Floating in a State of Grace & Gratitude

I was given so many blog topics today! I'll be posting them but I'm not sure in what order they'll appear. I try to give them order so they flow but I'm bursting at the seams with these and they might just spill out at random. Last night my life was transformed and propelled forward. I've been on the brink of living in the flow of abundance and gratitude, have been waiting to write about it until I got there. I've been working toward this with full intent for quite some time. The reason this blog is today is that this is the beginning of something big. I need to share this today so you can watch the journey and learn.

Let's go to intent first. I talk a lot about intent. I set my intent August of 2010 to live my gifts and talents fully, to make that what my life is about. I also recognized then and the month after that it was time for a total re-do of my life and that this would be the last one for me. So it was time to answer God's call. When I listened, I knew He was calling me for most of my life. By then I'd raised my kids and was ridding myself of my marriage so my life was becoming mine. I was becoming my only consideration besides the cats I'd taken on, and temporarily, care of my mother. So I was finally free of all other labels (mother, wife) and the obligations that I took on to be those things. I took those obligations very seriously and fulfilled them as best I could. For example, I gave my all to my kids while they were in my home. I knew the time would come when they'd no longer need that, but that they needed and deserved all I could give them of myself at the time. I knew one day they'd fly off to their own lives and then my time would come. I knew that time had come.

So in 2010 I set my intent to find out my mission for God and to become what I needed to be. I also set my intent to center my life in Him and knew the talents I'd been given were a part of that. So I set intent to work with them. September 2010 that led to be Reiki, and I took my first attunement at the beginning of October, 2010. That opened the spiritual floodgates, and everything started happening. I began to meet my soul family and connect. I was given Doreen Virtue's book on "Archangels and Ascended Masters." I started learning about angels and all I could learn. I wanted to learn and know and understand it all. My Reiki Master can tell you how eager I was for every new experience, and to learn. So I had set my intent to learning and growing into my mission, into my purest self. I was also working on healing from my childhood of abuse and abusive marriage. April 2011 I launched my own business selling my essential oil products. I also got readings from a gifted woman who told me who I am and my life mission. It added to my intent. So I want to make this clear. My intent has been to fully live my gifts and talents and be the most I can be, in order to fulfill my mission. Fulfill is a very important word for me. All my life I've craved fulfillment - using my talents, living what I was meant to live, being the most "me" I can be. It's at the heart of my life force, has driven me.

So lately I've been writing about removing blockages and what's come from that. You needed to understand a little of the intent that's gone into this. My intent is all - to thrive, be entirely free of baggage to be the most "me" I can be, to do my work. And there's so much more there. This theme will keep emerging. Last night I was drawn to go to Site Night. If I've got it straight, "Site" stands for "spiritual, intuitive, telepathic energy." The group meets in Pittsburgh twice a month, with different speakers each time, different programs - fairies, spiritual healing, healing dance, all kinds of topics. It's a beautiful group of people and my favorite psychic teacher invited me into the group. I got to go once before I wrecked my car and lost my convenient transportation.

I was led to go last night but didn't know why. When that happens, I pay attention. That's a lesson of intent. Intent is an action and causes things to happen. You then have to LISTEN and FOLLOW THROUGH. We all have free will and make choices every minute of every day. We decide what thoughts to think (often subconsciously), what actions to take every moment of every day. When you set intent you haven't really done it unless you are actively listening and following through. My intents would have come to fruition faster if I'd been fully mindful of that. But with the work I've been doing lately, I've become more mindful and purposeful. So I was led to go last night, and I'm not sure all that happened as a result. All I know is that it truly gave me what I needed at the time and propelled me forward. I was reminded of who and what I truly am, for one thing. I finally came to understand that I AM worthy. My view of who God is was refined. And was reminded that I draw great energy from my soul family and need the contact with them, and that I'm in Pittsburgh for a reason. "Reminded" is quite a word. I was literally re-minded last night! I set intent last night for Archangel Michael to continue the process as I slept, and through my dreams. I don't remember most of them but I do feel that most of the night I was processing that night's events, experiences, and messages. And today I see the results - all the blogs, huge progress in what I've set my intent to achieve in my life, a whole change in attitude. I've been in a state of gratitude so that I floated through my prayers and devotional time. It was transformed, and even more was given during that time and while I journaled all I could about last night and what was coming to me.

I understand that this was a huge leap forward in what I've been trying to do toward where I want and need to be. And so I had to share this message with you first. I have no idea what comes next. It's such a grand and glorious adventure! I don't need to know. That's part of the state of grace. All I know is that this is what I've wanted, what I've worked for, so I'm very excited. Ah, I see I still have a little bit of fear based energy left. I almost didn't want to write this last sentence for fear I wouldn't live up to it. But I will, because I am eliminating all fear based energy and thoughts with full intent, action, and will. So here we go - watch me soar!!!

A final word I always feel compelled to add. I am no special or highly gifted person, no angel. You truly can do the things I do, get to where I am. I've basically told you how in this blog, have been telling you over the course of many blogs. And if you want my help, I'll help you in all ways that I can. As I express the wonders, I realize that many are not what or where they want to be in their lives. I have to tell you that you, I, we can be it all and do it all. Yes, it's work. You do have to set intent and follow through. You have to clear out your ego and baggage. It takes some of us longer than others. But that time is going to pass anyway. I've chosen to take control of my life, thoughts, state of being, intent. That's the only difference between the "haves" and "have nots" in this. You can do it too!

What Actually Causes Lack Mentality (Not Simply Lack!)

Many things can cause a lack mentality (where you're focused on what you don't have rather than what you do). It all boils down to fear, though. We fear loss, failure, ourselves, punishment, success, being overwhelmed, not being able to handle whatever comes to or at us... Lack is a fear-based mentality and it becomes pervasive and self-perpetuating.

I understand how hard it is not to focus on lack. It's only natural to try to find ways to solve the lack, but that usually keeps us focused on the lack. The Universe reflects our most prominent thoughts back to us so when we focus on lack, even focus on solving it, that's what we get back - lack.

It's one of the hardest things in the world to do but you need to get to the point where you focus on faith in supply rather than lack. I know so many people, and I was one, who lose sight of that as lack continues and becomes a downward spiral. And remember, I've been working at positive thinking and manifestation for about a year now. I'm not saying there's a quick fix here, but it can be done. I've also been working on cleansing myself and my thoughts, feelings, and past "baggage."

The final thing that propelled me forward was discovering and facing my fears, first of all. For me, it was a fear that I don't have enough talent in any one area, enough drive and will to follow through. I was afraid of myself. I'd internalized years of messages that said I couldn't and don't. A dear friend helped me see that I still had fear holding me back. I journaled and got in basic touch with what the fear was and where it came from. Then I worked with Archangel Michael, asked him to help me through dreams to further identify. That night he did and the next day I faced those fears and talked them down. I already had "I Am" statements to counter them, but they hadn't worked yet. But when I absolutely set the intent to overcome them, I started to. I specifically set my intent to work with Archangel Michael and made it my next forward step. Now when I read my "I Am" statements I made sure those sink in, that I continue the forward progress. I know I've told you that I have trouble keeping my mind fully present when I read my "I Am" statements. That's why they weren't working in those areas until I truly set the specific intent. Please learn from my mistake in not being fully present. I've also spoken of how every trait we have is a double edged sword. On one hand my mind is marvelous, great at working out problems in my subconscious while my conscious mind handles other things. I multi-track like crazy in my mind. The downside is that my mind isn't always fully present in my activities. That can cause accidents, and things like not being fully present during routine things like reading my "I Am" statements. I also tell you to know yourself. I know my brain works this way so I try to be as aware as possible so I can control it and avoid problems.

Once I faced down my fears, I was able to switch my focus from the lack to faith. I began totally surrendering my needs to God. That doesn't mean I didn't figure out whatever I had to financially, but I didn't dwell. I planned the next step to meet immediate needs, then let go. I didn't go into elaborate prayer or pleading either. He knows my needs even better than I do, and how to best meet them. So I simply surrender them to Him every day - all my needs. The first results of this were peace! I moved from fear to faith, to serenity. I can't tell you how good it feels to not dwell in fear! I am living more from a space of gratitude now. I'm also starting to appreciate the luxuries in my life, do nice things for myself, and take better care of myself. While I was in the energy of lack, I was so shut down that I was denying myself even what was available, out of fear that I'd run out. I shut down to the point that I really wasn't taking minimum care of myself. One of the things that's changed is that I am doing the basics for myself now, like hydrating. I was so in strict survival mode that I barely was, and I'm changing all that.

Literally as soon as I faced down my fears and began switching my focus, things started to happen one by one. It took several weeks. First, I came up with some really great craft ideas and started working on them. I had been so focused on working out of the hole I was in that I didn't allow myself to do what I needed to creatively. Yet working with my hands is absolutely vital to my well being, my art and crafts are vital to my soul. Then I was led to enroll in college, and found a great school with help. A lot of research, thinking, journaling, and specific prayer went into that and I got a lot of help. The impossible happened! I finally know what I want to be when I grow up! (Those of you who know me are laughing, I know. I'm laughing with you.) Then I got the job interview I wanted, three weeks later than promised. (I'd forgotten about it and moved on, figured they hired someone else). Now this week I've suddenly earned $300 for doing Reiki attunements! I haven't earned $300 in a month in years!

Of course I've got a long way to go yet to get to where I want to be - thriving in all areas of my life. But I'm finally on my way. I just have to keep doing what I'm doing now and do more of it - dwelling in gratitude for all that is, surrendering my needs to God truly (which means you don't take them back and worry over them), taking care of me in all the ways I possibly can (including allowing myself time for my creative projects), and taking care of business as it arises. I was sort of taking care of business all along, but lacked a lot of the energy to follow through and keep up with it because of being in the energy of lack. Get it? Lack mentality/energy was causing lack of energy for the things I needed to do. I had to keep forcing myself to do those things and then there wasn't enough left over for me. The energy of gratitude and abundance creates an abundance of energy for all you want and need to do!

Keep Moving Forward

As I've said before, I usually don't know what the blog topic will be until the day I write it, especially lately. I have a lot of topics that have come up, that are waiting to be written. These days I usually have to work at getting the topic for the day. My mind isn't there for the ones waiting to be written. So I stop to find out what the topic of the day is, consult with God. I was surprised that today's is about moving forward, but as is often the case, He gave me the title first, then the first words. As I faithfully begin, the muse takes over. He is the heart of the muse. He is Creator. But you can call Him whatever you want.

Almost ever time I've ever been stuck in life or truly unhappy, it's because I've been dwelling in the past. Sure, we can review the past. We can learn from past mistakes or failures so we don't repeat them. That's healthy. We can use past successes to give us confidence, propel us into current and future successes. But dwelling on even past successes or happy times can also be a trap. If you're longing for those past times, you miss the present. And now is truly all we have. We no longer have or are the past. The future will always be the future - that's the definition of the word. I used to be very bad at living in the now - used to be. Now I have trouble remembering the succession of events even last week, because it's over and I've moved on.

Even past successes can trap you, as I said. I know a guy who successfully wrote business letters many years ago and tries to use the same very formal, wordy language these days. I end up editing out so many words, phrases and forms that are no longer used. He's stuck in the past and really needs an update. He also always complains about how he can't remember things he needs to, has trouble thinking and memorizing. That's because he's carrying way too much baggage - all of his past. And his brain is so clogged with trying to figure out, examine and analyze every little detail and get it all perfect. There's no room for what he actually needs in there! We truly don't have unlimited brain capacity - that's science. The only way to free your mind is to let go of perfectionism and "what if" fears, and the past. We can only learn new things and patterns if we release all that no longer serves us, including the past.

Hey, by all means keep your important memories. I journal them, and reference important events at the tops of the pages now so that I can easily find things later. Clever as I think I am, I didn't start doing that until some time last year. Writing things down is an important tool for fixing them in your memory and for freeing your brain to move on to other things - whichever you most need. Writing things down frees your brain to move on because it knows it's no longer solely responsible for keeping the information. And in the case of learning, it helps fix it in your mind. Journaling is so important for so many reasons. Often we can't let go of something because we have unacknowledged or unresolved feelings. Journaling helps you resolve and acknowledge them. Then I can move on. I don't have to stay stuck in those feelings. I can transform them or just dump them.

Some people dwell on how they've been hurt in the past, and use it as an excuse for not succeeding in life now. I know a remarkable young woman who was more damaged than anyone I've ever met. She's in the process of overcoming all of it. Like many abuse victims, most of the damage is buried deeply. She works to find the next issue and the next that therefore affects her life and well being. As soon as she uncovers another, she deals and heals, and moves on. She recognizes the reason for her pain and releases it. She doesn't transmute a reason into an excuse, and stay in that place of pain.

I used to dwell on mistakes and failures of the past, and punish myself. Since everything that ever went wrong was always blamed on me, I was trained to do that. It's taken me a long time to stop doing that. It's been a process. Part of the process is realizing what was and wasn't your fault. You have to then assess responsibility without placing blame. That means realizing the circumstances surrounding what happened. For example, I understand that my mother did the best she could with what she had. Yes, she abused me and this doesn't mean I think it was justified or acceptable. But I understand why she did it, given who she is and her circumstances growing up. I forgive her, and have forgiven myself for the mistakes I then made as a parent. I realize I wasn't "dealing with a full deck" at the time, since I had entirely buried my childhood. In these cases we aren't excusing ourselves or others from responsibility. In fact, this allows you to take considered responsibility for your part in your mistakes or failures. So many people refuse to do this, and therefore repeat them! But you then move on to forgiveness. Forgiveness allows release, allows us to move on with our lives.

Now is never going to look as good as something from the past if you're dwelling on what you can no longer have. We all know, but forget when we're in that mode, that we tend to really "photo shop" those good memories. We tend to forget the downside and glorify what was good and beautiful. That can only lead to unhappiness in the present. Either we don't have any of what we're glorifying from the past, or what we do have entirely dims in comparison as we look back through those "rose colored glasses." Remember yesterday's blog about focus. Whatever you focus on is what you create. So any time you're focused on the past, you're messing up your present. You can use the past to remember what you want to recreate in your life as long as you're focused on the present or trying to manifest the future, and that's your true focus. For example, I know from the past that I love growing roses. Some day I want rose gardens again, and that's going on my dream board. I learned a great deal back then about choosing those bushes and what to plant where. Some day I'll use that knowledge to create even greater gardens. I internalized the lessons and the pleasure of roses, but have moved on. I don't long for the gardens of the past so I'm not focused on them. I've fixed it in my mind as a goal for the future. But in the present I enjoy all the roses I see around me and the few bushes I have, and every other flower around me. Tuesday night I was talking with a friend in my yard, telling her about those gardens in response to something she'd said. While talking, I was fully present with her and the cool grass under my feet, the plants all around me. I had a brief flash of one day having rose gardens again - which is a flash of my intent. But it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the conversation, the company, and what was all around me. In telling about those gardens, I remembered one of the important things I learned while creating them - that digging in the ground, planting and tending, bonds you to a place. For me, it's a very important thing. I use that to set intent for where I am now. As I told her about the gardens, of course I saw the whole thing in my mind as if I was there. But because I'd completely released the past there, I didn't experience longing for it or pain. I remembered for just a moment the pain of leaving there, because that was part of the point of telling the story. She was expressing pain over leaving a place where she had bonded with the earth. But I was able to remember without feeling or reliving it. Once you truly release a memory after having dealt with it, it can no longer hold or hurt you. It's an important part of moving forward.

Universal Law of Attraction at Work

In it's simplest form, the Universal Law of Attraction is that you attract whatever you focus on. Many are not really aware of what they're focused on. When you focus on lack, you attract more lack. When you worry, you attract more of what worries you. When you're afraid, you attract what you fear. No matter how hard you work toward changing your life with intent, if you are focused on your problems, you'll get more. That focus can include predominantly working toward solving the problems, if you're focused on the problems. So how do you change things without focusing on solutions? And how do you circumvent the normal human responses?

Before I answer I have to say that it greatly pains me that one of my beautiful friends has decided that it doesn't work and lost her faith. She believes she's done it all right and it's just not working. But it's called the Law of Attraction for a reason. Just like gravity works, this works. We see it all around us. So if you aren't manifesting what you want in your life no matter how hard you work at it, read on.

My biggest example is lack of any kind. When you focus on the lack, even on how to solve it, you create more lack. Things started to open up for me when I surrendered my needs to God and focused on finding avenues of opportunity instead of on the lack. I didn't simply say, "Ok, I surrender and this is Your problem," although I started with that. From there I quickly went to asking Him and thanking Him for giving me focus and direction, and clearing any remaining blockages, including fears. Soon the Law of Attraction began working the way I wanted it to in my life instead of adding more of the same, which was lack.

One of the keys to keeping the Law of Attraction flowing in a positive direction is persistence. That means taking control of your thoughts and focus. When the the thoughts you don't want to manifest come in, tell the Universe/God that you wish to cancel that thought. Then immediately replace it with what you do want. You can acknowledge yourself when you're feeling down but then pull yourself up rather than dwelling there. Do this consistently and it will pay off.

Two other extremely important components are recognition and gratitude. First you have to recognize when the Law of Attraction is working for you in the things you wish to manifest, and when you're manifesting what you don't actually want. And when what you want comes to you, you need to move immediately to gratitude. Even the best of human parents aren't going to forever want to deliver up nice things to their children if it's not recognized as a gift and always taken for granted! Not that God or the Universe is anything like humans, but you get the idea.

We see positive results of the Law of Attraction all the time in our lives if we think about it. It can be as simple as finding a penny, finding a coupon or sale for something on your grocery list. Even better, when you find a coupon plus the item is for sale. Or, I love it when something rings at the register for less than it was marked. Have you ever lost something and given up on it with your conscious mind, but it was still in "the back of your mind"? Next thing you know, you found that item while looking for something else - that's the Law of Attraction.

What I've seen is that when you've been focused on what you don't want in your life and make the shift, you don't get what you really want at first. I've seen it start in smaller ways. Because I recognized the Law of Attraction at work, I focused more on that and began to expect more. I am also grateful for the little things, especially when I recognize that things are working for me. Monday I checked email and found that I didn't have any emails from my new college. Friday afternoon the guy I called said he'd send one about my next enrollment steps. I moved on to another call I needed to make and while on the phone, someone from the admissions office called me. Surprisingly, he was calling to follow up on the call I had made to another office worker (didn't get the emails) and make sure I had what I needed. Not only that, he gave me what I'd wanted over the phone, and more valuable information I didn't know I needed that the other guy hadn't given. My intent was to call and before I got around to it not only did I get what I was missing, I got exactly what I'd been seeking in the first place plus more.

Have you ever been thinking of a friend you hadn't talked with in a long while, and the friend calls you? That's the Law of Attraction. I've been intending to work on myself to heal an eczema outbreak but wasn't giving myself the time and consideration I give others. While I was in Maryland, my best friend worked on me and did wonders. She also gave me some of the tools she used. I came home and added a meager supply of my own, realized I needed more of one thing. Today a package came, from her, including the thing I knew I needed! Only, I hadn't told her that - hadn't talked with her about the eczema status at all, in fact. Sometimes it's something as simple as attention from a pet. I was very sad to see a very dear friend of mine go home today - she'd been with me overnight and this is the first time we've ever spent more than a brief time together. As soon as the car pulled out of the driveway, my "comfort cat," Karma, came and licked my leg and rubbed up against me for several minutes. Again, I recognized that my mood had attracted her, so I thanked her and talked with her the whole time. So instead of just licking my leg once and leaving, she went back and forth licking first one leg, then the other. I know from the past that this is her way of comforting and attending to me.

When you focus on what you want, recognize when the Law of Attraction is working for you, and thank God and the Universe, things do start happening. As I've said, it usually starts slowly, in smaller ways rather than you suddenly get the job or your dreams or that big promotion and raise. You start getting messages you need to move forward in your life. People will "happen" to say things that give you new ideas, or new ideas come to you. Needed information starts showing up in your email inbox or you find it when researching something else. As long as you maintain your positive focus, recognize these "happenings" as the Law of Attraction, and are grateful, bigger things begin to happen. That is, as long as you follow through on what's already been given to you. You have to do something positive and forward-moving with the little things - those messages, ideas, new information. You have to do your part too. You also need to keep surrendering your needs and focusing on what you really want, cancel out and replace negative thinking. Then the bigger things can start happening - new opportunities "magically" appearing in your life, for example. And your practice over the smaller things prepares you to recognize these as opportunities and go for them.

Life of Intent

As you know, my life is about intent, in part. It's also about serving God through serving people and animals. I realize that we're coming up on the 2 year mark of the earthquake, as I think of it, that completely swallowed life as I knew it. Two years ago I realized that I needed to entirely reinvent my life.

It takes great courage to reinvent yourself and your life, but I see others around me doing it too. I personally don't think we have a choice - it's a very straight-forward decision for me. When things aren't working in your life and it takes more than "tweaking" to make it work, you have to make major changes, live in despair, or give up and cash out. To me, making the major changes is the only acceptable choice. Just as my childhood was spent moving from state to state, my life has been a series of reinventions. The first major one came when I was 19. I made a vow to God not to kill myself or even contemplate it. At the time, I believed it was the only sin God didn't forgive. I no longer believe that at all but at the time it helped me move on. At that time I went so far as to legally change my first name. Jennifer was not my given name - it was the name I chose when I chose to live. I wanted to be called Jenny and to make myself into the best Jenny I could be given my core traits. I've done that very successfully. I am now much more than I set out to be at that time, "beyond my wildest dreams." So I'm very proud of myself. And actually, this is the first time I've actually thought of this in those terms, so you're hearing the self-discovery. I just realized that I fully achieved what I set out to achieve, and way more so.

In my childhood and adulthood there were smaller reinvention points along the way. One of the major ones was my transition from serious musician to artist. When I was 13, after more than 6 months of art lessons, I was finally oil painting. A few months later, I had to make a choice between continuing my private clarinet lessons or the art lessons. I chose to continue my clarinet lessons although it broke my heart. I so loved painting, and hadn't been taught enough that I could continue painting on my own. In high school, music was my life and I started college as a music education major but had to drop out. It was such a life changing decision and I've barely touched my clarinet in the years since then. Now it's still my heart but painting is my bliss. I'm telling you this just to make you think about your life, and because it's still so significant to my heart. How incredible that I completely walked away from something so important to me for so long. But people do that with interests and people every single day.

In 1980 I transitioned from single woman to wife. In 1981 I transitioned into a mother. You don't think of these things are reinvention points but in many ways they are. See, you've all reinvented yourself in some way, and with intent. Whether you realized it or not, whether you recognized or consciously applied intent or not. In 1990 I transitioned into a single parent. These were all major transition points but the second big reinvention point is the one I started 2 years ago. I was about to get divorced, put the man I was married to in jail, and needed a whole new way of life and income source. This one also involved God - finally getting in touch with what I'm meant to do in this life. Many of you don't believe in such things but I've known since I was 13 that I've had a mission in life, and the knowledge started forming even before that. I set my intent to discover the mission, and live serving God and by using my gifts and talents. It's been a very wild ride.

It started with talking with a dear friend to gather resource information. A series of events led me to the man who told me I'm a healer and should become attuned to Reiki. I'd never heard of it. He warned me that it would open up new worlds to me, things I thought were science fiction. Oh, he was so right! I really knew nothing about even angels at the time. I'd randomly read a few minds before and mentally transferred a few messages, but had no control over it. Now I do meaningful intuitive angels card readings for people, am a Reiki Master/teacher, have introduced 2 others to Reiki and they've sought attunements, I've spoken with the departed, had a visitation from Archangel Michael... It's amazing. I've emerged as an animal communicator/pet psychic and behaviorist, and perform Reiki on animals and people, in person and Distance. And I do the counseling and life coaching. My whole life is about helping others. I've launched this blog and have had more than 3600 page views in the last 15 months. I started my own company 15 months ago, making and selling products using my own essential oil blends to ease physical problems. I also have a huge network of friends that love me, some of whom have become family. Two years ago, I hadn't met any of them.

Two years ago I was living with and married to the most selfish, self-centered, abusive man I've ever known. My life was all about staying safe by giving him as much of what he wanted as I could, 24/7. I was totally tied to him, home with him all the time, worked a business with him. Except my end of the business was usually mostly picking up after him, doing his constant dishes, cleaning up his messes (business and otherwise), and sex on demand. When you set your intent and follow through with it consistently, you can eventually transform yourself and your life. I'm living proof. I'm still working on transforming my circumstances so I can thrive financially, but I'm now thriving in all other ways, for the first time in my life.

Expect the Best to Happen & You'll Often Get It

Many people have a real doom and gloom attitude that they don't even realize. It's the "everything happens to me" syndrome. They're waiting for the next shoe to drop, the next problem to occur. When you live like that, as I used to, that's exactly what you get. These days I expect the best to happen, and the to receive the best from others. While it's true that you have to be careful and not too trusting, and have to be prepared to handle the unexpected, you don't have to count on problems. I know someone who is always trying to safeguard against the worst happening. He's afraid of everything and doesn't even realize it. He's afraid of identity theft and Facebook for example. He's afraid of not having a piece of paper he might someday need to prove something. As a result his home office is so full of papers that he can't function properly, and couldn't find the paper he needed if the situation arose. People who live any of the above ways are controlled by their fears without knowing it. And they're setting themselves up for problems.

I occasionally run into problems because of my trust and faith, it's true. Recently I was described as being too nice. I'll take it. If that's the worst being said about me these days, so be it. It can cause me problems, but at least it doesn't usually have a negative impact on someone else. I'd rather be the way I am now than live in fear, which was the first part of my life. And I can and do work toward being too smart to be damaged by my niceness without overall changing the way I am. You can learn to be cautious without living in fear.

It's no secret that I have to live "hand to mouth" these days so I'll tell you that I have found myself behind on all my utility bills. I've had to talk with each provider and request extra time for payment and cost reductions. When I went through this in the 1980s, I was a fearful person and it showed. I avoided the creditors as much as possible, and when I had to deal with them it was horrible. They were nasty and threatening. My circumstances now are much more dire but all I encounter is truly nice people. They are very kind to me, and go out of their way to help me. When I tell them my circumstances so that I can find out what help is available, I always receive sympathy. I tell them that I'm in the process of overcoming the adversity and have faith, and it always blesses them. Often they tell me of their own faith and past struggles, encourage me, and give me extra, helpful information. Part of the key here is that I call them and face it before a service is cut off, and I'm so sincere and nice. I've learned to expect that and so I don't face these calls with the dread I used to.

I expect that my life is going to improve to the level that I need it to be. I know how to handle the problems that arise - have had plenty of practice. I never dwell on what might go wrong. I trust myself to handle whatever happens, somehow. This self-trust is a huge part of coping. I also study and regularly receive messages about God and how the universe works for us. I renew my faith daily. It's no longer dumb, blind faith and trust like I had in the late 1980s. It's now based on study and knowledge, intent. I work daily toward learning whatever else I need to learn to manifest great good in my life, to thrive rather than survive. I don't rely on God to do things for me or spoon-feed me knowledge. I work at everything I can every day to move forward. I work hard and smart at learning.

My attitude isn't that life is a struggle. My attitude is that you get back what you put out there, that it's a full-contact, full-participation sport. I'm very focused and intent - there's that "i" word again. I actually tend to be too serious and need to work on getting some real fun into my life too. That always takes a back-burner to the daily struggle for survival in my life, and I wish to change that. Some day I'll find the way to do that.

One of my "I Am" statements is: I always take full responsibility and accountability for my actions, energy, thoughts, emotions, and the quality of my life." That is something I have been striving toward, doing pretty well at. I still have more progress to make, because to me that also means taking control of all those things. We all have stray thoughts that aren't what we really want in our lives. Mike Dooley, one of my favorite gurus of manifestation, says that positive thoughts carry much more energy than negative thoughts. He says not to worry about the few negative ones that come in, but turn them positive as quickly as possible. It takes practice, but can definitely be achieved. I know that from my own life. One of Doreen Virtue's angel cards says, "Cancel, Alt, Delete" or something like that. When we have a negative thought, she says to say that to show that's not what you want, then replace it with a positive thought. I do that. Mike Dooley says our thoughts become things and I truly believe it. Your thoughts reflect your focus, are your focus. More on focus coming next week.

Learning from Cat - Masters of Manifestation

First of all, cats are wild animals that have willingly consented to live with humans in their homes. They have chosen to abide by some of our rules to live in cooperation with us. They have slightly submitted to us. However, they all retain their wild spirits and wills. I won't go into all the reasons why they chose to live with us - but it was a conscious choice.

We can learn so much from cats that have chosen to be domesticated, since they truly are the Masters of Manifestation. Cats know their physical capabilities and limits. They know how to use their resources too - us, things around our homes, their appeal. They're so very clever about getting what they want. They quickly learn what works with each of their people, for example. One of my cats poses for the camera because he likes the attention. He learned early on what positions would stop me in my tracks, get me to reach for the camera. He learned the sound of the camera taking the photo or my movements. He will hold a position until I've snapped the photo, then move slightly into another pose designed to keep my attention. For those of you who know them, this is Whiskers. Louie tries to give me a "come hither" look and lead me to the food bowls and treats when he wants something. Cats use all their resources wisely. For example, you can't leave a dog for several days with bowls of food and water. They'll eat all the food right away and then have nothing. You can leave enough food out for cats (dry of course) and they'll still eat the same amount they always do, space out their meals. They're also great opportunists. I had to move a big plastic box of beading supplies off my living room floor because Karma was using it as a launching pad to the mantle where I had breakables. They are very creative and resourceful, as we should be.

Cats are very good at setting boundaries between themselves and with their people. They come to us when they want attention. Often they rub on us to get it started, and provide themselves with some of the petting they seek. It's the ultimate because they're getting while giving to us. They're providing some attention for themselves and us at the same time. One of the best ways to feel good yourself is to give to another and they totally demonstrate this principle. Once they've had enough, usually they leave, whether on our laps or beside us. But if necessary, they'll employ tooth and claw to put the message out, defend their personal boundaries. They're also masters of body language. They give us behavioral warnings first, which is the biggest way they communicate with each other. We're all familiar with the classic arched back and that message. Cats will use the most peaceful and non-confrontational means possible at first (body language). However, they can escalate quickly as needed, through warning sounds to drawing blood if their boundaries aren't respected. You need to understand that part of manifesting also involves removing what you don't want from your life. Cats are very discerning for the most part. Most cats won't go up to or stay within reach of just anyone. They choose who may do what to them, how, and when, to the best of their ability. Unless you're one to force or abuse, if you've dealt with cats you know those are some powerful abilities.

Most cats have total self-confidence and self-control. They can leap to tall places and not disturb a thing if they want to. Their bodies are built to tell them what they can and can't do and they listen to that. The length of their facial whiskers are designed to tell them how small a place they can squeeze through. They know their jumping capabilities and what they have to do to make any jump. This changes as their physical abilities change, especially with age. Sometimes, just like with people, they have to try and fail a few times to get the message that this is something they can no longer do. But they do seem to learn this pretty quickly. They are very clever and learn our rules very quickly. Just like children, they also learn how and when they can break those rules. If a cat is obeying your wishes, it's been his/her choice. Because of all this, they know themselves and the limits very well. This gives them some of their self-confidence. They are definitely masters of self-control, although it often doesn't seem that way. But self-control is about learning to master your environment and how to navigate it, and cats do just that. Self-control is then a series of behavior choices, which cats have masters. They are masters of intent. They know what they're going to do before they do it and the probable outcome.

Cats are also masters of meditation. If you've been around cats, you've seen them staring into space for seemingly endless periods of time. They always have that faraway look in their eyes at those times. They are totally in tune with their bodily needs. They nap when they feel the need, and often. They use these times to renew their energy. In homes where food and litter boxes are always provided, they eat and potty on their own schedules. They listen to their own internal cues and schedules, their personal rhythms.When it's time to look out the window and chatter at the birds or race back and forth, they do. Often they seem to be on a personal mission only they understand and regulate.

Cats are also masters of co-operative living. In the wild, cats are solitary animals. In our homes, they share, often with other pets, and with the people. They establish their own hierarchy when someone new enters the home, swiftly and decisively. Then they reinforce this effectively and easily. They establish who sleeps and rests where, and share the space and resources. I've seen some amazing co-operative living by living with multiple cats. Usually we aren't even aware of how the boundaries are established and reinforced among them. I once had a very devoted princess cat and her brother. She never cuddled in my arms on the couch when I put my feet up, but he always did. He never got on the bed, but she always cuddled in my arms. They'd worked this out between them, to share me. These days, Breezy is the top cat and everyone knows it. If another cat is cuddling with me and she jumps up, the other cat leaves. If this doesn't happen fast enough, she makes a move to swat at the other cat. She seldom has to actually swat though. At night, Karma has her favorite spot to sleep up against my lower legs. When it's cool enough in the bedroom, Breezy starts in my arms and ends up on the opposite side of my legs. She and Karma share me at night. Whiskers sometimes jumps up on the bed to briefly join me during the night but he won't share me with anyone. If another cat comes around when he's with me, he simply leaves. No other cats get on the bed during the night, and I have 6. I don't love the way Breezy chases other cats off. The cats aren't demanding and I'm largely able to meet the needs of all of them. I give them attention whenever I can based on them coming to me when they want it. I also don't love that Whiskers leaves so quickly and easily, as I'd like more time with him. But I know better than to try to take control of these situations. Cats can't be controlled in these things and I know better than to try. I respect the boundaries they've set, and therefore live in peace and harmony with them. For the most part, they also live in peace and harmony with each other. We can learn much from this, and them.