Leap!It's back to school for students, and a good time for us graduates to
evaluate our own continuing education. In fact, who wouldn't want to be a
perpetual student? Not just to avoid the potential drudgery of the working
world with a j-o-b, but because learning and growing is surely one of life's
greatest gifts.
Some of us have indeed mastered the ability to remain perpetual students in
life, which is an admirable experience in many respects. But it's also
important to employ what we learn.
I'm thinking in particular of those of us who have studied deliberate
creation and have yet to practice it. It's one thing to discover the key to
living an amazing life; it's another to use it. While my coaching clientele
is made up of people who are committed to embracing the art of creating
their own reality, my personal observation and experience tells me there are
plenty of folks with theoretical knowledge of LOA who aren't practicing it.
How many of us invest time and energy in learning a new skill or talent that
we don't do anything with? Do you have a shelf full of self-help books you
haven't given another thought to since reading (or buying) them? Or a
kitchen stocked with unused exotic herbs and spices picked up after an
inspiring demo at Wild Oats?
Yes, there can be enormous pleasure in simply acquiring new knowledge and
skills. And some things we study we may hope never to put into practice
(like CPR rescue or emergency evacuation procedures). But if most of the new
knowledge we attain is never applied, we're cheating not just ourselves but
everyone who would potentially benefit from our expression of what we
learned.
Three summers ago a girlfriend convinced me to join her for belly dance
lessons, which turned out to be huge fun! I enjoyed it so much I invested in
two jingly hip scarves, three Arabic music CDs, and a DVD instruction set by
the belly dance twins. All of which are collecting dust in the drawer. The
number of times I've danced for anyone, let alone myself? Zilch. The
perfectionist in me keeps me from enjoying it until I get it exactly right.
What a waste of a good time!
My girlfriend, on the other hand, entertained lots of happy strangers at two
music festivals last year, captivated a boyfriend who will likely gift his
fortune to a belly dance foundation, and shared her newfound skills at a
memorable "girls night out" party.
Life's more fun when we use what we know!
Excuses, excuses
Anyone who has watched "The Secret," read "Ask and It Is Given" or even
perused this column in past Catalyst issues knows the basics of conscious
creation: You get what you think about. Like attracts like. Focus on what
you want, not what you don't want. If you can imagine it, you can have it.
But when it comes to actually using that information and applying what we
know, we have all sorts of reasons for not flexing our manifesting muscle:
"It's too hard to stay positive all the time."
"I don't have time for it."
"I'm afraid I'll be disappointed."
"I'll start as soon as I get through this current crisis."
"I wouldn't know where to start."
There are as many excuses for not applying the
law of attraction as there
are people to offer them. Even more often, though, it seems we're
unconscious to the fact that we aren't applying what we learn.
Many folks just don't think to change their habits. It doesn't occur to them
that they're wasting an opportunity to create the life of their dreams by
practicing the power of deliberate creation. (I know that from personal
experience.)
Talking the walk
Then there are armchair experts who, after reading the latest best seller or
a couple of online forum posts, make their contribution by telling the rest
of us what we're doing wrong. It's often easier to see where someone else
has room for improvement than it is in ourselves.
How often have you found yourself with a like-minded friend critiquing the
actions of a mutual acquaintance? My LOA newbie boyfriend likes to show me
his growing understanding of the process by relaying instances from golf
buddies.
"And then we got to the tenth hole and Mark said out loud, 'This is where it
all goes to pot' and sure enough, he took a triple bogey and we lost the
tournament!" Or "Steve pulled out his new driver and declared, 'It's all
over now, boys' and wouldn't you know it, he hit that ball farther than he
ever has before."
My former roommate is particularly good at pointing out what other people
should do different, but isn't as receptive to his own advice. If we were as
good at practicing what we preach, we would effect serious change on this
planet!
We don't learn best by being "told" what to do. We are much more inspired by
someone who lives the example; who walks the talk. You can be that
inspiration for someone else, and in the process, revolutionize your life.
What does that look like?
Walking the talk
Practicing what we've learned about deliberate creation can include not
encouraging or participating in negative conversations; you can develop an
art of changing the subject or excusing yourself from group gripe sessions.
It can take many other forms:
• Fostering the habit of flipping "don't want" thoughts to
"do wants"
• Engaging in happy-ending fantasies
• Acting in alignment with anticipated success
• Expecting things to go your way
• Doing things you enjoy; letting bliss be your guide
• Trusting the downstream journey to serve you well
Deliberate creation can also look like a fierce commitment to your dreams, a
refusal to let anyone convince you it can't be done, and a contagious
enthusiasm for possibility. Not to mention a strong appreciation for what
is, and embracing the present moment over past challenges or worries of
tomorrow.
These are the marks of a conscious creator. By practicing what we know, we
not only profoundly affect our own lives, but lead others to do the same.
My favorite example came during kids' swim time at the local pool. Dad was
in the water patiently trying to coax his toddler, who stood poolside with a
death grip on his plastic inflatable floatie, to jump in. Son wasn't
budging. For minutes on end, father appealed to him to trust that it would
be okay. He told him what to expect and reassured him it was easier than he
thought.
It was a no-go. No amount of talking was taking that kid anywhere near the
wet side of that water.
Until a fellow youngster gleefully ran to the pool's edge right next to our
loiterer, pausing just long enough to swing his arms for momentum, and
splashed in with a squeal of delight.
That's all dad's reticent jumper needed to abandon his reservations and
follow his friend right into the deep end. Just like that - as if he were a
born swimmer. That's how it works.
Practical application
It's easy to apply what you know about the
law of attraction. Here are five
ways to go from being a passive student of attraction to a masterful
deliberate creator:
•Pick one new habit. Rather than feel you have to overhaul your entire
thought pattern or belief system overnight, just start with one new
technique or routine. It might be to say something nice to yourself each
time you look in a mirror. Or to give thanks for your meal before digging
in. Affirmations, imaginary spending sprees, gratitude journals or goal
sheets are all easy beginning steps. Start with something simple, and after
you've created a habit of it, move on to what inspires you next.
•Get in the game! Start playing with the
law of attraction on low-stakes
opportunities. Trying a new restaurant tonight? Set the intention that
you'll be delighted with an exceptional menu. Off to see a movie with your
sweetie? Imagine you'll be entertained like never before. There is always
the old standby "rock star parking" if imagination fails you.
•Pay attention to how you feel. Self-awareness is an enormous advantage to
managing emotional energy so your desires can manifest. Utilizing
judgment-free observation, start noticing your emotions throughout the day.
•Learn to relax. Whether you employ a stress management technique or just
build your own mental muscle in choosing tranquility over anxiety, develop
the habit of being grounded and centered. It aligns your energy with the
good stuff you've been wanting, and makes you a naturally successful
conscious creator.
•Shush the gremlins. Whether it's the internal voice of ego or nosy
naysayers who want you to stay put in life, learn to dismiss limiting
thoughts and beliefs that serve as obstacles to your successful
manifestations.
Creating a life you love using the
law of attraction is simple. But it only
works if you work it. Let this be the month you implement (or amp up) the
discipline of conscious creation. We're privileged enough to know how this
works; let's use it for the benefit of all and make our beautiful mark in
this world!
(This article was originally published in Catalyst Magazine)
If you're so inclined, please feel free to reproduce this article in full with proper author credit (that would be me, Jeannette Maw) and link back to Good Vibe Coaching. Thanks!
