The Divine Appointment In Disappointment

February 1, 2009

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about Carol’s effortless manifestation of a wonderful new job, in a time when many people are having the opposite experience. Naturally, she was elated to secure her new position so easily. But here’s what I didn’t mention in my last message: If Carol had not been hired—if someone else had been chosen instead—Carol would have been perfectly at peace with that.

That’s not to say that Carol wouldn’t have been momentarily disappointed. But she would have seen the “divine appointment” in her disappointment. Said another way, Carol would have assumed that not getting that particular job was a good thing, because there must be something even better waiting for her . . . a perfect position that she was still being guided to.

And there is a good reason why Carol would have believed that to be true. You see, Carol did an absolutely marvelous job of staying in the divine flow during her job-hunting process:

She began with a clear intention of what kind of work experience she wanted to have.

She stayed awake and aware in the now moment, watching for the divine flow to present the next right step to her.

She took each right step as it came along—without procrastinating.

She continually monitored her feelings, and made decisions based on a sense of peace and ease, rather than fear.

She never forced something to go the way she “thought” it should go.

And she let go of any rigid attachment to a particular outcome.

One single step at a time, Carol was willing to allow the divine flow to guide her to her highest good . . . which could be the job she saw advertised in the newspaper . . . or its equivalent . . . or something even greater.

The point, my friends, is this: When you follow Carol’s example—when you consciously pay attention to what’s going on within you and around you, and when you are truly willing to let go of what you “think” you know, and you focus only on the step that is right in front of you—everything that occurs will feel divinely orchestrated and “meant to be.” Even if something happens that disappoints you, that feeling will quickly be replaced by a sense that you are closer than ever to your highest good.

So, here’s to living life in the divine flow, and experiencing that peaceful, happy feeling that comes from knowing that you are still being guided to a divine appointment, even when you are faced with disappointment.

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

The Extraordinary in the Ordinary

January 25, 2009

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about the true source of prosperity, and how the divine flow can prosper you in ways that are—to say the least—surprising. That’s not to say, of course, that abundance can’t also flow to you through channels that you expect.

Often you may experience prosperity in a completely predictable manner. But even in those ordinary circumstances, you can still sense the divine flow at work. My lovely partner, Carol, recently experienced that very thing.

For the last two years, Carol has been serving as a part-time innkeeper at a beautiful Bed & Breakfast Lodge here in Sedona. Although she was happy in her work, a full-time position—with benefits—would have been preferable.

Well, at the beginning of the year, Carol’s hours were cut almost in half (due, in large part, to the country’s economic downturn). At that moment, Carol got a very strong feeling that it was simply time for her to move on, and she began to affirm for a better position—one that would not only offer her a full-time salary with benefits, but also a regular schedule, a harmonious environment, and work that was perfectly suited to her talents and interests.

Lo and behold, the very first time she looked in the Help Wanted Section of the local newspaper, there it was: an ad for an organization that needed an administrative assistant to replace someone who was retiring. It was a full-time position, with regular hours, plus benefits. Sounds pretty standard so far, right? Read on.

You see, there was one requirement for this job that was unique. The particular organization that was running this ad was a Metaphysical University, and every applicant was required to have a background in metaphysical studies—the kind of principles that are taught in New Thought churches such as Unity and Religious Science. Carol has been a New Thought student since the age of eight!

She quickly emailed her resume to the school (how easy is that), and they called her the very next day to set up an interview. When Carol arrived for the interview, she was surprised to discover that the person she would be replacing is someone she already knew from the Unity Church of Sedona! This lovely lady had noticed Carol’s resume among the others, and had already encouraged the president of the university to interview her for the position.

When Carol returned home from the interview she was beaming with joy. Not only had the interview gone well, but she absolutely loved the heart-based, spiritually oriented environment in which she might be working. To Carol, it felt like a match made in Heaven. And it appears to be just that, because two days later Carol was offered the job!

Now, on the surface, this story may seem somewhat unremarkable: Carol wanted a new job. She looked in the paper. She found one that looked good. She interviewed for the job. And she happened to get it. But when you consider the synchronicity of the timing, the coincidence of the particular person who was retiring, and the perfect match to Carol’s talents, interests, and background, it is easy to see the divine flow at work.

Friends, is there a particular desire—like Carol’s—that you are pursuing right now? Then make sure that you don’t miss your miracle by ignoring some of the more traditional paths that life may offer you. Be open to the extraordinary in the ordinary. When you are consistently graced with effortless ease, and are constantly blessed by feelings of peace and joy, you can be certain that the path you are on is no accident, but one that has been divinely orchestrated for your highest good.

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

What Is Your Source?

January 18, 2009

NOTE: Soon after the economies of the U.S. and the world took a tumble last September, I wrote the following message. Although I rarely repeat messages, and only do so after a great deal of time has passed, continuing challenges on the financial front motivate me to send out this message once more. It is certainly a message that I need to hear again, and I am sure that many of you will also benefit from its reprise.

Dear Friends,

With the dramatic downturn in the U.S. economy—and in the economy of the world in general—it may be quite a challenge for you to maintain any kind of positive outlook right now . . . just as it is a challenge for me.

So how can we feel secure in such uncertain times? I, for one, make a conscious effort to remember the following: The true origin of my prosperity is not the income I receive from my work. It is not the money I have in the bank. And it is certainly not the investments I have in the stock market. I remember that the ultimate origin of my prosperity is that Infinite Field of Supply that some call Source, and others (including me) call God.

I do believe that we live in an infinitely abundant universe—a universe that is continually responding to our needs through an unlimited number of channels. And those channels are not limited to the financial avenues we are used to.

I’ll never forget a time when I needed an additional $2,500 to pay some unexpected bills. One day, my car was slightly damaged in a shower of cement fragments that fell off an office building that I was parked next to. The damage was very minor—just a few nicks and dings here and there. But because the damage was spread across several panels of the car, the cost of repairs was much more than one would expect. The owner of the building, though, was happy to write me a check for that expense . . . a check that I used to pay my bills instead of repair the car . . . a check for exactly $2,500.

It was that experience, and many others just as amazing, that have repeatedly confirmed for me how incredibly inventive our universe is . . . and how the divine flow can guide us to our good in totally unexpected ways.

In these challenging days, I invite you to regain your sense of peace by letting go of your need to figure everything out by yourself. In your daily time of prayer and meditation, include a moment to affirm the true source of your financial blessings, and open yourself up to divine direction.

Remember that as a beloved child of God you have a divine right to an abundant life. Remember that abundance is not always about money. And remember that the Mind of the Divine can prosper you in ways that you simply can’t predict . . . or even imagine.

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

Now And Then

January 11, 2009

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about being present in the now moment, and the important part that plays in the manifestation process. I have written about this subject before, and a while back I received a question from a reader who wanted me to clarify one particular aspect about this principle.

At the risk of somewhat repeating last week’s message, this week I would like to share that reader’s question with you, and my answer. Perhaps it will clear up any confusion that you may also be experiencing.

Dear Steven,

I love to dream, think, and fantasize about where I’d like to be in life, and that seems to be a necessary part of the manifestation process. But doing that takes me out of the present moment. How do I reconcile my need to imagine where I want to be, with the constant injunction by you—and others—to stay in the now? I feel like I am crossing myself up.


Dear Reader,

There is nothing wrong with spending time visualizing what you want to have, do, or be in life. And you are right, it is quite necessary. The trick is to avoid dwelling on it incessantly.

I recommend that no more than once a day, in a time of contemplation or meditation, you go ahead and picture what it is you think you want. For the remainder of the day, though, you should focus on being in the now moment, so you will notice any divine signs that might tell you what your next right step toward realizing that dream is.

If you occasionally slip into a daydream about your desired future, that's okay. After you realize you are daydreaming, just gently return your focus once more to the present moment.

It’s true, you cannot completely stay in the now moment, and simultaneously dream about a desire you want to have fulfilled. My suggestion is simply to shift your attention back and forth. It is important, though, to remember that the Universe “heard” you the first time, and to keep most of your attention focused in the now . . . eagerly anticipating divine guidance . . . and being willing to move in a direction that may be different from what you "think" is best.

Thank you for your question. I hope my answer clarifies this apparent contradiction.

And I hope my answer was helpful to you, too, friends.

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

Happy "Now" Year!

January 1, 2009

Happy Now Year, Friends!

Yes, you read that right. I wrote Happy "Now" Year instead of Happy "New" Year. It’s not a typo. It's just my way of reminding you about the important part that the present moment plays in the manifestation process.

Remember that fulfilling your heart’s desires effortlessly depends upon your ability to recognize and follow divine guidance. But that guidance only comes to you in “the now.”

That doesn't mean that you should refrain from visualizing and affirming what you want to have, do, or be in the coming year. It just means that it is not productive for you to keep your attention continually focused there. And focusing continually on your desires is not even necessary. I have had many manifestations occur in my life after thinking about a desire for only one short moment, and then never giving it another thought.

The challenge is not making sure that this intelligent universe we live in “hears” you. The universe has great “ears,” and it hears you the first time. The challenge is making sure that you are completely open and receptive to the response that you will invariably receive. And since that response always occurs in the present, you must always keep your awareness centered in the now moment so you are able to see, hear, or sense that response.

To live life in the divine flow, you must let go of your reflections on the past and your projections into the future, so you can recognize and go through the doors that are being divinely opened for you right here, and right now.

And above all, always remember that you never have to fulfill a desire to be happy; you never have to accomplish a goal to be happy; and you never have to realize a dream to be happy. Remember that real happiness—true, long-lasting happiness—only comes from accepting and appreciating the now moment for whatever it is offering you . . . and from opening up your heart and being the love that you are in that moment. That, my friends, is the real key to having a happy new year.

So, here’s to the Here and Now!

Here’s to the Year and Now!

Happy Now Year, my friends!

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