Tuesday, July 7, 2015

TAKE ACTION



The most important step to manifesting anything and everything is ACTION.
Are you ready for the call to ACTION?

It all starts with a feeling, an inspiration that wakes you up and moves you to think.
Ideas form … possibilities, what if, the excitement of something new that can change your life for the better.  You are motivated but it’s that next step that seems to be the hardest.
It’s all in your head, the plans.  You can see it clearly but unless you ACT upon it, it will remain dormant.  It’s scary to take that dream you created and make it happen because what if it fails?  Or succeeds and it’s out of control crazy.  You choose:  success, failure or nothing.
The majority of success began with failure after failure, to learn from and apply to the next try.
It’s rare to succeed the first time.  Just look at your own successes.
If you review how you got there you’ll see that through experience, knowledge, wisdom, eliminating what didn’t work, finding a new approach, and a bit of trust, you got there.
Some may give up too soon.  When we take new action and step out of our comfort zone, there is that internal aspect in us that tries to protect and keep us safe, that little voice that says what’s the use, keep things as they are so you won’t get disappointed or hurt.  Keep the status quo.  But that only keeps us stagnant, we are just existing instead of living if we allow this to happen to us.  But when we have the courage, inspiration, support, inner desire that pushes us into action that’s a natural high.
Those of you that are fortunate enough to have the support of a friend, family member, mentor or community, are truly blessed. 
But most of us have to be our own cheerleader.  That’s not always easy.
We have moments of clarity and a knowingness of what to do.
You work and work and sometimes feel like you are getting nowhere (which may look like lack of progress but don’t be fooled – every action has a reaction). 
It’s hard to keep going, be self-motivated, feeling like you took two steps forward and one step back.  Fear creeps in as your rational mind stomps on your dream.  You want to give up.
But can I make a suggestion?

 
Just because you don’t have someone here in the physical world to give you that needed support – because let me tell you, when you feel supported, no matter how big or wild your dreams, that support gives you the strength to move boulders (obstacles?). 


So I say to you, find someone in history who dealt with something similar to what you are going through.  Look into their life, find a connection, read about their challenges before they succeeded.  If a feeling of kinship develops, use it as your support. 
Not only will you feel you are not alone in your quest, and this may sound strange to some,
but talk to them – in your mind, out loud, in your dreams, in a letter.
Share your thoughts, doubts, questions as if they were sitting across from you in a café.
Let them help you push your inner critic into the background as you sort through, organize and rearrange your project into the launch position.  If it helps, put up a picture of them to remind you that you are not alone.  A symbolic object of what you want to accomplish is helpful too.  Let it bring you back to that original feeling that started it all.
 
   There are those rare times when your call to action cannot be held back, bypassing your mind chatter and JUST DO IT.  That feeling of letting go and letting your instincts guide you is magical.  Sometimes your support system can help get you there.

If you think about what it is you are trying to manifest and there is this emotional pull, a deep desire, then don’t stop.  Take the leap of courage and move into ACTION … one step at a time.

Nothing happens in an instant – it may feel like it when it all comes together, but you took step after step, big and small to get to that point when everything falls into place. You feel as if a miracle has occurred.
And so it has.


“Just do it.”   ~Nike~

Postscript:  As part of the Dare To Be Creative Workshop, we not only delve into the ACTION aspect of manifesting but also cover Fear, Resistance, Letting Go and how to prepare for when you actually manifest your goal along with lots of other areas of the creative process.

“He who begun is half done.  Dare to be wise; begin.”
~Horace~



Thursday, April 2, 2015

APRIL is NATIONAL CARD & LETTER WRITING MONTH





April is 
National Card &
Letter Writing Month

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love receiving a card with a personal note included or a handwritten letter. And if it includes a photo or an article about something you’re interested in, that just adds to the personal connection being made – a gift within a gift. 
Most of my friends are spread all around town and between family and work, we mainly keep in touch by phone and/or emails until we are able to spend some quality time in person.    But I still send a real birthday and a Holiday Season/New Year greeting through the mail.  There is something about stopping to think of each of your friends and family members and share with them something that reflects their special qualities and abilities. 

Every once in a while in the middle of cleaning out something, I’ll come across a stray card someone sent me and when putting it in my “memorabilia” box, I can’t help but browse through my collection.  
Each card attached with special memories – the memory of receiving and the joy I feel while reading the message, bringing me close to them once more.
It always puts a smile on my face.



I am always grateful when I receive a personal note or card.  Once it’s opened and the contents revealed, as I read the words I am already composing a reply.  But more often than not, I put it off to take care of the necessary day to day deeds that seem to keep me busy night and day instead of taking the time to do something I truly enjoy.


 Then I remember that I need to practice what I preach. 
Those of you who have taken my Letter Writing Workshop can attest to what that is …
there is always some way to find time to write.  The time it takes to list excuses, can be more constructive by using that time to write a note. By blocking out that voice in your head that tells you, there’s too much to do, just sit down and write.  You will be amazed how easy it is once you decided to do it. And it really isn’t as time-consuming as we imagine.

This month, I have made a vow to catch up on my correspondence both responding and initiating via pen and paper.  The first week was quite productive.  This week I have a full schedule so I’m keeping it simple so I can keep the momentum going.
Next week I am hoping to discover some new magical detail to elevate my correspondence skills.
Want to join me?  If you think receiving a handwritten note can make your day, sending one will certainly give you a lift on multiple levels …  the act of writing, the words you choose for the person it’s meant for, sending it on its way, crossing it off your to-do list and then the anticipation of a response.