Prosperity = shift in perspective to expectation plus action.
Umm, sometimes this isn't a fact I get excited about. I do a lot of reading in the self-help genre and "the secret is to just think positive" stuff can feel a little overused no matter how true it really is. My dissatisfaction with the concept is probably because of those times I'm experiencing lack. I mean, if all I have to do is think about what I want or need, I wouldn't be still empty handed, right? It drives me nuts when people only talk about the thought part and fail to mention that action is just as important to manifest our desires. I had a personal realization though, that came with a grown-up responsibility check this weekend.
My partner and I were really excited at getting some Christmas money from his father. We immediately started brainstorming all the things we could do with the unexpected sum and had almost settled on indulging in a new PlayStation 4 for the family. We hesitated because we're rarely impulsive about such a big expense. Lucky we did because out of the blue on Saturday, our furnace stopped working. Bye-bye PlayStation 4. You know you're a grown-up when you spend your gaming money on a home repair. Such is the joy of home ownership. #firstworldproblems LOL!
It got cold in the house really fast and I'd already spent all afternoon trying to get some un-split wood to burn in the fireplace. A service was called and because it was off hours, the fee was considerable. Turns out it was a simple repair, so an hour and $365 later, we were warm again. We sucked it up and reminded ourselves of all the people that aren't and it made us feel better and grateful. We were fortunate that the extra money was there when we needed it... but it got me thinking about the difference between finding extra money for things and how, when it counts, we often seem to get lucky.
We have a standard of living. We are accustomed to having heat. We are even accustomed to having take out up to a couple times a week. This isn't because we're rich, it's because we accept that standard as what we want and what we expect for ourselves. It seems that even as our income has fluctuated, no matter what happens, we find a way to maintain our expectations.
What if we were to take that same expectation and make it bigger? What if we believed just as matter-of-factly that we'd have the resources for all of the things we desire? Our eyes open up, our intuitive antennae become attuned to energy of what we want, and we begin to see opportunities and resources that we never saw before. You know how it is when you suddenly see your dream car everywhere without consciously looking for it? It's kinda like that!
This will sound trivial, but when I just trust that the money is there for Chinese food once a week, it is. Whether that happens because extra work hours open up, a gift, or I happen to find a coupon, is completely up to whatever opportunity I act upon. The light bulb went off for me finally about the Law of Attraction and how it actually IS at work in my life in a way I never noticed before because it seemed so small.
I'd challenge you to consider the status of your mind-set about abundance as it is right now, as well. When you consider your level of prosperity and how you currently function. How does it look? Maybe you're not that well off but have just enough. Maybe you realize that you are always able to meet your needs, it's just those "extra" desires and a level of added security that you feel there just isn't quite enough yet to reach.
Of course there is always room for gratitude for what I do have and I firmly believe that is an essential part of the equation too. However, this is about a pattern in my life where expectations have consistently delivered results. When I have expected an outcome, I live up to that expectation- good and bad- often without even realizing how it came to be. One crucial point: when the opportunities appear, I must be willing to act on them. That's where the magic happens. There seems to be a strange, contrary-to-how-I-was-raised concept of having gratitude for what I can take for granted here that will take practice to wrap my brain around fully. So I guess it's time I up the ante to Chinese food once a week AND an annual trip to Europe, seriously.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Lunch date with a trash bag.
Out of the corner of my eye a black shape was moving rapidly over the field across the street outside my work window. It caught my attention in hopes that it was some really cool animal sighting but turned out to be a discarded black trash bag tumbling in the bluster.
Lunch time came and I decided to sit out in my car for a change of scenery and end up pondering that bag which is now stuck in the barbed wire on top of the fence surrounding our lot right in front of my car. I totally envisioned that scene from the movie American Beauty where the guy watches mesmerized by a plastic grocery bag being tossed by the wind in much the same way and I kind of chuckle. But then of course I think to myself: What does it mean?
Most people would be all, "It's just a piece of trash, duh?" Well, in my world everything is a symbol. When something catches my attention I immediately think about what I can glean from it. So it's like the universe just tossed me a trash bag and said, "Here ya go, now clean up your shit!" So I ask myself, "Robin, what do you need to clean up in your life today? Better yet: Why are you letting barriers keep you from making positive changes?"
Because it's true. I've been making a small, half-assed effort to eat better-- However, I sabotage myself emotionally all. the. time. I'm a very emotional eater. My house is cluttered and needs deep cleaning. So, yeah, there's a lot of crap I've been avoiding or procrastinating on getting rid of. (See, in my dreams a car actually represents the physical body so I know what area of my life to look into here.)
As I rolled these thoughts through my mind, another movement from the periphery caught my eye. A Cooper's hawk comes gliding toward me and perches on the next electric pole. The universe says, "Good eye, Robin. You see it. Now go put some real energy into it."
::sigh:: Guess I just got confirmation of my agenda for the weekend.
Lunch time came and I decided to sit out in my car for a change of scenery and end up pondering that bag which is now stuck in the barbed wire on top of the fence surrounding our lot right in front of my car. I totally envisioned that scene from the movie American Beauty where the guy watches mesmerized by a plastic grocery bag being tossed by the wind in much the same way and I kind of chuckle. But then of course I think to myself: What does it mean?
Most people would be all, "It's just a piece of trash, duh?" Well, in my world everything is a symbol. When something catches my attention I immediately think about what I can glean from it. So it's like the universe just tossed me a trash bag and said, "Here ya go, now clean up your shit!" So I ask myself, "Robin, what do you need to clean up in your life today? Better yet: Why are you letting barriers keep you from making positive changes?"
Because it's true. I've been making a small, half-assed effort to eat better-- However, I sabotage myself emotionally all. the. time. I'm a very emotional eater. My house is cluttered and needs deep cleaning. So, yeah, there's a lot of crap I've been avoiding or procrastinating on getting rid of. (See, in my dreams a car actually represents the physical body so I know what area of my life to look into here.)
As I rolled these thoughts through my mind, another movement from the periphery caught my eye. A Cooper's hawk comes gliding toward me and perches on the next electric pole. The universe says, "Good eye, Robin. You see it. Now go put some real energy into it."
::sigh:: Guess I just got confirmation of my agenda for the weekend.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
The High Diver
I dreamt this morning that I was watching a circus performer dressed in a glittery corset costume like a high diver. She was in a glass tank of water with a man who seemed to me to be like the ringmaster and he was being cruel, threatening to push her under. I felt anxious as I watched, feeling like the ringmaster was holding her hostage in the water. I felt powerless to help her. He holds her underwater and says, "Let's see how long you can stay under now." He held her under intending to drown her. She fought it at first and then I saw her go limp and stay under for what seemed like such a long time. He finally let go and disappeared. Suddenly she surfaced and exclaimed, "I never knew I could go so long but I did it! A record!"
I understood, as I was watching, that the hardness and cruelty that was being forced upon her was intended to push her to the limit and beyond but she actually won by surrendering. She acknowledged the state of being immersed fully with nowhere to run and sat with it. Not fighting it, just being in it, one second at a time. After being so tested, she triumphed having found that her skill was beyond what she ever thought possible.
In my dream language, the circus theme likely represents that performing facet of my life-- the one we all have as we show ourselves to the world. The feats we attempt and accomplish may entertain and amaze others; we push the boundaries of what we can do. We excel at what we've trained ourselves to do well and we risk it all attempting something new on a public scale.
The water tank represents a pool of pure emotionalism. The glass tank allowed me the ability to look within; perspective. I regularly dive in head first and immerse myself in the emotional realm in the work I do and there's always the danger of drowning in it; of losing myself. I used to be one who struggled in it; fought hard and exhausted myself. Now I'm practicing surrendering to the moment, allowing myself to feel fully, accepting the state of feeling for what it is knowing I'll always come up for air. Each test shows me that I can accomplish so much more than I ever knew.
Surrender doesn't have to mean losing the battle. Surrender can also mean accepting and allowing the experience to lift you to greater heights of understanding... seeing where it can take you when you believe that there are no limits. If I can feel it, I will survive it. I can see just how much farther I can grow. My anxiety at watching the scene was because I doubted her too. I felt that she was subject to preconceived limits. She taught me otherwise.
That ringmaster seemed like a villain at the time, didn't he? So often, tests and challenges do. Without the antagonists, however, I'd never know what I'm capable of.
I understood, as I was watching, that the hardness and cruelty that was being forced upon her was intended to push her to the limit and beyond but she actually won by surrendering. She acknowledged the state of being immersed fully with nowhere to run and sat with it. Not fighting it, just being in it, one second at a time. After being so tested, she triumphed having found that her skill was beyond what she ever thought possible.
In my dream language, the circus theme likely represents that performing facet of my life-- the one we all have as we show ourselves to the world. The feats we attempt and accomplish may entertain and amaze others; we push the boundaries of what we can do. We excel at what we've trained ourselves to do well and we risk it all attempting something new on a public scale.
The water tank represents a pool of pure emotionalism. The glass tank allowed me the ability to look within; perspective. I regularly dive in head first and immerse myself in the emotional realm in the work I do and there's always the danger of drowning in it; of losing myself. I used to be one who struggled in it; fought hard and exhausted myself. Now I'm practicing surrendering to the moment, allowing myself to feel fully, accepting the state of feeling for what it is knowing I'll always come up for air. Each test shows me that I can accomplish so much more than I ever knew.
Surrender doesn't have to mean losing the battle. Surrender can also mean accepting and allowing the experience to lift you to greater heights of understanding... seeing where it can take you when you believe that there are no limits. If I can feel it, I will survive it. I can see just how much farther I can grow. My anxiety at watching the scene was because I doubted her too. I felt that she was subject to preconceived limits. She taught me otherwise.
That ringmaster seemed like a villain at the time, didn't he? So often, tests and challenges do. Without the antagonists, however, I'd never know what I'm capable of.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
The Lingo: What is an aspect?
In dream interpretations, the term 'aspect' is used a lot but what does it mean?
Most often, this term is used when there are people in the dream. So your interpretation might say something like, “This person in your dream represents an aspect of yourself.” Used in this way, an aspect describes a facet of your own personality or a set of traits often relative to the events, place, or feeling about the dream. It’s that part of yourself that deals with that area or concept in your life.
The people our subconscious picks to represent that part of ourselves are people we would describe as having the same set of traits. It’s kind of a weighty concept but basically the theory is that we can only recognize personality traits in others that we have ourselves. Therefore, our subconscious uses separate individuals to represent qualities in us we need to consider in the context of the dream.
Here’s an example: Say I dream that I’m having dinner with a friend that I would describe as being funny, lighthearted, and never takes anything seriously. That friend will represent that part of yourself having to do with your sense of humor and how you approach whatever situation the rest of the dream describes. The layers of significance can be, and often are, even more layered and complex depending on other factors but that’s the basic gist.
Sweet dreams!
Most often, this term is used when there are people in the dream. So your interpretation might say something like, “This person in your dream represents an aspect of yourself.” Used in this way, an aspect describes a facet of your own personality or a set of traits often relative to the events, place, or feeling about the dream. It’s that part of yourself that deals with that area or concept in your life.
The people our subconscious picks to represent that part of ourselves are people we would describe as having the same set of traits. It’s kind of a weighty concept but basically the theory is that we can only recognize personality traits in others that we have ourselves. Therefore, our subconscious uses separate individuals to represent qualities in us we need to consider in the context of the dream.
Here’s an example: Say I dream that I’m having dinner with a friend that I would describe as being funny, lighthearted, and never takes anything seriously. That friend will represent that part of yourself having to do with your sense of humor and how you approach whatever situation the rest of the dream describes. The layers of significance can be, and often are, even more layered and complex depending on other factors but that’s the basic gist.
Sweet dreams!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Mushrooms
My love and I took a refreshing hike on the White River Valley Trails this weekend and after all that rainy weather we’ve had, they were popping up everywhere. In fact, we were surprised that we didn’t see more critters but the ...variety of colorful fungi certainly made up for it.
It got me thinking about the cycle of life—the decay of what was to make room for what can be. I thought of how the nourishing earth mixed with emotional water makes a fine environment for growing things when in the right balance.
Mushrooms are a symbol of fertility, synonymous with abundance and creativity. People have long sought after them as delicacies and as hallucinogenic catalysts to wisdom and understanding.
What’s my takeaway? They represent those elusive moments of the fruition of something wonderful that come about when the conditions are just right. They sustain, charm, and keep us hunting for more. They are those moments of reward and inspiration that are the gateway to the magical thinking where anything is possible. Curious and curiouser!
They remind me that I mustn’t lose faith when good things die. Those things now nourish and support wondrous new possibilities for faith, beauty, and abundance.
It got me thinking about the cycle of life—the decay of what was to make room for what can be. I thought of how the nourishing earth mixed with emotional water makes a fine environment for growing things when in the right balance.
Mushrooms are a symbol of fertility, synonymous with abundance and creativity. People have long sought after them as delicacies and as hallucinogenic catalysts to wisdom and understanding.
What’s my takeaway? They represent those elusive moments of the fruition of something wonderful that come about when the conditions are just right. They sustain, charm, and keep us hunting for more. They are those moments of reward and inspiration that are the gateway to the magical thinking where anything is possible. Curious and curiouser!
They remind me that I mustn’t lose faith when good things die. Those things now nourish and support wondrous new possibilities for faith, beauty, and abundance.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Do you even lift? LOL! I couldn't resist.
Intuition is much like a muscle in that exercise makes it stronger. It is also a skill; therefore, practice increases accuracy. That’s right! The best way to develop your intuition is simply to use it.
Your subconscious has been storing information for ages. Consciously we can’t possibly remember or actively apply all of our experience or understandings to a given situation but we CAN get cues... from our subconscious, a.k.a. hunches, to assist us in navigating the tricky ones. The more we acknowledge and listen to those hunches, the more we can begin to trust them and feel more secure knowing we're never truly as clueless as we might think. The wisdom and guidance we seek is right there within us the whole time. Trusting your gut can lead to higher confidence and a self-assuredness which also boosts our self-love.
Start with the little stuff and work your way up. With practice you’ll learn the subtle difference between fear that holds you back and real warnings to give you pause. Give your wisdom a workout this week!
Your subconscious has been storing information for ages. Consciously we can’t possibly remember or actively apply all of our experience or understandings to a given situation but we CAN get cues... from our subconscious, a.k.a. hunches, to assist us in navigating the tricky ones. The more we acknowledge and listen to those hunches, the more we can begin to trust them and feel more secure knowing we're never truly as clueless as we might think. The wisdom and guidance we seek is right there within us the whole time. Trusting your gut can lead to higher confidence and a self-assuredness which also boosts our self-love.
Start with the little stuff and work your way up. With practice you’ll learn the subtle difference between fear that holds you back and real warnings to give you pause. Give your wisdom a workout this week!
Friday, May 30, 2014
I felt compelled to share a message but it wasn't the one I expected.
I am a sexual abuse & assault survivor. My social media, like probably everyone else's, has been full of news of violence, harassment, and verbal abuse of a sexual nature that's occurring in our society. At first I read a lot of the articles, watched some videos, because I've done a lot of work to heal from my experiences and I felt prepared. I've typically never been bothered by "triggers" in written media. Lots of people are, though, and it's compassionate when people include a "trigger warning" disclaimer prior to frank, and sometimes graphic, discussions on the subject. I haven't seen as much warning as of late. Maybe by now it's because the primary subjects driving the majority of attention recently are familiar and prevalent enough that a survivor can choose to not read those articles if triggers are a problem for them.
As I said, I'm fortunate that I'm not usually affected by triggers however yesterday I realized that I was becoming anxious and sullen. I was starting to feel that an issue I could handle in small doses was bombarding me and that I couldn't escape it. Don't get me wrong, I believe this problem deserves the utmost priority and attention. I'm truly glad that it's getting talked about and hopeful that it leads to social change. I also understand that bringing awareness to a difficult issue also brings out the worst behavior of perpetrators and internet trolls. I support discussion and bringing dark things into light so I'm not asking for less of any of this. I guess what I would ask, if anything, is some understanding of some who may not be ready and in a good place to deal with it yet. Please, be understanding of their privacy if they don't jump on board to participate in tackling this problem head-on, warrior-style yet.
As an advisor, I encounter a lot of other survivors and I will share my story one on one with anyone. This week I almost felt pressured to write about my experiences and to share on a larger public scale. I thought maybe this was the time to do that. If it helped people, it would be worth it and perhaps it might help me further in the process. What I found, and was actually surprised by, is that I'm not ready. I found that I'm more affected in the last few days by triggers, fear, and social anxiety than I have been in years. At first I thought, being a pretty brave and sassy chick, that this was precisely the reason I should speak out. I generally tend to choose to confront my fears head-on. Then, after considering my feelings and all that I've learned about treating myself more gently, I decided that wasn't the message I was feeling compelled to share after all.
A lot of us who are survivors pride ourselves on overcoming those experiences and moving forward with happy, healthy lives-- the ultimate victory. Some of us go on to be crusaders on behalf of others as a way to fight back when we might not have been able to before. That's a beautiful thing. Some of us focus more inwardly, fighting back by living healthy lives and displaying strong coping skills for our children and loved ones as an example of inner strength. That is also a beautiful thing. These choices and the entire spectrum between are all courageous and profound.
I may not speak up loudly this time about what I experienced personally. There are plenty of those stories being shared already. I may decide to later on down the line. For now, I wanted to share how I'm not ashamed that even though I have healed, it can still be painful. That even though I've moved past my trauma, the constant poke of awareness can still be so subtly affecting that I may not even realize why I find myself avoiding social interaction or craving things that make me feel secure. I'm not going to feel guilty that I don't share every article that affirms a positive standpoint. I'm not going to feel weak that after all this time and healing, I'm still affected sometimes. I'm not going to pressure myself to share anything before I'm ready. It's not that I don't care. It's not that it should stay hidden in the shadows or that I'm ashamed or embarrassed. It's that at this moment THIS is the healthy choice for me. I'm sticking up for Me.
I hope that if any of you find yourselves in a similar emotional place that you make self-care a priority. Don't hesitate to find support and use your healthy coping skills. Be gentle with yourselves and remember that everyone has their own journey. Don't try to compare your recovery to anyone else's. If this pertains instead to someone you know, please be compassionate, patient, and respectful.
With Love,
Robin
As I said, I'm fortunate that I'm not usually affected by triggers however yesterday I realized that I was becoming anxious and sullen. I was starting to feel that an issue I could handle in small doses was bombarding me and that I couldn't escape it. Don't get me wrong, I believe this problem deserves the utmost priority and attention. I'm truly glad that it's getting talked about and hopeful that it leads to social change. I also understand that bringing awareness to a difficult issue also brings out the worst behavior of perpetrators and internet trolls. I support discussion and bringing dark things into light so I'm not asking for less of any of this. I guess what I would ask, if anything, is some understanding of some who may not be ready and in a good place to deal with it yet. Please, be understanding of their privacy if they don't jump on board to participate in tackling this problem head-on, warrior-style yet.
As an advisor, I encounter a lot of other survivors and I will share my story one on one with anyone. This week I almost felt pressured to write about my experiences and to share on a larger public scale. I thought maybe this was the time to do that. If it helped people, it would be worth it and perhaps it might help me further in the process. What I found, and was actually surprised by, is that I'm not ready. I found that I'm more affected in the last few days by triggers, fear, and social anxiety than I have been in years. At first I thought, being a pretty brave and sassy chick, that this was precisely the reason I should speak out. I generally tend to choose to confront my fears head-on. Then, after considering my feelings and all that I've learned about treating myself more gently, I decided that wasn't the message I was feeling compelled to share after all.
A lot of us who are survivors pride ourselves on overcoming those experiences and moving forward with happy, healthy lives-- the ultimate victory. Some of us go on to be crusaders on behalf of others as a way to fight back when we might not have been able to before. That's a beautiful thing. Some of us focus more inwardly, fighting back by living healthy lives and displaying strong coping skills for our children and loved ones as an example of inner strength. That is also a beautiful thing. These choices and the entire spectrum between are all courageous and profound.
I may not speak up loudly this time about what I experienced personally. There are plenty of those stories being shared already. I may decide to later on down the line. For now, I wanted to share how I'm not ashamed that even though I have healed, it can still be painful. That even though I've moved past my trauma, the constant poke of awareness can still be so subtly affecting that I may not even realize why I find myself avoiding social interaction or craving things that make me feel secure. I'm not going to feel guilty that I don't share every article that affirms a positive standpoint. I'm not going to feel weak that after all this time and healing, I'm still affected sometimes. I'm not going to pressure myself to share anything before I'm ready. It's not that I don't care. It's not that it should stay hidden in the shadows or that I'm ashamed or embarrassed. It's that at this moment THIS is the healthy choice for me. I'm sticking up for Me.
I hope that if any of you find yourselves in a similar emotional place that you make self-care a priority. Don't hesitate to find support and use your healthy coping skills. Be gentle with yourselves and remember that everyone has their own journey. Don't try to compare your recovery to anyone else's. If this pertains instead to someone you know, please be compassionate, patient, and respectful.
With Love,
Robin
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