God is love, and God is everywhere present. That means that there is no place love cannot be at any given moment. So, if we’re not experiencing love, [...]]]> “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” ~ Rumi

God is love, and God is everywhere present. That means that there is no place love cannot be at any given moment. So, if we’re not experiencing love, we are the one blocking it!

We block love because we are afraid. Somewhere in our past we were hurt. That hurt was too much for us, so we learned to close our heart.

At first, being closed-hearted may seem like a good idea; it will protect us from those who are unscrupulous, cruel, thoughtless, hateful, manipulative, and crazy. Or will it?

Being closed-hearted actually doesn’t get us anything, as a closed heart is shut off from all the goodness that can flow to us (through us) from God.

Remember what God can do for us is done through us. That requires that we have an open heart.

Having an open heart is what allows God to work through us – and that, in turn, makes God available to us everywhere in our life. With that force working freely through us, we can be-do-live love.

When we are open-hearted, we are love, and that makes us an unstoppable force.

But usually, if [...]]]> Learning to let go can be one of the hardest things we do, because, essentially, we are telling the mind that we have to stop being bothered by something that is already bothering us. And if something is already bothering us, chances are, we have a pretty good reason for being bothered.

But usually, if we find something that bothers us, there’s someone else, who at the very least, is able to not dwell on the very same thing.

I know a woman who did not become a doctor because the sight of blood was too much for her. Yet we all know lots of doctors who managed to get around that. They, apparently, were not as bothered by the blood as my friend was.

Some people are very bothered when they drive on the freeway, and someone else drives too slowly in the fast lane. I, however, have a friend who is not the least bit bothered by this. He just slows down too, and doesn’t give it another thought.

I know someone who is vegetarian because she can’t stand the thought of animal cruelty. I know another vegetarian who is vegetarian strictly because her religion demands it (she “cheats” with burgers all the time!). And then, of course, there are plenty of meat eaters out there; some who buy strictly organic, grass fed, free range, while there are others who just don’t allow themselves to think about the living conditions of the animals they consume.

I know a woman who committed suicide after her two young children died in a tragic accident. I know another woman who, after losing her son, found a way to shine her light, and move forward in the world again.

Letting go is not about condoning something terrible that has happened. Letting go is deciding that we won’t let the situation control us. For every single thing that bothers us, there is someone else out there who has managed to “let it go.

Eric Butterworth once said that anything that God has done, God can do. That means that somewhere out there, because another person has been able to let suffering go, we can do it too.

The outside world is always just the outside world. Our peaceful center is an inside job that doesn’t need to be influenced by the outside world, though we may, at times, believe that it’s so. We can let go, we can decide to not be bothered.

Someone else has done it… that means we can too.

Our life is filled with choices; thousands of them, big and small, every day. From choosing what we’ll have for lunch, to deciding what career path we’ll follow, we are making choices that impact our lives in both big and small ways.

With [...]]]> “Time to get up. Today’s bad decisions aren’t going to make themselves.”

Our life is filled with choices; thousands of them, big and small, every day. From choosing what we’ll have for lunch, to deciding what career path we’ll follow, we are making choices that impact our lives in both big and small ways.

With every choice comes a decision. When we make a decision, it plants a seed in our sub-conscious mind that guides us toward the outcome of that decision.

With this in mind, it’s important to know what kind of decision makers we are, because the way we make a decision determines if we are coming from love or fear. And only one of those ways has a happy outcome!

When we make decisions from love, we are coming from a space of inspiration, excitement, enthusiasm and joyfulness. We may have had a bright idea, and are excited to see where it takes us.

When we make decisions from fear, we are coming from a space of anxiety, worry, anger, frustration, or resentment. We are upset, and afraid of where we are headed. As we are never at our best when experiencing a fear based emotion, decisions coming from fear will tend to be limiting.

We create our world based on the decisions we make. Decisions that come from love will open up our world, and show us exciting opportunities. Decisions made from fear will show us a world filled with chaos. The fearful mind walks through a much different world than a mind guided by love.

Our decisions change our focus, and a change of focus changes our whole path!

So make a decision. And make it NOW. If you are afraid of making the wrong decision, so feel no decision is the best you can do, you have severely limited yourself. Indecision is the choice to fail.

Are you hoping someone else will make a decision for you? When you let someone else make your decisions, then you live the life they think you should live. This is not always for your highest and best good.

We are the means through which love comes into the world. But nothing moves or changes until we make a decision. Even a wrong decision is a step in the right direction, because we can always make another decision; one that comes from love that takes us toward our brightest self.

And where I’ve had nominal advances in changing my life, I still tend [...]]]> I have a whole bookshelf dedicated to Law of Attraction books; even a few of which are based on “quantum science” and promise that if I tap into the field of unlimited potential just right, all of my wishes will come true.

And where I’ve had nominal advances in changing my life, I still tend to pick up any book that says anything like “here is the real secret you need to get this stuff to work even better” only to find after reading the book that I’ve already read about that particular “secret.” I found myself feeling over read and under done, and knew I really needed to just focus on living what I’d read about.

So, needless to say, when I received my kindle edition of “Why Quantum Physicists Do Not Fail,” I may have been open minded, but still expected to breeze through the book, reading the same thing put a different way.

This was not the case! Though yes, if you are a student of LOA, and have ready any of the books out there, you will read about some familiar concepts.

What I liked that was different:

For one thing, in the few books on quantum physics I’ve read, the author tends to say things like “quantum physics has found…” but not give any references? So how do I know they are not just making this stuff up? Greg offers references and suggested reading. I liked that he was getting his information from a source, and not third or fourth hand from someone saying “quantum science has found…” And where Greg may have said this too (I don’t actually remember) I DO remember his sources, and even looked a couple of them up myself!

He talks about paradigms.

“…paradigms tell us why we do things the way we do them. Our paradigms are the umbrella under which all the things we do make sense to us; they are, in fact, the reasons we do things the way we do them.” ~ From the book – (location 167).

Our paradigms can change when we receive new information.

Unfortunately, the majority of people hold paradigms that are quite old. And, these paradigms haven’t been updated at all. I think it’s funny when you consider that most people don’t even use the same cell phone for more than a year, yet are happily working out of paradigms that could be thousands of years old.

Fortunately, we can update our paradigms once we know that there was something we didn’t know.

Greg’s book is a comprehensive guide to updating paradigms in a way that’s easy, understandable, and VERY clear!

He also points out some things that are notorious for holding us back – even when we are taking all the right actions!

Did you know you may have a cellular addiction that is keeping you in a space of negative thinking?

Did you know that your expectations are as important as your actions?

Did you know that most popular culture goes to great lengths to convince you that you are flawed and limited so that they may sell you a product to make you “better?”

Did you know “telling it like it is” may be different than “telling it like you see it?”

I will say that I liked this book well enough to write out key points and tape them up on my wall so that they’d sink in. I truly believe that we were all meant to not just live life, but live it abundantly. Deep inside each of us is a tender and precious heart that aspires to something greater than the limitations we put on ourselves. Deep inside each of us is a radiant light meant to shine bright. I think that every day, more and more people are feeling this inside of them, and longing to get out of that teeny fish tank of a life. “Why Quantum Physicists Do Not Fail” gave me new tools that feel good to use, and I can see (and feel) them making a difference little by little, every day; they move me toward a brighter expression of myself!

(Note: this book was a gift from the author, given to me for the purpose of reviewing. I don’t know him, have never met him, and seriously, if I couldn’t have gotten through the first couple of chapters of this book – a review would never have even been written because I tend to not want to waste my time on books I don’t like.)

When we “do all things through Christ,” we are simply aligning ourselves with Source energy so that we are working in the field of pure potential, and opening ourselves to allow unlimited possibilities to work in our life.

We are, after all, [...]]]> “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” ~ Philippians 4:13

When we “do all things through Christ,” we are simply aligning ourselves with Source energy so that we are working in the field of pure potential, and opening ourselves to allow unlimited possibilities to work in our life.

We are, after all, created in the image and likeness of God; this makes us unlimited beings in a body!

Yet often we act as if we have every limitation possible; I’ll never have the job I want, I’ll never have a loving partner, I can’t lose this weight, it’s not possible for me to get into good physical shape, I’ll never have good health, I’ll never own my dream home… car… whatever.

I can’t! No way! What’s possible for others is impossible for me.

Joseph Campbell once spoke on the importance of mythology as a means for overcoming the limitations we carry within us.

I recently saw this acronym of M.Y.T.H., Make Yourself the Hero, by the artist, Russell McDougal.

We are the hero of our own tale, but we have to put ourselves in that role. We can’t sit idly by and watch life happen, and then feel like a victim because we haven’t accomplished anything. The hero takes responsibility and doesn’t expect anyone else to bring them the crown of gold.

One of my very favorite Celtic folktales tells the story of the birth of an Irish deity named Lugh. As he grows, he yearns for knowledge, and masters one skill after another, to the point of exhausting his family. As he grows into a strong young man, he becomes known as Lugh of Many Skills.

He decides to travel to the court of the High King, in Tara. However, upon arriving, the gatekeeper informs Lugh that no one may enter the court unless they have a useful skill.

Lugh tells him he is a warrior.

The gatekeeper responds, “The kingdom already has such a man as this, and needs no other.”

Lugh tells him he is a blacksmith.

The gatekeeper responds, “The kingdom already has such a man as this, and needs no other.”

Lugh tells the gatekeeper that he is a builder, harper, poet, weaver, swordsman, artisan, farmer….

And the gatekeeper responds to each one “The kingdom already has such men as this, and needs no other.”

Finally Lugh says “Does the kingdom have a man who can do ALL of these things?”

The gatekeeper must admit that the king does not have one man who would possess all those skills, and Lugh was granted entry.

Later in the tale, Lugh even becomes the High King; he gets the crown of gold because of his commitment and passion.

And so it is when we recognize the unlimited potential inside of us, and then act to create from that space. There is no end to divine nature, nor and end to the possibility of our being able to express is. When we are passionate, and in alignment with our Source, we can accomplish anything we set our mind to.

Christ recognized that every person carries the Christ Consciousness; that’s why he believed that all the things that he could do, we would do, and more. However, he also recognized that as spiritual beings having this human experience, we have [...]]]> “Man is a spiritual being, but he must be plugged in.” ~ Eric Butterworth

Christ recognized that every person carries the Christ Consciousness; that’s why he believed that all the things that he could do, we would do, and more. However, he also recognized that as spiritual beings having this human experience, we have a tendency to unplug.

Though we can never be truly separate from our Source, we can have the experience of being “unplugged” simply because of our beliefs. And any belief that grows from the seed of fear will cause us to unplug from the love and light that constantly seek to flow through us.

Luckily, there is a way to get ourselves back on track, and even if we have to “fake it till we make it,” by paying attention to where we come from fear instead of love, we can again plug in and allow the unlimited flow of the Universe to work through us.

Seeing others as bad

Ultimately, the need to see ourselves as “good,” and something outside of ourselves as “bad,” comes from the belief that God does not work through all things, and this causes separation. When we see with eyes of love, we see the divinity within every person and situation.

Now this doesn’t mean we have to tolerate bad behavior. We can still see God within others, while recognizing that their behavior comes from their misunderstanding that God does not work through them. If it’s necessary to distance ourselves from someone who continues to behave in a way that does not support us, it’s our right to do so, and this can be done with love and forgiveness.

Thinking our path is the best path

There are times when we feel pretty enthusiastic about how we live our lives, and we may find ourselves trying to talk everyone we know into traveling into our adventures with us; whether it’s gluten free living, giving up television, or walking a spiritual path, we think our way is the best way because it’s working so well for us.

If we believe our way is the only right way, we are then making the assumption that everyone else is wrong. When we see ourselves as “right, and others as “wrong,” we are essentially saying that we don’t believe God is working through them and guiding them to make choices for their highest good. When we don’t trust how God works through others, we really don’t believe God is working through us.

Even when someone makes choices that we don’t understand, we can still trust that they will find the best way to express their light – even if that means overcoming their own challenges without our helpful input.

Not doing our best

There is a presence within us that only identifies with Light. That presence is what inspires us to make choices for our highest and best good. When we take shortcuts, or decide not to do a great job on something simply because we believe no one will ever know, we are cutting ourselves off from the inspiration that guides us to be the brightest version of ourselves.

When we show up full force in our life, we increase the flow of love that works through us, and manifests for us on a daily basis.

Complaining

Complaining is an addiction, and is simply an excuse to use a situation as the reason for being stuck. When we are stuck, we are limiting that divine force that put the galaxies into their spin, and how it works in our life.

You are an unlimited being in a body, and complaining keeps you small. Focus, instead, on the things you do want to come into your life, and what life would look like at its best and brightest.

Not asking for help

Jesus said that if we asked anything in his name, we would receive it. Then he followed up with “so far, you have not asked.” (John 16:24)

It may be as simple as forgetting to ask for help, or it may be that you feel you don’t deserve it. But you were created a perfect expression of God, deserving of love and support simply because you exist. If you don’t believe you can ask for help, in a way, that’s arrogance, believing that you know yourself better than God does.

Everyday remember to ask! Believe that you deserve the divine guidance that comes to you. Ask, and you will receive. If you want to attract love, prosperity, peace, understanding, good health, or ALL of these, just ask!

It can be exhausting fighting off the forces of darkness, and seeing a world that works against us all the time. But as we allow our light to shine, we change our perspective, and our experience of the world we live in. Then we can show up as the brightest version of ourselves, and this inspires others to join us.

We probably have all had the experience of getting something we really wanted, and being completely [...]]]> “We do not rejoice in the things which are seen, but in the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18

We probably have all had the experience of getting something we really wanted, and being completely overjoyed; so thankful we could hardly contain ourselves.

And then the newness wore off, and it was just a “thing” again.

Did the thing change? Possibly. It could have gotten old, or worn out. Or we simply could have lost our excitement about it.

True appreciation is never about the things that are in our life, for those things come and go. Gratitude is the feeling we have as we allow God to work through us; the flow of appreciation is what allows our heart to be more open and loving. Then we naturally appreciate everything else that comes (and goes) through our lives.

When both my children were very young, we lived in a quaint little cottage in a lovely part of town. Sometimes when we go for a Sunday drive, we’ll drive by that house, and I’ll think “that house had the best kitchen,” or, “that house had the most amazing bathtub.”

Every time we drive by that house, I feel so much appreciation for the experience of having lived there. And there are moments when the appreciation feels so overwhelming that it brings tears to my eyes. What love to have!! What joy!

Of course, the funny thing is that when we lived there I complained all the time! The street was too busy, the neighbors too loud, the house to old, and what ugly carpet we had! I could always find something to complain about!

Was it the house that brought me the gratitude? No, it was my perception of my experience there. Now I choose to see the wonderful times (and there were many wonderful times there). When I lived there I was coming from a negative perspective and couldn’t appreciate all the good surrounding me.

It is never about the things we own, or the places we live, or even the people in our lives. It’s about that unseen force that works through us. It’s about how we allow God to work through us, which in turn fills us with love.

As we align with our Source, we are naturally put into a state of appreciation because of the Love that we are expressing. Being in alignment with Source allows us the freedom to be non-judgmental, and see God in all things; even those things that don’t seem to be working well. So even if we live on a busy street or have ugly carpeting in our home, the love and goodness that flow through us allows us to see beyond the seen, into a world where goodness always surrounds us.

However, there may be times when we find ourselves in a situation where it’s difficult for us to find something to be grateful for.

When this happens, we still have a lifetime of receiving [...]]]> Being grateful helps to engage the energy of giving and receiving. Being grateful also helps to lift depression and ease heartache.

However, there may be times when we find ourselves in a situation where it’s difficult for us to find something to be grateful for.

When this happens, we still have a lifetime of receiving to tap into, even if we have to go back in time ten years or more!

I found that as I did my own back in time gratitude journey, I found many peaceful moments to be grateful for, that at the time I took for granted!

For example, late one winter night when I was 16 years old, a friend called me and told me to walk outside. I walked outside, and was overcome by the beauty that surrounded me. It had been snowing for days, but on this night the sky was clear with a full moon. The moon shone upon the snow, creating an unearthly glowing light. To this day, I have never seen a moonlit night to match the magic of that one night all those years ago!

I remembered the freedom of being 15 years old and riding on the back of my Dad’s Harley Davidson motorcycle (with no helmet!). As we drove along the winding mountain road home, my senses were filled with the smell of the pine trees and the hum of the motorcycle; my mind was completely clear as I just gave myself over to the ride. I gave thanks as I remembered the freedom and peacefulness of the ride, but also that we arrived safe and sound at our destination.

I also remembered being in my early 20s, and how special Sunday nights were with my husband. He’d fix an extra fun dinner (like cheesy potatoes), and we’d watch Star Trek the Next Generation (still one of my favorite shows).

Everyone has these moments to tap into. Take a few moments and tap into the memory of something that happened years ago; something that filled you with peace and joy. Express gratitude for that moment, and ask for the feeling of appreciation to grow and expand within you.

Finding gratitude in difficult times helps to open the way for a smoother, more peaceful journey. Even when we are being grateful for something that happened a very long time ago!

We have been receiving gifts from the Universe our entire life. Goodness has always been there, even through the difficult times. When we can go back in time, and find gratitude for our past, we engage the energy of gratitude and set the flow of giving and receiving back in motion.