July 31, 2007

A Welcome Home Life

It's possible I'm ruined for vacations forever.

Ever since I quit that j-o-b and started doing what I loved (talking about LOA with others), I just don't feel the need to get away like I used to. Wednesday night I heard myself almost complaining to a client that I had to leave town. "I don't need a break from this!" I lamented.

Yes, the white sandy Bahamas beaches were nice, the ocean was amazingly warm and blue, and I loved the accents of the new people I met, but ... I sure like it here in my little Salt Lake City, Utah home, doing what I love most: connecting with and guiding other deliberate creators.

Which makes me think about all the clients who say that if only they had more time and money, they would travel.

Yeah, that's what we think.

But after you get a reprieve from what it is you're not loving in your current life, and you've had your fill of foreigners and hotel rooms, I suspect you'll find something else calls you after that.

That call is our passion. It's "our thing." It's what we came here for; what trips our trigger.

For some people, I'm sure that's traveling. (Tim Ferriss is probably one of them.)

But for others, I think it's hidden underneath the "escape" dream.

And that's where the real juice is: discovering and living that passion in every day current life.

Think about what you would do if you left behind all your worries in present day life and travelled the world for three years straight. What would you want to do afterwards? What would call to you? How would you invest your time and energy after you've lived the stereotypical dream of world travel?

That's where the action is.

That doesn't mean we won't take our sweeties out for anniversary trips and have a grand time visiting friends across the globe, but there's lots to be said for injecting some passion in the life we're living today.

Thank you for allowing me to live my passion. If it weren't for you, this gig wouldn't be nearly as fun! It sure is nice to be home sweet home. : )

July 22, 2007

Law of Attraction and Aging

"You're not getting any younger, you know."
Ahem.

These words probably make the top ten list of "How to Spoil Sunday with Your Girlfriend."

I said to Russ, "Look, these are words you should never say to ANY woman you want to sleep with, let alone the one who doesn't believe in aging."

"You don't believe in aging?" He said it more than asked it. Like he was confirming just how crazy his girlfriend was.

"Well, I'm trying NOT to. That's my point. Hearing it from you doesn't help. I want to escape that old mentality. I want to grow younger and get healthier and better looking every day."

"'Old mentality,'" he repeats. "Honey, aging is a fact." (As if I were an eight year old that he was breaking the news to about the Tooth Fairy.) "It's what happens. You can't stop it. You can't stop time."

Well, with any hope of a friendly romantic encounter shot to smithereens, I let him have it.

"All right, let's go over this again." And I ran him through the principles of deliberate creation a-frickin-gain. We get what we think about. There are no rules out there. There are no limitations. If we can imagine it, we can have it. There isn't any reason we should be aging, other than that the whole of society has bought into it, and I'm opting out.

"You're opting out of aging," he says, not even trying to mask the laughter in his voice.

"Yeah, I am. And I guarantee I'm not doing it so I can hang out with some decrepit old guy, so I would rethink my position on this, if I were you."

I tell him I'm not the only one thinking this. That others are on board with this same idea. LOTS of others. I don't know how many, but I know I'm not alone. I've been trained by one of them. (Ron Zeller, who is a stand for ageless living. His wife, who is known as Ninja Grandma. Not to mention all the yogis who are known for good health in the upper echelons of birthdays.)

And while I'm telling him that, I'm thinking of the enormous vibrational escrow of all those people all those years who desperately wanted good health and great looks in their later years. Oh yeah, I'm tapping into THAT party!

So, Russ agrees not to argue with my beliefs, and swears I will never again hear him say, "You're not getting any younger."

As he's making breakfast (making fun of my brown $4 cage-free eggs and rice milk), I find two emails in my in-box related to law of attraction and aging. Or anti-aging, I should say. Thank you, Universe, for backing me up!

I march out of the office with news of the two articles that were waiting for me this morning. "I am not alone," I repeat to him with conviction.

"That's nice, honey." He's clearly made peace with having a crazy girlfriend.

And I'm gearing up for making peace with having a 30 year old boyfriend in my last years of life. Maybe he could have an accent, too. Olive skin. Gorgeous smile. (We'll see who has the last laugh, Mr. Smart Guy.)

Just to nail this vibration down, I'm thinking about turning 27 this year. I've turned 27 a couple of times now, and have enjoyed it every time. It's a good year. I thought about earlier twenties, but they seemed a little shallow. 30's seemed a little heavier. So I'm going with carefree, optimistic, fabulously healthy and fit, got-my-whole-life-ahead-of-me 27.

I really really like my girlfriend's girlfriend who doesn't know how old she is (really, she doesn't know! She doesn't keep track!), and my former coach who would flat out lie (and feel great about it) when someone asked her age. I'm letting go of what it "means" to age as well. It doesn't mean anything; it's not who I am; and I just get better with every day that passes.

That's what I'm manifesting with the law of attraction. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Because I know it's possible. And I pick it. Period.

Yes, it might feel like a stretch today, but as I spend more time with it, and more time with articles and people lined up with it, it'll become more and more mine. Watch me go!

PS - here's a link to those two articles I mentioned. We're SO turning the "rules" upside down!

July 21, 2007

Law of Attraction and Competition

The other night I caught a couple minutes of Last Comic Standing on NBC, which I loved for a couple reasons. One, these guys (and gals) are pretty funny. Laughing is a great vibe to hang out in.

Two, watching someone's dream come true - you gotta admit - is pretty cool!

So at the end of the show they announce which contestants are moving on (I was SO hoping Sabrina Matthews would be one!). One of the guys who really really wants it is Doug Benson. It's his second time auditioning; he didn't make it to the final round last year, and he's wearing it heavy this year.

Sure enough, the last name they call out is his. But instead of jumping up and down with excitement like everyone else did, (well, the first guy cried a little, but it was tears of joy) Doug says, "I feel like one weight's been replaced with another."

Oh boy.

You might guess who my money's on to win, right? (Probably not him. Unless, of course, he learns to REVEL in the feeling of winning.)

But what the comics said before names were announced was really interesting from a law of attraction perspective. Doug said "I think I have a really good chance of not making it to the final ten - AGAIN." And yet he did.

And Sarah Colonna said she kept repeating her name in her mind, hoping the host would say her name. And yet he didn't.

What's up? Are these two disproving the whole "get what you think about" theory?

Let's look closer. In Doug's case, remember that the Universe doesn't hear "don't," "not" or "no." So what he was REALLY signaling to the Universe with those words was "I have a really good chance of making it to the final ten." Although he was saying "not making it," Universe doesn't hear "not."

Then again, we also know it's not really the WORDS that matter. It's what we're vibrating. We might be saying one thing, but feeling another thing altogether. (Like when we say "sure, sounds like fun" and we're really feeling "ugh, please no.")

The two keys to successfully manifesting what you want are desire and belief. When you get strong desire and strong belief going, you're unstoppable. If you've got strong desire and less belief (which I suspect might be Doug's case), you've handicapped yourself vibrationally somewhat, but it's still possible. Especially if that desire is really really strong.

Let's not forget, Doug probably had a strong vibrational escrow from his last experience on the show, right?

The other thing this episode proved was that the most talented comics are not necessarily the winners. It isn't always the strongest, fastest, smartest, best looking, best performing person who takes the ribbon. It's the one who's most lined up with winning. And sometimes that person is an awful singer, or mediocre artist, or less than fabulous guy walking down the aisle with everyone's dream come true of a woman. I mean, sometimes it is!

Get your vibration lined up with what you want, and you can outperform, outsell, outmaneuver, outshine, out-whatever anyone. There is no holding you back when you are in alignment with what you want.

How cool is that?

July 18, 2007

Outsourcing Worry

This is the most brilliant idea I've come across in a while! When Amy Grant raved about Tim Ferris' "4 Hour Work Week," I decided to check it out. (Once again, Amy did not disappoint!)

One of my favorite stories from this book about how to live more and work less is from AJ Jacobs, relating his experience with an international Virtual Assistant. AJ finds his overseas assistant to be exceedingly effective and quickly has fun outsourcing projects to her. First it's simple research for articles he's writing, then it's sending emails to discourage annoying solicitors, then tracking down gifts for his son, and eventually he asks her to intervene on a marital dispute.

That turns out so well that he attempts to delegate his therapy, which his shrink doesn't go for, BUT he does succeed in turning over his "worry" to his lovely assistant. He tells her he's been tearing his hear out over a business deal that's taking too long to close, and asks if she's interested in tearing her hair out in his stead. She promises, "I will worry about this every day. Do not worry."

Brilliant delegation!! AJ reports that every time he started to ruminate over the deal, he'd remind himself that his VA was already on the case, and he'd relax.

I just read this story last night and have already related it to three clients who wanted help in handling worry and anxiety. The laughter this story inspires is well worth the investment of time in reading it! (Not to mention the alignment this idea creates with my favorite law of attraction theme: "Easy"!)

But honestly, this book is packed full of revolutionary ideas about what life can be, and how to design the luxury lifestyle many want but aren't moving toward. I'm already a huge fan of Tim's "low information diet" and ending time management. His push to be effective instead of efficient, to challenge the status quo, end multi-tasking, use the 80/20 rule to gain freedom from futility - chapter after chapter is filled with new perspectives on creating lives we love.

Tim recommends changing the age-old question "What do I want" to "What would excite me?" in order to get better answers (and explains why). He also says most people choose unhappiness over uncertainty, which was certainly my obstacle for many years.

I've practically made it mandatory reading for every one of my clients, and would encourage you to give it a "look see" as well.

And if you're reading something that's rocking your world, please post it as a comment and share the wealth! Thanks, everyone. : )

July 15, 2007

Cheap Feel Goods

Sonora just gave me a link to Dr. Meg's interview with Shelly Yates on the 7/17 one hour event when those who opt in receive some sort of recoding (double link helix?) which allows us to participate in and fuel humanity's evolution. That summary might be a little off, but whatever it is, it sounds good to me! An hour of focus on our human joy? Count me in!

There is a little talk of trouble on the planet here and there that I can skip right on by, because the rest of the message is uplifting and sounds right on to me. But that's just me.

Anyway, after listening to the interview, I jumped in the shower and realized clean towels were still in the dryer. (I love that about me!) So I grabbed a handy extra one out of the closet, which happened to be a big bright orange and yellow and red and pink fluffy beach towel. I felt like I was on vacation in my own shower!

As I was noticing how great I felt, I wondered where it came from - because if you read my post from last night, you'll understand how impressive that is. In addition to Shelly and vacationing in my bathroom, I concluded this latest feel good came from strongly honoring a couple of core values over the last 12 hours (Authenticity, Learning, Freedom).

Coaches are always talking about how important it is to know your core values, and on this point, I could not agree more. When we know what's important to us, it's that much easy to choose and live it daily. And when we do that, life works. Plain and simple.

If you don't already know what your core values are, check out this article by Steve Pavlina. It's a good start.

And if you're having any cheap feel goods lately, please post them for the rest of us to enjoy!! Thanks, all!

PS - the photo included in this "cheap feel goods" post is of 17 year old Andrei at his visit to Best Friends Animal Society, where he's better learning how to operate the humane society he runs back in Romania. Are you kidding me?! I'm in love with today's kids!!

The Beauty of Anger

Does anyone have any idea how annoying it is to hear "You can choose to feel differently" or "Is this really what you want to vibrate?" when all you want to do is complain?

Well, I suspect my clients do. (They've heard it from me.)

The fact is I'm still getting some juice from anger right now in this red hot moment, and I'm hanging out here as long as it feels good and certainly long enough to fuel incentive for positive change. If it didn't bother me this much, I might not notice it and I might not change it. ("It" being my relationship.) So this anger is a good thing. It's got my attention!

I refuse to feel bad about this anger, and I'm not letting anyone talk me out of it, because this feels better right here, right now.

In fact, it makes me wonder - what feels good about anger? For some reason, this anger does feel better. As I wonder why, and I look up my trusty emotional scale on page 297 of "Ask & It Is Given," I see that anger might be feeling fabulous right now because I've moved out of unconscious guilt and unworthiness. Mm hmm. No wonder I like it here!

Here's Abraham's emotional scale for reference:

  1. Joy/Appreciation/Love
  2. Passion
  3. Enthusiasm/Happiness
  4. Positive Expectation
  5. Optimism
  6. Hopefulness
  7. Contentment
  8. Boredom
  9. Pessimism
  10. Frustration/Irritation/Impatience
  11. Overwhelment
  12. Disappointment
  13. Doubt
  14. Worry
  15. Blame
  16. Discouragement
  17. Anger
  18. Revenge
  19. Hatred/Rage
  20. Jealousy
  21. Insecurity/Guilt/Unworthiness
  22. Fear/Grief/Depression/Despair

Man, me?! Guilt or unworthiness?! I've done so much self-love work, how is that even possible?!

But, it's not a huge stretch if you saw the circumstances that brought me to anger.

I see now I've denied what's important to me. Plain and simple. (I didn't see it until Anger got my attention and inspired me to look.) I've tried to live what's important to others (likely inspired by remnants of unworthiness), and I of all people know the trap door it is to follow someone else's "feel good."

Specifically, I committed to a weekend full of activities with my boyfriend that have kept me from giving my dogs, my health, my house, and certainly my work the attention I'd like them/me/it to have. Because everyone knows that in order to be in a good relationship, you must have some give and take. (What the hell ever.) That when it's your anniversary weekend, you don't say "I'm working" or "Maybe next time." You say "Yes. I'd love to."

The problem is my "yes" - as much sense as it makes in the relationship world - was a betrayal of what I really wanted. Look, I need some exercise. You got yours while you walked the golf course today, but I sat at the computer meeting an article deadline, and no, I'm still not done working. But that's not what I said. I said, "Sure, let's go." To a party that I could invest two hours in, not five. And on our anniversary night, frankly, I'd rather have done something more our style - maybe just the two of us.

I also see that I visited with revenge earlier tonight when I left him sitting at his friends' party for over an hour while I went for a walk in the neighborhood chatting with a girlfriend on his cell phone, which felt much better than hanging out with a bunch of drinkers. (No offense, guys. Just not my gig.) He thinks it's okay to keep me from getting back home for dogs' potty breaks and finishing the article? Oh yeah?? We'll see how cool it is.

I mean, those words didn't actually cross my mind, but that feeling sure did. I see how I went tripping right on through revenge earlier tonight on my way to this beautiful anger.

Anyway, I'm pissed off for right now and I'm staying here until I decide to go somewhere else. And no coach, or ex-boyfriend, or girlfriend, and certainly no boyfriend is going to talk me out of it. Anger is what feels good, I hear my "feel good" loud and clear, and I am more committed than ever to following it.

Now, I fully expect I will wake up with a completely different attitude (I might even set an intention, or not). But for right now, this is where I am, and it is okay. (Lorenzo, I still love you for that.)

This anger is serving me.

And it's given me clarity that I'm upset because I haven't honored what's important to me. I haven't fully followed my feel good. No wonder I'm so mad!! It isn't anyone's fault but my own and I get that.

Thank God, I get it.

I know this post is long enough already, but it seems helpful to note that I recognize a theme here from the email/computer challenge I recently experienced: disrespect. As this vibration of disrespect seems to come up here and there, it makes me realize that if the world is showing me disrespect, then it's worth looking within to see how I'm disrespecting myself.

And it's right there plain as day for me when I look for it: I haven't respected what's important to me. Hello!

Thank you beautiful world for showing me where I've got room to clean up my vibration.

PS - in the time it took me to edit this post, I've already moved out of anger and am feeling something more like peace and relief. So even though it's already old news, I'm still posting this, because if this isn't real world manifesting, I don't know what is. And I am committed to showing how law of attraction works in the real world! This is my real world, and I know it's not 100% beautiful and peaceful and lovely, but ... it still works for me. : )

PPS - sweetie, if you're reading this - happy anniversary!


PPPS - sorry for the swear words, everyone. (Keepin' it real.)



July 11, 2007

Songs That Make Your Heart Sing

Have you ever been invited to a play a game that you don't know? Are you the kind of person who plays without knowing the rules or do you wait until you figure out how it works before you join in the fun?

I'm usually the hang back girl, because I don't like to risk making a fool or spoiling the fun for everyone else who knows what they're doing. But how much fun is that?

So in the spirit of good fun, I'm responding to Barb's blog tag which was originated by Hilda Carrol's game, inspired by Optimist Lab's High Vibes Game. I don't know exactly how to play, but I'll give it my best shot, intending there's no way to do it wrong. :)

Barb asked me to name the song that makes my heart song lately, which is one that I didn't even know the name or artist of until I looked it up for this post. Here's Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten" (the link takes you to the YouTube video):

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten

Cool song, huh? I like songs about possibility! Here's Barb's original post that explains this game. If you want to join in, you can request a tag, but I sure don't know how.

Now I think I'm supposed to tag a couple of others for this game. Here goes:

Paulette at pmbethel

Then I'm supposed to do trackbacks, but I don't even know what that is. When I figure it out, I'll edit this post. Would LOVE it if those of you reading would comment with your favorite songs that make your heart sing if you're so inspired!

'Night all. :)

July 10, 2007

Monkey Bar Thoughts

If you read my July 10th ezine, you know I recently struggled with losing access to email. As an email coach, that's not good. As a person who's #1 core value is connection and relies heavily on her cyber connections, that's really not good!

I'll spare you details, but suffice it to say after three days of no access and several hours of unsuccessful technical support, I was at my wit's end. Seriously, at one point I was on the verge of tears. It's been a while since I felt so powerless and vulnerable. (A Comcast techie actually instructed me to delete everything off the computer and try starting over. Oh my word! I told her she sounded like she was on drugs and I'd better talk to her supervisor.)

The "verge of tears" feeling was what woke me up to how off track I was on this mission to restore my email. What did I think could happen while I was feeling so awful? Not much good. That's how this works. We get what we vibrate.

What would it take to restore my email connection? Feeling better.

So that's what I did.

I talked myself up the scale. This wasn't my first rodeo, so it didn't take long. But I found it did take MANY repetitions. I found that after a few brief flashes of peace and relief I easily slipped back into a string of swear words and incredible impatience.

But I kept at it. Because I know how this works. Wasn't I the one just telling a client that I was skilled at being able to reach any thought, no matter where I was coming from? I was like a monkey on the monkey bars, I said. Oh yeah, Jeannette? Prove it.

So I continued the self-soothing process. Picking up this thought, then that one, seeing which one helped me feel better. And when I got to a little bit better-feeling place, I took action.

After giving up on Comcast and Microsoft, I called Best Buy to enact their Geek Squad in home tech support service. Their agent was supposed to be here Monday 9:15 am. He was a no-show. Best Buy referred me to Geek Squad headquarters to track him down. They couldn't get him to answer calls or texts. Lovely.

They asked if I wanted to reschedule. You know, not really. I need someone here TODAY! This is my livelihood! This is not something that can wait. (Can you feel me? Hot hot hot!) I already cleared my morning for your stupid guy, and now that turns out to have been a complete waste of time!

That's what I was feeling. But I know what that vibe is going to get me. Someone as upset as I am.

So I hung up and waited to cool off until I called Best Buy back. "Julie, this is my livelihood. I'm starting to get nervous. I hope you can help me get this fixed today. What are our options?"

She said she didn't have many, because their system was down. They couldn't even open the doors to business because their computers were on the fritz. She couldn't track down her agents, and every in-store agent was on the phone with a customer.

So now I hear she's in a pickle. And a pretty impressive one. She doesn't need me making her day any worse.

She says she'll call Geek Squad headquarters. I said I've already talked with them several times with no luck. She says she'll get through because she knows how to yell. That made me laugh. Laughing is good.

She promises to call back when she has an answer.

And I milk that vibe in the meantime. Julie sounded like she really cared. She truly did want to help me. I remember how frustrating it is to be the employee who wants to help a customer, but you really can't. That she cared meant a LOT to me. That she promised me a call back meant a LOT. I used every bit of that to begin feeling better.

When I started thinking about my email clients who hadn't heard from me, I would think about the Best Buy customers who couldn't shop that day because the computers were down. Hey, it happens! It's not the end of the world. I could get on board with that.

It's okay. (Right Lorenzo?)

And Julie phoned. She phoned!! She said she if she couldn't get an in-store guy to help me out this afternoon, she'd call someone in on his day off. HEY!! Now that's making me feel better!! She's trying! She's getting creative!! She's really wanting to make me happy!

And that's all I needed to get to that feel better place really solidly. Even if she couldn't get anyone out, she was trying. I believed that. I could hear it in her voice.

And guess what? She called again. No in-store guys available, BUT she was calling in Agent Jones on his day off. Only problem is that he couldn't be there till six. She apologized for that. (And added I was the only one she was doing this for today.)

I was thrilled!

Send him over!

And Agent Jones - whew. Guess what he needed? Maybe 15 minutes on the computer and it was fixed. But he stayed another 15 to test every possible thing for me, showing me it all worked, all the weekend emails were recovered (at least it seems that way), agreeing with me that Comcast was high, and showing me cell phone pictures of his dog doing yoga in his sleep. I'm in love with Agent Jones. He was in normal clothes and normal car. I thought they were handsome BEFORE - in their uniform! Whew! Don't let Agent Jones in to solve your biggest problems when he's wearing normal clothes unless you have TREMENDOUS willpower to not flirt. I'm very much in love.

With him and Julie.

I can't decide whether I'm sending her manager an email raving about her or flowers directly to her door. Maybe both.

Agent Jones told me that the guy who was supposed to show that morning had taken a personal emergency day, but the message didn't get through because Best Buy's system was down. He said the guy is incredibly reliable, and they were worried they hadn't been able to reach him all day long. I instantly went from being pissed off that someone could be so flaky as to not even call to tell me he's not coming, to sending good thoughts that all was well in his world.

Cool shift, huh?

We get the energy lined up first. And then we take action. Man, it works great when we remember that.

July 9, 2007

Animals and LOA

Those of you who have been reading me for a while heard about my Sophie girl (9 year old retriever mix) who died last year. She underwent two ACL surgeries at roughly 7 years old, which honestly didn't make a big difference in her mobility (probably because of the arthritis) and both surgeries were tough for her to recover from.

I bring that up because Sadie started limping two weeks ago. Vet suspected she blew her knee out. I suspect he's right. He wants to do x-rays and probably perform corrective surgery.

I haven't been back in since.

I'm making her skip dog walks so as not to exacerbate the problem. (Man, is it tricky sneaking Joe and Koda out for walks without Sadie finding out!)

The thing is, I keep thinking about Abraham telling us to simply "get out of their way" so they can heal. That it's our vibration that likely caused the imbalance, and that it's our vibration that often hinders their natural healing.

"Get out of their way."

(I mean, Abe said that to a vet!!)

They know how to heal. Their bodies are excellent at coming back into balance - when they're allowed to do so. That's why their natural inclination is to slink off and be alone when they're not feeling fabulous.

They want to be left alone to come back to equilibrium.

I get that. And so Sadie's not getting x-rays because that feels like the next step to a surgery that I can't get on board with being in her best interest. And Shadow, who my clients have heard sneezing in the background for the past three months, is not getting a steroid shot for allergies. I'm getting out of his way too.

As best I can.

(This coming from a girl whose entire paycheck used to go straight to the vet. I was on a first name basis with the entire staff; I didn't need an appointment; they let me sleep in the back room overnight when the occasion called for it; I mean we treated everything and we did it aggressively. With mixed results.)

Get out of the way?

Man, this feeling sure reminds me of that post about positive thinking vs. irresponsibility. All I can do is what feels best, and right now that is to avoid the vet. I'll trust these beloved animal friends of mine know better than we do about healing. I'll trust that the best way I can support their healing is to see them as whole and healthy and perfect, and to lavish them with good love. And I'll trust that when the time comes that I can do something else to better support them, I'll know it, and then I'll do it.

Until then, this dog's driving me nuts without getting her daily exercise! But I love her dearly. Isn't she a sweetie?

July 5, 2007

One Hour Investment

If you haven't already checked out Shelly's Fire the Grid project, you'll want to hear this!

www.firethegrid.com is the website, but you might want to start with hearing Shelly's story, which you can hear her tell on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqUAluDvuU4. (It's in 8 parts, but after a few minutes of the first clip, I set everything aside to hear all segments. It's pretty amazing, to say the least. I personally prefer not to focus on planetary destruction, and believe Abraham's words that no resource is limited, but it's still a story that moved me.)

In addition to sharing how you can help heal the planet and bring humanity together, she talks about 2012, indigo children, the importance of finding your joy, and lots of other cool stuff.

The date is July 17 at 7:11 am edt. One hour of offering your positive energy is all that's asked. Simply be thankful, be in joy, meditate, read to your children, whatever turns you on. And she's even got a great solution for those of you who will be sleeping. : )

Also, we're offered three free songs designed to help us. Find them here.

Those of you who have more info, I welcome your comments and resource links!

Namaste -

July 1, 2007

Law of Attraction & the 4th of July

I recently wrote about how the 4th of July annual celebration reminds us not to take our freedom for granted. That it prompts us to consciously acknowledge and appreciate our national independence, and to support our government’s continuing efforts to maintain our citizen rights.

But true freedom isn’t dependent on outside conditions; it doesn’t require particular circumstances be in place for us to feel peace. In fact, if we require certain situations to exist before we acknowledge freedom, we are anything but free.

True freedom lies within. Until we tap into that truth we’re at the mercy of the world around us for our peace of mind, joy and any other emotions we attach to liberty.

If you're interested in reading more on the topic of personal freedom, check out the full article here.

When Nothing's Happening

With lots of new deliberate creators on the scene now (thanks to the Secret, Oprah, etc.), some are finding the Law of Attraction sounds good, but wonder why it doesn't seem to work for them.

After all, they're thinking about what they want, made their vision board, repeat their affirmations, and yet nothing happens.

Whereas some people pick this LOA stuff up easily to create quick success, others scratch their heads wondering what's gone wrong.

For those wondering why nothing's happening, or if you're just stuck in one particular area, here are a few tips:

1. Stop wondering what you're doing wrong. Don't ask why it's not working. As you say that, you create that. That question is why it's not working. That's your manifesting in action! Can you see it? We're so powerful that we can create "not working" or "nothing happening" if we choose. Choose something else, huh?

2. "Fine, Jeannette," you think. "But how do I stop thinking it's not working when it's the truth? I mean, nothing's happening!" Sweeties, stop arguing for nothing happening. Seriously, stop affirming that. It closes the door on the action. You have to ignore reality for a while. As long as you are addicted to seeing and saying "what is," you cannot create anything other than what already is. Reality is overrated anyway.

3. Start saying "Hey, I'm getting the hang of this." Or "This is easier than I was making it out to be" or "Things are in the works now." It doesn't matter if it doesn't feel true at first; start speaking the words that give the Universe something to work with. If you repeat this as often as you repeat "It's not working," your door is at least half open. And Universe will squeeze something good through that crack. ; )

4. You've got to feel good. Good things can't happen when you feel bad. You know how that vibrational alignment thing works, right? Feel good now - and then good things can swoosh in. Yes, I'm talking about your relationship, your work, your financial situation, your health - whatever might be dragging your "feel good" away. Anything that's bringing you down is a potential show-stopper. Find a way to feel good now. If you need help, get it (mastermind group, coach, manifesting buddy, etc.).

5. Inspired action is a good idea, too. But it isn't necessarily what you might think. It's action that feels good. (See above tip.) It could be a nap, a chat with a friend, brainstorming brilliant ideas in the middle of the night or quitting your job. It isn't anything that feels like a "supposed to," "should," or "have to."

5. PS - things really are happening. Maybe you don't see them yet, but they are. All the right players, resources and opportunities are lining up behind the scenes to give you exactly what you want. As you believe that, you open your door even more. Have a little faith, and that will go a long way toward letting the goods in.

Authentic Target?

Related to the "What You Want" post below, how do you know whether you're shooting for an authentic target or not? Here's an exercise from Michael Neill's "You Can Have What You Want" that'll help you know your truth:

Imagine you retire to a tropical island with unlimited wealth and the sex symbol of your choice. Now imagine you've been doing that for five years and you're bored out of your mind.

What do you want to do next?
What did you want to do before you "grew up" and "got real"?
What would you do if no one else would ever find out?
What would you do if it was entirely up to you?
What would you do if nobody minded?
What would be even better than that?
Your answers to these questions offer insight to your true desire.

My personal test for knowing when I'm on authentic track is an instant genuine smile as I think about my goal or intention. That's a sure sign for me that this one is truly "mine" and not just a "safe" goal.

Law of Attraction & What You Want

It's easy to get caught up in limited thinking about what's possible or practical in choosing our goals. In fact, it takes courage to name what we really want.

Thus, lots of us unwittingly play it safe by identifying a target we think is "do-able" rather than one that represents our true heart's desire.

But there's more risk in playing it safe than you might realize. If we aren't truly on board with the thing we say we want, we might be able to fool ourselves but we can't fool the Universe. Universe hears our vibration loud and clear about what we really want in life. And delivers reliably.

If you're banging your head against the wall trying to make something happen, check in on whether it's an authentic desire. Universe may be saving you from something you don't really want.

I agree with author Michael Neill when he says, "It's easier to have what you really want than what you think you can get." Because your passion will carry you through.

When I was leaving the corporate world it would have made "sense" to become a financial coach rather than an attraction coach. With over a decade of experience in personal finance, a half dozen credentials and licenses, and a great reputation already established in the field, I was well positioned for such a move, as my coach pointed out more than once.

But my heart wasn't in it. Much as it appealed to leverage a coach practice from the career I'd already built, it just didn't have any juice for me. There's no doubt in my mind that had I pursued that path, I'd have failed. Universe would hear my half-hearted vibration and mixed internal signals and save me from that which I didn't truly desire.

I've seen this with others as well. They choose a target they think they can reach, rather than the one they really want (which they might not even be consciously aware of). Manifesting something we don't honestly want is a smokin' good trick!

I think it's easier to get past limiting beliefs of what we think is possible - and stretch those - rather than to try to make ourselves excited about something that doesn't inspire personal enthusiasm or passion.

Save yourself the lost time and get clear on what it is you're really here for, and claim it for yourself! There isn't anything you can't have or be or do once you get a hold of the idea of it. How cool is that?!

Vibration Therapy

There are two ways to raise your vibration: 1) do more of what feels good and 2) stop doing what doesn't.

A combination of these approaches allows for some intense vibration therapy.

If you've been reading me for long, you know I emphasize doing what feels good. But there is also much to be said for putting a halt to the things that don't.

Our challenge is we're so accustomed to living with the things that create a drag on our vibration that we aren't even aware of them. In fact, I think it's a gift when we do know what's bringing us down - because then we can address it! As long as we remain oblivious to them, we've got a permanent anchor on our vibration.

After a client shared his success in eliminating a major relationship toleration, I was inspired to look around my life for "feel bads" I could knock out. You'll see them when you start feeling them out - big and small in all forms and sizes: the jiggle sound in the car, the neighbor's loud music, the relationship you've outgrown, the job that's giving you an ulcer, etc.

Eliminating tolerations is a great way to boost your energy and climb the vibrational scale. We like that, remember, because moving up the scale puts us in strong alignment with our desires.

You can spot your "irritations" (as Jack Canfield calls them) by asking yourself what you're putting up with. What's bothering you lately? Make a list and knock them out. If you have trouble seeing what your energy drains are, check out CoachU's Clean Sweep. (It's not my favorite assessment, but it may trigger your realization about what needs addressing in your life.)

Give yourself the gift of some personal vibe therapy this month!

5 LOA Tips for the Funk

It happens to all of us, right? Sooner or later we hit a bump in the road, or maybe more like a brick wall, and begin wondering if it was meant to be or what we're doing wrong. Some ask why it works for everyone but them. We can feel that our vibe is in the toilet, but also feel powerless to change it.

Ever happened to you? If so, here are a couple of tips to get back on track:

1. Know it's okay. This is not a big deal. It happens. It doesn't mean all is lost. It just means you're having a bad day (or week or year, whatever the case may be). You can make it mean whatever you want, so go with something lighter and easier than "all is lost."

Do yourself a favor and take the pressure off perfection. Sometimes the path looks a little squirrelly. It is what it is, and your success is inevitable, so relax. Remember we can't get this wrong!

2. Stop banging your head. By the time you feel like giving up, you've likely been in some sort of mental or physical struggle. Release the struggle! Let go of the reins. As one of my favorite LOA coaches, Sonora Case, shares: "Let your higher self drive for a while."

Giving yourself that relief could also look like a string of favorite swear words or a good cry, as eloquently shared by 14 year old deliberate creator Kathryn on the My Good News forum.

3. Do what you know makes you feel better. We each have our personal uplifters. It may be a friend, an animal, an activity, a food group (ha!) ... whatever it is for you, do it. Give yourself the gift of something that works. Once you're redirected, keep up the progress. Don't stay stuck in your pattern of "relief" (bingeing on Oreos, for example).

(Vacuuming or sitting on the sunny porch work great for me.)

4. Consider there is a gift in it. Whether we can see it or not, knowing the system is set up for our success and that this situation plays an integral role helps elevate the vibe. When my neighbor's car broke down on the heel of two other household financial emergencies, she looked for the gift and imagined carpooling with co-workers would improve her relationships at work. (Not to mention saving on gas money.)

Reframe it in a more positive light, if you're able. Is there something you can appreciate, either in this situation or in general? We all know the powerful energy-shifter of gratitude.

5. Feel free to skip all of the above. Sometimes it feels better to feel crappy for a while. Let yourself off the hook for having to change or do anything. We're all allowed a couple of funky moods in our time, after all! And it does make those good days that much better, doesn't it?

Commitment & Feeling Good

Sometimes we discover keeping our word creates a conflict with a high vibration. What to do when you're at cross purposes with your spoken word and your "feel good"?

For example, it sounds like a fine idea at the time to host your girlfriend's parents who are coming to town for two weeks, but as the date approaches you're filled with a mixture of regret and dread. What to do when you want to maintain your integrity, keep your promise, and still follow what feels good?

Here are three helpful tricks to have a powerful word and a high vibe:

First of all, make your commitments carefully and with thoughtful consideration. Don't make promises you can't - or don't want to - keep. Set yourself up for success; don't agree to something that doesn't agree with you. It helps to get good at saying no.

Second, if your feel good changes on something, address it. "Tom, I know I said I'd meet with you tomorrow night, and I'm now feeling overwhelmed with my week. Can we discuss a reschedule?" Things change in life, including our minds, and punishing ourselves by doing something just because we said we would isn't the point. Cleaning it up when we recognize our new desire is.

Third, don't underestimate how good it feels to keep a commitment. Doing what we say we'll do simply feels good! Knowing people can count on us to speak the truth and follow through on what we say is a vibe-raiser in itself. A nice side benefit is that when you develop the discipline to consistently honor your word, you become much more selective in giving it!

Your Creative Word

"I'll call you tomorrow." "The check's in the mail." "No, I don't mind at all."

Sometimes we utter phrases like these knowing there isn't a scrap of truth in them. But do we have any idea what it costs to give our word carelessly?

Many consider stretching (or being inconsiderate of) the truth an inevitable part of life that spares feelings and smooths life out.

But deliberate manifestors know it's a setup for dimishing our creative power. When we give our word and don't mean it or honor it, we detract from our power to create our world with our word.

Example: in order to expect saying "I am a money magnet" will manifest as truth, you must be truthful with your word in other areas. Saying "I'm busy" to dodge an unwanted invitation, or telling employees "We didn't see it coming" while announcing layoffs planned for six months, etc. you sacrifice the integrity of your word.

That translates into a weak word in your manifesting world. By training yourself to use your words powerfully, you amp up your attraction factor.

How do you do create powerful words? Simple: start treating your word like gold. When you say you'll be there, be there. When you answer a question, let it be the truth. If you make a promise you can't keep, clean it up. Honor what you say.

That way each time you say something, you train yourself to believe it. And then you can say "I am a money magnet" and have it really mean something. When you have integrity with your word, you'll come to believe that saying something is as good as done!

Relaxing in the Rapids

Two weeks ago, floating down Cataract Canyon with my sweetie and three rafts-full of his rocket scientist (really) co-workers, I picked up some great Law of Attraction life wisdom from our river guides. Trip leader, Lorenzo, gave us safety instructions the day we were due to run class 3, 4 and 5 rapids. I've already written about several life lessons I learned from Lorenzo's safety training, but this tip here is my favorite:

We're told at length how to stay safe on river rapids. (Basically, stay in the boat!) But worst case scenario, if you're ejected, and you go under, and you get confused and scared and out of oxygen and panicked, Lorenzo gave this instruction: "Relax."

Relax?

Yeah, right. I'd like to see that.

"Yes," he says, "relax." Because when you do, the river will spit you out. It'll shoot you right back to the top where you will be able to breathe again and can reconnect with your boat.

He told us if we're in the rapids under water, we should NOT expend energy trying to swim. Do NOT waste time trying to go anywhere or do anything. First of all, we probably wouldn't go the right direction anyway, and second, we wouldn't make any progress. We'd also be too exhausted to give ourselves real help. (Self-rescue is the best rescue - I'll blog about that later!) Not to mention we'd be missing out on the ride of our lives while we struggle against the stream!

Rather, Lorenzo said, "Relax and let the stream spit you out." Which it will happily do, if you just stop fighting it. It'll take you where you need to go.

Sound familiar?

The stream will take us where we need to go. Everything we want is downstream. Stop the struggle, stop resisting. Just go with the flow, and enjoy the ride.

Yeah, Relax.

All right, I'm starting to like the sounds of this advice!

So much so that as we round the corner on our first set of rapids, and I can hear the approaching roar of water, I get excited at the thought of going for a ride in the stream. I'm ready to put all my safety training to work!

But then we get there, and I completely change my mind about that. I did everything in my power to stay in the boat! Not that I don't trust the stream, but the boat ride was exciting enough. Full of "woo hoos" and a couple first degree screams. (And not just from the ladies.)

Just what we came here for, right? The ride of our lives!

So, now that we're back on dry land living our daily lives, it seems worth asking the question: what are we struggling against? What are we resisting? What could we relax into, and enjoy more of? Where could we let the stream work on our behalf, while we just relax and enjoy the ride?

I know I keep saying this, and Universe keeps proving me wrong, but I honestly don't see how it could get any better than THIS! Thanks for being part of my ride, everyone. (And for letting me be part of yours.) It wouldn't be the same without you!

Law of Attraction and Lousy Spouses?

The other day I read a law of attraction-related article that said "If your spouse is a louse, chances you are too."

That feels like a harsh way to put it, but the point is a valid one.

We get what we vibrate.

I mentioned this article in a session with my relationship coach (yes, I brought in the big guns a month or so ago), and asked her take on it. Like any good coach, she put the spotlight right back on me. "What do you think about it?"

Well, I pondered, it makes me wonder what the way I think about Russ says about me.

"What do you think about Russ?"

Sometimes I want to wring her neck for what she makes me look at! (Like any good coach often inspires in clients.) But she's also a retired Air Force Colonel (who else could handle me?), so I wouldn't really want to take her on.

What I think about Russ, it turns out, is every thing (I think) I'm not that I supposedly, probably long to be. (Disinterested in personal development and self-growth, satisfied with my mundane lot in life, unambitious, disrespectful of health, reserved in expressing love, etc.)

So I saw these things I would never allow myself to be, embodied in my partner. Mm hmm.

What I resist, persists. In my partner?! lol

Wow, is this just another big lesson in allowing? In relaxing? In giving up any "pushing against"?

Maybe.

How would that feel to give up the resistance? To be okay with the fact that Russ is content working an unfulfilling corporate job? To be at peace with knowing he's going to eat white bread his whole life? To honor that his happiness level is just fine for him? To get okay with him not telling his family he loves them the way I know he does?

Or even better, to acknowledge that I am ALSO these things. As I release the resistance - the push against, I find peace. Shoot, I eat what some would think of as unhealthy. I don't tell my whole family I love them. I AM Russ! Oh my gosh. No wonder he frustrates me so much.

As Byron Katie says, "We live with our best teachers."

This month I celebrate a one year anniversary with my best teacher. This post is making me wistful to think of all the teaching opportunities I broke up with over the years. Thank God the teachers didn't give up on me! lol

It almost feels like on my anniversary I should sent a present to all my ex-boyfriends.

And maybe give a present to myself: the gift of peace.
It's okay, isn't it Lorenzo? Silly me, I forgot again for a second there. (Patting myself on the head now; I'm okay, you're okay.)

It's always okay. I got it. :)

AND STILL - I hear Abraham saying how much easier it is to get a gourmet meal at a nice restaurant instead of trying to manifest one at a dive. And on the other hand, their recent quote: "We would like you to understand that every person on the planet has the potential to thrill you beyond description and cause you despair beyond description. It just depends on what part of them is most activated in you."

I'm chewing on this still ... In peace. Knowing it's all okay. Right now. Today. :)