Power of Now; Power of Present Awareness

 "...all you behold: tho' it appears Without it is Within In your Imagination, of which this World of Mortality is but a Shadow."
Jerusalem The Emanation of The Giant Albion, William Blake wrote: "


For the past month or so, I've begun taking to heart the idea shared by many metaphysical teachers that the point of power is always now. At any given moment throughout my day, but particularly when I'm feeling overwhelmed, stressed, frustrated or even twinges of depression, I've made it a habit to stop my mind chatter, be still and assess what's going on around me, now. I then ask myself: "What are you feeling right now?" "What are you thinking right now?" "Does this thought or feeling serve you?" "How do you want to feel right now?" "What can you think about that will help you feel that way in the present moment?"

I've read in several dozen different books and articles that the human mind processes an average of about 50,000 to 60,000 thoughts a day, according to research. How scientists arrived at this particular figure, I don't know. But if they're correct, then I believe it's also fair to assume the vast majority of these thoughts pass through our minds unnoticed. I'll be honest, without making the effort to stop and take notice of what I'm thinking right now as I write, I couldn't tell you what or how many thoughts just crossed my mind. Yet our thoughts are creating our reality—they are the programming that runs our lives. Our thoughts affect our feelings, which affect our decisions, which affect our actions. It's suggested that most people live much of their lives on auto pilot, reacting to current situations or stimuli pretty much the same way they usually do, without ever questioning whether another response might be more appropriate, useful or effective. Ever feel sometimes like you're experiencing the "same sh**t, different day?" Is it any wonder if your reactions are based on the same 50,000 to 60,000 thoughts passing through your mind over and over again, unnoticed and unquestioned. Just consider for a moment that we never truly react to a situation or event because of the nature of the event itself, but to the feelings and emotions we experience based on what we THINK about a situation or event.

I can't begin to count the number of times I've reacted in anger to something someone said or did without ever questioning why am I angry. Perhaps, if I had taken the time to ask—"What's this all about?" "What are you thinking about what happened?"— I might have realized that it was my own thoughts triggering my emotions, not the other person's words or actions. It works with positive emotions, too. Am I really happy because of what the person said, or the thoughts their words bring up for me? It's okay. I still very much enjoy feeling happy!

Taking the time to become aware of my thoughts and feelings in the present moment has given me my power back. When I become aware of thoughts that don't serve me, that don't feel good, I can choose another thought, a more empowering one. And, rather than reacting to situations or events the way I've always done as if there are no other alternatives, I am actually able to see and choose a different way to respond, if I'd like to. Don't have to, but now at least I've given myself options. This has created some seeming miraculous changes in not just my mood, but my circumstances, and reduced the amount of stress and overwhelm I experience.

Just today as I was headed to my parents' home, I experienced what had become an all too normal sense of dread and heaviness. Today, I consciously chose to stop it. While standing at the bus stop, I took a deep breath and asked "What's going on with you?" "What are you thinking right now?"

I was thinking that the last time I was there, they were both in unpleasant moods, complaining, demanding, difficult to help take care of, and the whole environment was chaotic for me, and felt stressful. Well, although I wanted to help my parents today because I believed (a belief that I'm working to overcome) they could use the help, I certainly didn't want to endure another day of unpleasantness with them.

"What do you want to feel right now?" "What can you think about that would help you feel that way?" I want to feel calm. I want to feel at peace. I want to feel joyful. So, I started thinking about what a beautiful, seemingly unseasonably warm day it is today and how grateful I am for the warmer weather and sunny blue skies in November! I thought about how nice it would be to get an ice cream cone on such a day, although I opted instead for a peppermint mocha coffee. I thought about the new car that I'll be buying soon meaning no more riding the bus. I thought about getting a new tattoo and how much I love Beatles' music. I even started thinking about which were my favorite Beatles' songs. And no, I wasn't thinking about getting a Beatles' tattoo, but a treble and bass clef tatt because I'm very passionate about music.

By the time I arrived at my parents' home, I was feeling pretty good! I even had a bit of a giggle when I noticed my sister was wearing a Beatles' t-shirt!! Of course she was—my ability to create synchronicities rocks! The best part is that I've now been at my parents' home for more than half a day, and it's been quiet, peaceful and down right pleasant. My dad's been in good spirits—very chatty and cordial with the caregiver who comes on Sundays—and my mom expressed appreciation for my being here to help out. They are both now quietly resting.

The next time you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, angry, annoyed, frustrated or just not feeling how you want to feel, try being still for a moment and ask yourself these three questions:

1. What am I thinking right now?
2. How do I want to feel right now?
3. What thoughts can I think to get me to that feeling in this present moment?

Then think those new thoughts and see what happens.

Switching Timelines: Imagining Me Into Another Reality

If I understand the concept of parallel worlds or multi-verses correctly, then in this vast boundless galaxy there exist universe upon universe upon universe upon universe in which I and others I know also exist and are living lives that may be similar to the one we're now experiencing or in many, many instances quite different from the one of which I’m now aware.

Any possibility for my life that I can imagine, I might actually be living it only I’m not aware of the other life, or at least not fully. Some people who support the multi-verse theory suggest that experiences like dreams and déjà vu, or what we might call miraculous occurrences—spontaneous remission of diseases, accidents being avoided at the last minute—are openings into the other universes. We are experiencing in such moments glimpses of what is happening in the other worlds being brought to our present awareness—it's a glitch in the existing “matrix” so to speak.

Confusing and overwhelming as the concept may be for my brain to grasp, I rather like the idea. Especially at this juncture in my life. Imagine an infinite number of worlds where anything and everything that my mind can conceive of, and things it cannot, are actually happening. Imagine further being able to move from one world to another—to a reality of your choosing—with merely a thought, or a word, or a step like Dorothy walking out of the front door of her home in Kansas into the techni-colored land of Oz. (Honestly, that was and still is my favorite part of the movie.)

Somewhere in space, at this very moment, there’s a version of me who is a multi-millionaire, or a highly influential world thought leader. Perhaps there’s a me who is a doctor, or successful entrepreneur, an award-winning actress, a mother of five, a humans’ rights activist or humanitarian, or Queen or president of a country. Maybe I’m a fierce warrior princess with supernatural or psychic abilities. Again, the possibilities are endless.

Or perhaps... Simpler and even better, I get extremely excited just imagining that somewhere in this vast universe, right now, there’s a version of me who is strong, fit, toned and a perfectly healthy 137 lbs and who has never been sick a day in her life. And right now, I'm enjoying a truly amazing life as a best-selling author, champion ballroom dancer, artist and inspirational speaker and life coach, alongside my amazingly, wonderful, talented and handsome husband. In this universe, my parents are still alive, thriving and living in perfect health in a beautiful one-level ranch style home in suburbia USA, where my family gathers for the usual holiday dinners. I still have the same siblings only they're much happier and more contented versions of themselves, along with my nieces and nephews who are finding joy realizing their own dreams of success, abundance, and prosperity.

In fact the more I imagine it, the more I'm beginning to feel as if I've already stepped into that reality. There is here.

Re-Learning to Be Open to Miracles

Sometimes life (or self) can knock you on your ass in ways you couldn't have even imagined and you wonder how (or if) you'll ever get up again. You feel as if you're doing all you know to do and nothing seems to be working. You go through your day feeling like the subject of a blues song or like you could write your own blues song—you woke up an hour late, there's no hot water and the tub won't drain, run to the bus stop only to see it going up the street, can't charge your phone because you fried its USB, bank says you overdrew your account and now you owe a large fee, etc., etc....

It is easy to get discouraged during these moments and even sink into despair. I'm not entirely sure why, but I read somewhere that as humans we find it easier to think negative thoughts than positive ones—to imagine negative outcomes, worse-case scenarios, rather than positive ones. This happens even when things are going well, and could explain the seemingly vast number of people I've encountered who like to knock on wood when describing how well things have been going for them. Or the well meaning people who tell you before a job interview, "it'll be okay, but don't be too disappointed if you don't get hired. Job market's tight." Gee thanks!

Anyway, challenging as it may seem—and trust me I know just how challenging. That blues song above was mine over the course of several days, and that was the minor stuff—it really is during these "I've fallen on my ass and can't seem to get up" moments when you need most to hold onto the possibility of a miraculous turn of events. Because, be honest, when you're in these situations, you are thinking it would take a miracle...

Let's see, Webster's simple definition of miracle is as follows:

1. an unusual or wonderful event that is believed to be caused by the power of God
2. a very amazing or unusual event, thing, or achievement 

As a full definition, Webster offers:

1. an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs 
2. an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment 
3. Christian Science: a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law

Definition three is intriguing. Nevertheless, we can conclude that a miracle is an unusual, seemingly out-of-the-ordinary, yet wonderfully amazing event that appears to be an answer to a prayer or deep desire, and which seems to happen outside of our basic understanding or expectation.

And these things do happen every day, in big and small ways. Like waking up each morning. I have no real understanding of how this happens. I only know each night I close my eyes to sleep, and then before I even realize it, six or so hours have passed and I'm opening them again to see bright blue sky through my window. Another miracle in itself.

Then there was the time I wanted to attend a charity event that cost a few hundred dollars, but didn't have the money available to do so. A few days later I learned that a friend had already paid for a ticket for me to attend, without my even asking.

But what I rediscovered today is sometimes to get the miracle you want, it can help to expect it or do something to build your expectation.

What miracle are you wanting? Can you see it in your mind's eye? Can you believe that it's even possible? Maybe the following video from Tarek Bibi will help build your expectation.

You should check out his other videos when you get a chance. They're pretty good and extremely helpful.

A Plea for Sanity

So much killing, so much hatred and violence happening in the world at this moment. One would think the world and everyone in it has gone completely crazy. Where is all this anger coming from?

Those who don't know better because they are still "asleep" think the answer lies in waging war against each other in some futile attempt to purge the earth of those we judge as "evil"—get "them" before they get "us."

Those of us who are awakened, however, know that the more we feed into the fear and the violence with our thoughts and our emotions and our actions, the more it grows. Focusing on the hatred and violence, begets more hatred and violence. Focusing on love, forgiveness, and understanding, begets more love, forgiveness, and understanding. And yet, even we find ourselves experiencing pangs of hopelessness given the severity of the situations occurring around the world, wondering if thoughts of peace and love are enough.

Today, as I was imagining and calling for an end to the violence, I received a message from Gerald O'Donnell, a well-known light worker, in which he urges all of us to awaken now and realize our inherent oneness. Please read it here: http://probablefuture.com/SilentScream.htm

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - Mother Teresa

Anything Too Hard?

Since I began studying the Law of Attraction (LOA) some four years ago, I've noticed one puzzling (at least to me) concept that the majority of those who teach it share. When attempting to manifest an experience or thing into your life, your request to God, the Universe, the Source of All that Is, the Force, should be kept very general. It is suggested (as I understand it) that being too specific makes it more difficult for the universe to honor your requests and can delay your manifestations, while also creating resistance in you. Sounds logical.

Except…. If you are a Bible scholar of sorts like me, then no doubt you’ve come across at least three passages in the Bible where the question is asked: Is there anything too hard for God? (Genesis 18:14; Job 42:2, Jeremiah 32:27). I particularly like way the question is posed in Jeremiah: "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” [The Message translation actually reads: “Stay alert! I am GOD, the God of everything living. Is there anything I can't do?']

It is a rhetorical question, intended to illicit an emphatic “No, of course not!” in the mind of the reader. It's as if God is trying to tell us "Whatever it is, whatever you need done, I've got this!" That being the case, why is it that even among those of us who believe we are limitless beings because God is limitless and we were imaged from Him, capable of embodying his characteristics and attributes, that we apply this, I’m sure, unintended limit to manifesting?

Why do we suggest that by being more specific about what it is we are desiring to create that we make it more challenging for the Universe to comply? Why are there some things or experiences that we deem too hard, too difficult, or downright impossible to accomplish? Why do we even assign levels of difficulty to certain things or experiences, with the implication being that even if God can comply, it will take longer for delivery into our physical reality? Healing a cold—piece of cake. Ask, believe, receive and you should be out of bed in no time. Healing cancer—difficult; that will take a long time. Finding a nickel—easy. Finding $100—more challenging; universe will need more time to manifest that. Finding a new job that pays more money, don't care where—easy. Landing a new job as senior executive director of ABC company at its corporate office in Major City, USA, at 3x my previous salary, with a generous benefits package, corner office with window, iPhone and company car—well?... How about we just get you a nice job, somewhere?

Whether you believe Jesus to be a historical figure or a metaphor to demonstrate man’s capacity for existing in this earthly, physical realm and beyond, it would seem that the stories about him and the miracles he wrought are intended to teach us how limitless we are or can be and that no thing is impossible when connected to the Source of all that is. Might the stories also mean then, that whether we choose to make our requests very general or specify down to the most minute detail what we are desiring to create that the God of all mankind, the Source of All That Is is more than capable of delivering the goods, no problem?

And before you quickly counter, to me or just in your mind, that the reason for keeping things general is to allow the Universe to bring you something better or even something that you couldn't have imagined, consider this. Who decides that the something better is better? And is it really better or just different from what I've asked? Because isn't the suggestion of one thing being better than another thing a judgment? Besides, I certainly wouldn't make a request in a restaurant that way, which is how some LOA teachers describe the concept of asking the Universe.

Waiter: What would you like for dessert this evening? Me: Oh, I'll have the banana bread with ice cream, or something better?

What if God, the Universe, the Source of All doesn't even need to deliver anything to us because it already is; we just need to choose it, the way you choose cereal off the shelf at the grocery store. They're all there, every possible brand, flavor, type of grain, or food-like substance you could imagine and even some you can't. You just need to pick one, or two.

Just some thoughts to ponder….

Take a Chance on Yourself

I have a note posted to my frig that reads ‘If not now, when?” I put it there to motivate me every morning of every day to get my ass in gear to do whatever it takes to live the life that I choose to live.

Like most people, I suppose, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of my life trying to please others—to do the so-called right thing whatever that looks like for others—because like most people I want to be accepted. I want to belong. And then I woke up and realized “this is it, baby! You’ve got one life to live and you can either live and enjoy it on your terms, or be filled with regrets at the end of it for all the things you wish that you had done, said or experienced but didn’t." And who would be at fault? ME! 

No matter what stories we tell ourselves, the only person stopping us from living the life we imagine, having the things we desire, experiencing all that we would like to, is US! The blame is not with our parents, teachers, bosses, partners, children, spouses, friends, dogs or cats. We can either go after what we want—full-on, no excuses, make or break—or we can play it safe and settle for what we think we’re supposed to have based on other people's opinions, fears, and idiosyncrasies. (Did you ever consider that sometimes when people are advising you to do what's safe, it's because it feels safe for them.)

Growing up, I never wanted to be ordinary and yet somehow I managed to settle into being just that, not willing to take a chance on myself to stand out and be great. So afraid of being ostracized, ridiculed, disowned, or rejected, I settled. I let my dreams of making a huge impact in the world fall away, and fell in step with the expectations of family, friends and society. I learned to color inside the lines. Only a little at first, then a little more, and then a lot.

Again and again, until it was 20 years later and looking in the mirror I realized that I didn’t recognize myself. I had no idea who I was. But, it’s never too late as long as you’re breathing to turn things around.

That’s what I’m doing now—turning things around. And it began with a choice, rather, a series of choices. I am now choosing what I want and going for it, whatever it takes, starting with a change in mindset that it really IS okay to be uniquely me. It's okay to be different. It’s okay to stand out. It’s okay to have my own mind and opinions that don’t agree with those of family, community, political leaders, or clergy. It's okay for you, too. It’s okay to bend the rules or, hell, make up your own!

I’ve decided now is the time to take a chance on me. What about you? If not now, when?

Need some help getting started? Learn how you can free your mind and change your life.

We Are Meant to Shine

Are you playing small? Do you find that you expend a lot of effort trying to fit in with the crowd—family, friends, work colleagues—so you can be loved and accepted?

Standing out is scary, sometimes it can even feel quite lonely. You want to be a leader, a visionary. You want to venture where no man or woman has dared go before. But you feel that pull to conform to those around you, so you shrink back; you stay small. Yet, playing small serves no one, least of all you. You are more powerful than you know. Embrace your power to create the life of your dreams on your terms.

1. Decide what it is YOU want—what you really want, not what someone wants for you or thinks you should want or have. And then, give yourself permission to have it. 
2. Write it down to make it "real." Writing down your goals or desires sends a message to your subconscious that you're committed to achieving them.
3. Take action in the direction of your dream—one step, one moment at a time. Throughout your day, consider whether your actions or choices bring you closer to your dreams or lead you further away from them. It's all about behaving in ways that are congruent to what you want to accomplish.
4. Watch your words. As you speak, so you create.
5. Believe all things are possible. Many of the items we use on a daily basis—computers, cars, smart phones, radios, televisions, GPS—were once considered impossibilities. If you can imagine it, there's a way to get it done. "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, Remove from here to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matthew 17:20)

Remember, we are all meant to shine. 

Learn more about how to use your powerful imagination to make your dreams come true!