Are You Thriving Through Life's Obstacles?

Life's obstacles.  They shine a bright light on areas where we have grown AND in areas that we continue to work on AND in areas where we are starting to allow our greatness to shine.

One of the best ways to see these life lessons?  Learn from the past.  And yet - that advice seems counter to what we hear often in our spiritual journey.

We should be in the Now.
Embrace this minute Now.
There is only Now.
Breathe and sit in this moment Now.

Those are all great messages and certainly, we should always be aware of the Now.  But, I believe, it's not until we begin to clear out the clutter of our past and to look at our cultural conditioning, that we can begin to focus the energy of our mind on new beliefs.

So, as I look back at my past, I can see times where I have used words to shame someone into feeling bad about themselves.  I can see times where I have been critical about my job or my home.

And, before you know it, I have been laid off or I have been given a 60-day notice to move out.  Or, I would no longer be invited to spend time with that person I had shamed.  Talk about feedback from the Universe!

Life is a great teacher.  My most recent lesson?   I don't need to make anyone wrong.  I don't have to compare myself to anyone else.  Instead, I can choose a different response.  I can choose not to react to something that triggered a negative emotion.

Every human being on this planet is a powerful manifester.  By learning from the feedback, focusing on our goals and affirming the good that we see in achieving that goal, we move closer to not just surviving but thriving.

So, what lessons have YOU learned from the obstacles in your life?

Today, I set the intention to be aware of the feedback and lessons from my past, using them to move more into the success that I am affirming for my life.

"Because others cannot vibrate in your experience, they cannot affect

 the outcome of your experience.  They can hold their opinions, but 

unless their opinion affects your opinion, their opinion matters not at all."  

~Esther Hicks

"Source Energy is intimately, infinitely always responding to your requests, 

no matter how great or small they may be deemed by you

 or anyone else who is observing them.  There is nothing so big

 that Source Energy can't get its thoughts around it - and there is

 nothing so small that Source Energy isn't willing to get its thoughts around it."  

~Esther Hicks

Affirmative Prayer:
Stepping into a place of life and love, there is a recognition that Spirit is all there is.  It is a feeling of being-ness that permeates all of creation.  It is a Divine Peace and Infinite Wisdom that bathes each and every living thing with grace and ease, joy and happiness.

This Creative Intelligence is speaking to me through my soul, calling me Beloved.  It is the guiding lamp on my path, expressing through me as perfect health.  It is the sustaining flow of effortless abundance that surrounds me and I am filled to overflowing with the knowing that I am perfect, whole and complete in every moment of the day.

I soar into the knowing that there is a fullness and wholeness to my life.  I celebrate the truth that I am worthy of the ever-increasing good that is my Divine birthright.  I am learning lessons from my past experiences and evolving into being more of who I am here to be, sharing my unique gifts and talents.  I stay focused on my goals and desires and I welcome their manifestation into reality.  Infinite Love flows through me as I embrace the adventure that comes with each choice I make.  And, I affirm that success unfolds easily and effortlessly as I focus the energy of my mind on beliefs that tell me I am more than enough.

I am filled with gratitude for dreams that are realized in beautiful ways and I give thanks for the seeming miracles that transform my life day after day.  I am grateful for the success that transforms my life, showing me how much I am loved unconditionally.

Letting any resistance melt away, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  I celebrate being in the presence of love and light.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Entrer dans le reve/Flickr

Two Lessons That Bring The Joy Back Into Giving

The more inspirational books I read, the more I see how giving is such an important aspect to being in the flow of life.  For some, giving is so easy and for others it's not so simple.  Regardless of where we fall, when we talk about giving, it seems to always bring up an emotional response.

To be in the flow, I believe the key is to go deep into giving into an area that makes you FEEL good.  Yes, giving is about helping others but it's also about helping YOU build your trust muscle.  It helps build the faith that the Universe is your source and supply - not your job, not your husband or wife or family.  And, it's been a wonderful spiritual lesson for me.  Two lessons actually...

In Deepak Chopra's, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, giving is Law #2.  I especially love that he uses the word affluence in this law because affluence seems like an outrageous expectation and yet, I'm no longer willing to settle for less than outrageous.

"The word affluence comes from the root word 'affluere,' which means 'to flow to.'   The word affluence means 'to flow in abundance.'  Money is really a symbol of the life energy we exchange and the life energy we use as a result of the service we provide to the universe.  Another word for money is 'currency,' which also reflects the flowing nature of energy.  The word currency comes from the Latin word 'currere' which means 'to run' or to flow.

Therefore, if we stop the circulation of money - if our only intention is to hold on to our money and hoard it - since it is life energy, we will stop its circulation back into our lives as well.  In order to keep that energy coming to us, we have to keep the energy circulating.  Like a river, money must keep flowing, otherwise it begins to stagnate, to clog, to suffocate and strangle its very own life force.  Circulation keeps it alive and vital."

So, lesson #1 for me - choose a word that feels OUTRAGEOUS like affluence and consciously think about that word as you circulate what you have.  Not only will you be in the flow, you can't help but up-level what starts to flow back to you.

And lesson #2?  Pay attention to how you feel when you give.  John Randolph Price details this beautifully in The Abundance Book.

"Giving is an esoteric science that never fails to produce results if it is done with love and joy, because the Law will shower you with a pressed down and multiplied return.  But if you tithe (and I really prefer the word 'sharing' to tithing) as a mechanical and calculated method to please God, unload guilt, meet a sense of obligation and play a bartering game with the Law, no one benefits - not even the receiver.  Give with love, joy and a sense of fun and the windows of heaven will be
 thrown open with a blast!"

Focus on what makes you really, really happy when you give and dig deep into that area.  Forget about giving because you HAVE to give, and forget about giving because it's the right thing to do.  Instead, tap into the love and joy of giving.  Have fun with it.

Recently, in San Francisco, there was an anonymous giver who hid $100 bills around the city and tweeted out clues to where you could find the money.  I love that concept, especially when you can trust that the Universe is guiding that money to exactly the right person at the right time.  It's a brilliant way to share!

So, take a look at what makes you smile and feel joyful when you give.  Choose a big word - one that might make you even choke a bit - that you tap into as you give.  Start there and commit to that.

Where can YOU have a sense of fun in your giving?  And what is the BIG word you're choosing to consciously focus on as you circulate?

Today, I set the intention to dive deep into giving in an area that I am passionate about, consciously focusing on feeling affluent and opulent as I remain in the flow of circulation.

"Your faith vibration attracts that which you have and experience in this world

 because like must attract like!  Where is your faith?  Look around you.  

If your faith is in an all-sufficiency, then so it is in your life  If your faith is pulsating

 to a 'just getting by' frequency, than so it is in your world.  If your faith

 is on the dial-set of insufficiency, then there will never be enough to meet

 your needs.  Your world simply reflects your faith."  

~John Randolph Price, The Abundance Book

It's not what we ask for that is outrageous.  It's what we settle for that is outrageous."  

~Alan Cohen

Affirmative Prayer:
Turning within and staying in this moment now, in this time now, and in this space now, there is a sacredness that is calling.  It is a Divine Presence that exudes beauty and grace; a Divine Power that is the essence of strength and wisdom.  Like the whisper of a breath, it is all-sustaining and ever-present.

Noticing my breath, I see, that at my core, I am one with this Divine, Creative Intelligence.  It is a loving connection with the all-good of the Universe that guides my journey.  I give this Divine Spirit space for full expression through me and as me in a way that no one else can and I say bring it on!  

I walk through life affirming perfect wealth, opulence and affluence and Life makes the way for the experience of abundance and prosperity  I am surrounded by grace in every minute of the day and welcome the circulation of my good out into the world in joyful and fun ways.  I feel energized and alive as I give in deep and meaningful ways, knowing that my every need is met by a Source that always has my back.  I clearly see my worthiness to receive as I up-level my circulation back out, cultivating my prosperity consciousness.  I align with my soul and heart which urges me to reach for outrageous experiences of a life in the flow of magnificence and wonder.  And I smile as Spirit blasts open the windows and doors, showering me with a pressed down and multiplied return.

Allowing the feelings of thanksgiving and gratitude to overtake me, I lean into the happiness that emerges and grows stronger.  In faith and trust, I say Thank You, Spirit, for evidence of the truth - that life is for me in amazing ways beyond what I can even imagine.

Grateful for the guidance of the Universe, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  Blessings and miracles are mine to give and to receive.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!

Photo courtesy of Jose Moutinho/Flickr

If You Don't Ask, You Don't Get

Life is a never-ending process of lessons.  That is something I am whole-heartedly convinced of.  This week I was reminded of one of those lessons when I picked up the book God Never Blinks by Regina Brett.  Randomly flipping through the book, it opened to the chapter titled, If You Don't Ask, You Don't Get.

I have sometimes been challenged to speak up for myself, especially when there is potential conflict involved.  I'd rather sacrifice my happiness than ask for what I want.  And, just like the author, my husband, Kevin, is NEVER afraid to ask for what he wants.

If his french fries arrive cold, he asks for fries that are hot.  If he'd like a better seat at a restaurant, he asks if one is available.

Why are we reluctant to ask for what we want?  The book suggests there are three reasons: pride, fear and guilt.  And I can see how those might apply to me as well.

However, I now believe there is a fourth reason we don't ask - laziness.

As my fellow students and I were studying for our upcoming licensing exam, our teacher asked us to talk about one area we are cowards in.  I mentioned my conflict issue.  After explaining I would rather sell the condo than deal with issues from tenants, he suggested that maybe I am making a conscious choice to spend my time elsewhere.

He then proceeded to call me lazy.  Wait, what???

Hmmm, would I rather be reading or watching a movie or playing a card game versus working on self-improvement or putting together a budget or screening new tenants?  Sometimes, that true.  Then, I was gently reminded of a few times I pro-actively took on conflict and I had no fears or concerns about doing so.

Shoot, he might be right!  I may not get what I want because I'm too LAZY to take action and ask.

I guess it comes down to priorities.  How important is it to have hot french fries versus lukewarm fries (hey, I'm putting cold ketchup on them anyway).  Or how important is it to have a prime window seat versus one that is near the window (at least, near enough to have somewhat of a view).

What I'm learning is that I am just as deserving as anyone else to have hot fries and window seats.  And, I need to quit being lazy and start speaking up.

Why do I need to begin doing this when it seems a little trivial?  I believe it's because the Universe is conspiring for my success and when I don't make the effort to ask for what I want, I'm also sending signals that having what I really want is not that important.

If my prosperity and abundance and joy and happiness are not a high enough priority for ME, why should Source or Spirit or God support me?  I've let my soul know that it's okay for It to be lazy too.

And, if I'm too lazy to even ask, the answer is always NO.  No to prosperity and abundance.  No to joy and happiness.  I had already given myself the answer.

So, starting today, I'm taking a look at areas where I have been lazy and I'm committing to choosing one thing to start moving forward on.  It's just like everything in life.  All it will take is for me to start with small steps and pretty soon, the Universe will take notice and begin speaking up loud and clear.

Where in YOUR life can you be bold and ask for what you want?  What one thing can you ask for today?

Today, I set the intention to pay attention and notice when I am not asking for what I want so I can shift my priorities, if necessary, and let the Universe know I'm ready to receive.

"We are living in a new age, a new time, when things must be different.  You cannot 

continue to do what has always been done.  Something or someone must change.  

It might as well be you!  You have the opportunity.  The only thing you need

 is the strength and courage to recognize that you have been chosen for

 the awesome task of implementing change."  

~Iyanla Vanzant

"The storehouse of nature is filled with infinite good, awaiting the touch 

of our awakened thought to spring forth into manifestation in our lives."  

~Ernest Holmes

Affirmative Prayer:
The truth in this moment is there is only One - one Divine Intelligence filled with love and with compassion; One Creative Power revealing Itself in magnificent and brilliant ways; One Divine Essence that supports and sustains all of creation.

Breathing in this moment, I become available to the inner voice of this Intelligence and Power that renews my mind and body and spirit.  I awaken to my Divine Essence, seeing the infinite Good express through and as me in loving ways that serve from a place of joy and happiness.

Affirming the infinite Good that is always mine, I seize the opportunity each day to ask for what I want.  I release any feelings of laziness that might be holding me back and I step up in courage and faith, trusting that the Universe is guiding me to my highest and best good.  I welcome the fresh insight that opens my eyes to opportunities for prosperity and abundance.  I am led to people and places and experiences that make it so easy and effortless to ask and to receive.   Taking small steps, blessings flow as evidence that my life is on track and getting better every day.

Remaining open to every day miracles, I am so thankful for the good that is revealing itself in my life.  I stand in appreciation for the awakening of what has been hidden in plain sight.  And I am grateful for my expansion into more prosperity and abundance and love that uplifts me now and forever.

Filled to the brim with pure, unconditional love, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  I take delight in the manifestations happening now.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!

© Uschi Hering | Dreamstime Stock Photos