September 28, 2008
Dear Friends,
Today’s message is Part 3 of a three-part series. If you didn’t notice that I have been writing a series, there is a very good reason for that. I didn’t notice it myself! Why? Because the messages that I have been inspired to write lately have been delivered to me in reverse.
You see, on September 7th I wrote about the importance of holding on to the grandeur of your dream, and not settling for a lesser destination—even if that requires a great deal of patience on your part. On September 14th I wrote about the manifestation process itself, reminding you that real satisfaction comes from appreciating every step involved in the journey. Now I am inspired to complete this series by talking about where your desires originate in the first place—where do your goals and dreams actually come from, and why do you have them?
There is a common misperception that our desires are purely an aspect of our human nature, and—ironically—a fairly “undesirable” aspect. This idea arises from the fact that we often hinge our happiness on the fulfillment of our desires. And yes, that kind of attachment to a particular outcome can certainly lead to a great deal of suffering and misery. But it is our attachment to our desires that is the issue . . . not the desires themselves.
The way I see it, desire is not so much an aspect of your human nature, as it is an inescapable part of your spiritual nature. As I have mentioned before, I believe that at the core of your being you are an individual expression of God—The Divine Creator—so it is actually in your divine makeup to be constantly creating. And that’s what your desires fundamentally are—a celestial wish to create something in this world that didn’t exist before, and enjoy the experience surrounding that.
In support of this idea, 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.” Desire, then, is not some kind of human shortcoming . . . some kind of earthly failing (or falling). In its purest form, desire is a heavenly attribute, one born from that higher place—that higher self—that star that is your spirit.
So desire away, my friends! Go ahead and imagine whatever it is you want to have, do, or be in life. That’s just The Creator within you creating!
But do keep in mind this very important Truth: In the end, reaching the destinations that you choose in life—actually fulfilling your desires, accomplishing your goals, or realizing your dreams—is just the icing on the cake.
As I was inspired to put at the very end of my book, “The journey of life is not about getting somewhere. The journey of life is about being something. It’s about being the love that you are in every single moment of that journey. And it’s about experiencing the absolute joy that your love brings to the journey, and brings to each and every spirit that you encounter along the way.”
Here’s to having desires, pursuing desires, and fulfilling desires . . . but more than that, here’s to being and expressing the love that you are while you are doing that.
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Dealing With Loss . . . Again
September 21, 2008
Dear Friends,
Last June, I wrote a message about the losses suffered by people in both the U.S. and China due to devastating floods, tornados, and earthquakes. In those catastrophes, many lives were lost. Now, families dealing with loss are in the news again. This time, they saved their lives, but lost their homes in a hurricane that slammed into the coast of Texas.
In television interviews, it is nice to see that all of these people recognize that, in the largest sense, life is not about things. It is about love. And even though their houses—and all of the things in them—are gone, each of these families feels extremely grateful and blessed to still have each other.
The loss of one’s home, however, is still a very real—and very significant—loss. And I think it is important to acknowledge that fact.
A home, as you well know, is much more than bricks and mortar, stucco and tile. It is much more than a structure, a shelter, or even—in some cases—a work of art. A home is a box of memories, containing cherished mementos, souvenirs, keepsakes, heirlooms, and photographs. All of those treasured things are physical symbols of the people and the experiences in our lives that we hold near and dear to our hearts.
Although the memories themselves remain intact, it is still understandably tragic when the “memory collage” that one has spent a lifetime constructing, has been destroyed by wind, water, fire, or a shift in the earth itself.
As I often mention, one of the keys to living life in the divine flow is maintaining a positive attitude. But that positive attitude must be genuine. And that means that feelings such as grief, sadness, and sorrow must first be allowed to run their natural course.
Living life in the divine flow is not about stuffing your feelings to maintain an "appearance" of positivity. There is such a thing as legitimate suffering in life. It is not the kind of suffering that you bring upon yourself through needless worry or thoughtless actions. It is the kind of suffering that occurs most often with the sudden and unexpected loss of something, or someone, that you deeply love.
If you are dealing with a loss in your life right now, it is okay to go ahead and let yourself feel your feelings about it. In fact, it is necessary. Give yourself permission to experience all of your feelings freely and fully. Allow them to come, and go . . . and come again . . . and go again. It is the only way that they will eventually dissipate.
If, instead, you attempt to suppress those feelings, they will continue to exist at a subconscious level. And, in the end, that will just delay your ability to heal and feel joy again. And by "joy" I mean that underlying sense of appreciation for the total experience of life . . . a joy that embraces all of life’s twists and turns . . . a joy that may be best described as "bittersweet."
To each of you who have recently lost a loved one, a beloved pet, or anything else that occupies an important place in your heart, please know that kindred spirits the world over are supporting you in the restoration of your sense of wholeness, and the recovery of your sense of peace.
Blessings to you all.
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
Dear Friends,
Last June, I wrote a message about the losses suffered by people in both the U.S. and China due to devastating floods, tornados, and earthquakes. In those catastrophes, many lives were lost. Now, families dealing with loss are in the news again. This time, they saved their lives, but lost their homes in a hurricane that slammed into the coast of Texas.
In television interviews, it is nice to see that all of these people recognize that, in the largest sense, life is not about things. It is about love. And even though their houses—and all of the things in them—are gone, each of these families feels extremely grateful and blessed to still have each other.
The loss of one’s home, however, is still a very real—and very significant—loss. And I think it is important to acknowledge that fact.
A home, as you well know, is much more than bricks and mortar, stucco and tile. It is much more than a structure, a shelter, or even—in some cases—a work of art. A home is a box of memories, containing cherished mementos, souvenirs, keepsakes, heirlooms, and photographs. All of those treasured things are physical symbols of the people and the experiences in our lives that we hold near and dear to our hearts.
Although the memories themselves remain intact, it is still understandably tragic when the “memory collage” that one has spent a lifetime constructing, has been destroyed by wind, water, fire, or a shift in the earth itself.
As I often mention, one of the keys to living life in the divine flow is maintaining a positive attitude. But that positive attitude must be genuine. And that means that feelings such as grief, sadness, and sorrow must first be allowed to run their natural course.
Living life in the divine flow is not about stuffing your feelings to maintain an "appearance" of positivity. There is such a thing as legitimate suffering in life. It is not the kind of suffering that you bring upon yourself through needless worry or thoughtless actions. It is the kind of suffering that occurs most often with the sudden and unexpected loss of something, or someone, that you deeply love.
If you are dealing with a loss in your life right now, it is okay to go ahead and let yourself feel your feelings about it. In fact, it is necessary. Give yourself permission to experience all of your feelings freely and fully. Allow them to come, and go . . . and come again . . . and go again. It is the only way that they will eventually dissipate.
If, instead, you attempt to suppress those feelings, they will continue to exist at a subconscious level. And, in the end, that will just delay your ability to heal and feel joy again. And by "joy" I mean that underlying sense of appreciation for the total experience of life . . . a joy that embraces all of life’s twists and turns . . . a joy that may be best described as "bittersweet."
To each of you who have recently lost a loved one, a beloved pet, or anything else that occupies an important place in your heart, please know that kindred spirits the world over are supporting you in the restoration of your sense of wholeness, and the recovery of your sense of peace.
Blessings to you all.
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
Thursday, September 11, 2008
It's A Process
September 14, 2008
Dear Friends,
Do you think you would be happier if you could instantly manifest whatever it is you want to have, do, or be in your life? Would you be happier if you could just snap your fingers and immediately a brand new car would appear in your garage, or suddenly you would find yourself in a brand new job?
Believe it or not, I don’t think you would find that kind if instantaneous manifestation very satisfying—at least, not on a continual basis.
The manifestation process is . . . well . . . a process! And the real joy of manifesting—of creating—lies in the process itself.
Take a painter, for example. Is a painter happy when he or she has finished an original work of art? Of course. But the real enjoyment of painting came with each and every stroke of the brush. It was the experience of painting—not just having painted—that was fulfilling. Do you think a painter would continue to paint if every time he or she visualized a picture it just magically appeared on the canvas? I don’t think so.
Like a painter creating a work of art one stroke of the brush at a time, you manifest what you want in life one stroke of your “oars” at a time. Last week I wrote about holding on to your dream—your vision—as you patiently take those strokes. But don’t make the mistake of putting off your happiness until you actually reach that “destination”—until you actually accomplish your goal, fulfill your desire, or realize your dream.
Whether you are building a home, raising a family, or launching a career, consciously choose to savor each and every moment of the journey. Because that, my friends, is where the real satisfaction lies.
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
Dear Friends,
Do you think you would be happier if you could instantly manifest whatever it is you want to have, do, or be in your life? Would you be happier if you could just snap your fingers and immediately a brand new car would appear in your garage, or suddenly you would find yourself in a brand new job?
Believe it or not, I don’t think you would find that kind if instantaneous manifestation very satisfying—at least, not on a continual basis.
The manifestation process is . . . well . . . a process! And the real joy of manifesting—of creating—lies in the process itself.
Take a painter, for example. Is a painter happy when he or she has finished an original work of art? Of course. But the real enjoyment of painting came with each and every stroke of the brush. It was the experience of painting—not just having painted—that was fulfilling. Do you think a painter would continue to paint if every time he or she visualized a picture it just magically appeared on the canvas? I don’t think so.
Like a painter creating a work of art one stroke of the brush at a time, you manifest what you want in life one stroke of your “oars” at a time. Last week I wrote about holding on to your dream—your vision—as you patiently take those strokes. But don’t make the mistake of putting off your happiness until you actually reach that “destination”—until you actually accomplish your goal, fulfill your desire, or realize your dream.
Whether you are building a home, raising a family, or launching a career, consciously choose to savor each and every moment of the journey. Because that, my friends, is where the real satisfaction lies.
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Hold On To Your Dream
September 7, 2008
Dear Friends,
I’ve noticed a subtle form of self-sabotage that I would like to bring to your attention. It concerns any goal or dream you may have that is particularly ambitious—a desire of your heart that is exceptionally great, grand, and glorious.
That kind of desire is like a destination that lies much further down the stream than other destinations that are closer, simpler, and easier to reach. Because of the “distance” that is involved, a great deal of patience may be required on your part as you “row with the flow” toward the fulfillment of your dream.
As months go by—or even years—holding on to your dream can be a challenge. As more and more time passes, you may be tempted to scale back your dream. Without even realizing it, you may gradually move into a mind-set where you expect to manifest something less than what you originally desired.
It’s true that in my book and in my workshops, I do talk about allowing the flow to guide you somewhere that is different from what you planned on or expected. But different does not mean mediocre! One of the wonderful things about the divine flow is that it is always guiding you toward your highest good . . . which is always the greatest and grandest expression of whatever it is you “think” you want.
Yes, that does mean that you have to let go of any rigid attachment to the “specifics” of your dream. But that doesn’t mean settling for second best. By “specifics,” I am just talking about all the little details that you picture in your mind’s eye whenever you imagine your dream being fulfilled—the exact location of that dream house you want, the model of that luxury car you desire, the height and hair color of that “very special someone” you want to attract into your life, or how you imagine a healing taking place between you and someone you love.
Do you have a grand and glorious dream in mind? Then hold on to it! Hold on to how your dream makes you feel. Hold on to the tremendous joy it brings you. Hold on to the deep sense of accomplishment it offers you. Hold on to the extraordinary feeling of love it gives you.
Avoid the temptation that might eventually arise to replace your dream with a less satisfying—but more easily fulfilled—one. If you begin to look for less, that is all you will see, and you will miss the flow’s attempts to guide you to something greater.
Remember, as a beloved child of the divine, you are inherently worthy of having, doing, or being whatever it is—in essence—that you desire. As author Sarah Ban Breathnach put it so well, “You deserve nothing less than something more!”
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
Dear Friends,
I’ve noticed a subtle form of self-sabotage that I would like to bring to your attention. It concerns any goal or dream you may have that is particularly ambitious—a desire of your heart that is exceptionally great, grand, and glorious.
That kind of desire is like a destination that lies much further down the stream than other destinations that are closer, simpler, and easier to reach. Because of the “distance” that is involved, a great deal of patience may be required on your part as you “row with the flow” toward the fulfillment of your dream.
As months go by—or even years—holding on to your dream can be a challenge. As more and more time passes, you may be tempted to scale back your dream. Without even realizing it, you may gradually move into a mind-set where you expect to manifest something less than what you originally desired.
It’s true that in my book and in my workshops, I do talk about allowing the flow to guide you somewhere that is different from what you planned on or expected. But different does not mean mediocre! One of the wonderful things about the divine flow is that it is always guiding you toward your highest good . . . which is always the greatest and grandest expression of whatever it is you “think” you want.
Yes, that does mean that you have to let go of any rigid attachment to the “specifics” of your dream. But that doesn’t mean settling for second best. By “specifics,” I am just talking about all the little details that you picture in your mind’s eye whenever you imagine your dream being fulfilled—the exact location of that dream house you want, the model of that luxury car you desire, the height and hair color of that “very special someone” you want to attract into your life, or how you imagine a healing taking place between you and someone you love.
Do you have a grand and glorious dream in mind? Then hold on to it! Hold on to how your dream makes you feel. Hold on to the tremendous joy it brings you. Hold on to the deep sense of accomplishment it offers you. Hold on to the extraordinary feeling of love it gives you.
Avoid the temptation that might eventually arise to replace your dream with a less satisfying—but more easily fulfilled—one. If you begin to look for less, that is all you will see, and you will miss the flow’s attempts to guide you to something greater.
Remember, as a beloved child of the divine, you are inherently worthy of having, doing, or being whatever it is—in essence—that you desire. As author Sarah Ban Breathnach put it so well, “You deserve nothing less than something more!”
Steven
© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
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