Rantings of a Life Coach

Every day for far too many months now, you have been faced with bad news about the economy.  What’s worse is that you may be facing bad news about your very personal financial situation.  This news has become an emotional issue where fear and frustration are adding to a dark picture causing a conflicting relationship between you and your money. 

The other day, I over heard a man say, “I am so mad at my bank account.  Having to pay bills just pisses me off.”  You too may be feeling worried, scared, or depressed when paying for that business lunch or needing to call the heating repair guy.  The actual act of writing a check or pulling out the debit/credit card is emotionally painful.  It’s as if your money is betraying you or stabbing you in the back.  Or, you may find yourself ignoring that the money is being spent.  Hoping that if you don’t pay any attention to it, that it won’t show up on the bank statement.

So, what can you do to create a more positive emotional relationship with your money?  There is actually a simple tool that can literally transform how you are feeling about money right here, right now.   If you have seen “The Secret”, you are aware of the term “Attitude of Gratitude”.  That is what I’m inviting you to use in order to counteract the feelings of despair and anger you may have towards your finances.

This is so simple; anyone can do it and do it today.  Starting from this moment on, thank your money whenever you are spending some.  For example, let’s say you are paying your mortgage.  Your first emotional response might be “Look at all that money going away every month. I’m scared there won’t be enough next month.”  Now, if you are trying out the Attitude of Gratitude, you can say “Thank you money for paying my mortgage.  I love my home.”  And leave it at that.

Take a moment right now to think of expenses you know you will have to pay, whether it’s gas in the car, dinner, a doctor’s visit, whatever.  Now imagine thanking your money for each thing it buys you; health, food, freedom.  I’m guessing a smile just went over your face and your shoulders began to relax.  “Thank you money for buying me this cup of coffee.  I will really enjoy it”  “Thank you money for paying my electric bill.  I’m so glad I have TV to watch LOST.” 

It may sound silly, but I can guarantee that this simple act of gratitude towards your money will reduce your stress and anxiety.  It’s perfectly normal for you to have an emotional reaction towards your money.  By thanking it, you can keep the emotions proactive and looking on the bright side.  So, I ask you, have you thanked your money today?

Prosperity (or the lack of it) seems to be on everyone’s mind these days.  With the President’s stimulus package going forward, we are all eager to see the economy turn around.  The President says over and over again that he can’t do it all by himself, that the people need to do their part.  So, what is our part? 

Since I coach over the phone, I get to speak with clients across the United States every week.  Giving me the unique opportunity to take a pulse of the nation and notice the trends as far as feelings and actions.  (Please note that most people I speak with are actively working to improve their lives.)  I’d love to share some of my observations that may help you see a way for you to do your part in moving towards prosperity.

Back in December, there seemed to be quite a bit of fear running rampart in our country.  The insecurity of what was coming next combined with watching friends and colleagues face unexpected hardships was an emotional drain on just about everyone.  But out of that fear, a surge of energy arose.  At the start of 2009, people were determined to push through and began to take responsibility for their own prosperity and happiness.   

I must admit, I had a moment of worry that hoarding behavior would emerge; an “every man for himself” type of thinking.  However, I am happy to report that the complete opposite is popping up everywhere.  People are reaching out to their fellow man and finding ways to work together to either make or save money.

A group of business owners on Long Island came together to see what services they were all using and found ways to share the expense, even the expense of an assistant!  Now all of them are able to keep their doors open by keeping spending down.  Along with the saved money, many of them have found that the communication with other business owners has given them a support system and sounding board to help them keep sane and afloat in these troubled times.

In North Carolina, a group of entrepreneurs decided to join forces, as well as resources, to develop larger workshop type programs.  This joint venture is bringing the group and the individuals more income than they would on their own.  Again, the extra money is fantastic, but the connection and support the individuals are experiencing have an even greater value.  Each is motivated and energized by the project and feels a sense of relief of not having to face the challenges of this changing market alone.

Working moms in California are finding ways of supporting each other by trading childcare and sharing nannies.  Not only are the moms getting the benefit of connecting with others who understand their situation, the children love getting to spend more time with friends.

There are many possibilities of thriving in this strained economy by reaching out to your community.  If you are feeling overwhelmed by the state of things, let these examples be an inspiration.  Take a moment to look at the people around you.  Who has similar needs?  Could you share the burden?  Who has a similar target market?  Could you find a way to work together?  Just keep this running through your head: “How can we benefit both yours and mine in 2009?” and watch the ideas and solutions begin to flow right to you.

You begin each year with the boldest and sincerest of intentions. You set goals and get excited about the possibilities that lay before you. However, as most of you know, it doesn’t take long for doubt and frustration to seep in.

You may be overwhelmed by the ever growing list of things that need to get done in order for you to reach your goal. You may feel anxious that good intentions are being thwarted by lethargy, fear, lack of time or focus. You may recognize that some of the people around you have conflicting ideas that can hold you back. What can possibly be done to help you get to the other side of these feelings without just giving up?

Often within the first two months, resolutions and goals for that year are abandoned and forgotten. This is because you begin to notice all of the barriers in the way of reaching your goal. Working towards your goal can become frustrating and painful as the challenges begin to scream louder and louder. You desire to have everything in place now, but there doesn’t seem to be enough time or money or motivation or support or focus. You become keenly aware of what is working against you.

Believe it or not, this is the perfect place to be in order to make the goal a reality. Awareness is the first step on the road to success. It points you to matters that need to be addressed in order to get what you want. The challenge is to acknowledge and celebrate your awareness verses letting it pull you down and take you off track.

Let’s say you have a goal around getting in shape. So, you’re brushing your teeth before bed and notice that you’re slouching and letting your belly hang out as far as it can. Your mental chatter begins, “Look at my body. I am so lazy. I’m going to be a fat blob my whole life. I’ll never get in shape. I haven’t worked out all week. I’m not even standing up straight!”

This is the trap you want to try to avoid: letting the awareness be an excuse to give up on your goal. But, what if you stop yourself and celebrate your awareness, “Hey, I just noticed I’m slouching. Go me! I caught myself. Now I am standing tall. I rock!” or “I just noticed that I’m sitting on the couch watching TV instead of working out! Go me! Way to pay attention!” or “Wow, I didn’t make any time to eat nutritious meals today. Thank goodness I noticed. My awareness is super strong!” Here’s a big one “I just caught myself having insanely negative thoughts. Whoa, glad I am so aware.”

Neale Donald Walsch says, “Awareness is everything. Not just part of it. Not
some aspect of it. Awareness is everything. Just observe what is so.” I’d like to add; celebrate the fact that you are observing. This is the secret of how to get over the hurdle of these limiting feelings. Remember, you are at the beginning of this journey into 2009. Just celebrate awareness, and at the very least, you will feel better about yourself and situation, perhaps you will even be able to see more solutions than problems. Go on, give it a try.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some magical power that simply took over and unfolded the perfect holiday experience for you?  All you would have to do is show up.  The house would sparkle with perfection, the cookies would be perfectly delicious, the children would smile and be gracious at all the perfect moments, everyone would be grateful and overflowing with peace and joy.  Boy, that sure would be great.

While perfection is a goal lost on the most eager of seeker, a magical holiday experience is not that hard to achieve.  You do have to do a bit more than simply show up, but a few well intentioned actions can unlock the magic of the season.

A great deal of research has been done to show that beauty, love, and gratitude can transform the physical as well as energetic reality of our world.  Many of you have heard about Dr. Masaru Emoto’s work in photographing water and how it is effected by words, feelings, music, etc.  (for more info on Dr. Emoto visit www.masaru-emoto.net)

Breaking Dr. Emoto’s work down to basic terms, water exposed to love, beauty, and gratitude forms lovely, complex crystals, while water exposed to ugly harshness or ignored forms simplistic, blob like structures.  While the exact science of how this all works is still being studied, it seems that the positive intention is what creates the beauty.

Since water is in almost everything, from our food, to our walls, even our bodies, it can be deduced that exposing our families and homes to these forces can add a magical glimmer to our holiday experience.  In fact many of the objects associated with this time of year are fantastic for creating these gorgeous, complex crystals of beauty.

Think of the sparkle that comes to your heart when you see Christmas lights or glittery decorations.  Think of the warm comfort you experience when you enter a home smelling of ginger cookies or the most divine roast duck.  Think of the peace that comes over your mind as you watch the flame of a candle or fireplace.  Think of the energetic smiles and squeals of laughter as you dance and sing to holiday music. 

Sometimes, indulging in the holiday spirit may feel like a challenge, but so worth the results.  Think of a couple of the beautiful and loving aspects of the season that you really love, and be sure to share them with those you care about.  The magic isn’t going to walk up and bite you on the arm, but if your sprinkle bits of holiday cheer throughout your day, the angels and fairies and gnomes and elves will be dancing along side of you, lifting your spirits, and filling your home with magic.

Many of my clients come to me complaining that there is not enough joy or happiness in their lives.  As they bring up past or current accomplishments, I often ask, “How did you celebrate that success?”   This simple question seems to befuddle so many people.  The typical response is “It’s wasn’t a big deal,” which translates into “I’m not worth all the fuss.”  Here we have the opportunity to feel joy and pride in ourselves for working hard and accomplishing something significant, yet we push away this moment because “it’s no big deal.”  How did we become such a celebration deficient society?   

Landing a new job is a big deal.  Finishing a major project is a big deal.  Standing up for yourself is a big deal.  Graduating from college is a big deal.  Being born is a big deal. 

Birthdays seem particularly challenging when it comes to celebrating.  After all, it’s just a day like any other day.  Graduation, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, they are all just another day.  What makes these days special are the actions and effort we put into celebrating them.  I, too, have suffered from this “It’s no big deal” syndrome.  Four years ago, I spent my birthday completely alone; no cake, no candles, no singing, no presents because the whole event of me being born didn’t seem like a big deal.

In my quest for more fun and fulfillment in life, I’ve discovered what a powerful tool celebration can be.  Yes, it may take a bit of planning and effort, but the payoff is incredibly rewarding.  Two weeks ago, I celebrated my 30^th birthday with vigor and joy.  There was so much celebrating that the festivities had to be spread over three days!  It didn’t just fall in my lap.  I had to communicate with friends and family and participate in ensuring a wonderful celebration.

When I talk with my clients about effective strategies for reaching goals, I put particular emphasis on the last step: Celebration!  We have plenty of voices in our heads that doubt us and tell us what we are doing wrong.  It is important to create positive voices that acknowledge what we do right.  By celebrating and rewarding ourselves for reaching goals, trying something new, taking action, and being born, we begin to tame those doubting voices and encourage them to cooperate when we’re going after challenging goals and actions.  Not to mention that celebrating can be a whole lot of fun!

Recently, one of my clients who was looking for more excitement in his life realized that he had not taken a moment out to acknowledge any of his major accomplishments.  Immediately following high school and college graduation, he jumped in his car and drove off to a new job in a new town.  He didn’t stay for the party.  He was too concerned with “What’s next?”  15 years later, he noticed he was feeling burnt out.  He was no longer motivated to work towards major goals because the negative voices in his head told him nothing he’d ever done was good enough or worthy of celebration.  So, what was the point of accomplishing anything new? 

Fed up with his disappointing situation, he was ready and willing to try some celebrating.  Each week, he celebrated some small feat with a toast, dinner out, fun with friends or whatever struck his fancy.  At first, this felt a bit awkward.  After all, he had a lot of practice at not celebrating.  Within a month, he had transformed into this smiling, confident man who had tons of energy and zest for life.  Most importantly, he was consistently motivated to take action towards life long dreams, because he knew with each step came reward and acknowledgement. 

I have watched this simple tool of celebration bring so much joy, laughter, excitement, and fun into the lives of those around me.  I hope nothing less for you.  I encourage you explore how celebration can play a bigger role in your life.

What are affirmations?

Affirmations, as we are referring to them here, are statements of the possible positive present.  Yes, fears, doubts, and imperfections may also exist, but when declaring an affirmation, you are choosing the positive perspective.  Since history shows us that “where attention goes, energy flows, and results show”, it seems that if you focus on the positive, the positive expands.  However, if you focus on the negative, that will expand as well.  For this reason, positive affirmations are a popular tool in the personal development industry.  Need I remind you that I am good enough, smart enough, pretty enough and gosh darn it, people like me?

 How do affirmations work?

You might question the usefulness of these positive statements about yourself and your life situation.  It may feel a bit foolish to look yourself in the mirror and proclaim all the great aspects of you.  However, if you were to stare into the mirror every morning and repeat “I suck, I’m a failure, everyone hates me, nothing good will ever happen to me,” I imagine life would seem quite bleak and not worth the effort.  And this is actually what we do to ourselves more often than not. 

Most of us have a continual, internal dialogue pointing out our faults, beating us up for the smallest mistakes, and reminding us of the possible disasters in our path.  So, we need to create some positive voices to counteract the negative ones and build confidence and faith.  That is the point of using affirmations on a regular basis.  You need to put energy into manufacturing these positive voices until they drown out the negative ones and become integrated into your natural state of being.

 What scientific evidence is there to support this?

First, let’s look to the neuroscience behind the effects of positive affirmations.  The flow of our thinking actually connects cells and neurons inside the brain.  Any thought that is repeated, creates a hard wired connection or neuropathway.  So, if you continually associate work with failure, that connection is actually part of the physical make up of your brain.  Unfortunately, you can’t simply say “Work does not mean failure” and expect to break that connection.   But, if you were to focus on how work leads to success, you will be building new, more positive neuropathways inside your brain and essentially reprogramming yourself for success. 

Next, let’s look at the biochemical effects of positive affirmations.  Studies indicate that expressing positive affirmations before going into a stressful situation actually lowers the level of Cortisol released into your blood stream. Cortisol is a hormone the body releases during stressful events which can lead to cognitive impairments and increased risk for physical disease. So, saying positive affirmations on a regular basis can improve brain functioning and be stress-reducing and health enhancing all at the same time.

 How can I use affirmations effectively?First, it’s important to find affirmations that resonate with what you’d love to create in your life.  You can do this by Googling affirmations, seeing what’s out there, and choosing the ones that seem to fit your needs best.  Another way is to list all the negative statements that fly around in your mind, and then create a positive affirmation for each to battle it out and conquer the negative ones.  In order to quickly create strong wiring inside your brain to support the positive outlooks and outcomes you are going for, it can useful to interact with your affirmations as many ways possible.  Write them, read them, say them out loud, record them and listen to them, stand and pound your heart as your proclaim them.  Find ways to incorporate all of your senses into the implanting of this desired condition or outcome.  Make the affirmations a full body, mind, spirit experience.

Affirmations are an easy way to make powerful, positive changes in your life, but to succeed you need persistence.  Deliberate meditation and repetition are key here.  We are nurturing fledgling neuropathways.  They need our consistent attention.  Post the affirmations on your bathroom mirror and recite after you brush your teeth morning and night.  Create a daily check in where you give yourself a gold star for each time you recite the affirmations.  Be creative, have fun, find ways to bring your affirmations into your daily life, and soon you will naturally think about how awesome you are and that all your desires are just around the corner.

“The Secret” and motivational speakers teach us the importance of thinking positive.  And it is true that this positive thinking can be an amazingly effective tool.  The reason being that our subconscious has numerous negative voices banging around in the background that taint our confidence and hold us back from achieving our goals.  Affirmations and ideal-outcome visualization help to counteract the negative and build a more positive subconscious.  (Isn’t that a cool idea?  That I’m not even aware of the great forces within me working towards my goal!)

When people first learn of this tool, the initial reaction is to push away all negative thoughts and feelings.  What usually ends up happening is we push these thoughts and emotions down deeper inside us where they sit and simmer until erupting at an inopportune moment or simply tainting our belief system with doubt in a subtle way that keeps our goals just out of reach.  So we have a thin layer of positive thinking covering up a deep well of negative.

I propose that there is a much more useful way of approaching these heart gripping feelings.  Science is telling us more and more that thoughts and feeling have a chemical existence inside our bodies, so we can’t simply pretend that they aren’t there and hope they go away without touching anything else.  On the other side of the coin, we don’t want to wallow in our sorrow either. 

One of my clients recently hosted a major event, and although she felt disappointed in some aspects of how things went over, she was determined to be a good little client and focus on the positive.  Which I totally appreciate, however as she was working on her next event, her chest became infused with this extreme anxiety and she began to violently lash out at her coworkers.   But, she kept pushing it back down and choosing to think positive.  This is your first clue that something needs to be addressed, if you experience a physical sensation of anxiety or pain.

If your negative thoughts and feelings present themselves in your physical body, they are calling out to be heard.  I believe they have useful information that will help in moving forward.  So, how do we do this?  The most direct way is to get out a pen and paper and write them down.  Keep writing until you get everything out; the disappointments, the regrets, the fears, the frustration, the concerns.  This step in and of itself may be enough to release the tension and get you flowing again.  However, we can do so much more!

Once all of the negatives are on paper, you can ask yourself if there are any lessons or solutions that emerge that can be applied to moving forward.  This is where the gems come to life.  “I’m feeling frustrated that the musicians did not stay with the play list I gave them.  I guess I can contact the agency and let them know of my disappointment and how it affected the event.  This way I will feel expressed and perhaps save or sever my relationship with them.  Wait, it also occurs to me that I could give a copy of they play list to the room manager with instructions to immediately address the musicians or agency if they stray from their instructions.  Ahh, now I know in the future I have a plan for dealing with this situation.”

Now we’ve given our negative feelings a place to live on a piece of paper, we’ve looked at the new possibilities gained from examining them, what’s next?  You have a couple of choices.  If you feel ready to totally let these go, throw them in the trash or burn them!  “Yes, I’m free!”  However, if you feel that these negatives will continue to resurface, here is what I suggest: put the list in a box or bag in the corner of your office or home.  Then, whenever future hindering thoughts along these lines come up, telepathically send them into the box or bag.  This gets them out of your body and not stuffed back into your gut. 

Eventually you will forget about them altogether and one day you will look over at the box and say “Oh, I forgot you were here.”  You are now ready to throw the list away.  The negative thoughts and feelings have been given the attention they demanded and you can move on to creating only positive ones along those lines.  How exactly do we do that?  Stay tuned for future Prosper with Purpose tips to tapping into your flow and experiencing a more fulfilling life every day.

No person is an island.  No matter how hard you may try to isolate yourself or stand in complete independence, you are still connected to others in so many ways.  You have family, friends, neighbors, teachers, colleagues, clients, and even strangers who play a significant role in the outcome of your life.  At a recent workshop, a woman was expressing her vision for the next ten years, but was frustrated that so much of what she wanted to create in her life depended on the actions of other people.  The woman was ready to throw up her hands and assume her desires were not possible because she didn’t have control over every detail.   You cannot control every aspect of your life.  At some point, an outcome, circumstance, or inspiration will depend on the actions of another person.  In fact, I bet you can look back on your life and think, “If I had never met that teacher/friend/client, I wouldn’t have ended up where I am today.”  So what can you do to influence the type of people who impact your life. The Law of Attraction offers a couple of suggestions.  First, if you discover that in order to have a successful home and work life you will need a supportive and loving spouse, then intend it.  Take a moment to get clear on the kinds of people you want in different aspects of you life.  Take out a piece of paper and write Friends, Family, Work, Partner, Community and next to each one write a one or two word description of the types of people you want in that area of your life.  (Oops, I slipped in action a bit early.) Second, the Law of Attraction suggests over and over again that an “attitude of gratitude” will bring more of what you’re grateful for into your life.  That includes people and their actions.   This past weekend, I had the pleasure of being one of the many honored at a Gratitude Party hosted by my sister, a cancer survivor and thriver.  The party was an opportunity for Lizabeth to publicly acknowledge those who had made supporting her through her treatment a priority in their own lives.   The room was filled with nearly 50 people who had contributed to her healing in various ways: from a simple phone call to major financial support.  There was a friend who had driven and hour and a half to be with Lizabeth for every single chemotherapy appointment.  Others who had taken care of her child on days when she barely had the energy to get out of bed.   These people and their actions made a huge impact on the events of my sister’s life, which have led to the present where she is strong, healthy, beautiful, and vibrant.  Lizabeth, a keen student of LOA, knew that by putting time, energy, and effort into celebrating and honoring what she was grateful for (rather than taking it for granted or, even worse, feeling guilty about receiving from others), that she was inviting more opportunities to be grateful in the future.  So, how do you feel about expressing your gratitude for the impact that others have made in your life?  When you look back on your major accomplishments, who can you turn to and thank for the part they played in helping you achieve success?

When Michelangelo saw a huge block of marble, he knew David was inside, and that all he had to do to reveal this divine figure was to chisel away all that was not David.  We too, like Michelangelo, can look at others and see a potential masterpiece inside; if only we could chip away the excess.  We do this with our children, friends, peers, spouses, and even strangers.  Often our desire to bring out the full potential in others inspires us to take hits at those around us.  Yes, constructive criticism and useful feedback play an important role in the development of all of us.  However we need to use caution.  A block of marble looks and feels strong and hard, but there are weak veins running through it.  One miss strike may tap on a person’s insecurities and reduce all that potential into a pile of rubble.  As a masterpiece in the making yourself, it is important to be aware of your own veins of weakness.  Knowing your vulnerable places can guide you in what parts of yourself to protect and where to place your boundaries.  Michelangelo was a skilled artist with an expert knowledge of how to sculpt a masterpiece with patience and care.  Consider that perhaps you are not meant to actively sculpt another human being, but rather to stand as witness to their journey, observing and learning from their mistakes and progress.Yet, if you feel absolutely sure that your insight will be of great use to another, take a moment before adding your input.  Step back and really look at this block of potential in front of you.  Notice the veins of weakness and take care as you proceed with a gentle, steady hand, ready to smooth away any rough edges that may appear as you begin to tap. Putting it into Action             Criticism is often a deep-rooted habit in the way we think about the world around us.  So, let’s take some time to approach the subject on the level of thinking.  Over the next few weeks, become aware of your critical thoughts.  Notice when you are judging someone in your mind.              For example, “I can’t believe she is wearing that!”, “This guy is such a rich, pompous jerk!”, “That woman is has no idea how to handle her kids.”            As soon as you catch yourself thinking this way, take a moment to stop and forgive the other person for being less than perfect.  Then, forgive yourself for having the thought in the first place.  This act of forgiveness, even on the level of thought, will release negative energy that the criticism has created.              You may find yourself forgiving the same person for the same thing five times within ten minutes.  That’s perfectly okay.  Each time you forgive, you will feel lighter and soon a smile will appear on your face.            Once you’ve released the sense of judgment from the situation, you will then be able to see if there is a useful action or statement that you can make to help promote progress rather than destruction.  Or, if it’s now simple and easy to move on and put your attention elsewhere.            Now here’s the real test, when you have a critical thought about yourself, can you forgive yourself for being less than perfect and again for have the critical thought in the first place? 

Yes it’s true, I’ve read a million psychology, philosophy, as well as personal and business development books.  Almost all of them introduce the concept of synchronicity on some level.  Plainly put, synchronicity is an experience of two or more linked events beyond coincidence.  Somehow they seem perfectly timed with logical meaning, and yet are inexplicable.  It’s almost as if the Universe places exactly what we need right in front of our face.  Being the kind of person who likes to take full responsibility for my accomplishments, I always thought synchronicity was a mild coincidence that you had to be on the keen look out for to discover or notice.  However, I’m learning that our Universe is very responsive and more than willing to meet us halfway if we put the smallest bit of effort into a true desire. Recently, one of my clients had an impulse to reject a job offer that would have helped him out financially, but something in his gut told him to turn it down.  It was challenging for him think beyond the money.  Saying no was taking a risk, but with my support and belief in him, he felt great about the decision to let the opportunity go. Two days after he said no to the company, they called and offered him a much higher position in a department he preferred, with travel, benefits, more responsibility, ad three times the pay!!  I began to think there was more to this synchronicity thing than I had given the Universe credit for.  This time the job felt just right, so my client went for it, and it has already led to more opportunities that are totally in line with his long-term career goals. Synchronicity has even shown itself in my life.  Last week, I was reading a book on womanhood that suggested that women take several hours each week away from work, home, and other people to simply be alone and recharge.  My entire body responded with “Yes, that’s exactly what I need.”  But, I had a lot on my plate and couldn’t see any free time in the near future. The next morning, I rushed off to co-teach three hours of classes in Chinatown.  Upon my arrival, I was told that the other teacher had a medical emergency, and that the classes had been cancelled.  Suddenly, I was far from home or office with three hours on my hands. I immediately asked myself, “Who can I call?  What errands can I run?”  I was about to spring back into motion when a higher voice said, “Why don’t you walk across the Manhattan Bridge and spend some time alone to recharge?”  Which was exactly what I had longed for the day before.  Wow, synchronicity can really come up and bite you on the arm! So, what are the lessons here?  Both instances started with an impulse, a gut instinct: “This job just isn’t right.” “Gosh, I really need more time by myself doing nothing.”  Next, came a choice: finding the courage to push past fear and obligation, choosing to go for what you really want versus what you feel you should do.  It takes discipline to listen to that inner voice and accept the clarity and truth of the situation.  Perhaps this voice is giving us a glimpse of what is possible, a bit of guidance towards our right path where the Universe is waiting with treasures.