January 27, 2008
Dear Friends,
Have you ever had an extremely strong feeling that you needed to take immediate action on some kind of opportunity?
Sure you have. We all have. And you probably assumed that this urgent, demanding feeling was your intuition speaking—that it was the divine flow telling you the next right step to take.
But was it your intuition? Or was it just an impulse? To live life in the divine flow, it helps to distinguish between intuitive guidance and impulsiveness. Here’s a general rule of thumb to help you discern the difference: Your intuition persists. But an impulse insists.
Generally speaking, an impulse is motivated by an underlying thought of lack or limitation. It tells you that if you don’t act right now, the opportunity you are considering will be gone forever! Underlying every impulse is a subtle feeling of fear—of tension or anxiety—and you may feel like your happiness hinges on taking this step.
Your intuition, on the other hand, knows nothing of lack and limitation. Originating in the unlimited Mind of the Divine, it sees an infinite number of possibilities for you. Over time, it will persist in nudging you in a particular direction, but it will never insist that you must take advantage of any single opportunity.
If you miss one opportunity, your intuition will simply lead you to another. And if you miss that opportunity, it will lead you to still another. And so on. The opportunities to which you are guided may change in form and nature, but they will always satisfy whatever it is your heart is seeking to experience.
But what if you are in immediate physical danger? Wouldn’t your intuition try to protect you through a very insistent message in that circumstance? That depends on how you interpret the word insistent. Will the message be clear and direct? Yes. But will it demand? No. Nor will the message itself be infused with fear. Generally speaking, your intuition will simply give you a positive action-step to take.
I know two people whose lives were saved by a very clear inner voice. But both times, that voice spoke in a very simple and direct manner. One message was simply “Get off the road,” which prevented that person from colliding with another vehicle. The other message was “Quit what you are doing and leave the river,” which saved that person from drowning in a flash flood.
The still, small voice of the divine does not always have to be still and small. It can be obvious and unmistakable. But behind that voice there is always a basic, underlying sense of eternal well-being. Because that is all your divine spirit knows. And your spirit is the source of your intuitive guidance.
Is there something in your life right now that you are considering doing? How do you feel about it? If, over time, there is a persistent feeling of peace about it—or even better, a quiet sense of surety—that is probably your intuition speaking. If your inclination is insistent at first, but then diminishes over time, that is probably an impulse.
Here’s to acting on intuition, passing on impulses, and developing the wisdom to know the difference.
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Making Money vs. Creating Experiences
January 20, 2008
Dear Friends,
Last week I wrote about the source of your prosperity. I pointed out how you may be limiting yourself when you confuse a “channel” of income, such as an employer, with the true, underlying “source” of all financial blessings, which is that universal, infinitely creative force that some call God, and others call—appropriately enough—Source!
Well, here is another idea you might have that could be limiting your abundance. It’s the idea that you want to “make money, and make more of it.” I realize that statement doesn’t sound very limiting. But let’s examine that desire for a moment and see if it is something that you really want to focus on.
First of all, is money what you really want? Or is it an experience of comfort, security, adventure, or beauty that money can offer you?
I define the divine flow as an underlying current that is continually guiding you toward the effortless fulfillment of your heart's desires. But what your heart desires—what your divine spirit desires—is always an experience of life. So that is what you should be focusing on . . . not money.
Money is not an experience. It is just a means to an end. And in many cases, when you are following the divine flow, you will discover that money isn’t even required to achieve your desire. Sometimes, the experience you desire is provided for you without cost at all! It comes to you freely, as a gift from the universe.
And what about the idea that you want to make money? Do you really want to make money, and make more of it? Or do you just want to have money, and have more of it?
The act of “making” often entails effort and struggle. When, instead, you focus on what it is you want to experience, any money you may need to manifest that experience flows to you naturally as part of the process. Yes, usually that means receiving money for a service that you provide. But when you truly love doing what you do, any money you receive for providing that service is more of a benefit than a goal.
So, my friends, do you really want to make money, and make more of it? Or is your true desire to have some wonderful new experiences? Isn’t it the latter? If so, then focus on that! Let the universe know in no uncertain terms exactly what it is you want to experience.
When you do that—when you focus on the experience you want to have, rather than the money that you may (or may not) need to have that experience—you will find your desire being fulfilled in a much more effective, efficient, and effortless manner.
After all, creating experiences is what the whole universe is designed to help you do. So why not take advantage of it?
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Dear Friends,
Last week I wrote about the source of your prosperity. I pointed out how you may be limiting yourself when you confuse a “channel” of income, such as an employer, with the true, underlying “source” of all financial blessings, which is that universal, infinitely creative force that some call God, and others call—appropriately enough—Source!
Well, here is another idea you might have that could be limiting your abundance. It’s the idea that you want to “make money, and make more of it.” I realize that statement doesn’t sound very limiting. But let’s examine that desire for a moment and see if it is something that you really want to focus on.
First of all, is money what you really want? Or is it an experience of comfort, security, adventure, or beauty that money can offer you?
I define the divine flow as an underlying current that is continually guiding you toward the effortless fulfillment of your heart's desires. But what your heart desires—what your divine spirit desires—is always an experience of life. So that is what you should be focusing on . . . not money.
Money is not an experience. It is just a means to an end. And in many cases, when you are following the divine flow, you will discover that money isn’t even required to achieve your desire. Sometimes, the experience you desire is provided for you without cost at all! It comes to you freely, as a gift from the universe.
And what about the idea that you want to make money? Do you really want to make money, and make more of it? Or do you just want to have money, and have more of it?
The act of “making” often entails effort and struggle. When, instead, you focus on what it is you want to experience, any money you may need to manifest that experience flows to you naturally as part of the process. Yes, usually that means receiving money for a service that you provide. But when you truly love doing what you do, any money you receive for providing that service is more of a benefit than a goal.
So, my friends, do you really want to make money, and make more of it? Or is your true desire to have some wonderful new experiences? Isn’t it the latter? If so, then focus on that! Let the universe know in no uncertain terms exactly what it is you want to experience.
When you do that—when you focus on the experience you want to have, rather than the money that you may (or may not) need to have that experience—you will find your desire being fulfilled in a much more effective, efficient, and effortless manner.
After all, creating experiences is what the whole universe is designed to help you do. So why not take advantage of it?
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The Source of Prosperity
January 13, 2008
Dear Friends,
I recently read about a man who bit into a clam in a Florida restaurant and discovered a purple pearl worth $25,000. Not only are purple pearls extremely rare, but it is also very unusual to find a pearl in a clam instead of an oyster. And clams are not even something that this gentleman typically orders!
Reading that story brought to mind something that I have to remind myself of over and over and over again: God is the ultimate source of all financial blessings . . . and that Divine Power is infinitely inventive in coming up with ways to prosper us.
Most of us—myself included—tend to focus on our employers, our benefactors, the government, or even ourselves as the “source” of our income. But the Truth is, no matter where you think your money comes from, that “source” is just a channel through which the abundance of the universe flows.
The challenge is to always remember that the channel is not the source. When you perceive the channel to be the source, there is always an underlying fear that this source may one day go away. And that fear interferes with your ability to stay attuned to the divine flow, and do what you are being divinely directed to do in the moment.
When, on the other hand, you remember that you live in an infinitely abundant universe—a universe that is continually responding to your needs and desires through an unlimited number (and unimaginable variety) of channels—your fear disappears. And with that fear gone, you are once again more readily receptive to the flow of God’s goodness in your life . . . a flow that comes through God’s guidance in your life.
Here’s to living a life of faith instead of fear, so you are more likely to hear that still, small voice that is always telling you the next right step to take—a step that may be as simple as . . . order the clams!
Well, that’s my “purple pearl” of wisdom for today. As usual, take what you like and leave the rest.
Steven
P.S. When the gentleman who found the purple pearl realized what it was, the very first thing he said was, “Oh my God!” Now there’s an appropriate response! (If you want to read the complete story about the purple pearl, click here.)
© 2008 Steven Lane Taylor
Dear Friends,
I recently read about a man who bit into a clam in a Florida restaurant and discovered a purple pearl worth $25,000. Not only are purple pearls extremely rare, but it is also very unusual to find a pearl in a clam instead of an oyster. And clams are not even something that this gentleman typically orders!
Reading that story brought to mind something that I have to remind myself of over and over and over again: God is the ultimate source of all financial blessings . . . and that Divine Power is infinitely inventive in coming up with ways to prosper us.
Most of us—myself included—tend to focus on our employers, our benefactors, the government, or even ourselves as the “source” of our income. But the Truth is, no matter where you think your money comes from, that “source” is just a channel through which the abundance of the universe flows.
The challenge is to always remember that the channel is not the source. When you perceive the channel to be the source, there is always an underlying fear that this source may one day go away. And that fear interferes with your ability to stay attuned to the divine flow, and do what you are being divinely directed to do in the moment.
When, on the other hand, you remember that you live in an infinitely abundant universe—a universe that is continually responding to your needs and desires through an unlimited number (and unimaginable variety) of channels—your fear disappears. And with that fear gone, you are once again more readily receptive to the flow of God’s goodness in your life . . . a flow that comes through God’s guidance in your life.
Here’s to living a life of faith instead of fear, so you are more likely to hear that still, small voice that is always telling you the next right step to take—a step that may be as simple as . . . order the clams!
Well, that’s my “purple pearl” of wisdom for today. As usual, take what you like and leave the rest.
Steven
P.S. When the gentleman who found the purple pearl realized what it was, the very first thing he said was, “Oh my God!” Now there’s an appropriate response! (If you want to read the complete story about the purple pearl, click here.)
© 2008 Steven Lane Taylor
Saturday, January 5, 2008
The Roundabout Way
January 6, 2008
Dear Friends,
These days, when someone new to Sedona asks me how to get to Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock (two of our most popular red rock formations), I often jokingly reply, “The best way to get there is in a very roundabout manner.”
So where’s “the joke” in that, you ask? Well, you see, here in Sedona we are in the middle of a huge road improvement project. As part of that project, all of the major intersections between Sedona and The Village of Oak Creek are being turned into “roundabouts”—traffic circles similar to the ones that are common in Europe.
These circular intersections enable drivers who want to turn left, or who just want to cross the road, to do so without having to wait for a green light, or wait on a long line of oncoming traffic to pass. Instead, everyone who enters the intersection simply veers to the right, and then moves around the circle in a counter-clockwise direction until they reach the road they want to be on.
When everyone is paying attention, everyone gets where they are going in a seamlessly flowing fashion . . . even though it is a “roundabout way” of doing it.
The point I am getting to is this (and you probably saw this coming): When you live life in the divine flow, the best way to reach your destinations in life—the safest way, and the way with fewer obstacles—is often a “roundabout way.”
Your desired destination may be to the “left,” so to speak, but the flow may guide you temporarily to the “right,” preventing you from running into something undesirable, or helping you avoid a block that you are not aware of.
I’ll never forget the day a youth group attended one of my talks, and one young lady proclaimed, “I get it! Our church is only a few hundred feet from the highway, and it is tempting to just want to head straight for it when you see it. But if you did that, your car would wind up nose-down in a drainage ditch! The best way to get to our church is to pass it by, take the next exit, cross over the bridge, and then come back down the access road. It’s the long way, but it’s the most beneficial way!”
And so it is in life. Your job is just to decide where it is you want to go. It is the job of the divine flow to figure out the best way to get there—which is always a way that is not only beneficial for you, but is beneficial for all involved, as well.
Here’s to living life in the divine flow, and remembering that the “roundabouts” you frequently encounter in life are there for your highest good, and for the highest good of everyone. May you be present enough to recognize these divine detours when you encounter them. And may you be patient enough and positive enough to happily move in any direction you are divinely guided to move in.
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Dear Friends,
These days, when someone new to Sedona asks me how to get to Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock (two of our most popular red rock formations), I often jokingly reply, “The best way to get there is in a very roundabout manner.”
So where’s “the joke” in that, you ask? Well, you see, here in Sedona we are in the middle of a huge road improvement project. As part of that project, all of the major intersections between Sedona and The Village of Oak Creek are being turned into “roundabouts”—traffic circles similar to the ones that are common in Europe.
These circular intersections enable drivers who want to turn left, or who just want to cross the road, to do so without having to wait for a green light, or wait on a long line of oncoming traffic to pass. Instead, everyone who enters the intersection simply veers to the right, and then moves around the circle in a counter-clockwise direction until they reach the road they want to be on.
When everyone is paying attention, everyone gets where they are going in a seamlessly flowing fashion . . . even though it is a “roundabout way” of doing it.
The point I am getting to is this (and you probably saw this coming): When you live life in the divine flow, the best way to reach your destinations in life—the safest way, and the way with fewer obstacles—is often a “roundabout way.”
Your desired destination may be to the “left,” so to speak, but the flow may guide you temporarily to the “right,” preventing you from running into something undesirable, or helping you avoid a block that you are not aware of.
I’ll never forget the day a youth group attended one of my talks, and one young lady proclaimed, “I get it! Our church is only a few hundred feet from the highway, and it is tempting to just want to head straight for it when you see it. But if you did that, your car would wind up nose-down in a drainage ditch! The best way to get to our church is to pass it by, take the next exit, cross over the bridge, and then come back down the access road. It’s the long way, but it’s the most beneficial way!”
And so it is in life. Your job is just to decide where it is you want to go. It is the job of the divine flow to figure out the best way to get there—which is always a way that is not only beneficial for you, but is beneficial for all involved, as well.
Here’s to living life in the divine flow, and remembering that the “roundabouts” you frequently encounter in life are there for your highest good, and for the highest good of everyone. May you be present enough to recognize these divine detours when you encounter them. And may you be patient enough and positive enough to happily move in any direction you are divinely guided to move in.
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
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