The Missing Secret

As a huge fan of The Secret (Extended Edition) by Rhonda Byrne, I was inspired by many great ideas. Things like what you focus on becomes reality and the importance of gratitude have played key roles in my subsequent life and resulted in many positive outcomes. Still, my successes have been somewhat limited in nature and I am aware of many others who feel the same way. In my quest to find answers, I have stumbled upon one principle which was not emphasized, but has been very important in my development: the principle of connection.

The Secret has a tendency to focus on the things you can do as an individual to draw what you want into your life. When most of us see ourselves as individuals, we see ourselves as independent, separate beings. The truth is, when we are separate from each other and the Universe we have no power. There is a power that flows in and through all things. This power binds us and connects us to everything that exists and is the source of insight and inspiration. The more "plugged in" we are to this energy of connection, the more powerful we become.

Think about this: when you are open, smiling, happy, others are much more open to you because you are inviting them in. They like you and want to help you if they can. Doors that weren't previously opened are now accessible to you. You have made yourself energetically connected to them. When you open up like this to the rest of the Universe--animals, places, things--their energy is also opened up to you. The reality is, while we function in this world as individuals, we are always part of a larger whole.

The reverse is also true. When you are closed off from others and the rest of the world, it is closed to you. This is when nothing goes your way, and you are powerless. You may even become angry or depressed. There is no greater hell than the state of separateness.

The solution to making the law of attraction work for you is simple: Learn to connect to that place in your soul that is One with the Universe. Feel your Oneness, your connection. Take time every day to become famaliar with all that is present there--feelings, people, things, places, events, etc. Learn to draw strength from it. You will find insights and inspirations that were always there but never seen before. You will understand how you fit into the great plan. You will have found what is missing. You will have found yourself.

Raise Your Vibration Now!

It's one thing to think about improving yourself and another to actually do it. It has occurred to me that I have given the thought behind many law of attraction techniques and strategies but not many practical applications. Consequently, it is my intention to let you in on some of my personal strategies in the hope they will benefit your life!

Strategy #1: Tap into the energies around you or those you have already experienced! The most concrete example I can come up with comes in the rescue of the Chilean mine workers just a few days ago. I found it very hard to pull myself away from the coverage to do more mundane things (like cook). I have heard a number of comments from friends and family that it was the same for them. Why? The answer lies in the worldwide caring and support for those trapped men. The energy from their rescue was so high and so strong it was impossible for those seeking that energy to turn away from! The bottom line is, when you find yourself in such a strong energy vibe, you need to allow yourself to go with it. Allow the experience to feed and energize you! You can do the same with any good experience or memory. Bring into mind all those times you felt love, joy, peace, forgiveness. Let yourself live in those memories! You will soon find yourself in a better place.

Strategy #2: Get creative and participate in those activities that bring your joy and satisfaction! This can be anything--singing, skydiving, problem-solving or even sex! (Yes! I said sex!) The point is, when you do something that makes you happy it raises your vibration. It also has the added bonus of putting you in your body, where you are your most powerful.

Strategy #3: Meditate, taking time to get into your heart space. Relax, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Focus a few moments on your breathing--breathing in the positive and expelling the negative. When you are very relaxed, focus your mind on that space just behind and a little below your heart--the dwelling place of your spirit. Sense your spirit. Recognize it for the light it is. Allow your mind to just relax and not think about anything in particular. Rest in this space. Get to know it. It is your connection to Source energy. It has the power to heal you and change your life. Spend about 10 minutes a day doing this. You will be amazed by how great you feel!

The bottom line is, your energy level is your responsibility! No one else has the power to change it. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do because if you aren't feeling good you do not have the strength the accomplish your mission in life. Become the solution to the world's problems. Raise your vibration now!

The Importance of Passion

The term "finding your passion" is one of the catchphrases which figures prominently in law of attraction circles. Empowerment coaches such as Janet and Chris Attwood (The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose) and Chris Widener (The Angel Inside: Michelangelo's Secrets for Following Your Passion and Finding the Work You Love) have explained in great detail the concept of finding your passion in order to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. Indeed, it is everyone's dream to live such joy and passion every day. Still, what is it about passion that makes it important? Why is passion necessary to attract the life of your dreams? The answer lies in passion's ability to help you be present in your body and live from your heart.

Reflect on those times in your life when you have felt the most passionate. Maybe it was when you allowed yourself to be creative and painted a masterpiece, or maybe it had to do with your elation at being able to solve a complex problem in your job. Regardless, ask yourself a few key questions. How did it feel? Did it make me want to continue doing it? Where was my attention--my focus? Did I want to be doing anything else, be anywhere else?

My guess is (based on my own personal experience) that you felt alive and empowered. The joy it brought to you made you want to take those actions again and again. You did not want to be anywhere else in the world except where you were. In those moments of passion, you were totally present--fully focused in your body. Your mind and heart were engaged. You were in a place of power! At that precise moment, you were truly a creator of your universe.

Following your passion is important because doing so enables you to become your highest self. It is the place of flow and abundance and empowerment. When you let passion be your guide, your life magically falls into place. Don't underestimate passion. It has the power to transform your life.

Good From Adversity

The law of attaction states that YOU are responsible for all the things which are brought into your life by the thoughts you dwell on and believe. Jesus is quoted in the bible as saying, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24 KJV) Thoughts are obviously very powerful things! Often we find ourselves questioning why bad things come into our lives. The law of attraction would say you put them there. Jesus also seems to agree that what you believe you will receive will come to you. Do we really bring bad things onto ourselves or is this some sort of punishment from the Divine? I believe we do bring "bad" things on ourselves. The question you should ask yourself is whether or not a situation or person in our lives is truly meant to bring about our misery or is there something more behind it? I believe good can come from adversity.

Ever heard the saying "You can't run away from your problems"? Ever tried to? What happened? I would be willing to bet that the problem you were trying to get away from followed you to the new place. It may be an immediate thing (ie. the same person or situation shows back up), or it may take some time before you find yourself repeating the same old familiar pattern with a new person or situation. If something keeps showing up over and over again in your life, you should pay attention to it! The universe is trying to tell you something!

Adversity is not meant to be good or bad. Adversity is a new chance for us to learn and grow. Running away from it just postpones the inevitable. Standing and facing adversity gives you a reason to look for new resources. It requires courage, determination and strength. Facing and overcoming adversity builds new muscle, new skills. You end up growing in unexpected ways. Growth would never occur if you didn't have a problem to overcome.

The next time a reoccuring problem stares you in the face, instead of blaming yourself or others and running away, stand up and face the problem head on. Ask for help. (God is a good place to start.) Believe you are strong enough to deal with the situation and help is on the way. Keep your eyes open and look for doors that open for you as you need them. You can overcome! You will grow! This is the good that comes from adversity! Embrace it!

Leap of Faith

The Law of Attraction has intrigued me since the first time I watched The Secret (Extended Edition) by Rhonda Byrnes. Somehow, the idea that we are in control of our own destinies through the thoughts we think rings true for me. Based on the popularity of authors like Wayne Dyer, Jack Canfield, and Jerry and Esther Hicks, the idea stikes a powerful chord in many other people as well.
While I have believed in the Law of Attraction concept for years, I will be the first to admit I have not attracted everything I want into my life. My relationships with family and friends are good. I believe I have attained some level of spiritual awareness and have a relationship with God. I have even achieved some level of career success even though it is in an area I fell into instead of actively pursued. Still, I have many goals left unreached. It seems as though life and the ever-present need for money to live it has gotten in the way.
At present, I am the mother of three busy teenaged children, two of whom are special needs (one has a reading disability, the other is ADHD). I spent over ten years as a single mom (with a lot of help from my own mother) and only recently remarried a really nice man who treats the children and I very well. I have been working as the lead teacher in a Georgia Pre K classroom for the past four years, and I worked as a daycare teacher for eight years before that. My only other "real" job was right after I graduated from college with a BA in psychology. I worked almost three years as a residential counselor in a group home for emotionally disturbed children. The endless routine of working full time, chauferring my children around to their various activities, and running a household has taken its toll on me. I am emotionally drained and exhausted.
I look at my life and realize there is so much more I want to do--so much more I want to accomplish! The whirlwind that is my life is not allowing me any time to do it! Even though teaching does bring some rewards, it is not my all-consuming passion. Coupled with the fact that it does not allow me the time I need to take care of myself or my family well, teaching does not feel like a good choice for me at present. The past year has been especially bad for me as I struggle with depression, anxiety and nervousness from the weight of it all.
I realize this is no way to live. I have prayed endlessly to God about what I do want. I want to have time to take care of myself and my family. I want to be financially independent. I want to write. I want to motivate others to change what they don't like about themselves and live lives of empowerment. I want to be free of the chains that have bound me--chains I know I have placed on myself.
Lately in my meditation when I have taken the time to listen to the silence, I have felt a response to my ever questioning need--GO FOR IT! MAKE THE CHANGE! It is a calm, reassuring voice, and from past experience it is a voice I know I can trust. It has always proven reliable in the past.
It is a leap of faith. The only thing I've known and really trusted to bring me the income I need to live on is a regular 9 to 5 sort of job. The thought of having the rely on myself scares me to death. I question whether or not I have the ability to stay with it and thrive. Still, I know I have to try.
This blog is my journey. It is time for me to break out of that cocoon I have placed around myself and wake up to the world of possibilities and dreams. Time for me to fly. It's time for you to fly too.