November 22, 2009
Dear Friends,
On Thursday, November 26th, citizens of the United States will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. It’s a day when we express gratitude for all the things in our lives that we really do appreciate, but often forget to be consciously thankful for . . . such as food, family, and friends.
Well, here’s a challenge for you: Can you also be thankful for the things in your life that you do not appreciate? Can you be thankful for the people in your life that you hold resentments against? Can you be thankful for the circumstances in your life that have brought you discomfort . . . or even pain?
Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to discover what your blocks to loving are. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to heal wounds you may have forgotten you have. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to remember how precious life is, and to renew your appreciation for it.
When you look at the challenges in your life as opportunities to mature emotionally and spiritually, everything that occurs in your life can be viewed as a blessing. And blessings are something that you are thankful for, right?
So this Thanksgiving—and throughout the year—be thankful not only for the “good” in your life, but also for what you judge to be “not so good.”
Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in wisdom and compassion.
Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in your ability to love others—and to love yourself —unconditionally.
Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to remember that life itself is a sacred gift . . . a gift that is meant to be enjoyed to its fullest, and never taken for granted.
Giving thanks today and every day . . . for everything . . .
Steven
P.S. I am especially grateful to each and every one of you who have supported my work this past year with your tithes and offerings. It is your generous gifts that make this ongoing labor of love possible, and I greatly appreciate your help. Thank you one and all!
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Flow in a Relationship
November 15, 2009
Dear Friends,
I’m sure you’re well aware that you rarely—if ever—get anywhere in life completely on your own. Usually, reaching your chosen destinations in life requires the participation, cooperation, and support of others. This is especially true when you are in a very close relationship with another person—a spouse, a partner, or a family member, for example.
When your choices immediately and directly affect someone else, it may feel as if you and that other person are literally "in the same boat”—that you are both in the same “Relation Ship,” so to speak. That's when rowing your boat in harmony with each other becomes of paramount importance.
The question is, how do you both "row with the flow" when the two of you do not immediately agree on a goal, or do not agree on the next right step for reaching a goal? That particular question is one that I often get asked. And here is my answer:
For a couple to stay in the flow—or even for a close-knit group to move forward in a mutually beneficial way—it is helpful when each person in that relationship is willing to do four things:
There are plenty of days when we try to point "our boat" in completely different directions. But when that happens, we take the time to slow down and listen to our hearts. We pause, and sense how alternative options "feel." In other words, we focus our attention on our inner wisdom—our intuition.
When we do that, one of two things usually occurs: One of us will let go of his or her plan because it becomes apparent that it was just an ego-driven impulse, and not a true desire of the heart. Or, one of us will be divinely inspired with a completely new and different idea—one that is not only mutually beneficial, but one that also "feels right" to both of us.
The beauty of intuitive guidance is that it always benefits all parties. And why does it? Because the ultimate source of your intuitive guidance is the One Spirit that unites us all—that creative, loving, divine energy that we are all expressions of . . . resulting in the kind of guidance that is always in the best interests of everyone.
So, are you in the kind of relationship with another person—or a group of people—where mutual support and cooperation is necessary to get where you want to go? Then remember to treat everyone involved with loving kindness, and take the time to listen to your heart. You will be amazed at how people with diverse needs, ideas, dreams, and desires can all come together and be part of one mutually fulfilling flow . . . an effortless flow . . . a flow that is nothing less than divine.
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Dear Friends,
I’m sure you’re well aware that you rarely—if ever—get anywhere in life completely on your own. Usually, reaching your chosen destinations in life requires the participation, cooperation, and support of others. This is especially true when you are in a very close relationship with another person—a spouse, a partner, or a family member, for example.
When your choices immediately and directly affect someone else, it may feel as if you and that other person are literally "in the same boat”—that you are both in the same “Relation Ship,” so to speak. That's when rowing your boat in harmony with each other becomes of paramount importance.
The question is, how do you both "row with the flow" when the two of you do not immediately agree on a goal, or do not agree on the next right step for reaching a goal? That particular question is one that I often get asked. And here is my answer:
For a couple to stay in the flow—or even for a close-knit group to move forward in a mutually beneficial way—it is helpful when each person in that relationship is willing to do four things:
Take the time to attune himself or herself to his or her inner guidance.As most of you know, I have been in a close relationship with my loving partner, Carol, for many years now. Our daily life together has always felt like it was "in the flow." But does that mean that on a day-to-day basis we always instantly agree on every single step we are considering taking? No.
Have the patience to wait for that inner guidance to unfold for everyone involved.
Practice loving kindness so everyone feels safe enough to express their thoughts and feelings during the process.
And most of all, let go of what he or she originally thought was best.
There are plenty of days when we try to point "our boat" in completely different directions. But when that happens, we take the time to slow down and listen to our hearts. We pause, and sense how alternative options "feel." In other words, we focus our attention on our inner wisdom—our intuition.
When we do that, one of two things usually occurs: One of us will let go of his or her plan because it becomes apparent that it was just an ego-driven impulse, and not a true desire of the heart. Or, one of us will be divinely inspired with a completely new and different idea—one that is not only mutually beneficial, but one that also "feels right" to both of us.
The beauty of intuitive guidance is that it always benefits all parties. And why does it? Because the ultimate source of your intuitive guidance is the One Spirit that unites us all—that creative, loving, divine energy that we are all expressions of . . . resulting in the kind of guidance that is always in the best interests of everyone.
So, are you in the kind of relationship with another person—or a group of people—where mutual support and cooperation is necessary to get where you want to go? Then remember to treat everyone involved with loving kindness, and take the time to listen to your heart. You will be amazed at how people with diverse needs, ideas, dreams, and desires can all come together and be part of one mutually fulfilling flow . . . an effortless flow . . . a flow that is nothing less than divine.
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Friday, November 6, 2009
Discernment and The Divine Flow
November 8, 2009
Dear Friends,
Last week I suggested that you refrain from acting hastily whenever someone encourages you to “push through” a problem—to “force your way forward,” so to speak. Although the accomplishment of a goal or dream may require a great deal of patience on your part, the divine flow will never ask you to “force” anything. Nor, usually, will it require you to endure extreme conditions of any kind. Generally speaking, the path of the flow is always one of grace and ease, even when it takes an unexpected turn.
Like most weeks, I received a lot of nice responses to my message. But this time, I noticed that most of the readers who wrote to me had gotten more out of my message than was actually spelled out in “black and white.” They read between the lines, and saw the bigger message that was implied.
Today, I want to go ahead and say what was left unsaid. And that is simply this: No matter what anyone encourages you to do, and no matter how much you respect their advice, opinions, or suggestions, it is up to you to decide what is best for you.
I am not asking you to ignore the suggestions of others. In fact—in addition to divine signs and synchronicities—one of the primary ways that you receive divine direction in life is through others. But never forget that your most valuable and reliable source of guidance is always your own intuition.
Even if someone makes a suggestion that sounds like it is “in the flow” and not at all forceful, it is still up to you to access you inner sense of “knowing” to decide whether that advice is right for you or not.
No matter what people say, or what the signs and synchronicities “seem” to indicate, it is always important to practice divine discernment—to get quiet, go within, and get in touch with that subtle, inner sense that helps you distinguish between “yes, this feels right for me,” or “no, this doesn’t feel like it is in my best interest.”
As Rev. Suzanne Bishop of Payson, Arizona wrote to me this week: “I have learned the importance of taking personal responsibility for my own well-being—to not allow anyone to override my internal guidance, and to resist the efforts of someone else to push me beyond what I intuit is good or safe for me at the time.”
Friends, it is helpful to receive guidance from “without”—from signs and synchronicities, and from friends, family, teachers, and other leaders. But for the most part, that information should just be used to confirm what your own heart is telling you. In the end, every decision that you make, and every action that you take, should be based on the wisdom that lies “within”—on the wisdom of your very own spirit.
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Dear Friends,
Last week I suggested that you refrain from acting hastily whenever someone encourages you to “push through” a problem—to “force your way forward,” so to speak. Although the accomplishment of a goal or dream may require a great deal of patience on your part, the divine flow will never ask you to “force” anything. Nor, usually, will it require you to endure extreme conditions of any kind. Generally speaking, the path of the flow is always one of grace and ease, even when it takes an unexpected turn.
Like most weeks, I received a lot of nice responses to my message. But this time, I noticed that most of the readers who wrote to me had gotten more out of my message than was actually spelled out in “black and white.” They read between the lines, and saw the bigger message that was implied.
Today, I want to go ahead and say what was left unsaid. And that is simply this: No matter what anyone encourages you to do, and no matter how much you respect their advice, opinions, or suggestions, it is up to you to decide what is best for you.
I am not asking you to ignore the suggestions of others. In fact—in addition to divine signs and synchronicities—one of the primary ways that you receive divine direction in life is through others. But never forget that your most valuable and reliable source of guidance is always your own intuition.
Even if someone makes a suggestion that sounds like it is “in the flow” and not at all forceful, it is still up to you to access you inner sense of “knowing” to decide whether that advice is right for you or not.
No matter what people say, or what the signs and synchronicities “seem” to indicate, it is always important to practice divine discernment—to get quiet, go within, and get in touch with that subtle, inner sense that helps you distinguish between “yes, this feels right for me,” or “no, this doesn’t feel like it is in my best interest.”
As Rev. Suzanne Bishop of Payson, Arizona wrote to me this week: “I have learned the importance of taking personal responsibility for my own well-being—to not allow anyone to override my internal guidance, and to resist the efforts of someone else to push me beyond what I intuit is good or safe for me at the time.”
Friends, it is helpful to receive guidance from “without”—from signs and synchronicities, and from friends, family, teachers, and other leaders. But for the most part, that information should just be used to confirm what your own heart is telling you. In the end, every decision that you make, and every action that you take, should be based on the wisdom that lies “within”—on the wisdom of your very own spirit.
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Being In The Flow Is "No Sweat"
November 1, 2009
Dear Friends,
Since it has been all over the national news lately, most of you are probably aware of the tragedy that recently occurred here in Sedona during a sweat lodge ceremony. During this event, two people died, about twenty others became seriously ill, and a third person died later from her injuries. (For more information about sweat lodges, click here.)
Usually, a sweat lodge is reasonably safe, because the person in charge of this sacred ritual continually monitors the well-being of the participants, and allows anyone to leave the lodge if they are experiencing severe, physical discomfort. Although the leader of this particular sweat lodge did not physically restrain anyone from leaving, one survivor of the ordeal claims that those who did attempt to leave—or complained about their distress—were encouraged to “push through it.” In other words, it sounds like the lodge leader encouraged them to endure their discomfort, to persevere, and to literally “sweat it out.” The results of that attitude proved disastrous.
No doubt there are many lessons that can be learned from this sad turn of events. What it immediately brings to my mind—and is pertinent to the focus of my work—is the importance of knowing the difference between “flow” and “force” when it comes to pursuing your chosen destinations in life. When you ignore the divine flow of life, and choose, instead, to push ahead and force your way forward, there can be undesired consequences.
That’s not to say that being in the divine flow always feels completely comfortable. In fact, there may be times when the divine flow will purposely invite you to step out of your personal comfort zone. But if you look closely at what your personal comfort zone is, you will see that is usually a “box” that was artificially created by your own personal history and conditioning . . . and it feels good to finally move beyond that limited—and limiting—space.
It appears, though, that the leader of this lodge was doing far more than asking people to move beyond their personal comfort zone. He was inviting them to tolerate extreme discomfort, and encouraging them to ignore what their bodies were trying to tell them. There are physical limits to what the body can endure, and to what the body can do. And even though professional athletes are continually stretching those boundaries, those expansions happen very gradually, and in very tiny increments.
Friends, there are going to be plenty of times in life when you will run into a formidable obstacle that seems to be blocking you from reaching your desired destination. And there will probably be well-meaning people around you who will encourage you to “push through it.” In those times, just remember to refrain from acting hastily, and—through prayer, meditation, or contemplation—try to discern if the next step that you are considering taking feels “fluid” or “forceful.”
Remember that being in the flow is not about taking a step just because you can. It’s about attuning yourself to divine guidance, and taking the step that you are being divinely directed to take . . . a step that is usually a tiny, little, baby step—one that is right in front of you, and relatively easy to do.
Remember that being in the flow is not about forcing your way through an obstacle. It’s about flowing around that obstacle, or sometimes—through the power of divine love—watching that obstacle dissolve right before your eyes.
In other words, remember that being in the flow is not about sweating it out. It’s about the grace and effortless ease you experience in life when all of your decisions and all of your actions are divinely inspired.
Do you have a particular goal or dream that you are pursuing right now? Then why not allow the divine flow to lead you to your desired destination. About the hardest thing you will have to do is exercise a little patience. Other than that, getting there should be . . . well . . . no sweat.
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Dear Friends,
Since it has been all over the national news lately, most of you are probably aware of the tragedy that recently occurred here in Sedona during a sweat lodge ceremony. During this event, two people died, about twenty others became seriously ill, and a third person died later from her injuries. (For more information about sweat lodges, click here.)
Usually, a sweat lodge is reasonably safe, because the person in charge of this sacred ritual continually monitors the well-being of the participants, and allows anyone to leave the lodge if they are experiencing severe, physical discomfort. Although the leader of this particular sweat lodge did not physically restrain anyone from leaving, one survivor of the ordeal claims that those who did attempt to leave—or complained about their distress—were encouraged to “push through it.” In other words, it sounds like the lodge leader encouraged them to endure their discomfort, to persevere, and to literally “sweat it out.” The results of that attitude proved disastrous.
No doubt there are many lessons that can be learned from this sad turn of events. What it immediately brings to my mind—and is pertinent to the focus of my work—is the importance of knowing the difference between “flow” and “force” when it comes to pursuing your chosen destinations in life. When you ignore the divine flow of life, and choose, instead, to push ahead and force your way forward, there can be undesired consequences.
That’s not to say that being in the divine flow always feels completely comfortable. In fact, there may be times when the divine flow will purposely invite you to step out of your personal comfort zone. But if you look closely at what your personal comfort zone is, you will see that is usually a “box” that was artificially created by your own personal history and conditioning . . . and it feels good to finally move beyond that limited—and limiting—space.
It appears, though, that the leader of this lodge was doing far more than asking people to move beyond their personal comfort zone. He was inviting them to tolerate extreme discomfort, and encouraging them to ignore what their bodies were trying to tell them. There are physical limits to what the body can endure, and to what the body can do. And even though professional athletes are continually stretching those boundaries, those expansions happen very gradually, and in very tiny increments.
Friends, there are going to be plenty of times in life when you will run into a formidable obstacle that seems to be blocking you from reaching your desired destination. And there will probably be well-meaning people around you who will encourage you to “push through it.” In those times, just remember to refrain from acting hastily, and—through prayer, meditation, or contemplation—try to discern if the next step that you are considering taking feels “fluid” or “forceful.”
Remember that being in the flow is not about taking a step just because you can. It’s about attuning yourself to divine guidance, and taking the step that you are being divinely directed to take . . . a step that is usually a tiny, little, baby step—one that is right in front of you, and relatively easy to do.
Remember that being in the flow is not about forcing your way through an obstacle. It’s about flowing around that obstacle, or sometimes—through the power of divine love—watching that obstacle dissolve right before your eyes.
In other words, remember that being in the flow is not about sweating it out. It’s about the grace and effortless ease you experience in life when all of your decisions and all of your actions are divinely inspired.
Do you have a particular goal or dream that you are pursuing right now? Then why not allow the divine flow to lead you to your desired destination. About the hardest thing you will have to do is exercise a little patience. Other than that, getting there should be . . . well . . . no sweat.
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Desire & The Divine Flow
October 25, 2009
Dear Friends,
There are those who believe that the key to happiness lies in eliminating your personal desires. I, for one, don’t believe that is the key to happiness. In fact, I don’t believe that is even possible. Why? Because having desires is an inherent and inescapable part of your divine nature.
As an individual expression of that creative energy commonly called God, it is in your very makeup to be a Creator, and to be constantly creating. And that’s all that your desires really are—intentions to create something in this world that didn’t exist before . . . especially experiences.
It’s interesting to note that if you look up the word “desire” in the dictionary, you will see that it came from a combination of the Latin words “de” and “sidus,” which translates literally as “from a star.” To me, that supports the idea that desire itself is not of earthly origin, but is a celestial attribute . . . one born from that higher place—that Higher Self—that shining star that is your Spirit.
That said, it is true that how you handle your desires can be a issue. For instance:
So yes, it is very important for you to carefully monitor what your ego is doing with your desires. But that doesn’t mean that you have to deny yourself the pleasure of having desires and pursuing their fulfillment. You just have to keep your desires in their proper perspective.
Remember that for everything you think you want in your mind, there is a deeper desire of the heart—of your Spirit—that underlies that idea, and initiated it. Remember that the Universe knows exactly what that deeper desire is in its purest form—unaltered by intellect or ego. And remember that it is to the fulfillment of that deeper desire that the divine flow is guiding you.
So, by all means, have your desires and pursue their fulfillment. But remember to let go of the specifics of your desire, and allow the divine flow to lead you to a destination that may be different from the one you originally intended. You will happily discover that what your Spirit desires for you is probably an even greater good—something that is grander than anything your mind ever imagined possible; something that is more deeply fulfilling; and something that is always in the best interests of all.
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com.
Dear Friends,
There are those who believe that the key to happiness lies in eliminating your personal desires. I, for one, don’t believe that is the key to happiness. In fact, I don’t believe that is even possible. Why? Because having desires is an inherent and inescapable part of your divine nature.
As an individual expression of that creative energy commonly called God, it is in your very makeup to be a Creator, and to be constantly creating. And that’s all that your desires really are—intentions to create something in this world that didn’t exist before . . . especially experiences.
It’s interesting to note that if you look up the word “desire” in the dictionary, you will see that it came from a combination of the Latin words “de” and “sidus,” which translates literally as “from a star.” To me, that supports the idea that desire itself is not of earthly origin, but is a celestial attribute . . . one born from that higher place—that Higher Self—that shining star that is your Spirit.
That said, it is true that how you handle your desires can be a issue. For instance:
If you are overly attached to having your desire manifest in one particular way, that can be an issue.
If you believe that you can’t be happy until your desire is fulfilled, that can be an issue.
If accumulating possessions becomes an obsession, that can be an issue.
So yes, it is very important for you to carefully monitor what your ego is doing with your desires. But that doesn’t mean that you have to deny yourself the pleasure of having desires and pursuing their fulfillment. You just have to keep your desires in their proper perspective.
Remember that for everything you think you want in your mind, there is a deeper desire of the heart—of your Spirit—that underlies that idea, and initiated it. Remember that the Universe knows exactly what that deeper desire is in its purest form—unaltered by intellect or ego. And remember that it is to the fulfillment of that deeper desire that the divine flow is guiding you.
So, by all means, have your desires and pursue their fulfillment. But remember to let go of the specifics of your desire, and allow the divine flow to lead you to a destination that may be different from the one you originally intended. You will happily discover that what your Spirit desires for you is probably an even greater good—something that is grander than anything your mind ever imagined possible; something that is more deeply fulfilling; and something that is always in the best interests of all.
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Watch Your Step!
October 18, 2009
Dear Friends,
The last activity I lead in my Divine Flow Retreats is a hike to the top of Mescal Mountain, one of Sedona’s lesser-known Red Rock formations.
When I first explored this area of Sedona, I was painfully reminded of one of the principles for living life in the divine flow: Always keep your focus on your current step!
You see, this particular trail is not only loaded with lots of loose rocks, but it also has lots of cacti growing all along the way. If you don’t watch where you are stepping, you might slip on the rocks and fall. Or, you might walk right into a prickly cactus . . . which is exactly what I did. Ouch! Instead of paying attention to where I was walking, I was looking too far ahead, and I suffered the consequence.
The same thing can happen as we pursue our desires in life.
As I frequently mention, living life in the divine flow requires present-moment awareness. The divine flow is always giving you the next right step to take to reach your goal. And that step is always right in front of you, relatively easy to do, and free of painful obstacles. But to see that step, you must stay focused in the here and now, instead of being focused somewhere in the future.
That doesn’t mean that there isn’t value in looking ahead and seeing where you want to go. In fact, that’s a requirement. Choosing a destination is what sets the whole flow in motion in the first place. But after that, you must return your attention to the present moment, so you can see the next step that the flow is guiding you to take.
It’s sort of a back-and-forth thing: You visualize your goal, then return your awareness to the present. You picture your dream, then come back to the current moment. If you are continually daydreaming about where you are headed, you may miss the very step that is leading you there. Or worse, you may make a misstep and find yourself sitting by the side of the trail pulling barbed bristles out of your skin!
Do you have a goal that you would like to accomplish, or a dream that you would like to realize? Great! Just remember that getting there is a step-by-step process, and your journey will be a lot more peaceful and pleasant if you stay focused on each step as it comes along.
Happy Trails!
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Dear Friends,
The last activity I lead in my Divine Flow Retreats is a hike to the top of Mescal Mountain, one of Sedona’s lesser-known Red Rock formations.
When I first explored this area of Sedona, I was painfully reminded of one of the principles for living life in the divine flow: Always keep your focus on your current step!
You see, this particular trail is not only loaded with lots of loose rocks, but it also has lots of cacti growing all along the way. If you don’t watch where you are stepping, you might slip on the rocks and fall. Or, you might walk right into a prickly cactus . . . which is exactly what I did. Ouch! Instead of paying attention to where I was walking, I was looking too far ahead, and I suffered the consequence.
The same thing can happen as we pursue our desires in life.
As I frequently mention, living life in the divine flow requires present-moment awareness. The divine flow is always giving you the next right step to take to reach your goal. And that step is always right in front of you, relatively easy to do, and free of painful obstacles. But to see that step, you must stay focused in the here and now, instead of being focused somewhere in the future.
That doesn’t mean that there isn’t value in looking ahead and seeing where you want to go. In fact, that’s a requirement. Choosing a destination is what sets the whole flow in motion in the first place. But after that, you must return your attention to the present moment, so you can see the next step that the flow is guiding you to take.
It’s sort of a back-and-forth thing: You visualize your goal, then return your awareness to the present. You picture your dream, then come back to the current moment. If you are continually daydreaming about where you are headed, you may miss the very step that is leading you there. Or worse, you may make a misstep and find yourself sitting by the side of the trail pulling barbed bristles out of your skin!
Do you have a goal that you would like to accomplish, or a dream that you would like to realize? Great! Just remember that getting there is a step-by-step process, and your journey will be a lot more peaceful and pleasant if you stay focused on each step as it comes along.
Happy Trails!
Steven
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Ego and The Divine Flow
October 11, 2009
Dear Friends,
In these weekly messages I often mention the word “ego,” and I write about the various ways that choices made from your ego can severely limit your ability to be “in the flow” and fulfill your heart’s desires effortlessly.
Usually, the ego is associated with an inflated sense of self-importance—of pride, arrogance, or grandiosity. And it is easy to see how decisions based on those aspects of your ego can lead you into troubled waters.
But did you realize that the opposite is also true? A low sense of self-worth—of being less than others, or undeserving—is also an expression of ego. And, just like an inflated sense of self-importance, a low sense of self-worth can also make life more difficult for you than it has to be.
You might wonder how both of these extremes in self-perception can have the same source. Well, the answer lies in the way that many spiritual teachers define “ego,” which is simply “a thought that you are separate.”
Any thought that causes you to feel greater than others, or less than others, is a thought that—in your consciousness—separates you from others. And since we are all individual expressions of the same all-pervading energy that is commonly called God, that means that any thought that separates you from others will also—in your consciousness—separate you from that supportive divine energy.
And therein lies the problem. When you are in ego, you are disconnected from G.O.D.—from the “Guidance Of the Divine,” and life can quickly become a struggle.
In other words, when you are in E.G.O. you have “Edged God Out,” and any decision that you make—even one made with the best of intentions—is limited by your own incomplete knowledge and imperfect understanding.
As I have mentioned time and time again, to live life in the divine flow it is important for you to maintain a conscious connection with divine direction. And that means that thoughts of separation must be avoided. Instead of belittling others and inflating yourself—or the other way around—it is important to consistently affirm the Truth about yourself and others.
And what is that Truth? It is the Truth that each and everyone of us is a Beloved Child of The Divine—that each and everyone one of us is equal at birth and equal in worth to every other person on this planet . . . and thus, equally deserving of whatever it is we want to have, do, or be in life.
May we all enhance our ability to live life in the divine flow through thoughts of oneness instead of separation.
May we recognize the underlying Truth that every single person in this world is not only our brother or sister in Spirit, but is actually a part of ourselves . . . another wave in that ocean of universal energy that gave birth to us all, nurtures us all, and sustains us all.
Steven
P.S. If you struggle with a low sense of self-worth, I have written a set of Self-Worth Affirmation Statements that can help improve the way you value yourself. You will find it under AFFIRMATIONS on the order page of my website, and you can download it for free. To go there now, click on www.rowrowrow.com/order.html.
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Dear Friends,
In these weekly messages I often mention the word “ego,” and I write about the various ways that choices made from your ego can severely limit your ability to be “in the flow” and fulfill your heart’s desires effortlessly.
Usually, the ego is associated with an inflated sense of self-importance—of pride, arrogance, or grandiosity. And it is easy to see how decisions based on those aspects of your ego can lead you into troubled waters.
But did you realize that the opposite is also true? A low sense of self-worth—of being less than others, or undeserving—is also an expression of ego. And, just like an inflated sense of self-importance, a low sense of self-worth can also make life more difficult for you than it has to be.
You might wonder how both of these extremes in self-perception can have the same source. Well, the answer lies in the way that many spiritual teachers define “ego,” which is simply “a thought that you are separate.”
Any thought that causes you to feel greater than others, or less than others, is a thought that—in your consciousness—separates you from others. And since we are all individual expressions of the same all-pervading energy that is commonly called God, that means that any thought that separates you from others will also—in your consciousness—separate you from that supportive divine energy.
And therein lies the problem. When you are in ego, you are disconnected from G.O.D.—from the “Guidance Of the Divine,” and life can quickly become a struggle.
In other words, when you are in E.G.O. you have “Edged God Out,” and any decision that you make—even one made with the best of intentions—is limited by your own incomplete knowledge and imperfect understanding.
As I have mentioned time and time again, to live life in the divine flow it is important for you to maintain a conscious connection with divine direction. And that means that thoughts of separation must be avoided. Instead of belittling others and inflating yourself—or the other way around—it is important to consistently affirm the Truth about yourself and others.
And what is that Truth? It is the Truth that each and everyone of us is a Beloved Child of The Divine—that each and everyone one of us is equal at birth and equal in worth to every other person on this planet . . . and thus, equally deserving of whatever it is we want to have, do, or be in life.
May we all enhance our ability to live life in the divine flow through thoughts of oneness instead of separation.
May we recognize the underlying Truth that every single person in this world is not only our brother or sister in Spirit, but is actually a part of ourselves . . . another wave in that ocean of universal energy that gave birth to us all, nurtures us all, and sustains us all.
Steven
P.S. If you struggle with a low sense of self-worth, I have written a set of Self-Worth Affirmation Statements that can help improve the way you value yourself. You will find it under AFFIRMATIONS on the order page of my website, and you can download it for free. To go there now, click on www.rowrowrow.com/order.html.
© 2009 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
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