June 28, 2009
Dear Friends,
Four years before Carol and I moved to Sedona, Arizona, I was given the opportunity to house-sit for a friend-of-a-friend who lived there. I jumped at this wonderful chance because I was writing my book at the time, and I thought (correctly so) that Sedona would be a very inspiring place to work.
Once I got to Sedona, I found out that my job was not so much house-sitting, as it was bird-feeding. This house had about six bird feeders in the front yard, and it was my duty to make sure that all of the wild birds in the area had enough to eat each day.
Every morning I would fill up the feeders, pour myself a cup of coffee, and sit down on the porch to watch the birds fly in and feast. Before that house-sitting experience, I never would have guessed that bird-watching is something that I would enjoy doing. But one day, I looked down at my watch, and I realized that I had been sitting on the porch for a full two hours—totally mesmerized by the comings and goings of all the colorful finches, bluebirds, cardinals, hummingbirds, and more. I learned something new about myself that day.
When Carol and I finally decided to move to Sedona, there were two things in particular that I wanted our home to have. First, a bird feeder (of course). And second—if at all possible—a view of Sedona’s famous Red Rock formations.
Well, the Universe not only directed us to a home that had both of those things (which is an amazing story it itself), but this home also came with something that I, in particular, wasn’t looking for: Eleven rose bushes; nineteen other flowering plants and shrubs; four climbing vines; three evergreen trees; two large cactus plants; and even a wall of leafy green bamboo—all in our own backyard!
We have been in this home for almost three years now, and I am just now fully realizing how important all that flowering foliage is to me. The profusion of plants and beautiful blooms in our backyard gives me such a wonderful sense of well-being, I can sit there peacefully for hours on end . . . even when there’s not a single bird about.
You would think that my “need for green”—even among the inspiring Red Rocks of Sedona—is something that would have been very apparent to me all along. But the fact is, until recently, I wasn’t consciously aware of that need at all! Which brings me to the point of this week’s message:
You may not know yourself as well as you think you do!
Regardless of how certain you are about what makes you happy, I suspect that there are many things in life that could bring you great joy, and you are relatively unaware of what those things are. There are many experiences that your soul hungers to have that you are simply not in touch with . . . yet.
Fortunately, the divine flow knows you better than you know yourself. It not only knows what you “think” you want, but it also knows what you really need deep down inside. It knows what makes your spirit soar, and it is continually guiding you to the effortless fulfillment of those unconscious desires . . . as well as your more conscious ones.
That is why I continually stress in these weekly messages to let go of your attachment to any specific outcome, and allow the flow to lead you in a direction that you hadn’t planned on, and to a destination that you hadn’t dreamed of.
By all means, go ahead and let the Universe know where it is you “think” you want to go. But remember to always be open to arriving at a different destination than the one you originally set your sights on. Because when you let the divine flow lead the way, chances are it will direct you to a destination that is greater, grander, and more deeply fulfilling than anything you ever imagined . . . or even thought possible.
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, June 27, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Fatherhood and The Divine Flow
June 21, 2009
Dear Friends,
Many of the churches where I present my talks and workshops refer to the divine power at work in this world as “Father-Mother-God.” The reason is apparent. It is a simple reminder that this higher power that many of us call God, not only has a nature that we associate with fatherhood, but it also has characteristics that we associate with motherhood . . . such as nurturing.
I’ve never had an issue with the notion of God as Mother. But I’ll be perfectly honest with you. For much of my life I was very uncomfortable with the concept of God as Father.
You see, I used to harbor a lot of resentments towards my own father, and whenever I heard the word “Father” used in reference to God, I would cringe a little.
Then one day I had a revelation—one so simple, I was astounded that it didn’t occur to me sooner. I remembered that I was a father. And what, as a father, did I feel towards my children? Nothing but unconditional love. And what, as a father, did I want for my children? Nothing but for them to be happy and fulfilled . . . and I would gladly do anything in my power to help them live abundant and joyful lives.
For the first time, I could finally relate to idea of God as Father . . . as a loving, generous, powerful presence in my life that was continually providing for my needs, and continually guiding me towards the fulfillment of my heart’s desires.
At that moment, I not only changed the way I felt about God as Father, but I began to feel differently about my own father, as well. I began to look beyond his human shortcomings to see the divinely loving spirit within him. And I am happy to say that today I can truly appreciate many things about my father that I ignored or took for granted in the past.
Here’s to all the men who have been “fathers” in our lives—who have provided for our well-being, and guided us in effective ways of providing for ourselves . . . just like the divine flow guides and provides.
Here’s to our earthly fathers . . . and here’s to our heavenly one, as well.
Happy Father’s 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
Dear Friends,
Many of the churches where I present my talks and workshops refer to the divine power at work in this world as “Father-Mother-God.” The reason is apparent. It is a simple reminder that this higher power that many of us call God, not only has a nature that we associate with fatherhood, but it also has characteristics that we associate with motherhood . . . such as nurturing.
I’ve never had an issue with the notion of God as Mother. But I’ll be perfectly honest with you. For much of my life I was very uncomfortable with the concept of God as Father.
You see, I used to harbor a lot of resentments towards my own father, and whenever I heard the word “Father” used in reference to God, I would cringe a little.
Then one day I had a revelation—one so simple, I was astounded that it didn’t occur to me sooner. I remembered that I was a father. And what, as a father, did I feel towards my children? Nothing but unconditional love. And what, as a father, did I want for my children? Nothing but for them to be happy and fulfilled . . . and I would gladly do anything in my power to help them live abundant and joyful lives.
For the first time, I could finally relate to idea of God as Father . . . as a loving, generous, powerful presence in my life that was continually providing for my needs, and continually guiding me towards the fulfillment of my heart’s desires.
At that moment, I not only changed the way I felt about God as Father, but I began to feel differently about my own father, as well. I began to look beyond his human shortcomings to see the divinely loving spirit within him. And I am happy to say that today I can truly appreciate many things about my father that I ignored or took for granted in the past.
Here’s to all the men who have been “fathers” in our lives—who have provided for our well-being, and guided us in effective ways of providing for ourselves . . . just like the divine flow guides and provides.
Here’s to our earthly fathers . . . and here’s to our heavenly one, as well.
Happy Father’s 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
Friday, June 12, 2009
Opportunity Is Knocking
June 14, 2009
Dear Friends,
I’m sure that most of you are very familiar with the age-old adage, “Opportunity Only Knocks Once.” I have heard that statement countless times throughout my life. And for much of my life, I never doubted it. But the more I learn about living life in the divine flow, the more I question the accuracy of that popular saying.
It is true that sometimes there are very unique opportunities that only exist for a short amount of time, and then those opportunities are gone forever. But, as I have mentioned many times before, the Universe (God/Divine Mind) isn’t limited by that. No matter what it is you think you specifically want, the Universe recognizes the underlying general experience you want to have—an experience of comfort, security, or freedom, for example—and the Universe sees a multitude of opportunities that you can give you that experience . . . not just one.
Remember, too, that many of the opportunities that come “knocking on your door,” aren’t the final destination you are trying to reach, but are merely stepping stones that move you closer to that chosen destination. And again, when it comes to getting where you want to go, the Universe sees a virtually unlimited number of ways to get there . . . not just one.
And finally, whether it’s simply a step in the right direction, or it’s that final step that will completely fulfill your heart’s desire, the Universe will tell you what that step is repeatedly . . . not just once. When, for example, the divine flow was leading me to my publisher, it told me exactly what step to take three different times, in three different ways, all within one week.
So, is it true that “Opportunity Only Knocks Once?” Sometimes, sure. But after that, opportunity will probably ring the doorbell, tap on the window, call you on the phone, text message you, mail you a letter, send you an email, and/or contact you through Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter!
Instead of getting too hung-up on the limited, singular idea that “Opportunity Only Knocks Once,” I invite you to embrace a more expansive idea. It’s the idea that “Opportunities Abound” . . . and they are always trying to get your attention—over and over and over again!
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 that most of you are very familiar with the age-old adage, “Opportunity Only Knocks Once.” I have heard that statement countless times throughout my life. And for much of my life, I never doubted it. But the more I learn about living life in the divine flow, the more I question the accuracy of that popular saying.
It is true that sometimes there are very unique opportunities that only exist for a short amount of time, and then those opportunities are gone forever. But, as I have mentioned many times before, the Universe (God/Divine Mind) isn’t limited by that. No matter what it is you think you specifically want, the Universe recognizes the underlying general experience you want to have—an experience of comfort, security, or freedom, for example—and the Universe sees a multitude of opportunities that you can give you that experience . . . not just one.
Remember, too, that many of the opportunities that come “knocking on your door,” aren’t the final destination you are trying to reach, but are merely stepping stones that move you closer to that chosen destination. And again, when it comes to getting where you want to go, the Universe sees a virtually unlimited number of ways to get there . . . not just one.
And finally, whether it’s simply a step in the right direction, or it’s that final step that will completely fulfill your heart’s desire, the Universe will tell you what that step is repeatedly . . . not just once. When, for example, the divine flow was leading me to my publisher, it told me exactly what step to take three different times, in three different ways, all within one week.
So, is it true that “Opportunity Only Knocks Once?” Sometimes, sure. But after that, opportunity will probably ring the doorbell, tap on the window, call you on the phone, text message you, mail you a letter, send you an email, and/or contact you through Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter!
Instead of getting too hung-up on the limited, singular idea that “Opportunity Only Knocks Once,” I invite you to embrace a more expansive idea. It’s the idea that “Opportunities Abound” . . . and they are always trying to get your attention—over and over and over again!
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, June 6, 2009
The Pleasures of Life
June 7, 2009
Dear Friends,
One of the first big hits by the world-famous singer/songwriter called Sting, was centered around this lyric: “We are spirits in the material world.” Last weekend, I got to see a great example of that.
I was in Dallas, Texas, for the first birthday of my grandson, Cole. If you want to actually see spirit, just look into the eyes of a one-year-old. As you can see from the picture below, the divine light that comes shining through those eyes is unmistakable.
And what fun it is to watch that spirit enjoying the material world it finds itself in.
My birthday gift to Cole was a small Native American drum from Sedona, and he immediately began to bang on it with relish. You could feel his excitement grow with every beat. And the expression on his face seemed to say, “Listen to the sound I can make! Listen! Listen!”
And then, when I banged on the drum myself, he began to wiggle and jiggle his body to the rhythm. I felt like I was witnessing Cole’s soul—his divine, eternal spirit—being fully aware of its presence in this material world, and consciously enjoying the pleasures that this world has to offer. “Look, I have a body!” “Look, I can move it all around!”
So, you may ask, what does that have to do with living life in the divine flow? Simply this: Always remember that your enjoyment of life has little to do with reaching the chosen destinations you are “rowing” toward.
Sure, fulfilling a desire or realizing a dream feels great! But that is just the icing on the cake. The real, deep-down enjoyment of life comes from allowing yourself to appreciate the entire journey, and all the wonderful things that journey presents to you along the way.
As you pursue your goals in life, remember to take the time to laugh, sing, dance, and read . . . to eat your favorite foods . . . to listen to your favorite music . . . and, if you are so inclined, to bang on a drum.
Make sure that you allow your spirit to do what it really came here to do in the first place—just to enjoy the experience of being alive and in the world!
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,
One of the first big hits by the world-famous singer/songwriter called Sting, was centered around this lyric: “We are spirits in the material world.” Last weekend, I got to see a great example of that.
I was in Dallas, Texas, for the first birthday of my grandson, Cole. If you want to actually see spirit, just look into the eyes of a one-year-old. As you can see from the picture below, the divine light that comes shining through those eyes is unmistakable.
And what fun it is to watch that spirit enjoying the material world it finds itself in.
My birthday gift to Cole was a small Native American drum from Sedona, and he immediately began to bang on it with relish. You could feel his excitement grow with every beat. And the expression on his face seemed to say, “Listen to the sound I can make! Listen! Listen!”
And then, when I banged on the drum myself, he began to wiggle and jiggle his body to the rhythm. I felt like I was witnessing Cole’s soul—his divine, eternal spirit—being fully aware of its presence in this material world, and consciously enjoying the pleasures that this world has to offer. “Look, I have a body!” “Look, I can move it all around!”
So, you may ask, what does that have to do with living life in the divine flow? Simply this: Always remember that your enjoyment of life has little to do with reaching the chosen destinations you are “rowing” toward.
Sure, fulfilling a desire or realizing a dream feels great! But that is just the icing on the cake. The real, deep-down enjoyment of life comes from allowing yourself to appreciate the entire journey, and all the wonderful things that journey presents to you along the way.
As you pursue your goals in life, remember to take the time to laugh, sing, dance, and read . . . to eat your favorite foods . . . to listen to your favorite music . . . and, if you are so inclined, to bang on a drum.
Make sure that you allow your spirit to do what it really came here to do in the first place—just to enjoy the experience of being alive and in the world!
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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