Like everything I write here, this is my own person story. My right answer. Several of you have asked for a bit more information on using our thoughts to create the life we want. So this post is in response to your emails, comments, and questions. If you don't dig the Law of Attraction business feel free to skip this post. We don't all love the same things, so I'm not concerned with convincing you that this is a good choice in your life. It's for those who've been asking.
Yesterday I posted this on my Facebook page:
"You will notice that those who speak most of prosperity, have it. Those who speak most of health, have it. Those who speak most of sickness, have it. Those who speak most of poverty, have it. It is Law. It can be no other way... The way you feel is your point of attraction, and so, the Law of Attraction is most understood when you see yourself as a magnet getting more and more of the way you feel. When you feel lonely, you attract more loneliness. When you feel poor, you attract more poverty. When you feel sick, you attract more sickness. When you feel unhappy, you attract more unhappiness. When you feel healthy and vital and alive and prosperous - you attract more of all of those things." ~Abraham-Hicks
And wow. That's pretty powerful, isn't it? You love it or hate it. Because depending on your vantage point you might interpret that as complete empowerment for the state of your future - or if it isn't resonant to you you might see it as blaming you for the uncomfortable place you now stand.
But blame isn't any part of the story at all. Because that involves the past. This is all about the future.
Being empowered with the ability to direct our own future is a great feeling. It takes away the idea that we are victims, it takes away our powerlessness, it puts us in control. And that feels amazing. For me it feels safe and comfortable. It has removed so much fear and uncertainty in my life. I know that things are unfolding perfectly. And when something negative is in my world I try to stay focused on where I am going and know that everything will fall into place. That negative always brings with it a lesson. Today? I have a nasty crimp in my neck. O U C H. But instead of feeling like it's random - just a neck crimp out of nowhere that I am a victim of - I'm aware that last week was hard, and I was in a big ugly funk, and today I'm focusing on what I do want so that I can manifest my way into a happy neck tomorrow. And even if I'm deluding myself, isn't focusing on happy thoughts good for me regardless of whether or not it spins magic in my world?
I was introduced to the Law of Attraction when Sage was a toddler. It was before his seizure, and was an incredible comfort for me during that time. I held my unwavering vision of Sage as well while he was in his coma, and knew fully that it would manifest. And of course, it did. There was no other option. Other extended family members were in a place of fear and worry when he was hospitalized. And I needed to not be around that energy. Because I couldn't entertain the what-if of that shadow. It would cloud my focus.
From my first experiences with the Law of Attraction and Abraham-Hicks I was hooked. Not every piece of it is resonant for me, but enough to joyfully employ it in my life. There are things I can't fit comfortably into this model (for example, getting my head around last year's earthquake, tsunami and meltdown or global issues like starvation, poverty, and domestic violence). I don't let that get in the way of me seeing how manifestation works in my own life, however. I apply it constantly. And I'm still thrilled and amazed by what comes to me as a result.
My Experiences
In truth, this is something I've practiced throughout my life. As a teenager I called it "using the force". I did it only occasionally because, well, it always worked when I did it. I was afraid if I did it too often I might fail and then lose faith in the magic of it. (Today I use it constantly. Because why wouldn't I?)
In my adult life and my childhood I have manifested tangible things within moments of sending out the desire. (You remember the cabbage glasses, right? And the desks?) The things/the stuff are easier to keep track of and more measurable. I've also manifested loads of intangibles, but they are more difficult to explain.
The lower my resistance the faster the manifestation of it. That's true for us all. But really, you can manifest anything in a moment if you don't have resistance to it. You need more examples? Okay...
Mousie Mouse
Once Sage played with a mouse puppet that he loved at a friend's house. I considered getting him one, but they are made in China so it's not something I was willing to buy new. We left the mouse at his friend's house and headed straight to the thrift store to drop off some old clothes we had in the trunk of our car. He asked to go inside. "Okay," I said. "And I'll see about finding you a mouse puppet like your friend's." We walked into the store, I glanced at the rack of stuffed animals, and there it was. A brand-new mouse puppet. In like eighteen seconds. The exact same one. (He still has it.)
The Minivan
Another day around the same time I was selling my soap at the farmer's market. The back of our old truck leaked water onto my tables and my set up was a mess. As the truck was also our farm truck at the time there was also some moldy chicken feed and feathers in the mix. I was disgusted/frustrated.
Wait, I thought. What am I manifesting? I stopped wiping off my tables and sat down in the truck to do a "manifestation workshop". What am I wanting? "I choose to have a minivan. With two sliding doors." (A voice in my head started to negate my vision. "You can't afford a minivan.") I countered the voice: "And it will cost... $1000." Yeah. That felt great! I got up and finished my set up, fulling expecting my new van to manifest. I went from grumping to beaming within minutes.
A half-hour later a friend visited my booth. "Did I tell you about my husband's new truck?" she asked. We chatted and I asked what vehicle they got rid of. "The minivan." I told her that I was just thinking about getting a van, and asked what they wanted for it. She called her husband and reported, "The dealer offered us $1000 to trade it in. It appraised at $4000 but he said if you want it for the trade in price you can have it." Needless to say, I bought the van. Within 1/2 hour I got exactly what I was focusing on.
Lost in Negative Thought
Even still, sometimes I get bogged down. Stuck. Negative. And there are exercises I do to keep myself on track. When we sold our last home I secretly wrote a check out to Pete and I and carried it in my wallet for several months. At our closing I pulled the dirty, crumpled check out and showed it to Pete for the first time. The date on the check was the same day we were sitting at our closing. And the dollar amount? Identical to what we were being paid that very day. Pete was speechless, and even I was delightfully surprised.
So what are you manifesting?
Three exercises below have served me during the past several years. All are from Abraham-Hicks.
I Want to See What I am Wanting.
This is as beautiful as it is simple. I do this every time I go to farmer's market (because I often see interpersonal or parenting dynamics there that trouble me) and at other times throughout my week. Before you start your day say, "I want to see what I am wanting" to yourself. Focus on seeing the good in the world. And you will. Again and again. You will see love and kindness and beauty all around you. You will see the things that you want in your life: an elderly couple holding hands, a mother talking kindly to her child, a car or a bike or a garden or piece of art that makes you smile.
Once as a stressed out college student I finished an exam and had a knot in my stomach. It was a trying week. I focused on seeing what I was wanting to see and literally the next door that I opened had a sign on it for a meditation class. That was free. And started in ten minutes. Yes, once you start looking for what you want to see it will show up. I promise.
Find Your Happy Place.
Every day take a few minutes to picture something that makes your heart sing. Sit in the quiet - perhaps before sleep or while your kids are quietly playing - and consciously picture something that feels good. I use to picture Sage standing on our coffee table at age two, dancing in his underwear. It cracked me up every time he did it and picturing it became a way I raised my vibration during an ordinary day. Today I picture myself in a big garden in a beautiful valley, planting seeds and harvesting veggies. The sun is sparkling off of the creek and the kids are playing in the water. Pete is building our house. It makes me feel amazing to picture this.
One practice I do often is simple visualizing what I want, without the negative speak or "realism" that we so often interject into our dreams. I picture it as I'd love it to be. I feel good in that space, and then I'm done. Do it often. Pepper little visualizations throughout your day.
Write it Down.
If you feel stuck on a particular issue, try this:
1. Take a piece of paper. Jot down at the top what you are wanting. For example, "I want to find my perfect home." Or "I want to love my body". Whatever it is. Write it in the positive - "I want to meet someone who is not mean to me" would be negative, "I want to meet someone sensitive and kind" would be positive. (Do you see the difference? It's all about the feeling.)
2. Beneath that title write down all the reasons you want it. I want to find my perfect home because I would love to cook in my own kitchen. I am excited to paint walls any color I choose. I want to raise my kids in a lovely space... etc. Write until you run out of reasons.
3. Flip the paper over and on the back write down all the reasons you believe it will come true. This helps reduce your resistance. It pushes the nay-sayers away. I will have my perfect house because I deserve it. Because there are many wonderful homes in my town just waiting for us. Because it is a buyer's market. Because things go my way. Because I know my kids will grow up in a safe neighborhood.
Every time you feel blocked by resistance do this process. And watch the magic unfold.
You don't have to believe that it works. I know it isn't resonant for everyone. And that's okay, too. Because really, it's up to you. We all don't have to dance to the same music. For me using these techniques makes feel like I have a say in my future. It doesn't involve blaming for what is not right - it involves knowing that I have power in seeing where I end up from here. And I like that. A lot.
