March 1, 2009
Dear Friends,
Wow! What dramatic changes we are all experiencing these days! The political climate has dramatically changed. The economic landscape has dramatically changed. Even the weather—which is always unpredictable—seems wildly unpredictable now. In fact, it feels as if every facet of our lives—from the way we work to the way we play—is radically different.
It reminds me of the days immediately following September 11, 2001. For many of us, that day in history greatly altered the way we live our lives.
I, for one, was laid off from a 30-year career in advertising as a direct result of the events that took place on that fateful morning. American Airlines was one of our agency’s principle accounts, and American decided to suspended advertising for an indefinite period following the attack that used their planes.
No matter what initiates it, a change of any kind is often a source of tension and anxiety. Even when a change in your life is obviously for the better, you may still resist it—clinging to a familiar past for comfort. Even when the future seems ripe with positive possibilities, you may still feel uneasy about stepping into the unknown.
If you are going through a major shift in your life right now, take a moment to reaffirm what you know to be the Truth. It is the Truth that everything can be a stepping-stone to your highest good . . . if you are willing to see it that way. It is the Truth that you are continually being guided by The Divine to a life of greater happiness, satisfaction, and ease. Your job is to remain open and receptive to that guidance by maintaining a positive outlook. The longer you allow yourself to dwell in doubt or desperation, the longer it will take for you to see your next divinely directed step.
Remember that the only true constant in life is change. So instead of continually resisting change, why not begin to actively embrace it? Instead of fighting the current, make a conscious decision to “row with the flow.” Allow yourself to discover the peace and joy that come from consciously cooperating with life . . . even when it unfolds in very unexpected ways.
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, February 27, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Kabbalah Poem
February 22, 2009
Dear Friends,
Decades ago, one of the most popular comedy programs on television was Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Frequently, the next skit would be introduced with the words, “And now for something completely different.”
Well, now it’s my turn to utter that famous phrase, because today I am offering you something completely different.
For one thing, it’s a poem. But that’s not why this message is different. I presented a poem to you last December.
No, what makes today’s message completely different is its unusual source. Although I always write from the heart—and today’s message is no different—it was directly inspired by a unique book I just read called, The 72 Names of God . . . a book of teachings and tools that are based on the mystical, spiritual tradition known as Kabbalah.
It is not my intention to “sell you” on Kabbalah. Much of what I read did, indeed, seem to be in alignment with my own beliefs. But not all of it was.
As I studied these 72 teachings, however, I noticed how they did offer helpful insights on living a life of greater happiness, satisfaction, and ease—similar to the principles I teach for living life in the divine flow.
And not only that, these teachings could easily be distilled into something that I find to be a helpful tool for transforming one’s life in a positive manner: Affirmation Statements.
In fact, right after I read the description of the first two “names,” a pair of rhyming affirmation statements immediately popped into my head. When I read the description of the next few “names,” the same thing happened again. The next thing I knew, I was writing a poem . . . a poem that eventually became 72 lines long!
Today, my friends, I offer you that poem. It contains 72 empowering affirmations. You may not understand every affirmation. And you may not agree with some. Just take what you like and leave the rest. My partner, Carol, found reading this piece to be tremendously uplifting.
Because of the length of this poem, I am offering it to you as a downloadable PDF file, which most computers can easily open. It is a large file containing artwork, so you may have to be patient during the downloading process. And you will probably have to “zoom in” or print it out in order to easily read it.
To download my poem now, go this page on my website: www.rowrowrow.com/Downloads.html.
As different as it is, I hope you find this offering to be of value. Next week we will return to our “regularly scheduled program!”
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,
Decades ago, one of the most popular comedy programs on television was Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Frequently, the next skit would be introduced with the words, “And now for something completely different.”
Well, now it’s my turn to utter that famous phrase, because today I am offering you something completely different.
For one thing, it’s a poem. But that’s not why this message is different. I presented a poem to you last December.
No, what makes today’s message completely different is its unusual source. Although I always write from the heart—and today’s message is no different—it was directly inspired by a unique book I just read called, The 72 Names of God . . . a book of teachings and tools that are based on the mystical, spiritual tradition known as Kabbalah.
It is not my intention to “sell you” on Kabbalah. Much of what I read did, indeed, seem to be in alignment with my own beliefs. But not all of it was.
As I studied these 72 teachings, however, I noticed how they did offer helpful insights on living a life of greater happiness, satisfaction, and ease—similar to the principles I teach for living life in the divine flow.
And not only that, these teachings could easily be distilled into something that I find to be a helpful tool for transforming one’s life in a positive manner: Affirmation Statements.
In fact, right after I read the description of the first two “names,” a pair of rhyming affirmation statements immediately popped into my head. When I read the description of the next few “names,” the same thing happened again. The next thing I knew, I was writing a poem . . . a poem that eventually became 72 lines long!
Today, my friends, I offer you that poem. It contains 72 empowering affirmations. You may not understand every affirmation. And you may not agree with some. Just take what you like and leave the rest. My partner, Carol, found reading this piece to be tremendously uplifting.
Because of the length of this poem, I am offering it to you as a downloadable PDF file, which most computers can easily open. It is a large file containing artwork, so you may have to be patient during the downloading process. And you will probably have to “zoom in” or print it out in order to easily read it.
To download my poem now, go this page on my website: www.rowrowrow.com/Downloads.html.
As different as it is, I hope you find this offering to be of value. Next week we will return to our “regularly scheduled program!”
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, February 14, 2009
The Beauty of Blind Love
February 14, 2009
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Today is the day we make a conscious effort to express our love and appreciation to all the people in our lives whom we dearly cherish.
For the most part, the kind of love being celebrated on this special day is “romantic” love. And one of the characteristics of “romantic” love—at least in the beginning—is that this kind of love is “blind.” We literally don’t see the physical flaws and personality quirks in the beloved. He or she looks perfect to us.
But is that really being blind? Or is that seeing as we are truly meant to see—as God sees? As we grow in spiritual understanding, aren’t we called to see beyond appearances? Aren’t we called to see beneath the physical, and look past the behavior? Aren’t we called to see the true beauty and the radiant innocence of the spirit that lies within each person? Aren’t we called to see his or her inner perfection?
If that’s being blind, fine! Give me some dark glasses and a cane! For there is nothing that feels as good as truly loving. There is nothing that feels as good as recognizing the inherent goodness of another’s soul, and allowing yourself to bask in that glorious light.
So what does this have to do with living life in the divine flow? Simply this: When you love as God loves, and see as God sees, it won’t make any difference where you are along the course of “the stream.” It won’t make any difference whether you are just about to reach your dream, or whether you are still miles away from it.
When you love without limits you are happy right where you are, wherever you are. And in the end—all goals and dreams aside—isn’t happiness all you really want out of life? Isn’t happiness all you’ve been trying to get out of life . . . all along?
Well then, here’s to “blind” love! And here’s to having a lovingly happy day today . . . and every day!
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 Valentine’s Day!
Today is the day we make a conscious effort to express our love and appreciation to all the people in our lives whom we dearly cherish.
For the most part, the kind of love being celebrated on this special day is “romantic” love. And one of the characteristics of “romantic” love—at least in the beginning—is that this kind of love is “blind.” We literally don’t see the physical flaws and personality quirks in the beloved. He or she looks perfect to us.
But is that really being blind? Or is that seeing as we are truly meant to see—as God sees? As we grow in spiritual understanding, aren’t we called to see beyond appearances? Aren’t we called to see beneath the physical, and look past the behavior? Aren’t we called to see the true beauty and the radiant innocence of the spirit that lies within each person? Aren’t we called to see his or her inner perfection?
If that’s being blind, fine! Give me some dark glasses and a cane! For there is nothing that feels as good as truly loving. There is nothing that feels as good as recognizing the inherent goodness of another’s soul, and allowing yourself to bask in that glorious light.
So what does this have to do with living life in the divine flow? Simply this: When you love as God loves, and see as God sees, it won’t make any difference where you are along the course of “the stream.” It won’t make any difference whether you are just about to reach your dream, or whether you are still miles away from it.
When you love without limits you are happy right where you are, wherever you are. And in the end—all goals and dreams aside—isn’t happiness all you really want out of life? Isn’t happiness all you’ve been trying to get out of life . . . all along?
Well then, here’s to “blind” love! And here’s to having a lovingly happy day today . . . and every day!
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, February 7, 2009
The Flow of Grace
February 8, 2009
Dear Friends,
In Chapter 2 of my book, I describe the sensation of being in the flow as “gliding gracefully through life.” Obviously, by “gracefully” I mean moving ahead with an economy of effort—with ease, efficiency, and effectiveness.
It is interesting to note, however, that “gracefully” is simply an abbreviated way of saying “full of grace.” And when the word “grace” stands on its own, a deeper meaning can be inferred.
In addition to “refined movement”—as my dictionary defines the word “grace”—it can also mean “the free and unmerited favor and blessings of The Divine . . . of God.” In that context, “gliding gracefully through life” means living life fully immersed in the constant flow of divine blessings.
Although grace is not a word that I commonly use, it is certainly what I am talking about whenever I say that the divine flow is continually guiding you toward the effortless fulfillment of your heart’s desires. It is through the blessings of divinely inspired ideas, divinely orchestrated opportunities, and divinely directed encounters that you move towards your chosen destinations with incredible ease.
And (as I mention on the Dedication Page of my book) this flow of divine goodness—this “grace” that we receive—is “unending.” It is not something that occurs randomly or occasionally. It is constant. It is not something that must be earned or merited. It is yours by divine right. And it is not something that is doled out to some, but not to others.
At every given moment of every given day, we are all receiving celestial assistance and support. At every given moment of every given day, each and every one of us is being divinely guided . . . and that includes you. But, as I frequently mention, you have a part to play in that process, because it is up to you to recognize and cooperate with that divine guidance.
It is your job to identify that still, small voice that speaks to you from within, and rely on it. It is your job to identify the helpful people that have been placed in your path, and accept their assistance. It is your job to identify the divine signs that are all around you, to discern their meaning, and to take any action that may be called for.
Said another way, it is your job to make sure that you are always fully open and fully receptive to the unending flow of divine grace in your life, so you can glide gracefully down life’s stream toward the realization of your dreams.
Here’s to living your life in the unending flow of divine blessings, my friends. Go with grace!
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,
In Chapter 2 of my book, I describe the sensation of being in the flow as “gliding gracefully through life.” Obviously, by “gracefully” I mean moving ahead with an economy of effort—with ease, efficiency, and effectiveness.
It is interesting to note, however, that “gracefully” is simply an abbreviated way of saying “full of grace.” And when the word “grace” stands on its own, a deeper meaning can be inferred.
In addition to “refined movement”—as my dictionary defines the word “grace”—it can also mean “the free and unmerited favor and blessings of The Divine . . . of God.” In that context, “gliding gracefully through life” means living life fully immersed in the constant flow of divine blessings.
Although grace is not a word that I commonly use, it is certainly what I am talking about whenever I say that the divine flow is continually guiding you toward the effortless fulfillment of your heart’s desires. It is through the blessings of divinely inspired ideas, divinely orchestrated opportunities, and divinely directed encounters that you move towards your chosen destinations with incredible ease.
And (as I mention on the Dedication Page of my book) this flow of divine goodness—this “grace” that we receive—is “unending.” It is not something that occurs randomly or occasionally. It is constant. It is not something that must be earned or merited. It is yours by divine right. And it is not something that is doled out to some, but not to others.
At every given moment of every given day, we are all receiving celestial assistance and support. At every given moment of every given day, each and every one of us is being divinely guided . . . and that includes you. But, as I frequently mention, you have a part to play in that process, because it is up to you to recognize and cooperate with that divine guidance.
It is your job to identify that still, small voice that speaks to you from within, and rely on it. It is your job to identify the helpful people that have been placed in your path, and accept their assistance. It is your job to identify the divine signs that are all around you, to discern their meaning, and to take any action that may be called for.
Said another way, it is your job to make sure that you are always fully open and fully receptive to the unending flow of divine grace in your life, so you can glide gracefully down life’s stream toward the realization of your dreams.
Here’s to living your life in the unending flow of divine blessings, my friends. Go with grace!
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
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