Tag: goals
Going My Way?
Earlier this year I picked up a book called The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer. His articulation of intention is far from our conventional understanding of the term. It is rooted in support from the Universe rather than a personal inclination. Around the same time I revisited the practice of using switch words. Do people actually believe that all of these ideas work? I gave it a shot and noticed that things began going my way.
Big City Tricksters
If you have ever spent time in Manhattan you may have noticed men of East Asian descent wearing long orange gowns to pass off as Buddhists. They approach people asking for donations to build a Buddhist temple. When I first moved here I fell for it and offered a couple of bucks. My offer was refused as the man wanted more than just a few bucks. At that point I took my money back and wished him a nice day. Since that time I notice these men harassing people in all of the major tourist areas of the city. When we witness gimmicks like these it trains our brains to be skeptical of everyone, at least a little. Unfortunately, too many incidents like these create a skepticism that hurts more than it serves us.
Like most people, I am weary of new trends and get rich quick schemes. If I have learned anything in my adult life it is that you reap what you sow and hard work is the only way to achieve glory. Still, there has got to be something to these mystical strategies that continue to grow in popularity. Admittedly, I have always been intrigued. Earlier this year when I found myself unemployed and ready to throw myself into something authentically aligned with my purpose, I needed help.
The Conscious Shift
I began to think in accordance with abundance and intention. With no paychecks coming in I lived as though my finances were not an issue. Switch words also made their way into my days. Within weeks I began to book paid speaking gigs. First one, then another, and then another. I was overjoyed at manifesting the prosperity I was visualizing. I know this sounds too good to be true but it’s an honest account of the order in which things played out for me this year. In recent months I dropped the habit of thinking in abundance and using switch words, and my gigs have dried up.
All of this could be a coincidence but I stopped believing in coincidence long ago, and so should you. Be open to the possibility that reality is greater than that which we perceive with our limited senses. If we heard a blind man tell us that the world is dark simply because he cannot see it we would call him a fool. Similarly, believe there is more than we understand out there. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Be skeptical when you have something to risk. When you don’t, open your heart and your mind and allow miracles to enter your life.
I am going back to aligning myself with the power of intention and incorporating the mantra of switch words in my life. There are other ways of commissioning metaphysics to get where and what you want in life as well. As they present themselves to you, either through a friend or through book, embrace them. Practice them with love and positivity. Per the direction of the late Bob Marley, don’t worry about a thing cuz every little thing is gonna be alright!
The Power of Focus
In 2014 I was hiking with my husband in Northern Thailand. He was trailing behind, attempting to take in the moment in many ways: through a go pro, a point-and-shoot camera, and of course his own two eyes. I cautioned him to focus on where we was walking and be careful. My words fell on deaf ears.
Suddenly, I heard him scream and turned to witness him rolling down the side of the mountain. I began to panic and screamed myself until I heard a thud. Fortunately, he only fell about 15 ft. When he got up he seemed okay to walk, but was covered in fire ants. Alas, we weren’t too far from a waterfall where he was able to wash them off.
When you juggle too many things at one time you will eventually crash or, in this case, fall off of a mountain. Focus on one thing at a time. This way you won’t overburden your body or mind. A good way to do this is to make a list each morning. You can write down the order of priority and start working on each task one by one. A strategy for setting priorities is something I will go into detail about in a future article. Making lists helps you keep track of things without fearing you will forget something. Otherwise you will be engaged in one activity but your mind will be elsewhere worrying about all the other things you need to do. Relieve your mind of that burden and allow yourself to focus on one task. If that task is hiking a mountain you will thank yourself for it!
Master Your Craft
Another risk of doing too many things is that you may not do them all well. When you don’t do them well, you might think that you lack ability when what you truly lack is focus. If you want to learn to play the guitar, become fluent in French, and learn to sail, I say do them all! But do them in sequence. Master one, then move on to the other. By dedicating yourself fully to something you are giving it, and yourself, a fair chance. Building upon your mastered skills is encouraged, but trying to master them all simultaneously can prove counter-productive. Ultimately, it could adversely affect your confidence.
I have seen this myself in life as I was a habitual multi-tasker. At any given time I would be bartending, producing a TV show, working a 40 hour/week job, and planning a vacation. My entire 20’s were spent in the pursuit of many things at once. In my thirties I was given sage advice to focus on one thing at a time. By following it I have achieved success in many areas and cultivated greater confidence in my abilities. Self-confidence is the golden key to expanding the landscape of your hopes and dreams.
If you are reading this article, then you have a thriving curiosity that will take you far in your pursuits. I encourage the desire to learn to continue burning, but suggest honing in on one feat a time. Focus, focus, focus! It could mean the difference between being a ‘jack’ of all trades or a ‘master’ of all trades. Be the master!