead.

In the meantime, as I say yes to everything that comes my way, I'm starting to feel that my commitments are stacking up.  And, with my personality, it's not a great fit.  I start to feel edgy and not clear on which obligation I should tackle first.

The funny part about this is I have been taking small breaks for some rest and relaxation.  In fact, we just got back from the Napa Valley area yesterday.  My issue?  I've been carrying my to-do list with me wherever I go.  So, while I might be in Napa, I'm still logging hours toward things I've promised to do.

Here's the cool thing I'm learning from this.  Not every thing that I do during my day means it's something that is "meant to be".

What I'm noticing is that if I don't consciously claim what I want, sometimes what shows up in my life feels "not quite right" after I've spent some time working on it.  It's almost like wearing shoes that are too small or too big.  The shoes might be workable but you can also end up with blisters from the rubbing and chaffing.

Knowing this, I've decided that if the project or task I've committed to doing starts to feel like an ill-fitting shoe, I'm going to return it - just like I would do with a real pair of shoes.

Then, I can look at what DIDN'T work and consciously make a better choice, believing that the Universe is always conspiring for my good.  That frees me to leave some commitments behind and creates the space for a more balanced approach to how I spend my time.

The balance also allows me to remain open to new ideas and new possibilities for my life as I get a better mental picture for what I want.  I absolutely love this path that I'm on and I celebrate my journey every day, in part because I'm given so many opportunities to choose from.

And - I feel like I'm gaining the courage to live a little, trusting that something within me knows when the shoe is the perfect fit!

So, where in YOUR life are you wearing shoes that you need to return?

Today, I set the intention to step forward in life with confidence, knowing that I can always make a new choice if something is not a good fit.

"If day by day we have a greater understanding and a clearer concept, 

if daily we are realizing more of Truth and applying It in our actions, 

then we are on the right path and eventually we shall be made free." 

~Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind

"You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful 

spiritual being that is your real self.  Don't turn away from possible futures 

before you're certain you don't have anything to learn from them.  

You're always free to change your mind and choose

 a different future, or a different past."  

~Richard Bach, Illusions

Affirmative Prayer:
Settling into the now, into this moment, there is a spark of recognition of the life of Infinite Intelligence.  It spreads like wildfire, coursing through all that is with passion and with purpose.  It is all knowledge and surpasses understanding, a Divine Wisdom that is perfection and grace, beauty and joy.

As I sit in the stillness, there is a connection with this Intelligence that opens my eyes to the Truth of who I am.  I am perfect love.  I am perfect peace.  I am bathed in the brightness of a Source that reveals the unlimited wonder of Spirit.  And I am carried forward, in faith, surrendering to this Presence within that guides and sustains and directs my life.

Accepting that the power of the Universe is within me, anything that has held me back from my perfect path disappears.  I now see that all the answers I seek are available every moment of the day.  This adventure that I call life is filled with wonder and awe as I take small, steady steps forward. Daily, I am given so much goodness and prosperity in every area of my life, all Divinely appointed and filled with joy and bliss.  I welcome the confidence with which I make choices, aware that I can always make a new choice if needed.   And I live life to its fullest, letting things unfold as they may, trusting that my future is bright and vibrant and filled with possibilities.

Feeling my heart overflow with love and life, I am filled with thanksgiving that my conscious choices manifest in amazing ways.  I am deeply grateful for the easy flow of abundance that is revealed as I let go and let God.  And I am thankful that I need only say Yes and a perfect way is made on my path, everything working together for my good.

Knowing it is done as I believe, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law.  My word cannot return to me void; the answer is always provided.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Carmen Jost/Flickr

What To Do When Your Prayer Goes Unanswered

I love prayer and intentions.  And there are so many books that talk about the power of prayer.  There are even more books on HOW to pray, how to get PROOF that prayer works, and even why prayer DOESN'T seem to work sometimes.

The beauty of prayer is that every faith tradition has their own form and structure.  In my faith, it's called a Spiritual Mind Treatment which is a structured form of affirmative prayer.  The structure allows us to pray, knowing we are One with the Universe and then claim what we would like to manifest in our life.

I fervently believe in the New Thought teaching and most of the time, what we're taught works - affirmative prayer works.  And Ernest Holmes in the Science of Mind says there will always be a demonstration when we pray.

But - sometimes I don't see my prayer answered.  What I think should be happening is not in alignment with what shows up in my life.  And so I become skeptical and question if this really does work.

Let me share what happened recently.  My daughter has a true passion for cheerleading.  She's been on a cheer team since 2nd grade and only recently, when her 1st semester in college didn't work out, has she not been involved in cheer.

After a rough year of self-discovery, she decided to try out for the 49'er football cheer team, the Goldrush Girls.   She had two other friends who were trying out and she worked out with them.  She altered her diet and started eating healthier.  She had found her spark again and was beyond happy, in spite of the intense regimen that it required.

And - I prayed.  I affirmed her smooth and successful tryouts, I welcomed the result of her joining the team and I celebrated going to the game and watching her down on the sidelines.  I worked with her to create her vision of success so she was carrying that same vibration.  I had practitioners pray for her success in this venture.

So, the day came for tryouts and I was certain I would get a call by 5pm that she had made the team.  The call I did get, thought, was my daughter in tears because she felt they barely looked at her while she was on stage and she did NOT make the team.

I was crushed!  And I was upset and angry and frustrated.  How is it possible that my prayers did not work?

Not getting any answers, I met with my spiritual director and laid out my story.  Worse than unanswered prayer, though, what came out of our conversation was the fact that I have spent four years training to become a licensed practitioner.  If I couldn't get my own prayers answered, how was I supposed to pray for others?  Maybe I have been in the wrong place this whole time.

Fortunately, he's really good at his job.  He mentioned that maybe I was too close to this situation to see the real answered prayer.  And, he recommended I go back to the basics and use affirmative prayer to manifest something simple like a feather or a cup of coffee - some way that I could have proof that prayer does work.

I told him I would make the effort but I really never did, until a few days ago.  Richard Bach's book, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, was calling my name.  And as I opened the book, it fell to a chapter near the end where the Master is teaching his student how to manifest a blue feather.

I re-read the chapter and realized it was time to tackle prayer again.  But - this time, I really am going back to basics.  I realized, finally, that the Universe is not some grand vending machine where I should wave my magic prayer wand and expect cars or homes or money to simply fall from the sky, all controlled by my human mind.

Life is more about where we can give and where we can be of service.  The core essence of the Universe is love and we are all on a journey to experience and to expand Life's knowing of Itself.  And, prayer is about tapping into that knowing that Life, that God, is always right there.

So, my prayer each morning now is a simple "Help", "Show me what's next" and taking action on what occurs to me to do in that moment.

I wish I could close this story by saying that the 49'er cheer coach called my daughter and explained they made a mistake, that she was actually on the team, but that's not the case.  Instead, what I see emerging is a young woman who now buys a burrito from Chipotle for the homeless man sitting outside on the corner and a new set of dinnerware for a friend who was forced to move out and had no money for dishes.

How or why that shift is happening for her, I have no idea.  What I do know is it no longer matters if my blue feather appears.  What I finally get is the best gift for me is the power in the moment to say, "Help", "Show me what's next".  The Universe is always available.  And that IS enough.

 So, what are some of the ways YOU pray?  And what do you do when you feel your pray is unanswered?

Today, I set the intention to remember to say a simple prayer of help when I need to solve a problem, having faith that I am supported by the Universe and knowing I will get a clear answer of what the perfect next step is for me.

"Acceptance is simply recognition.  When you recognize a thing, you see it 

for what it is.  All of our experiences, no matter how awful they appear

 to be, are temporary.  Acceptance of an experience as a temporary 

situation can make it a lot easier to handle." 

 ~Iyanla Vanzant

"Intuition will tell the thinking mind where to look next."  

~Jonas Salk

Affirmative Prayer:
In this moment of stillness, there is only One; one Power, one Presence, that permeates the Universe and is the very essence of all that is.  In the rhythmic pulsating of life, this Presence is the sweetness of each breath and the joy of every step taken forward.

This Essence of Life operates in, through, and as me and I am anchored in the truth that I am always supported and sustained by the presence of the Divine.  I am led, guided and guarded by a Creative Intelligence that knows only hope and peace and harmony.  And I lean into this knowing that I am never separate from my good.

Affirming the infinite potentiality of life, my way is made clear as I simply speak the words "Help".  I tap into my intuition and allow Divine Wisdom to guide my next actions, welcoming the experiences that unfold in perfect, Divine timing.  Demonstrations of perfect health and perfect wealth are revealed as I connect to my true Source.  And I leave behind any thoughts of lack or fear, surrendering to the Infinite goodness of Spirit. Aligning with the beat and the harmony that moves my soul, I accept the blessings that manifest with no conscious effort, knowing the Universe is supporting me in beautiful, amazing ways.

I am filled with gratitude at the transformation of my life as I pray from my heart.  And I am thankful for the experiences in life that tell me I can be exactly who I am in every moment. Giving in to the Divine guidance of the Universe, I am grateful that I receive clear answers to every seeming problem, knowing there is a gift in every situation.

From a place of peace, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done in the One Mind.  Good is being revealed in this very moment.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Nick Kenrick/Flickr

The Perfect Books to Read When You Need Healing

When I'm feeling the need for inspiration or there is a piece of me that needs healing, there are a number of tools I use.  Top of my list - books.  Books can change my mood from blah to woohoo! and they let me know I'm not alone in some of the challenges I face.

Here are six books that help me stay inspired.  Some are more recent than others but all of them are very relevant.  And - if I'm short of time and need a pick-me-up, I choose a book, center myself with a breath or two and randomly flip to a page or let the book fall open where it will.

Every time I've done this, the Universe always delivers to me the perfect text that I need to read in that moment.

Book One:  practicing the presence; Joel S. Goldsmith

This classic book from 1958 has transformed my daily spiritual practice of meditation.  If you are in need of a mantra, flip to any page in this book, choose a sentence to reflect on and go within.  You will soon feel the presence of God surround you and deepen your connection to Source - guaranteed.

Book Two:  Illusions; Richard Bach

If I am ever questioning my faith, this book reminds me that I am a powerful co-creator.  It is also where I borrowed the idea to let a book fall open to any page and read it to see what the Universe might be trying to tell me in that moment.

Book Three:  The Untethered Soul; Michael A. Singer

When I get caught up in my reflexive responses to challenges that show up throughout my day, this book reminds me that I am in control of my thoughts and feelings.  It has great, practical tools to set my conscious mind free from limiting beliefs.  The more often I turn to this book for help, the less other people are able to push my buttons.

Book Four:  The Power of Intention; Dr. Wayne Dyer

Dr. Dyer is wonderful at explaining how we are all co-creators with Spirit.  This book was my inspiration for setting daily intentions for how my day will unfold.  It also reminds me that once I have put my intention out to the Universe, I need only to let go and let God.  Part II of the book is filled with powerful intentions and is a great starting point if you are new to the concept that God is within each of us.

Book Five:  Peace from Broken Pieces; Iyanla Vanzant

"All things are lessons that God would have us learn."  When I need to put something in perspective, this book cuts to the chase and forces me to look at myself.  Forget about my story - what is it that I need to forgive and/or to heal?  The book also makes me feel that I am in a safe place, remembering that nothing can separate me from the love of God.

Book Six:  This Thing Called You; Ernest Holmes

It takes most people some time to get used to how Ernest writes and speaks. For me, this book was one that was clear and concise when it comes to determining how life got to be the way it is.  At its core, it is about prayer.  Any feelings of anger, sadness, hurt, frustration seem to fall away when I sit with a passage or two from this book.

So, today, I set the intention to embrace the pleasure of reading, knowing that time will be made for the opportunity to spend a moment with my favorite authors.

"We should think of our lives as an increasing awareness, an ever-growing

 and expanding consciousness, a never ceasing progress of individual and 

collective evolution.  There should be a constant joy in expansion, an 

enthusiastic sense of adventure in the progressive unfoldment of spiritual 

awareness.  It is enough to know that our good is with us today, that tomorrow 

this same good can be multiplied, and so on forever."

~Ernest Holmes

"When you realize how perfect life is, you will tilt your head back 

and laugh at the sky"

~Buddha

Affirmative Prayer:
There is a perfection in every moment of the day and night.  It shines as brilliantly as the sun and as effervescent as the moon.  This perfection is at the heart of the One that I call God, moving through and around all of Its creation, showering beauty and joy and peace and love over all this is.  Closing my eyes, I can sense the perfection of the One living within me, expressing as me, and filling me, just as the stars fill the night sky.

Absorbing the Power and the Presence of Spirit, there is a knowing that I always have an abundance of time to enjoy the pleasures around me.  Affirming my love of reading, I savor the opportunity to sit with a book that inspires and teaches and heals. Each author has written words that jump off the pages toward me in an amazing clarity of awe and wonder.  And I am called toward books that provide the words and phrases I need to hear in that exact moment.  Regardless of circumstances, these books hold a truth for my life that is relevant and filled with grace.

Claiming this, I sit in gratitude for my perfect eyesight that allows me the privilege of reading the written word.  I am thankful for the presence of Spirit that flows through each author as they write what calls to them.  Each life is Divinely guided and book and reader find each other in the perfect timing of the Universe.  For this, I am grateful.

Embracing this awareness, I release my prayer to the Divine action of the Law, knowing that it is already taking shape in perfect and glorious ways.  And I let it be so. And so it is!