Angles of Perspective

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As part of the evolution of the Sharing Perspective to Share Smiles project I considered various angles from which to go.

Always confident the project would evolve so I didn’t need all the answers right away.

What originally came to mind was to share perspective from the angle of commentary heard over the years, one heard in one form or another since I was a young child.  Rather than repeat the wording I’ll explain the concern.

Older people seemed consistently concerned that knowledge gained from the perspective of experience was being lost because changes associated with “Nuclear Family” and “Latch Key Kids” meant there wasn’t a clear [read traditional] path to transfer the knowledge.

As opposed to book knowledge/education which provides only part of the story.

Even as I heard the concerns I heard others saying the theme was one they too grew up hearing.  What made that interesting was that it was my parents’ generation saying that last while their parents were expressing the concern the knowledge wasn’t being transferred. 

I think a lot of the concern stemmed from wondering “how” that critical knowledge was going to be transferred in an age of change.

I was never particularly passionate about the concern.  It wasn’t anything I worried about because I was busy soaking up stories from those around me.

From all ages and walks of life.

Here’s the thing.  I wasn’t the only one doing so.

I remember many discussions in elementary school where kids would share stories from grandparents, neighbors, their parents’coworkers, many of whom had fought and/or lived through World War II and earlier.

What stands out in memory is the number of questions asked by youth who wanted to learn from someone who had more experience. 

Questions born of respect for that knowledge and experience. 

Experience is Experience.

It isn’t always the older crowd to provide perspective.  I listened avidly to stories teenage aunts and uncles told of first jobs, friendships, romantic relationships.

It wasn’t that, closer to me in age, I better related to them.  They just had a different perspective of the same subjects than older people, which made it interesting.

I also listened to the perspective of neighbors who may have lived in the same area but came from different backgrounds which translated into different perspectives.

Again, I wasn’t the only one.

At this stage of life I’ve heard enough from peers to know the knowledge was not lost.  Not only that, it’s being passed down to generations coming up behind.  

The way of life may be different and the tools of communication may have changed but at the heart people really are people.

Caring and wanting to do the right thing.

I see many examples of younger generations working alongside older to make the world a better place and in each situation there is a transfer of that knowledge.

The filters may change but the motivation – love and caring – remains.

What this means for my project is that what is shared is from a variety of people from different generations and backgrounds, gained while living or traveling in a variety of places.

Always listening and learning.

It’s an exciting angle of perspective I’m happy to share,

Note: The image is an ode to some Old World fishermen who were happy and willing to share their adventures with a curious eighth grader.

Manifesting: Clearing the Path

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As the Sharing Perspective to Share Smiles project evolves a natural rhythm to the posting will too.  In the meantime, I’m sharing perspective as I feel inspired.

The intention is to make a positive difference and there is always someone – if not a lot of someones – who can use positive.

As I look back over the months that led to this moment I’ve come to see the most important action I took when working on manifesting goals was to clear what stood between me and the goal to the best of my ability.

Release!

It’s natural to focus on the people, places, and actions you need in order to obtain goals but what about the inverse?

Yes, sometimes people can be an obstacle.

Chicken or Egg

It’s hard to determine which came first, releasing other people’s ideas of what my career focus should be or purging physical items that acted as messengers cluttering my mind.

In Terah Kathryn Collins’ book The Western Guide to Feng Shui Room by Room she explains the reason items in our visual space chatter at us and stresses the importance of making sure what they’re saying to us is positive.

The two were so intertwined it was hard for me to see which was doing the most good.  What I do know is that it turned into a process that lasted over a year and culminated – from a career perspective – with the decision to focus on the positive and share that positive with the world.

Slow and Steady

I did not put a timeline on the process though I did work to clear physical clutter as soon as I decided what needed to go for the simple reason that each time I passed the reconfigured space I got validation I’d made the right career decision.

Now What?

After the furniture and other items found new homes I gave consideration to the importance of what was next, taking time to “just be.”

Already burned out the last thing I needed was to push myself to take action without enough data.

I spent the early part of 2023 considering what information I needed before making a decision as to what would come next, along with where I might gain that important data.

State of the Union

When a virtual writers workshop popped up on my radar not long after I considered it the answer to a prayer!

The focus of the conference was exactly what I’d been wondering about – What was the state of the traditional writers market from the publishing side of the equation? Had things become friendlier for writers in the era of ebooks?

I knew before attending this was the final piece I needed to go forward with a decision that had been in my head for some time.

It’d been in my heart too but I’d been so inundated by the noise of other people’s thoughts and opinions on the matter, I couldn’t hear it.

The conference speakers were wonderful and I gained a wealth of information.  The kicker?  It only took one slide, shown early on the second day of the 2-day conference, to validate my belief that moving to the Share Perspective to Share Smiles project was the right direction for me.

I invite readers to read the updated Welcome Message.

A bonus was that attending this conference showed I’d achieved goals I set for myself when I started down this path in 2003.

Leaving Corporate to pursue my childhood dream.

The Cost Benefits Analysis.

I’ll admit, considering the cost of the conference in light of validating what I already knew with one slide gave me a twinge of heartburn.

One slide?  Not even the full breakout session.  One slide!

A close friend offered a wonderful spin on it.  He pointed out the cost of the conference was nothing compared to the time and energy – and cost of doing business – I would have lost had I continued on for months or years only to come to the same conclusion.

In other words I got a solid return on my investment.

The weeks after were a flurry of activity.

I’d removed the last bit of doubt and was free to move toward my new goal.

Most of that activity was mental and spiritual as I realigned my identity with my writing.

As I’ve stated, I needed to return to my writing roots.

In terms of actual actions, I spent most of the time releasing anything keeping me from moving forward.

Fear, doubt, regret, or any other fear-based emotions or thoughts that would only act as debris on the path.

I took small steps to align myself with sources of support.

Including Kenneth Wong’s Feeling Good which, like Paulo Cuehlo’s The Alchemist stresses the importance of listening to your inner guide, something I’d lost touch with thanks to all “the noise.”

These steps allowed for more releasing, even as I took other actions that drew more positive energy into the space created by releasing “the noise.”

I’ve referred to this as letting go of that which no longer serves.

It’s an energy intensive process and one needs to be vigilant about staying focused.  At this stage of the journey?  I’ve come to see that taking time to clear obstacles on the path to the goal is equally if not more valuable than getting tools to theoretically speed the journey.

Tools can be helpful but if you’re weighed down by the other, the tools just add more weight which may and likely will hinder your efforts.

My advice for those working to manifest a goal is to see where you can remove hurdles in the way.

Including and especially mental and spiritual hurdles that may be weighing you down.

Manifest Your Supporters Wisely

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A part of the manifesting process I’ve come across frequently is the importance of keeping positive and one of the ways mentioned as frequently is to be sure you are around positive people who can support you in your efforts.

There are a number of philosophies that also suggest not talking about your goals which is a strategy for avoiding negativity when you don’t know your audience or they may not be supportive.

I’ve come up with a different yet effective strategy, one I use not necessarily because I don’t have supportive people around me but because there are times I just need an extra boost of support.

Before I explain I want to give a bit of background perspective.  For as long as I remember I’ve had goals that stood out from those in my community.

  • I lived in a Blue Collar neighborhood but saw myself living better
  • I wanted to gain an education and have a career when those in my community pushed for marriage in lieu of
  • I wanted to travel the world when those around me were happy home bodies
  • I embraced change in the midst of a conservative group of people who were at a different stage of their lives; one that required more stability

Being at odds with those around you can take a toll on your soul.

Not to mention your psyche as you are drawn into seemingly endless discussions wherein you have to defend your position.

Incidentally, the idea for this article came out of an Event Horizon Session I was doing this morning.  As part of the stream of consciousness released, I wrote 

They may speak to my fears but they do not speak to my reality.

I was immediately taken back to my time in tech when our company and region was facing economic turmoil of a signficant magnitude, and how while I spoke of taking risks, many around me – who I considered wiser because of experience – gave grave words arguing against it.

I now see they were in a different place in life than I was and though their advice may have served someone in a smiliar situation, they didn’t serve me.  

Perspective:  I was single and just starting my career whereas they were usually married with kids in high school and/or college, mortgages, and car payments.

Fortunately I was able to deduct that their advice wasn’t helpful for me.  Unfortunately, it led to some serious self-doubt.

I didn’t realize we were speaking from different life situations.

My twisty turny path through life led me far from those consesrvative shores but the need to feel confident in times of uncertainty is just as valid today.

Experience doesn’t fill the gap here.

It doesn’t help that I am still in a place significantly different than of those who might support me.

We may be in a similar geogpraphy or industry but we are at different places in life.

Note: I’m not talking of family and/or friends who are all around loving and supportive. I’m talking about finding support in uncertain times when you might need or want a bit extra.

At times I’ve had to be creative in how I gain my support.  Here are two places from which I draw strength and perspective.

Sports

Watching  Caleb Williams’ Heisman Trophy speech was amazingly inspirational as he detailed the concrete steps taken to reach his goal of playing football.  It reminded me how athletes are an amazing source of such inspiration as many use wonderful strategies to help them achieve their goals and dreams and deal with stress.

The Road Less Traveled

I am – and always have been – fascinated by those who live a life far from standard issue.

People who decide to live at a Research Station in Antarctica or pack up and move to another country.  Or who, like friends of mine, live on a sailing yacht raising a family while traveling the world for work.

Sports 2

A number of recent articles on various aspects of golf were particularly intriguing as they showed that regardless of salary, people are people.

Basically, deciding to do something differently put them out of favor with their peers.  That didn’t feel so good even though they continued on because they had to follow their dreams.

Each of these scenarios helped me see myself as part of a group I admire, as a peer.  

Maybe not one they know personally but one who lives the philosophies they espouse; a philosophy that can propel them through times of self-doubt and uncertainty.

I hope sharing these strategies helps others facing uncertainty and/or self-doubt while going for their goals.

Final Note:  It pays to keep company with those who are positive and supportive so seek them when and where you can and when you can’t – improvise!

And stay tuned for more positive here!

Your goals are waiting!

This Too Shall Pass

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Seeing the jobs report headlines this morning resolved a challenge regarding this new project of Sharing Perspective to Share Smiles.

As I considered various angles from which to go at the content, I’d decided the priority was to remain positive in the messaging while drawing from a life of unique if rich experiences.

I’ve witnessed world events getting feedback through observation and conversation from some interesting and amazing individuals.

While wanting to remain positive is a noble desire it needed to be done in a way that wouldn’t come across as pollyanna-ish.  This is where drawing from experience comes in.  The challenge in that, however, is that experience isn’t always happy or positive.

Even if the outcome is.  

So, how much do you share and how do you keep the spin on the lighter side?

This morning’s jobs report headlines gave me the answer.

One in particular.

From Experience.

One of the best strategies that got me through times of uncertainty was to tap other people’s perspectives.

Perspectives gained through experience.

Not all storms are the same.

Economic Headwinds.

Having grown up in the Metro Detroit Area, I lived through a number of economic downturns.

I remember being in the service station line in the family car during the oh-so-fun oil embargo.

Though I recalled the somber mood and the concerns of various individuals during those days I couldn’t appreciate it the way I do now for the simple fact I was too young to truly understand.

To add complexity there was a family member who had a birds-eye view of the situation which ruffled a number of family feathers, none of which I could, being a kid, understand.

When, as a young adult making my way in the corporate world, I was facing those economic headwinds, simply drawing from childhood memories wasn’t enough to assure me that things would eventually turn around again.  Drawing from the experience of those I was working with- people I trusted who were older – gave me that assurance.

I eagerly listened as they explained how and why challenges unique to the Discrete Manufacturing Industry meant our area was harder hit yet how we consistently came back stronger.

Coping is Investing.

I spent that time not just listening but observing.  What I noted was that a number of the savvier and better-performing consultants spent the time tinkering with new technology.

Hardware and software.

Deciding they knew something, I did the same.  

It paid off.

Not only did it help advance my career, it made me a valuable player so that when those headwinds came around again, I had skills in demand.

Just the Facts, Ma’am.

One of the more valuable skills I developed was the ability to step away from the emotional flashpoints to look at reality.  

I wish I’d known to do it then.

This is a great way to insulate yourself from other people’s drama.

Priceless in terms of reducing stress.

No I Don’t Think So.

Over the past weeks I’ve seen plenty of headlines warning of a recession.

Along with a number that proclaimed if there was one, it wouldn’t be that bad.

I had my own feelings on the matter.

Based on some hard facts.  

Even before the pandemic hit, we were looking at a demographic shift that tilted heavily in favor of the consumer.

The employee.

Not only would there be more jobs than people, it was a trend that would be around for awhile.  The pandemic only exacerbated that.  As a result I was confident that regardless of other factors, we were not looking at the type of economic storm we saw in the early 70s, early 80s, early 90s, etc…

Notice a pattern?

No panic here.

Even when the layoffs – mostly in tech – began, as painful as I knew they were to those directly affected, I understood today’s employment situation meant many of those affected would find new jobs.

A vast difference from what I witnessed in the early 90s when many of my tech colleagues were affected.

At no time did I feel the country was about to relive earlier downturns.

We are in a completely different situation.

When I saw a headline this morning mentioning the January Jobs Report leading a number of individuals to say they no longer feared a recession, I felt a bit vindicated. I hadn’t shared my thoughts beyond a close group of individuals and I certainly didn’t brag but I did draw from prior – if painful – experience.  

Young and inexperienced, I was highly traumatized by the secular headwind fallout of the early 90s.  

I considered how I could pull this together to put out an article that would assure people.

Ease some of the “fear of the unknown” lack of experience can fuel.

We are a nation and a world that continuously looks to the future.

And our place in it.

I believe that, despite alarmist headlines, we can feel good about the situation.

As my grandmother used to say – this [secular headwind] too shall pass.

To brighter days ahead!

A Return to My Writing Roots

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Note:  Longer Post.

As part of a soft launch of the new writing project I’ve been revamping my website.  As it says in the updated Welcome message 

I’m really excited about this change as it is an opportunity to return to my roots as a writer while continuing to make a positive difference in the world.

Return to my roots as a writer. 

What does that mean?  

To fully understand I need to go back in time to what is – ironically – one of the more challenging time periods of my life.

I was working in a culture that was becoming more toxic in proportion to the  strengthening of “secular headwinds.”

In the midst of this despair I found comfort in the company of some of the most creative individuals I’ve ever worked with; souls who shared the ways they channeled stress into their life’s passions.

Being part of a band, writing fiction, dancing, working on code to predict winning Lotto numbers among other interests.

Working with people who had dreams outside Corporate meant I was free to share mine with an audience that was receptive if not outright supportive of them.

A few even helped me fulfill some of them.

Though I eventually attained my dream of leaving corporate to pursue writing novels full time, reality was nothing like I imagined.  Coming into the dream right as the publishing industry was undergoing one of the most significant transformations in history was turbulent to say the least.

The rise of ebooks via Smashwords and Amazon.

Somewhere along the way I lost sight of what the dream was all about.

Why did I want to be a writer?  

Quiet!

Like with so many around the world the pandemic forced a total recalibration on every level so it’s no surprise that on the other side of the worst of it I took stock of where I was and looked to see what needed to change.  In terms of my career, a lot.

Though I’d become highly prolific during the lockdown, turning out several books – fiction and non – I drove myself straight into the wall of burnout.  

Eliminate the Source.

Though I would have gotten here eventually, a recent and revealing discussion with a caring friend accelerated the decision to turn my focus from writing books.

The source of the  burnout.

What excited me most was the opportunity to take time to think about what it was I wanted to write.  I came to see the answer was going back to what I used to do.

Writing in a way that reflected who I am.

Which brings me to…

Making a Positive Difference

I have a lifetime of service that began in childhood with volunteer work.

Read, walk, and skate-a-thons for organizations such as March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy, The American Juvenile Diabetes Association, to name a few.

This continued into adultood.

Working with food banks and other volunteer opportunities.

I channeled my love of helping others professionally by becoming a consultant.

I was always gratified by the smiles of customers who got what they wanted in a solution.

After earning a doctorate in holistic healthcare, I channeled the consulting into nonfiction work.  

Books and websites.

Unfortunately, this led to a rather interesting conundrum.  It became about them.

My motivation was in the right place.

I didn’t understand the toll it would take.  

Fast Forward to Positive.

I’ve decided to focus on blogging as it allows me to write what I love for the reason I got into writing.

To Share Smiles.

I believe it’s best – for readers and this writer – to stick with what I have rather than go to a newsletter service and ask readers following me to add an additional service.  

Sharing Smiles

When I thought about who I was as a person I remembered countless stories of laughter shared with colleagues and customers.  

Even and especially during difficult times.

I knew immediately I wanted to give that to a broader audience.

I changed the site banner to reflect this.

Sharing Perspective to Share Smiles.

I think the world can do with more opportunities to smile and look forward to doing my part.

Stay tuned!

Warmly and with good vibes,

Elizabeth

Hidden in Plain Sight: Goals Manifested

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I’ve written previously about suddenly realizing something I thought would be cool years back came to be even though I didn’t consciously take action to manifest it.  More recently I used such a realization to propel me in a new direction in my career.  Specifically, I mentioned suddenly realizing I’d achieved the writing goals I set out for myself but didn’t realize it.

How can that be?

It wasn’t obvious because the goals manifested in a way I hadn’t been expecting.  To illustrate I’ll use a parallel example.

I was born with Wanderer’s Lust.  From childhood I wanted to see the world and meet the people in it.  Fuel was added to this dream in second grade when I saw amazing stories via the geography book we used; one that was published by National Geographic.

At Home Around the World.

 With chapters such as At Home on an Island and At Home on a Tundra I learned that our world was made up of diverse people who lived lives totally different than my Midwest environment.  The photography was spectacular and the beauty it revealed made me want to go to these places.  I wanted to talk to some of the people in the stories because I had questions, my curiousity fueled by a way of life that was so different than mine.

I remember how young male teens in one island country climbed breadfruit trees.  I was amazed as there were no branches to use as leverage like with the maples I climbed.

I did get my opportunity to travel and to meet people from other cultures.

I love hearing stories about their lives.

Much of this travel came through business travel.

Including meeting people from other cultures who traveled to the United States.

A Left Turn at Albuquerque.

 My travels took a different spin when, having driven myself across the country to relocate from the Midwest to Silicon Valley I learned the joys of seeing the country by car.

I met some amazing people and saw some pretty odd stuff.

This experience came in handy when I needed to travel extensively for research into EMF Sensitivity.

Research I funded myself.

I saw places I never thought to visit along with places I’d read about in schoolbooks and longed to see, such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Taos, New Mexico.**

**  Though I didn’t know about the hum, learning about it gave me a good reason to go there as part of my EMF Research.

I am grateful for the opportunity to fulfill a passion for travel, though it did not manifest in a way I  would have expected.

Rinse.  Repeat.

I’d like to say I’ve learned my lesson in this regard but the truth is this is something that I’ve faced repeatedly.

Not recognizing the goals manifested because they did so in a way that was unexpected.

I’d like to think that this most recent experience with career goals has helped adjust my manifesting viewing scope.  One thing I know for sure.  It’s opened my eyes to gratitude as I acknowledge the wonder and blessings I have as a result.

Gratitude and acknowledging achievements is part of the overall manifesting process.

See where the successes in your life may be hiding.

In plain sight no less!

Manifesting: When Techniques Don’t Translate

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Have you noticed the number of books out there that deal with manifesting and achieving goals?  I’ve read more than my share and I’ve gotten something of value from each one.  I enjoy those from the early 20th century for their apparent simplicity but also their antiquated language which harks back to earlier and theoretically simpler times.  But where they?

Those familiar with late 19th and early 20th century history know a number of wars, a global pandemic, and other conflicts made those years a time of transition that was anything but smooth.

Conversations with my grandparents were enlightening.

They did not sugar coat things even as they put their experiences through the filters of hindsight.

Some books have been updated to reflect a modern era whereas others are out and out new – written from the perspective of someone who has overcome adversity and struggle using techniques common across majority of books on the subject.

i.e. writing goals, visualizing goals as already achieved.

Though I’ve gained tremendous value and made progress from utilizing techniques shared in the various books, I’ve come to see where I’ve done myself an injustice.  

It has to do with one of my favorite themes. 

Perspective is Everything

It was this morning as I was going through my closet that I came to see what an injustice I’d done to myself by not understanding that though someone may have been through a similar challenge and may have words of advice and wisdom to offer – they didn’t go through my challenge.

They weren’t playing the same hand I was.  Their cards were different.

What came from this brief introspection is a tidbit I haven’t seen in books; one I will share.

It’s a big piece of the puzzle.

How did I get to this insight?  

The Tale of Two Memories

I thought briefly of the long multi-year journey of my struggle to build a wardrobe I felt reflected who I was after leaving Corporate.

I struggled to find the Goldilocks balance of career casual.

My efforts usually ended up revealing what didn’t work though they were not for naught.

I eventually got myself here where I’m comfortable with what I have; about as Goldilocks as it gets when it comes to that balance.

One of the better exercises I did – years ago – was have people I trusted [to be honest], who understood the career transition I was going through, give their opinion on various pieces in my closet.  I listened to comments like “Too formal, wrong color, makes you look like an old lady.”

Usually their expressions told the tale before anything came out of their mouths.

At the end of the exercise I had a rather large pile including accessories to donate but what remained felt too patchwork.  It was a defining moment on the path to attaining my career goals.

Having the right self-image meant I wouldn’t feel like an imposter in my new career.

The other example – one that may be read by the individual – is meant to illustrate.

Not criticize the individual who was being sincere in their efforts to help me.

I love having house plants in my environment.  

However

In spite of their resiliency it’s been more of a challenge than I’ve liked with challenges tied to various locations I’ve lived.  

A lot of the places lacked adequate sun and were too arid because of a need to run heat.

House plants , including those marked as low-light plants generally need more sun and moisture – though not more watering – than is conveyed.

At one point we were living in an area that from outside appearances implied it would be easy to grow plants. And yet I was facing one of my bigger challenges.

Damn if my plants kept dying!

We had plenty of sun – but not too much – and water didn’t seem to be a problem.

Frustrated I consulted a friend who is pretty savvy growing plants in challenging environments.  Unfortunately, all that came from those conversations was my feeling worse.  

I think that came from the fact I was picking up the vibe of “You have to be doing something wrong since the environment is ideal.”

Unfortunately, I gave a lot of power to this individual because they had overcome environmental challenges.

Challenges I decided were more significant than the ones I was facing since I didn’t have snow and there was more sun.  

What I didn’t consider was that though the individual may have had significant environmental challenges, they weren’t my environmental challenges.  Worse, the lack of certain extremes – low light and snow/freezing temps – obscured the impact of the environmental challenges I was facing.

Wind

To start with, these plants were on an outdoor patio and though they were shielded from direct wind, they were not shielded from the constant buffeting our location was subject to.

Arid

The air was more arid than I realized.

Like a desert in terms of lacking moisture.

Salt

We were not far from the Pacific Ocean.  It honestly didn’t occur to me the salt in the air would take a toll on my plants.

I didn’t consider this until a friend living on a sailing yacht told me she can’t keep plants alive because the salt air finishes them off.

For years I felt frustrated because though I’d tried to explain my environmental challenges, my friend didn’t come across as appreciating them.

I felt I was on the receiving end of “You think you have problems…they aren’t nearly what I have to face so you must be doing something wrong.”

This was on me.

I truly appreciate my friend’s efforts and all these years later they are still helping because they made me realize I was taking on energy that wasn’t helpful.  One might suggest it was just one of those lost in translation moments.  

It was.

What I learned from these examples is that a very important step when working to manifest goals is to offload anything that isn’t part of that goal achieved.

Physically and psychologically.

To the best of your ability, it’s important to remove what might be blocking the path.

What isn’t representative of the end result – achieved.

This is an adjunct to focusing on the outcome.  

Which is only part of the equation.

Letting go of that which isn’t part of that outcome is crucial.

It can be an arduous process.

It can be traumatic and disruptive.

Techniques to deal with the twists and turns in the path are important and this is where authors sharing their experiences can really help.

As this is meant to do.

Note: Some of the best indoor plant advice I’ve come across has come from bloggers living in the UK.

I Hope Works Too!

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“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”

Albert Einstein

I’m fortunate that I had the philosophy everything is a miracle from childhood. I’m lucky to be getting a refresher course in this truth! I reached out to a friend via email this morning, told her how looking out a window and seeing lights in a nearby house brought a smile.

It reminded me of manifesting a childhood goal.

I went on to explain the lights give a warm cozy vibe.  No sooner were the words down when I thought of yet another reason this place is a symbol of manifesting success.

A success to be considered and reviewed when going for new goals.

I Hope

For a long time the house stood empty.

Owners – retired – lived in another state and though caretakers – also in another state – came periodically – it was generally empty.

I remember telling this friend I hoped whoever moved in was a family.

It just seemed to be a house ideal for a family.

Time went on and there were no signs anything would be happening with the house.

To rent or to sell.

Though I hoped a family would eventually move in I released attachment to it and went about my life.

This morning as I typed the comment about the cozy vibe I thought how a family is now living in the house.

A very nice family.

I’ve no doubt it’s a good part of why the house gives off the warm and cozy vibe.

Everyone wins!

Even “I hope” brings manifesting results!

MANIFESTING: BUILD YOUR APPROACH

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Though I didn’t stumble on books on the subject until 1996, I have been strategizing on how to achieve goals most of my life.

I believe it started in second grade when I was taught to pray for a variety of items and/or outcomes.

When I stumbled across Robert Stone’s Celestial 911: Call With Your Right Brain for Answers, my relationship with goal achievement changed forever.

This was followed that same evening with an equally life-changing book, Shakti Gawain’s Creative Visualization Workbook.

Dr. Stone’s book listed the Silva Method.  Intrigued I signed up for the Basic Lecture Series.  It was another life-changing moment as I learned techniques to solve problems with the idea to make the world a better place as Jose Silva taught.

Throughout the years since I’ve come across a number of books on the subject of creating the life you want and achieving goals.  What I found worked best for me was to take whatever worked from each of the different resources and use it in a way that was meaningful – for me.

Though I’ve written about how my daily prayer and meditation routine is kluged together from these earlier sources – including prayer routines learned in Catholic school – it came up recently after I recommended a book on the subject to a friend.  After a bit of back and forth I suggested that having more than one author’s point of view on the subject had been very helpful to me and what stands out for me in choosing one, aside from the techniques, is the tone with which the book was written.  I need them to be – in a word – upbeat.

Not every book on manifesting and/or achieving goals has even a neutral tone as many authors are very serious about the subject.  However, there are writers who approach the subject in a way I feel is optimistic and leaves me feeling so good I feel like I’m already a success with my efforts!

Bob Stone’s book definitely did!

In addition to Celestial 911, I can list Henriette Anne Klauser’s Write It Down, Make It Happen, and Michael Samuel’s Just Ask the Universe as a very upbeat approach to the subject.

I’ve mentioned previously that while I got answers to long-standing questions on the subject as well as new techniques and approaches fron Lana Shlafer’s Manifest That Miracle, I consider her book a 300 level course on the subject.

What I’ve learned in recent days is that when you make a sincere effort life has a way of putting what you need when you need it in your path.

I also learned – the hard way – it’s just a suggestion.  You don’t have to follow it.

What I do know is that different methods may appeal at different times and work better for specific goals and objectives.  That is where utilizing what resonates personally make sense.  As a final thought, don’t forget to use what you learn from personal experience.

Be well!

Note:  For those interested in the story behind the Silva Method, I highly recommend Jose Silva’s autobiography, I Have a Hunch.

It’s a fascinating story of a devout man who sought to help others and to leave the world a better place.

MANIFESTING BLAHS: FEELING CAN HELP

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I was sitting here finishing off espresso and rereading a fiction reread.

Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts.  The Ardmore Trilogy is one of my favorites.

My mind drifted to a subject I’ve been writing about.

One I happen to be fiddling with at the moment.

Manifesting goals.

And the emotional ups and downs of hoping it works.

My thoughts first went to a conversation I had years back with a friend who asked how I Aaron and I met.

He was ready for a serious relationship.

We were in a bar in Royal Oak, Michigan.  I smiled at him and said the very best thing I learned from the experience was to put the intention out there.

Ask God or the universe, pray, whatever feels right to you.

Then go about living your life.  

I emphasized focusing on activities that brought joy.

We had a discussion on how doing so could get one’s mind off the waiting.

As Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part.

Years later, Aaron and I met up with him and his wife in Southern California.

Where they too had relocated from Michigan.

He drew me aside and thanked me for my words all those years ago, explaining that he followed them to the letter.

He emphasized that he made an effort to go about living his life so he wouldn’t think about what he didn’t have in the relationship area.

I felt really good that it all worked out.  Coming full circle to another goal that I have and the fact I’m searching for ways to go about my business so I don’t have to think about the fact it isn’t here yet and it occurred to me this is an area where feelings can help.

Whoa Whoa Whoa…

– Feelings, Morris Albert

I’ve written previously how I struggle with the concept of fake it til you make it.

In spite of having a good imagination.

I’m too logical.

I know I don’t have the thing I’m supposed to pretend I have.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

A few months back I was pondering this as I was trying out a new scripting technique and having trouble writing something I couldn’t connect to because it wasn’t real.

Thankfully that doesn’t happen when I’m writing a novel!

Interestingly, while referring to this book in a previous post my eyes drifted to another book on manifesting suggested by Amazon.

Manifest That Miracle by Lana Shlafer.

I downloaded a sample then went on my merry way.

Given my mindset and what was going on in my life I knew better than to try absorbing something new. I simply didn’t have the mental cycles.

I boosted my morale by rereading Henriette Anne Klauser’s Write It Down Make it Happen.

It is an upbeat book about various techniques for writing goals down in order to encourage their coming to be.

Eventually I got around to checking out the Manifest That Miracle free sample.  I knew within pages it would be worthwhile to purchase the book.  For one simple reason.  The author would be addressing a number of questions I had regarding manifesting goals, not the least of which was a technique for getting the feeling part down.

Before going further I will mention two things about this book.

  • Her life’s story is traumatic and the details may be upsetting to someone who isn’t in a good frame of mind.

I wasn’t.

To counter this I skipped over the details which was easy because I wasn’t questioning why she was qualified to author the book.

  • This is not a book I would recommend to neophytes on the internals of visualizing and writing down goals.

I consider this a 300-level course.

That is just my opinion.  I would never discourage anyone from reading her work.  She does an excellent job explaining.

I just feel people should be sold on the idea that the techniques involved with visualization and writing goals are valid and work.

I was thrilled to find that her way of explaining feelings resonated.  As a bonus and what I came to understand this morning, they are a valid way to fill that space that comes between letting go of that which no longer serves and the arrival of a specific goal.

The big empty.

Event Horizon to the Rescue!

As a writer I easily gravitate toward scripting.  However, without being able to marry feelings to it, the finished product feels like stale bread.

In terms of waiting, yesterday was a particularly challenging day.  To get my mind off my troubles I decided to engage in an activity that always leaves me feeling as if I’ve accomplished something, helping me feel really good even if nothing obvious has changed.

It helps me change my perspective which is worth its weight in patience.

A Bit of Emotional Irony

I designed Event Horizon to help make decisions and/or get clarity on a topic of concern by working through a process that neutralizes emotions that can get in the way.  What I learned is that it works on emotions associated with waiting.

Just what I needed yesterday.

Working the Event Horizon exercises brings feelings of happiness and accomplishment, along with a sense of optimism.  It also brings a number of images to mind as I write the stories that come to mind upon seeing the prompts.  These images evoke more positive feelings.

I’ve found these stories offer solutions to problems I may be dealing with and in several cases, have helped with creative writing challenges.

Feeling good, regardless of the specific event that fostered it, will definitely inject a sense of optimism into the waiting part.  As Lana writes, you feel so happy and so good about the journey you don’t worry about the when part.

Or as Mike Dooley writes, the cursed how’s.  You don’t worry about how it will come about.

Focusing on happy feelings will make it so the happiness pushes out – outshining – anything lesser. 

As Lana points out, there are a number of methods by which to get those good feelings going.  I was fortunate enough to see the app I designed – Event Horizon – is one of them!

Enjoy the journey!