We all have wishes throughout our lives so would it be nice to learn how to make a few of them come true?
“Starlight, starbright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.” How many times throughout my life, have I chanted those magical words, hoping against hope that the wish faerie would see fit to grant my deepest desires? I’ve lost count. As a child, they might have taken the form of an ice cream cone or a trip to the toy store. As an adult, an intention for a certain job, writing or speaking gig or relationship outcome are more likely on my wish list. The funny thing is that all these years later, I am no less certain that stars have magical intervention powers. AND I know that there are practical steps to seeing those star-seeds come to fruition. I have created amazing scenarios and outcomes utilizing these techniques, including an over 40 pound weight loss, publishing my first book, writing for numerous venues (including, with great delight, this one:) traveling out of the country to teach workshops, as well as those closer to home, a weekly radio show, amazing friendships, AND and in person interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2008. Although there are re-runs, The Dream Channel has new ‘shows’ every day.
1. You can’t get what you want, ’till you know what you want. So says, recording artist Joe Jackson and so says the Universal supply company. If you have a clear idea of what you would like to achieve, own or experience, it is far easier to reel it in than if it is a nebulous concept somewhere out there in the cosmos. Consider times when someone asked you what you wanted to do, be or have and you had a kinda-sorta-meandering response that had a ‘whatever’ quality to it. How did that turn out? Were you satisfied or disappointed?
2. Know that you are worthy of having what you want. Worthiness to receive is one of the biggest stumbling blocks that prevent manna-festation (like manna from heaven) of our goals. Perhaps you were told that you needed to earn love and approval and so translated that lesson into every aspect of your life. While we do need to earn money to support ourselves and perhaps even earn trust by way of being in integrity with ourselves and others, love and approval ought to be considered our birthright. From that place of understanding you can cast out your wish lasso.
3. What you seek is seeking you. What if everything you need, want or desire is already out there, waiting for you to show up and claim it? Everything that has ever been created was once an idea in someone’s mind, from the computer on which I am typing these words, to the mug that contains the chai I am drinking and the person who is reading this article. When Disney World first opened (so the story goes), Walt had already died. A reporter commented to Walt’s brother, Roy, “It’s too bad Walt did not live to see this.” Roy replied, “Walt saw it first. That’s why we are seeing it now.” As true of our own visions as those of that legendary visionary.
4. Feed your dreams. Surround yourself with symbols of your desires, even if you aren’t yet sure what they are. I grew up with books. My mother told me that even as a small child, I could often be seen toting a book around with me, the way another wee one might carry a teddy bear. We had shelves filled with Little Golden Books and Highlights Magazines. My parents read to us often and once we could, we would read to them. Now, as a profressional writer and still, avid reader, I have more books than any other type of item in my home. Use tools that reinforce what you are seeking. Treasure Maps (collages that contain images and words describing what you want) are a fun way of creating a visual representation, writing a list of what you desire, creating a story or script (as if writing a scene for a tv show or movie) around your dreams, penning a song and then singing it are likely to jump start your imagination. Make it fully sensory as you feel, hear, taste, smell and see your intended outcome. Our minds don’t know the difference between what is tangible at the moment and what is imagined.
5. Speak your dreams out loud. Once you dare to say the words, you are issuing an invitation to the Universe that it can’t help but hear and to which it will certainly respond. It’s kind of like when you blow on a dandelion puff and the seeds go scattering to the winds, uncertain of where they will land and take root, but land they always will. The Source of creation is listening, I promise you and so are others who could help turn your dreams into reality. People will show up as if by magic who have ‘heard’ your call. I experience this phenomenon every day.
6. Find mentors who are already doing what you want to do. It’s easy at times to feel a sense of envy if other people have succeeded at doing something that you want to do. All it means is that they got there first and are way-showers, with their flashlights, lanterns or candles focused out ahead of them, so that you can (if you choose) follow their guidance. According to conventional wisdom: “A rising tide lifts all boats.” Set up a ‘pick your brain’ session with a person you admire who has achieved success in an area that interests you. Chances are, he or she will be flattered that you asked and will be glad to offer their tried and true methods. There is an organization called RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) that can be of assistance too.
7. Invite cheerleaders and accountability partners. You design your dreams FOR yourself, by you need never do it BY yourself. Everyone needs encouragement as they set out to see their ideas flourish and all throughout the process. Imagine your own squad waving pom poms, calling out your name, motivating you to keep on keepin’ on. I am blessed to have had many (including my parents) throughout my life who have believed in me, especially when my own belief in myself was running a quart low. Having someone to check in with, whether it is a coach, counselor, family member or friend will keep you on track should you get distracted or discouraged.
8. Weed out doubt. Just as a garden can become choked with weeds and brambles, rocks and rubble, so too can our dreams get over grown. Each time the nagging, obnoxious voice that whines and snarls “Who are you to think you can do this? What if you fail? You’re gonna let everyone down.” starts to pull you into the mud, pull out your gardening tools and go at it. I am frequently reminded of Marianne Williamson’s inspring passage: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” It never fails to get me back on track when I meander off course.
9. Patience profits. Still on the gardening metaphor here; if you plant seeds, you don’t go digging them up a day later to see if they have started to blossom. You know that it will take awhile for them to take root. If you order a pizza and are told by the person on the other end of the phone, that it will take 20-30 minutes until you can pick it up, or longer if it is to be delivered, you aren’t likely to call back in 5 minutes and ask why your pizza isn’t here yet. It took 20 years to bring about the interview with The Dalai Lama. I used all of the tools I mentioned previously, including writing questions as if I was to be interviewing him the next day. In addition I knew I needed to surrender outcome and so in the midst of my desire and excitement about what I called my “dream into reality interview,” I let go and trusted that it would happen not a moment sooner or later than it did.
10. Reap the harvest and then plant seeds for your next garden of dreams and desires. Celebrate that you are now gathering in an overflowing cornucopia of fruits, veggies and flowers that represent your passions and purpose, your sweat and tears, your heart-storming and brain-storming sessions, the magic and magnificence that you are. Share your triumphs with the tribe that helped get you there. Keep the fire fueled by planting new ideas. Keep asking yourself, even as you applaud your success, “what’s my next growing edge?” In that way, you will rarely be bored and instead, be frequently fascinated.
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the above article. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? What are you still working on accepting?
That some of my dreams and desires are not necessarily going to unfold in exactly the ways I have envisioned them and that I need to trust that something even better is around the corner. When I set intention, I always say “This or something better, for the Highest Good of All Concerned.” When I have done that, things have shown up, people have come into my life and opportunities have arisen that I may not have experienced otherwise.
2. What have you learn to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? What are you still working on to appreciate?
That I am resilient thriver and keep on keepin’ on in the face of sometimes daunting challenges. I honor my ability to turn lemons into the best lemon meringue pie you could imagine. I call myself “The queen of reframe,” since I am able to see what is right about something, not just what’s wrong with it.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? What makes YOU most proud? What goals and dreams do you still have?
Publishing my book, The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming The Ordinary Into The Extraordinary” in September of 2011 which has opened the door to speaking, coaching and expanded writing opportunities. I am working on a second book now.
4. We all have imperfections, so we think. The truth–we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? What imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
I am easily distracted at times and find myself multi-tasking when I would benefit from ‘drilling deep, not wide’ as a coach friend of mine encourages.
5. “I Love My…” is an outlet for you to express and appreciate all the positive traits that make you…well… YOU! Sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (we assure you!) Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
Limitless imagination that has me envisioning quite colorfully, the life that lights me up.
Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net , “Blue Bokeh Abstract Backgrounds” by 9comeback
