Hi there! Seems like I had too many blogs to keep up with, so I merged them all.
You can find the new blog at:
http://blog.frankbutterfield.us.
Don’t worry — all the posts and comments are in the new blog.
Be sure to update your links and feeds!
Thanks!
Frank
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Self-publishing made simple
OK -- one more reference to Joe's blog... He's got some great info on how to use Amazon's self-publishing service. I've checked it out. It's easy and you can get started in just minutes. So, what are you waiting for?
Read more about it. Or just get started.
digg story
Read more about it. Or just get started.
digg story
The Opus
A new movie is coming out on the heels of The Secret. Joe Vitale has links to the YouTube teasers on his blog, so check it out!
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Love your projects!
Joe Vitale reminds us to love all the work that we do, especially those projects that don't seem to be very successful. By loving them (and clearing out the "stuff" we project onto them), they tend to thrive. Try it for yourself -- you might be very surprised at the results!
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Heart of Attraction
Every one of us has an inspirational story about how the Law of Attraction has worked in our lives.
Share your story. Inspire millions.
Heart of Attraction
Share your story. Inspire millions.
Heart of Attraction
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Letting go with grace
"I let go easily, trusting that nothing leaves my life unless something better is coming."
-- Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer, Creating Money: Keys to Abundance
This wonderful affirmation goes directly to the heart of an important concept that we sometimes forget about.
We have to make room in our lives for new things to manifest.
We do this by letting go of what we no longer need or want.
The classic example that abundance and Law of Attraction teachers often use is this: if you want to create a brand new wardrobe, then give away the clothes in your closet that you no longer use. These can be clothes that no longer fit, are out of fashion, or that you just don't like.
The principle here is that if you only have clothes that you really love and that support you because they make you like fabulous, then the Universe will respond by sending you the resources and the means to continuously add more clothes to your closet.
You attract what you focus on.
And when you combine the thought of new clothes, the awesome feeling of always loving what you are wearing, and the action of letting go of the old.... well, watch out -- before you know it, your closet will be filled with a new, perfect wardrobe.
Here's another example. If you are focusing on financial freedom, then take a look at your financial records. Are they in order? Or are they in a pile somewhere waiting for your attention?
The Universe is orderly and efficient. To the extent that you can, create order and efficiency in your financial records.
This works for me. I know that I have avoided filing old bills and receipts because I was afraid to look through the stacks of papers I had been accumulating.
You can take this a step further and affirm your financial abundance as you look at each page. For every company or person you have a financial relationship with, bless them and all of their employees. And, if needed, forgive them and yourself.
You will feel better and you will be clearing out what would otherwise a big obstacle to your financial freedom.
-- Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer, Creating Money: Keys to Abundance
This wonderful affirmation goes directly to the heart of an important concept that we sometimes forget about.
We have to make room in our lives for new things to manifest.
We do this by letting go of what we no longer need or want.
The classic example that abundance and Law of Attraction teachers often use is this: if you want to create a brand new wardrobe, then give away the clothes in your closet that you no longer use. These can be clothes that no longer fit, are out of fashion, or that you just don't like.
The principle here is that if you only have clothes that you really love and that support you because they make you like fabulous, then the Universe will respond by sending you the resources and the means to continuously add more clothes to your closet.
You attract what you focus on.
And when you combine the thought of new clothes, the awesome feeling of always loving what you are wearing, and the action of letting go of the old.... well, watch out -- before you know it, your closet will be filled with a new, perfect wardrobe.
Here's another example. If you are focusing on financial freedom, then take a look at your financial records. Are they in order? Or are they in a pile somewhere waiting for your attention?
The Universe is orderly and efficient. To the extent that you can, create order and efficiency in your financial records.
This works for me. I know that I have avoided filing old bills and receipts because I was afraid to look through the stacks of papers I had been accumulating.
You can take this a step further and affirm your financial abundance as you look at each page. For every company or person you have a financial relationship with, bless them and all of their employees. And, if needed, forgive them and yourself.
You will feel better and you will be clearing out what would otherwise a big obstacle to your financial freedom.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Are you in your head?
"...Feeling attracts miracles. When you know what you want, are clear about having it, and can feel the energy of what you want, you will begin to attract or pull it to you."
-- Joe Vitale, The Attractor Factor
If you are operating out of your head all the time, this part of how The Law of Attraction works is going to be tough.
The intellect defines the intention and desire. What it looks like, how big it is, what it entails... all of these are defined by your mental effort.
The next part is to bring feeling to your vision.
Here's an idea:
Take a deep breath. Right now.
Take another deep breath and release it with a sigh.
Now, think about your vision.
How does it feel to have it?
Your desire has manifested. Walk around your world in your mind's eye feeling all of the things you know you will feel when that happens.
Take a deep breath. Expand that feeling into your body.
Feel it in your toes.
Feel it in your legs.
Feel it in your stomach.
Feel it in your heart.
Feel it in your hands.
Close your eyes and imagine living with your manifested vision.
You are happy.
You are grateful.
You are amazed.
You are sharing your joy with other people and experiencing the rush that you get when you tell someone else about it.
Take a deep breath and keep feeling it.
-- Joe Vitale, The Attractor Factor
If you are operating out of your head all the time, this part of how The Law of Attraction works is going to be tough.
The intellect defines the intention and desire. What it looks like, how big it is, what it entails... all of these are defined by your mental effort.
The next part is to bring feeling to your vision.
Here's an idea:
Take a deep breath. Right now.
Take another deep breath and release it with a sigh.
Now, think about your vision.
How does it feel to have it?
Your desire has manifested. Walk around your world in your mind's eye feeling all of the things you know you will feel when that happens.
Take a deep breath. Expand that feeling into your body.
Feel it in your toes.
Feel it in your legs.
Feel it in your stomach.
Feel it in your heart.
Feel it in your hands.
Close your eyes and imagine living with your manifested vision.
You are happy.
You are grateful.
You are amazed.
You are sharing your joy with other people and experiencing the rush that you get when you tell someone else about it.
Take a deep breath and keep feeling it.
Moving outside your comfort zone
In her book, The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity, Edwene Gaines shares a story about how she ended up at a workshop that included a trip out to a cavern where the entire group rappelled down a 200 foot drop.
She had no idea this was part of the workshop. She was petrified. She started to cry. But she did it.
What she learned, among many lessons, was to trust the rope, to trust herself, to trust the process, and to trust the Universe.
That is precisely what happens when we move outside of our comfort zone.
As we work with The Law of Attraction, two things usually happen that take us out of our comfort zone:
1. We are asked to take actions that we are afraid to take.
2. We are asked to dream bigger than we would have ever thought possible.
I think most people understand the first part. Because we are operating out of trust in the Universe, we may have to take some actions that we are led to take. But they won't always seem logical. We don't necessarily know that every inspired action will have the outcome we are hoping for. We act and we pay attention to what happens. And then we find out what is next.
But the second item above may take you by surprise. How can dreaming big be uncomfortable?
If you have been using these principles for a while, you know that some of your visions and dreams can actually be scary when you are contemplating the possibility that they might come true.
I have a vision of speaking before a very large group of people in an auditorium. I am alone on the stage with a microphone. There are bright stage lights in my eyes. And I can see a room that is filled with thousands of people. I can see cameras. And I know that my words are being recorded.
My palms are sweating even as I type!
If it is scary, why hold to this vision?
For me, it is because in this scene I can hear the way the audience goes very quiet when something profound is being said. I know that the profundity does not come from me. It does come through me, however.
This is personally important because I know it will touch many, many people in ways that I can't imagine right now.
My hands may be sweating, but my heart is opening right up.
What is your vision?
She had no idea this was part of the workshop. She was petrified. She started to cry. But she did it.
What she learned, among many lessons, was to trust the rope, to trust herself, to trust the process, and to trust the Universe.
That is precisely what happens when we move outside of our comfort zone.
As we work with The Law of Attraction, two things usually happen that take us out of our comfort zone:
1. We are asked to take actions that we are afraid to take.
2. We are asked to dream bigger than we would have ever thought possible.
I think most people understand the first part. Because we are operating out of trust in the Universe, we may have to take some actions that we are led to take. But they won't always seem logical. We don't necessarily know that every inspired action will have the outcome we are hoping for. We act and we pay attention to what happens. And then we find out what is next.
But the second item above may take you by surprise. How can dreaming big be uncomfortable?
If you have been using these principles for a while, you know that some of your visions and dreams can actually be scary when you are contemplating the possibility that they might come true.
I have a vision of speaking before a very large group of people in an auditorium. I am alone on the stage with a microphone. There are bright stage lights in my eyes. And I can see a room that is filled with thousands of people. I can see cameras. And I know that my words are being recorded.
My palms are sweating even as I type!
If it is scary, why hold to this vision?
For me, it is because in this scene I can hear the way the audience goes very quiet when something profound is being said. I know that the profundity does not come from me. It does come through me, however.
This is personally important because I know it will touch many, many people in ways that I can't imagine right now.
My hands may be sweating, but my heart is opening right up.
What is your vision?
Stay away from the HOW
"You can expect any seemingly impossible Good...if you do not limit the channels."
-- Florence Scovel Shinn, The Secret Door To Success (1940)
Never, ever try to define how the thing, person, or experience that you seek to create or attract to you should arrive, appear, or manifest.
Doing this just delays the process.
As we've heard from many different teachers, the Universe is always responding to our desires. When we try to limit the Universe by defining "HOW" our desire will happen, we are simply delaying.
The Universe is very efficient.
Our job is to get out of the way and let it work for us. This is our birthright.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Did you get a sense of contraction or disappointment or even fear as you were reading the above words?
That could be because you are trying, like we all do, to control the process.
Here's a simple visualization that I use when I realize I am getting too controlling of how my manifestation is working itself out:
Imagine that you are holding onto a helium balloon.
This balloon is filled with all of your intention and desire. It has every piece of information about what you seek to manifest and attract to you.
If you hold on to the balloon, it will stay nearby and you can keep tabs on it. You can look at it, and think about it, and worry about it.
The problem is that nothing will ever happen if you keep holding on to it.
By releasing it to the sky, you are sending you desire and intention out to the Universe.
So, after you have clearly defined your intention, let go of your balloon send it to the Universe and let it go. Don't worry about how it will work it. Just let the Universe do its work for you.
Prepare the way and receive by giving thanks:
"Thank you for my new and wonderful Acura MDX."
"Thank you for my new perfect job."
"Thank you for my perfect clients."
"Thank you for all of the love that I give and receive in my new relationship."
Pay attention to the hunches, whispers, signs, and portents that the Universe will start sending your way. And take action immediately when you get a clear hunch.
-- Florence Scovel Shinn, The Secret Door To Success (1940)
Never, ever try to define how the thing, person, or experience that you seek to create or attract to you should arrive, appear, or manifest.
Doing this just delays the process.
As we've heard from many different teachers, the Universe is always responding to our desires. When we try to limit the Universe by defining "HOW" our desire will happen, we are simply delaying.
The Universe is very efficient.
Our job is to get out of the way and let it work for us. This is our birthright.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Did you get a sense of contraction or disappointment or even fear as you were reading the above words?
That could be because you are trying, like we all do, to control the process.
Here's a simple visualization that I use when I realize I am getting too controlling of how my manifestation is working itself out:
Imagine that you are holding onto a helium balloon.
This balloon is filled with all of your intention and desire. It has every piece of information about what you seek to manifest and attract to you.
If you hold on to the balloon, it will stay nearby and you can keep tabs on it. You can look at it, and think about it, and worry about it.
The problem is that nothing will ever happen if you keep holding on to it.
By releasing it to the sky, you are sending you desire and intention out to the Universe.
So, after you have clearly defined your intention, let go of your balloon send it to the Universe and let it go. Don't worry about how it will work it. Just let the Universe do its work for you.
Prepare the way and receive by giving thanks:
"Thank you for my new and wonderful Acura MDX."
"Thank you for my new perfect job."
"Thank you for my perfect clients."
"Thank you for all of the love that I give and receive in my new relationship."
Pay attention to the hunches, whispers, signs, and portents that the Universe will start sending your way. And take action immediately when you get a clear hunch.
Friday, April 13, 2007
A little insight
I recently re-read The Celestine Prophecy.
Now, I've always liked this book. I even had an intense synchronicity experience when I was first reading it (more on that below). But, I've had a tendency to dismiss it when using the Law of Attraction. Until yesterday...
I've lately been thinking and musing about the fact that intuition is critical to using the Law of Attraction. Hunches, whispers, signs, signals, portents, synchronous events.... These are all part of how the universe tells us what actions to take, where to go, whom to talk to, and what to say... so that our manifestation can actually manifest.
I had a big "A-HA" on Wednesday.
I realized that my re-reading of The Celestine Prophecy had been for one particular reason -- a reminder about the power of synchronicity and particularly the method that James Redfield outlines in the book for creating synchronistic events.
Simply put:
-- Maintain and cultivate our personal energy through meditation and food that supports that state of being
-- Pay attention to the insights we receive through passing thoughts or daydreams
-- Send energy to others that we meet so that they can give us the messages they have for us
-- Pay attention to what they are saying so we can discern the message we are receiving.
We do these things because we have questions that we need to find the answers to. And then once answered, these will lead to new questions.
My "A-HA" moment came when I realized that I could use this same technique for following intuition about creating new experiences, things, and relationships in my life.
It's simply a matter of framing everything in questions.
For example, one of my current questions is how to manifest a specific amount of money. I focused on this yesterday and had three distinct insights: stop being so vague about the work I do (referring to Re/Transformation), send out a clear email to my mailing list that goes deeper than ever before, and send that email first to a friend of mine who is a writing coach so I could get her feedback.
These insights did not come in the form of images or a voice (this is how I typically experience my intuition). They came in the form of daydreams that I saw playing out. And they came within a minute of my getting clear about the question.
They didn't seem to be related to the question, but they were clear. So I did them all.
The email I wrote was long, seemed to come from a very inspired place, and was very clear about several issues I've had trouble describing before.
I sent it to my friend. And she replied.
Her honesty was awesome and her feedback was crystal clear. Because I followed the insight I received, I was able to have a breakthrough about how I communicate with my client-base.
And I sent a completely different email based on this feedback. The results of that email are still coming in.... I'll keep you posted.
******
We can see how this type of synchronicity has always been at work in our lives. In fact, that's where my amazing story comes into play.
In the summer of 1994, I was working in Provincetown, Mass., as a tarot reader in a bookstore. In between clients, I was reading The Celestine Prophecy. I soon realized that James Redfield was giving us a set of teachings in between the action of the novel. I decided to sit down and do them. One of them was to list all of the synchronicities I'd experienced in my life and find the connections.
I did this part over the course of a couple of days. One evening, I was writing about the a time a few years before when I had attended a support group in New York City. Thinking about the other people in that group, I couldn't remember any of their names. But I was feeling deeply appreciative for the mutual support we had all shared.
As I was writing this down, a man came around the corner into my little workspace (I sat in the back of the shop - behind a wall for privacy) to ask about getting a card reading.
I looked up and couldn't believe it. The man in front of me was one of the people in that support group. In fact, I was just trying to remember HIS name in particular. And there he was, 5 years later and 300 miles from New York, standing in front of me just as I was writing about that time.
Needless to say, I could barely speak I was so dumbfounded. I don't remember whether he had a reading or not.
But I will never forgot the power of that moment and the opening that was created by the focus I was giving to the power of synchronicity that I had already experienced in my life -- and that power continues to this day.
Now, I've always liked this book. I even had an intense synchronicity experience when I was first reading it (more on that below). But, I've had a tendency to dismiss it when using the Law of Attraction. Until yesterday...
I've lately been thinking and musing about the fact that intuition is critical to using the Law of Attraction. Hunches, whispers, signs, signals, portents, synchronous events.... These are all part of how the universe tells us what actions to take, where to go, whom to talk to, and what to say... so that our manifestation can actually manifest.
I had a big "A-HA" on Wednesday.
I realized that my re-reading of The Celestine Prophecy had been for one particular reason -- a reminder about the power of synchronicity and particularly the method that James Redfield outlines in the book for creating synchronistic events.
Simply put:
-- Maintain and cultivate our personal energy through meditation and food that supports that state of being
-- Pay attention to the insights we receive through passing thoughts or daydreams
-- Send energy to others that we meet so that they can give us the messages they have for us
-- Pay attention to what they are saying so we can discern the message we are receiving.
We do these things because we have questions that we need to find the answers to. And then once answered, these will lead to new questions.
My "A-HA" moment came when I realized that I could use this same technique for following intuition about creating new experiences, things, and relationships in my life.
It's simply a matter of framing everything in questions.
For example, one of my current questions is how to manifest a specific amount of money. I focused on this yesterday and had three distinct insights: stop being so vague about the work I do (referring to Re/Transformation), send out a clear email to my mailing list that goes deeper than ever before, and send that email first to a friend of mine who is a writing coach so I could get her feedback.
These insights did not come in the form of images or a voice (this is how I typically experience my intuition). They came in the form of daydreams that I saw playing out. And they came within a minute of my getting clear about the question.
They didn't seem to be related to the question, but they were clear. So I did them all.
The email I wrote was long, seemed to come from a very inspired place, and was very clear about several issues I've had trouble describing before.
I sent it to my friend. And she replied.
Her honesty was awesome and her feedback was crystal clear. Because I followed the insight I received, I was able to have a breakthrough about how I communicate with my client-base.
And I sent a completely different email based on this feedback. The results of that email are still coming in.... I'll keep you posted.
******
We can see how this type of synchronicity has always been at work in our lives. In fact, that's where my amazing story comes into play.
In the summer of 1994, I was working in Provincetown, Mass., as a tarot reader in a bookstore. In between clients, I was reading The Celestine Prophecy. I soon realized that James Redfield was giving us a set of teachings in between the action of the novel. I decided to sit down and do them. One of them was to list all of the synchronicities I'd experienced in my life and find the connections.
I did this part over the course of a couple of days. One evening, I was writing about the a time a few years before when I had attended a support group in New York City. Thinking about the other people in that group, I couldn't remember any of their names. But I was feeling deeply appreciative for the mutual support we had all shared.
As I was writing this down, a man came around the corner into my little workspace (I sat in the back of the shop - behind a wall for privacy) to ask about getting a card reading.
I looked up and couldn't believe it. The man in front of me was one of the people in that support group. In fact, I was just trying to remember HIS name in particular. And there he was, 5 years later and 300 miles from New York, standing in front of me just as I was writing about that time.
Needless to say, I could barely speak I was so dumbfounded. I don't remember whether he had a reading or not.
But I will never forgot the power of that moment and the opening that was created by the focus I was giving to the power of synchronicity that I had already experienced in my life -- and that power continues to this day.
Looking past what is... to what can be
Sometimes we get stuck in the past.
Sometimes we got stuck in the present.
Meaning... the circumstances of our current life are the result of what we used to believe and think.
More on this from Breathing Prosperity:
Read the whole post.
Sometimes we got stuck in the present.
Meaning... the circumstances of our current life are the result of what we used to believe and think.
More on this from Breathing Prosperity:
If you feel depressed about your current surroundings or circumstances, then you are simply judging that which you have put into place in prior moments. Don’t like it? Change it. Sound difficult? It’s impossible of you continue to think that what you are looking at is 'how it is.'
What you can do is live into the future you want to create. If your thoughts of today create your world of tomorrow, then how could it possibly pay off to be miserable and whiny?…What if instead you think consistently about how you really want things to be, and hold that thought until your world conforms around you?…
This is the ONLY way to effect change. What makes it so seemingly difficult is the power of our present surroundings and how real it all seems.
Read the whole post.
Personal Development For Those Who Dare!
This great blog has a treasure-trove of articles that are direct and clear. Speaking from experience, that can be hard to achieve in the blog-o-sphere.
Here's an example from a recent post (Create A Vision You Can Be Excited About):
Pow! This is critical information for students of the Law of Attraction.
There are more goodies:
Good stuff!!
Here's an example from a recent post (Create A Vision You Can Be Excited About):
The expansion of an idea into a vision that inspires action adds up to achievement. Everything created began with an idea that was developed into a vision that inspired action.
Pow! This is critical information for students of the Law of Attraction.
There are more goodies:
5 ways a vision helps produce what you want:
1- Unlimited Results- Bill Gates had a belief that the computer would be a valuable tool on every office desktop and in every home. This became the early vision for Microsoft. I wonder how much slower Microsoft would have developed if his original vision was limited. A vision expands the possibilities.
2- Focus & Guidance- A clear picture of the end result helps you maintain focus on what is most important. Thoughts direct actions so it makes sense that holding a vision of what will make the greatest positive impact will help guide your actions in the direction that will make the greatest positive difference.
3- Manifestation- The creation of something valuable begins with an idea nurtured thru towards realization. Visions are not always manifested in our time frame. MLK’s vision has not been fully manifested, yet monumental strides continue to be made towards it. Imagine how many would have suffered if his vision was small. A vision sets the intention for the manifestation of what you want.
4- Motivation- An inspiring vision based on who you are motivates daily into action. The vision can be based on:
~ a talent such as a singer who has a vision to win American Idol,
~ a cause such as Peace Pilgrim who walked for 28 years and over 25,000 miles to bring about peace,
~ a passion such as a gardener who wants to develop a landscape business,
~ a strength such as a sales person who can sell a Mets jersey to a Yankees fan to be Salesman of the Year for his/her company.
5- High quality decisions- Being clear about what is most important long term can help you make better decisions when new choices and opportunities present themselves.
Good stuff!!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
More on dreams
First off - why write about dreams on a blog that discusses the Law of Attraction?
Part of the art of engaging the universe through the Law of Attraction is to pay attention to the subtle signs, signals, and whispers that are always coming our way. Some of these signals come from our unconscious mind through our sleeping dreams.
Why are dreams important?
Well, as noted in the post just below, they are trying to tell you something. They are symbolic messages from your unconscious mind (the powerhouse part of your being -- see my post below about The Game of Life) that have very important information for you.
If you ask a clear question before going to sleep, your unconscious mind will respond through your dreams.
How to interpret dreams?
In my experience, not everything in a dream is relevant for waking life. Sometimes you have to find the really important elements.
I seem to remember reading that Carl Jung said that some dream elements will try to get your attention after you wake up. In my mind, it's like some of the elements fade (I know that something was there, but I can't remember what it was) while others will persist. The ones that persist are the ones that are important (see how easy that is?).
The trick is to remember that each element is a symbol of something about you or your experience. Dreams are rarely about anyone other than you, even though they may involve other people.
When I was a teenager, I repeatedly had dreams of sitting at the dinner table with my family and getting into an argument. We had a glass dining table. In the dream, I would somehow pull the table top of its pedestal and it would break. No one ever was physically hurt. When I would wake up from these dreams, I would feel a mixture of guilt and relief.
The dream elements were:
1. My parents
2. The table
3. The table being overturned
4. Guilt and relief
The way I interpreted these dreams initially is that I was looking for some way to get my parents' attention. And something dramatic like breaking a big glass table would definitely do that.
After learning more about dream symbols and experimenting with them for years, I realized that I wasn't dreaming about my physical parents, I was dreaming about my symbolic parents.
In the dream, the person most affected by the table crashing was my stepmother. I now know that her presence in the dream was about my mother archetype: the part of me that is nurturing, comforting, present to my needs, and encourages in quiet ways (that's my mother archetype; yours may be different). Well, I wasn't doing any of those things for myself during the years I would have these dreams.
In the dream, I was definitely getting the attention I wanted (hence the relief afterward). But I was not actually engaging with the part of myself that was capable of nurturing. So the action had no affect (no one was hurt -- and this brought up guilt).
Now -- does this interpretation make sense to you? You may be able to follow the logic (however twisted) and you may get the connections that I'm making. But my guess is that you are probably scratching your head a bit. Good!
Each of us dream in a highly personal and unique way. No two people dream the same. That's because no two people share the exact same mind.
We are, however, joined through the collective unconscious, and so some of our dream symbols may be similar.
For example, for most Americans a dollar bill means money in some form or fashion. Most Americans probably don't dream about pound notes. I assume that most Brits don't dream about Japanese yen, and so on.
But how I interpret a one dollar bill in my dream will probably be very different than my next-door neighbor.
Like I've written in many different ways, there is an art to all of this. As you practice and pay attention, you will begin to understand how to interpret your own dreams. The important thing is to do it.
Part of the art of engaging the universe through the Law of Attraction is to pay attention to the subtle signs, signals, and whispers that are always coming our way. Some of these signals come from our unconscious mind through our sleeping dreams.
Why are dreams important?
Well, as noted in the post just below, they are trying to tell you something. They are symbolic messages from your unconscious mind (the powerhouse part of your being -- see my post below about The Game of Life) that have very important information for you.
If you ask a clear question before going to sleep, your unconscious mind will respond through your dreams.
How to interpret dreams?
In my experience, not everything in a dream is relevant for waking life. Sometimes you have to find the really important elements.
I seem to remember reading that Carl Jung said that some dream elements will try to get your attention after you wake up. In my mind, it's like some of the elements fade (I know that something was there, but I can't remember what it was) while others will persist. The ones that persist are the ones that are important (see how easy that is?).
The trick is to remember that each element is a symbol of something about you or your experience. Dreams are rarely about anyone other than you, even though they may involve other people.
When I was a teenager, I repeatedly had dreams of sitting at the dinner table with my family and getting into an argument. We had a glass dining table. In the dream, I would somehow pull the table top of its pedestal and it would break. No one ever was physically hurt. When I would wake up from these dreams, I would feel a mixture of guilt and relief.
The dream elements were:
1. My parents
2. The table
3. The table being overturned
4. Guilt and relief
The way I interpreted these dreams initially is that I was looking for some way to get my parents' attention. And something dramatic like breaking a big glass table would definitely do that.
After learning more about dream symbols and experimenting with them for years, I realized that I wasn't dreaming about my physical parents, I was dreaming about my symbolic parents.
In the dream, the person most affected by the table crashing was my stepmother. I now know that her presence in the dream was about my mother archetype: the part of me that is nurturing, comforting, present to my needs, and encourages in quiet ways (that's my mother archetype; yours may be different). Well, I wasn't doing any of those things for myself during the years I would have these dreams.
In the dream, I was definitely getting the attention I wanted (hence the relief afterward). But I was not actually engaging with the part of myself that was capable of nurturing. So the action had no affect (no one was hurt -- and this brought up guilt).
Now -- does this interpretation make sense to you? You may be able to follow the logic (however twisted) and you may get the connections that I'm making. But my guess is that you are probably scratching your head a bit. Good!
Each of us dream in a highly personal and unique way. No two people dream the same. That's because no two people share the exact same mind.
We are, however, joined through the collective unconscious, and so some of our dream symbols may be similar.
For example, for most Americans a dollar bill means money in some form or fashion. Most Americans probably don't dream about pound notes. I assume that most Brits don't dream about Japanese yen, and so on.
But how I interpret a one dollar bill in my dream will probably be very different than my next-door neighbor.
Like I've written in many different ways, there is an art to all of this. As you practice and pay attention, you will begin to understand how to interpret your own dreams. The important thing is to do it.
Practical, practical
"The proof is in the pudding."
"If it isn't practical, why bother?"
These are quotes that I live by. The Law of Attraction is just mumbo-jumbo if it isn't useful.
Well, I have lots of examples of how it has worked in my life (including the WOW stories, where synchronicities happened in exactly the right way and the right time). So, personally, I know there is proof.
As for practical, there's Steven Aitchinson's Change your thoughts - to change your life blog. This UK blogger combines the best of a rational thinker with a dreamer who wants to live big.
Here's a recent post about remembering your dreams:
1. Keep a dream journal by your bed.
2. Tell yourself 'I will remember my dreams as soon as I wake up' (this works for me every time).
3. Write down any thoughts you have when you first wake up, whether they make sense or not. Skip coffee and the potty. Write them down first.
Most people get frustrated because they think they have to remember every little thing. Don't fret. I find that there is a simple message to most dream stories. Try to write down the main elements of the dream, the actions that occurred, and the results of those actions.
And like all practical things, it takes practice to learn how to do it.
"If it isn't practical, why bother?"
These are quotes that I live by. The Law of Attraction is just mumbo-jumbo if it isn't useful.
Well, I have lots of examples of how it has worked in my life (including the WOW stories, where synchronicities happened in exactly the right way and the right time). So, personally, I know there is proof.
As for practical, there's Steven Aitchinson's Change your thoughts - to change your life blog. This UK blogger combines the best of a rational thinker with a dreamer who wants to live big.
Here's a recent post about remembering your dreams:
Your dreams can be amazing for communicating with you. Sometimes dream are just dreams and is the process of making sense to what has happened to you. However dreams can also be a way to answer questions you have been asking yourself.
A simple technique for remembering your dreams is to simply tell yourself as you drop off 'I will remember my dreams as soon as I wake up' keep repeating this phrase until you nod off. What might happen is that you will wake up several times during the night and remember your dream, as instructed, but you will fall back asleep and forget them. Keeping a dream journal is also a good idea.
1. Keep a dream journal by your bed.
2. Tell yourself 'I will remember my dreams as soon as I wake up' (this works for me every time).
3. Write down any thoughts you have when you first wake up, whether they make sense or not. Skip coffee and the potty. Write them down first.
Most people get frustrated because they think they have to remember every little thing. Don't fret. I find that there is a simple message to most dream stories. Try to write down the main elements of the dream, the actions that occurred, and the results of those actions.
And like all practical things, it takes practice to learn how to do it.
Self Help Wisdom
Paul Piotrowski publishes a Self Help blog that I have been enjoying lately.
One of his recent posts is a favorite topic of mine: Moving!
Here's a sample:
Also (and I could not agree too strongly):
Another problem with cheap tape: it is ruled by static electricity and will cling back to the tape role. Meanwhile, you spend at least a minute finding the end and trying to pull it apart again. Argh!
But it's not all fun tips about moving... There are some great posts about the Law of Attraction as well.
Here's one I love:
Read more... it's important! In fact, I've integrated this philosophy over the last few days and it's been wonderfully helpful.
Also, Paul lets us in on a very important tool when using the Law of Attraction (but it's often overlooked):
So many people overlook the importance of listening and paying attention to intuition and signals from the universe. These signals, signs, and whispers are always around. Much of the art of using the Law of Attraction is to train ourselves to pay attention.
And, to emphasize Paul's point, "take inspired action without judging." Nothing in my experience gets the universe moving fast than when we respond to its signals quickly and confidently.
By the way, Paul will link to your blog if you review his blog. Nice! (I was planning to review his blog already, so it's a win-win!)
One of his recent posts is a favorite topic of mine: Moving!
Here's a sample:
When selecting your helpers for moving, give them enough notice. Don’t call them the night before to tell them you need help moving. People will appreciate it (and maybe even show up!) if you give them notice, so as soon as you know you’ll need someone’s help, let them know. Don’t procrastinate asking! Be warned that whoever you ask for help will probably ask you to help too when they move.
Also (and I could not agree too strongly):
Do NOT buy/use cheap packing tape to seal your boxes, unless you enjoy having your pinkie toe smashed by a book that fell out the bottom of box sealed with cheap packing tape. This is not the place to save money. Buy good quality packing tape. Invest in a tape gun or two if you don’t have one.
Another problem with cheap tape: it is ruled by static electricity and will cling back to the tape role. Meanwhile, you spend at least a minute finding the end and trying to pull it apart again. Argh!
But it's not all fun tips about moving... There are some great posts about the Law of Attraction as well.
Here's one I love:
It is, by far, better to set multiple intentions at the same time when using the Law of Attraction! I have tested this with personal experience. Let me explain why I think it works this way and a few things to watch out for...
Read more... it's important! In fact, I've integrated this philosophy over the last few days and it's been wonderfully helpful.
Also, Paul lets us in on a very important tool when using the Law of Attraction (but it's often overlooked):
I go through my day to day with my 30-60 intentions (or more) and I’m always aware of what’s going on around me. I look for co-incidences, and little 'winks' from the universe to point me in the right direction. I take inspired action without judging where it will get me.
So many people overlook the importance of listening and paying attention to intuition and signals from the universe. These signals, signs, and whispers are always around. Much of the art of using the Law of Attraction is to train ourselves to pay attention.
And, to emphasize Paul's point, "take inspired action without judging." Nothing in my experience gets the universe moving fast than when we respond to its signals quickly and confidently.
By the way, Paul will link to your blog if you review his blog. Nice! (I was planning to review his blog already, so it's a win-win!)
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