The Magical Power of Love

December 26, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about love, and how love is the secret for experiencing a truly merry Christmas. What I didn’t mention is how the joyful feeling that love generates doesn’t stop with you. There is a ripple effect that love creates, which not only spreads happiness far and wide, it often results in something extraordinary happening.

The way it works is simple. When you treat people with understanding and compassion, they feel loved and uplifted. Because of that, they are much more likely to treat others in their path with the same caring attitude. And those people, in turn, are likely to pass the love along once again. A little loving kindness goes a long, long way. In fact, for all you know, one simple act of loving kindness on your part may end up transforming a life or healing a situation halfway around the world!

Love is a great, great power. What I just described, however, was a power confined by the laws of cause and effect—of action and reaction. The true power of love goes way beyond the laws that govern this world. It is a power that exists beyond this physical plane we live in . . . a power that works its magic totally unrestricted by the confines of either time or space. It is this power that is responsible for the experiences in our lives that we consider to be truly miraculous.

It is the kind of power that choreographs incredible synchronistic encounters between individuals who have similar desires of the heart, but need each other in order to manifest their dreams.

An architect with a critically ill child, for example, may one day feel divinely inspired to design a hospital wing for children with similar health challenges. At the very same instant, thousands of miles away, a wealthy benefactor may become inspired to finance just such a project. Before these two people meet—or even know of each other—they both “decide” to vacation in New York City, where they just “happen” to encounter each other at a coffee shop. And . . . well . . . you can fill in the rest.

That, to me, is the real power of love. It is a power that sets the whole flow in motion, initiating a complex series of events that weave together in a way that no one would ever have imagined possible.

It is a power that simultaneously inspires minds, ignites hearts, and orchestrates harmonious outcomes of incredible beauty.

That is authentic power—a power that goes far beyond the ripple effect, but still starts in exactly the same way . . . with one, single, loving intention.

Here’s to the power of love . . . rippling . . . tripling . . . and manifesting miracles in an instant.

Steven

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© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Secret of a Merry Christmas

December 19, 2010

Dear Friends,

December 25th is the day that many of us will celebrate the birth into this world of the being we call Jesus. There are many different opinions about the exact nature of this extraordinary man’s mission on this planet. But I do believe there is one aspect to his life that most of us can agree upon: Jesus was the perfect example of living a life of unconditional love. And he made it quite clear that we would all benefit greatly by living our lives in the same loving way.

Fortunately, loving others is one of the most natural things in the world for you to do. For I believe that love is not only in your nature, it is your nature. As an individual expression of Universal Divine Love, love is the essence of who you truly are at the core of your being. And you know what? It feels good to express the truth of who you are! It feels good to love!

Many people believe that being loved is what feels good, but that’s only how it appears. The fact is, when someone extends love to you, you don’t automatically feel good. What you feel is safe enough to love that person back. And loving that person back is what feels good. It is being love—not being loved—that is the real source of your happiness.

Conversely, when you perceive that someone has attacked you in some way, it’s not what that person has done that makes you feel bad. What feels bad is judging that person for what has occurred, and no longer extending love to him or her. It is not being yourself—not being the love that you are—that is the real source of your unhappiness.

When you experience all the good feelings that come from loving, you experience one of life’s greatest truths: the truth that love is its own reward. When you love, you feel happy. When you love, you feel joyful. When you love, you feel downright . . . well . . . merry!

So, do you want to have a truly merry Christmas this year—and every year? Then be true to yourself! Be the love that you are this season, and a merry Christmas will be yours, indeed.

Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily,

Steven

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© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Gift of a Christmas Present

December 12, 2010

Dear Friends,

One of my favorite sayings is this one:

THE PAST IS HISTORY.
THE FUTURE, A MYSTERY.
BUT THE NOW MOMENT IS A GIFT.
THAT’S WHY IT’S CALLED THE “PRESENT.”

In this season of gift-giving, I invite you to remember that the true gifts of the holidays are always in the now moment. But to receive those “presents” you must first be present yourself. Instead of focusing all of your time, attention, and energy on what’s coming next, make a conscious choice to be fully present in the here and now.

Be present for the gift of a child’s laughter,
and for the gift of bright, twinkling lights.

Be present for the gift of fresh-baked cookies,
and for the gift of sweet-smelling evergreens.

Be present for the gift of a soundless snowfall,
and for the touch of a single snowflake on your tongue.

Be present for the gift of friends you may have taken for granted,
and for family members you haven’t seen in ages.

Be present for the gift of unconditional love
that embraces each of us this season.

And be present for the unbounded joy
that this season elicits in us all.

Here’s wishing you one of greatest gifts you could ever hope to receive this season: the gift of a Christmas present.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Holidays and The Divine Flow

December 5, 2010

Dear Friends,

Well, here it is again—the holiday season. For many of you, this is the busiest time of the year. As usual, you still have to go to work, handle family responsibilities, clean the house, feed the pets, work in the yard, pay the bills, and take care of a multitude of other tasks and chores that are a routine part of daily life.

But now, on top of all that, you may also have to decorate the house, trim the tree, host parties, prepare special meals, entertain company, visit relatives, and send out cards . . . not to mention buy gifts, wrap gifts, pack gifts, and ship gifts.

The list goes on and on. And yes, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by it all, and lose the very sense of joy this season is supposed to elicit.

But take heart, because the divine flow is ready to come to your rescue! There is no task too small for the divine flow to focus its attention on. And there is no schedule too complex for the divine flow to manage. At every given moment the divine intelligence of the universe is simultaneously orchestrating the most effective and efficient accomplishment of every single thing you need to do this season.

I remember a time that I thought I would have to make three separate trips over a period of a week to fulfill the most important items on my “To-Do List.” But instead, by simply paying attention one day to the subtle guidance of my intuition, all three tasks were taken care of in one single hour, with not one bit of preparation or planning on my part. Everything just fell into place, and I just kept showing up in exactly the right place at exactly the right time to achieve what I wanted to achieve.

The way everything worked out for me in such an incredibly coordinated fashion was simply astounding. And this holiday season, your experience can be a similar one. If you take the time to listen to your intuition—to literally feel what your next right step is, and to continue listening and continue taking those divinely guided steps—you may be amazed at how all of your holiday commitments can be accomplished in a virtually effortless and seamless manner.

Here’s to an exceptionally joyful and fulfilling holiday season. May everything flow beautifully for you and yours!

Steven

P.S. If you would like to read the full story about the time that the flow helped me fulfill three desires all at once, you will find it included in an article I wrote for a brand new online magazine called Love Your Life! To review the Winter Edition of this helpful and inspiring publication, click here.

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Thanks for Everything!

November 28, 2010

Dear Friends,

On Thursday, November 25th, citizens of the United States celebrated Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is that one special day of the year when we take time to express our gratitude for all the things in our lives that we really do appreciate, but often forget to be consciously thankful for . . . such as food, family, and friends.

Well, here’s a challenge for you: Can you also be thankful for the things in your life that you do not appreciate? Can you be thankful for the people in your life that you hold resentments against? Can you be thankful for the circumstances in your life that have brought you discomfort . . . or even pain?

Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to discover what your blocks to loving are. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to heal wounds you may have forgotten you have. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to remember how precious life is, and to renew your appreciation for it.

When you look at the challenges in your life as opportunities to mature emotionally and spiritually, everything that occurs in your life can be viewed as a blessing. And blessings are something that you are thankful for, right?

So, during this time of Thanksgiving—and throughout the year—be thankful not only for the “good” in your life, but also for what you judge to be “not so good.”

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in wisdom and compassion.

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in your ability to love others—and to love yourself —unconditionally.

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to remember that life itself is a sacred gift . . . a gift that is meant to be enjoyed to its fullest, and never taken for granted.

I invite you to join me in giving thanks today and every day . . . for everything.

Steven

P.S. I offer my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who have supported my work this year with your kind comments, your purchases, and your donations. Whether you share your thoughts with me, or share your prosperity with me, your expressions of appreciation help keep this labor of love alive. And I am grateful. Bless you all!

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Flow of Abundance, Part 2

November 21, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about the flow of abundance in your life. I pointed out how you may be restricting that flow by focusing too narrowly on the channels of abundance that you are already used to, or by confusing a “channel” of income with the true, underlying “source” of all financial blessings . . . that infinitely creative force that some call God, and others call—appropriately enough—Source!

Well, here is another way that you might be inadvertently limiting your abundance. It’s by dwelling on the desire to make more money. I realize that desire 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 generally an experience of life. So that is what you should be focusing on . . . the experience you want to have . . . not just money.

Money is not an experience. It is 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.

One time, for example, I saw a painting of an angel that I really wanted—a painting that would satisfy my desire to experience more beauty in my life. The painting cost $400. And I was willing to pay that price. But through a series of unusual mistakes, I was never charged for the painting. I tried to settle the bill several times with both the credit card company and the online merchant that was selling the piece. But both companies insisted that I owed nothing, and that the painting was mine, free and clear. I felt like I had received a divine present.

And what about the idea that you want to make more money? Do you really want to make more money? Or do you just want to have more money?

The act of “making” often entails effort and struggle. When, instead, you focus on what it is you want to experience, any money that may be required to have that experience flows to you naturally as part of the manifestation process.

Sometimes, you will receive money through miraculous channels like the ones I described last week. More commonly, though, you will receive it through some kind of work that you do. When work is involved, it may look like you have undertaken that endeavor to “make money.” But if you truly enjoy your work—and I hope you do—is making money your main objective? Or is making money simply the beneficial result of doing what you enjoy doing? Isn’t it the latter?

So, my friends, do you really want to make more money? Or, is your true desire to have some wonderful new experiences? If experiences are what you are after, 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 experiences you want to have, rather than the money that may (or may not) be required to have those experiences—you will find your desires being fulfilled in a much more effective, efficient, and effortless manner.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Flow of Abundance

November 14, 2010

Dear Friends,

By simply observing nature, we can learn a lot about living life in the divine flow. For example, the way a tree bends in the wind reminds us of the importance of being flexible instead of rigid. And the way a flower pops up from a crack in the concrete reminds us that a blessing can bloom in almost any environment.

And then there is the way one hummingbird will tenaciously guard a feeder and scare away all the other hummingbirds that come to eat—reminding us that we live in a world of lack and limitation, and there is simply not enough good to go around.

What? Well, that how it appears when you watch the way some hummingbirds behave. “There is not enough! This is mine!” That seems to be the general idea that some of these tiny birds are expressing. Sound familiar? Know any human beings with that kind of mindset?

Obviously, friends, the lesson here is not that the universe is limited in its ability to amply supply everyone’s needs. The lesson here is quite the opposite.

I believe we live in an infinitely abundant universe—a universe that is continually responding to everyone’s needs through an unlimited number of channels. We block our experience of that abundant flow, however, whenever we remain too narrowly focused on the channels of abundance that we are already familiar with . . . such as our employers, our benefactors, or the government. The fact is, the universe is infinitely inventive in coming up with ways to prosper us.

I once 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!

And then there was the time 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. It was a check for exactly $2,500.

Like I said, the universe is infinitely inventive in coming up with ways to prosper us. Our challenge is to remain open and receptive to any and all channels of prosperity—even the most unlikely ones. And that means we must be open and receptive to following divine guidance even when we don’t understand where it is leading us.

It’s important, too, to keep in mind that a channel of prosperity is not the same thing as the source of our prosperity. The ultimate origin of our abundance is that Infinite and Eternal Field of Supply that lies behind every channel. When we start to think of any one channel as being our source, there is always an underlying fear that this source may one day go away. And that fear interferes with our ability to stay attuned to the divine flow, and do what we are being divinely directed to do in the moment.

Through our faith in an unending source of supply, may we overcome our fear, so we can more readily hear that still, small voice that is suggesting our next right step . . . a step that may be as simple as “order the clams,” or “park here.” And—with all due respect to certain hummingbirds—may our mindset continually be this one: “There is more than enough for everyone! So let’s all share!”

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Whose Boat Are You Rowing?

November 7, 2010

Dear Friends,

When it comes to living life in the divine flow, it pays to remember that you rarely get anywhere in life completely on your own. Reaching your chosen destinations in life usually requires the assistance and cooperation of others. You need their help to get down the stream, and they need your help.

Do you ever get the feeling, though, that you are spending way too much time rowing someone else’s boat? Does it seem like you are always abandoning your own boat in order to help someone else navigate life’s waters? Like everything else in life, there is a balance that must be reached when it comes to offering help, as well as accepting help.

I remember a gentleman who told me about a day when he was really “in the flow.” He told me how every single step that needed to be taken, was taken for him by an “Earth Angel.” He said he really didn’t have to do anything to accomplish his goals for the day. His every desire was fulfilled effortlessly!

As I delved deeper into this man’s story, however, I discovered that his “angels” were simply friends and family members who were taking on responsibilities that were actually—as far as I could tell—his to take. He simply wasn’t rowing his own boat, so others stepped in and rowed it for him. They were taking up the slack caused by his lack of action.

Friends, there will be plenty of times in life when another person genuinely needs your help. In fact, you may be in his or her life specifically for that very reason. But if you feel burdened by a request for help—if you feel obligated or resentful—that “heavy” sensation may be an indication that your assistance would actually be doing this person a disservice. Sometimes, the best help you can give others is to simply show them how to help themselves, and leave it up to them to take that action . . . or not.

Remember that when you are being divinely guided to help another person, there will generally be a feeling of “rightness” about it—a feeling of peace and ease. Those are the kind of feelings you experience whenever helping another person is your next right step . . . your divinely directed step.

Whether you are being asked for help, or you need someone to help you, take some time to get quiet, go within, and contact your inner wisdom, so you can more accurately discern what is truly yours to do . . . or not do.

May each and every one of us row our boats responsibly—that is, may we take full responsibility for rowing our own boats, while also maintaining the ability to respond to another’s cry for help when it is truly needed.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Consant Surrender and The Divine Flow

October 24, 2010

Dear Friends,

Without going into the details—because, frankly, the story is just too long and complicated—suffice it to say that I have experienced some very unexpected “bends in the stream” lately. They were the kind of unwanted circumstances that would test anyone’s ability to accept what is, and remain positive. At first, I was a bit upset. But with each surprising turn of events, I found myself growing more and more peaceful and relaxed, instead of more and more agitated. I was able to quickly recover my sense of being “in the flow,” and regain that comforting feeling of being divinely directed. No matter how crazy things got, I was able to remain calm, and focus only on discerning my next right step . . . and the one after that . . . and the one after that.

The reason why I was able to do that is relatively simple. It is simply easier to be in the flow when things really get out of hand, than it is when things are just slightly unmanageable. It is when things are obviously out of control that we more readily relinquish the idea that we can control what is going on . . . and we tend to surrender.

It is in that state of surrender that we become genuinely open to whatever is required of us in that moment. We stop resisting what is, and we stop trying to force things to go the way we “think” they should go. Instead, we desire only to know the next right step that will be in the best interests of all. And it is in that state of genuine receptivity that we begin hear and heed the still, small voice of spirit that is always there to guide us forward.

The real challenge—which is what I am building up to here—is giving up personal control when the situation does seem controllable. You see, living life in the divine flow requires you to constantly stay in “surrender mode”—no matter how easy it would be for you to manipulate a situation to your liking.

That doesn’t mean that you never take any action. It just means that before you take any action, you get quiet, go within, and try to get in touch with the wisdom of your spirit. You might be inspired to take some kind of action that you have never taken before. Or, you may be guided to refrain from taking any action at that particular moment. The goal is just to avoid jumping to conclusions and acting hastily.

Remember that living life in the divine flow is about being willing to seek divine guidance in every situation—even the situations that look like you can easily and instantly handle them “on your own.” That kind of mindfulness will require a conscious effort on your part, true . . . and it may require a fair amount of humility, too . . . but believe me, the outcome will be well worth it.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Human Experience, Part 2

October 17, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I reminded you that you are a spiritual being having a human experience. I encouraged you to embrace the human experience by appreciating the beauty and the joy that come from being in the body and in the world.

That doesn’t mean, however, that you are in this physical plane of existence to ignore your spiritual essence—quite the opposite. It means that you are here to live life knowing that, at the core of your being, you are a divine spirit. And when you are in touch with that divine inner essence, your human experience is greatly enhanced.

That is why I recommend a daily practice of meditation. Meditation not only helps you contact the divine spirit within, it helps you stay in contact with that inner essence throughout the day, dramatically improving your experience of daily life.

Here are eight ways that the human experience is enhanced when you stay in touch with your spiritual nature:

1. You are healthier. Many health issues are either caused by, or aggravated by, stress. And for the most part, stress comes from fearful thoughts. When you are in touch with your all-knowing, indestructible spirit, fearful thoughts are greatly diminished, or completely removed.

2. You are more creative. True creativity comes from the divine creator within. When you are in touch with that divine creator, you automatically become more insightful and more inspired.

3. You are more intuitive. When you are in touch with your spirit, you can sense divine direction much more easily. And your next right step becomes much clearer.

4. You are more responsive. Instead of hastily judging and rashly reacting to something unexpected in life, you calmly respond from the wisdom within. You know what is best to do, when to do it, or if you should do anything at all.

5. You are more present. Your spirit is always in the now moment. When you are in touch with your spirit, you are less likely to be lost in thought—that is, reflecting on the past or projecting into the future. That means you are better able to notice the miracles that are happening all around you, right here, right now.

6. You are more patient. Being in the eternal now, your spirit never feels bound by time. And being all-knowing, your spirit sees countless ways for you to move successfully through life. When you are in touch with your spirit, possibilities seem unlimited, and time stands still. The result is infinite patience.

7. You are more peaceful. As an indestructible, eternal being, your spirit knows nothing of fear, and is always at peace. When you are in touch with that eternal, indestructible essence, you, too, will be at peace—no matter what is disturbing others.

8. You are more loving. Your spirit is love itself—divine love, unconditional love. When you are in touch with your spirit, you can’t help but be more compassionate, understanding, accepting, and forgiving.

Here’s to enjoying the human experience, my friends. It’s an experience that is healthier, happier, and more fulfilling whenever it is lived from the inside out—by going within, getting in touch with the divine spirit that resides there, and allowing that inner divinity to express itself.

Steven

P.S. If you would like to learn a simple meditation technique, click here.

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Human Experience

October 10, 2010

Dear Friends,

There is a saying you probably know that goes like this:

“You are not a human being having an occasional spiritual experience.
You are a spiritual being having a temporary human experience.”

The fact that the true you is a being of spirit—an individual expression of the One Divine Spirit—comes as a great revelation to many. In fact, some people get so excited by that understanding, they seek to experience their divine spiritual essence as much as possible.

These people go to every event they can find that promises them some kind of transcendent spiritual experience—an experience that leaves the body and the mind behind, and immerses them in a state of pure beingness; or an experience that offers them some other kind of mystical sensation.

There is nothing wrong with having experiences like that. And there is certainly nothing wrong with getting in touch with the true nature of your being. In fact, to live life in the divine flow, it is important for you to stay in close conscious contact with the divine spirit that is your essence. That’s why I recommend a daily practice of meditation.

However, it seems to me that spending an inordinate amount of time pursuing spiritual “experiences” may be missing the point of life. A life spent that way would be better expressed by a saying like this:

“You are not a human being having an occasional spiritual experience.
“You are a human being having frequent spiritual experiences!”

But that is not how the saying goes. It goes, “You are a spiritual being having a temporary human experience.” That means that you are not in this world to escape the human experience through the endless pursuit of spiritual ecstasies. You are in this world to have the human experience . . . but to have that experience from the standpoint of knowing that you are—at your core—a divine spirit.

As a divine spirit, you are in this world to have the human experience of creating—of choosing what you want to have, do, or be in life, and using your divine powers of manifestation to bring that about.

As a divine spirit, you are in this world to have the human experience of loving—of expressing your divine love through all of its earthly forms, such as compassion, understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness.

As a divine spirit, you are in this world to have the human experience of the physical body—to enjoy breathing, laughing, feeling the sun on your skin, and eating a big bowl of ice cream . . . something you can’t do as pure spirit.

And, as a divine spirit, you are in this world to have the human experience of the physical earth—to appreciate the wind, the water, blue skies, purple mountains, and endless fields of flowers.

In short, as a spiritual being, you are here to have the human experience of being alive and in the world, and enjoying everything this earthly plane of existence has to offer—both the sweet and the bittersweet.

Friends, by all means, seek those peak, transcendent spiritual experiences. Have them. And cherish them. But don’t forget to appreciate the beauty and the joy that also arise from the human experience. After all, isn’t that what you came here for?

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Identifying Intuition

October 3, 2010

Dear Friends,

In essence, living life in the divine flow is about one main thing: recognizing and following divine guidance. Although you can receive divine guidance through signs and synchronicities, and through the wisdom of other people, the most valuable and consistent guidance you receive is from your own intuition—from the Divine Spirit within you that is speaking to you.

Intuitive guidance can take many forms, such as a thought that unexpectedly pops into your head; a still, small voice that you seem to “hear;” a physical sensation that you suddenly notice; or a simple feeling of “rightness” about a decision that you are considering making.

The big question is, how do you distinguish intuitive guidance from other thoughts or sensations? How do you know if that still, small voice you are hearing is the voice of your Divine Spirit, or the voice of your self-serving ego?

As you may have guessed, there’s no hard and fast rule for decisively determining whether a thought or a feeling is of divine origin. However, if you are in doubt, it does help to ask yourself this one simple question: Does the guidance I am sensing fit the nature of my Spirit?”

To help you answer that question, here are four different aspects of your Spirit’s nature, with a description of how those aspects affect the guidance that you receive:

1. Your Spirit is one with all.

In Spirit, there is no place where you end and someone else begins. In Spirit, we are all part of One Universal Whole. That means that you will never receive intuitive guidance that obviously harms or diminishes another person, because that person is—in Spirit—just another part of “you.” Intuitive guidance is always in the best interests of everyone.

2. Your Spirit is all-knowing.

Being intimately connected to the Omniscient Mind of the Divine, your Spirit is aware of an almost infinite number of ways for you to successfully move forward in life. That means that you will never receive intuitive guidance that seems to demand that you do one thing in particular because that’s your “only option.” Your Spirit will simply suggest the course of action that happens to be the most beneficial one for you to take at that particular moment in time. And if that course of action is never taken, or it ceases to be the most beneficial direction for you, your Spirit will then simply make a new suggestion. Intuitive guidance may be persistent, but it is never insistent.

3. Your Spirit is always positive.

The energy of your Spirit is a positive energy. That means that your Spirit will generally express itself in a positive way, suggesting a positive action step for you to take. Rather than saying “Don’t do this,” intuitive guidance is more likely to say, “Do this.”

4. Your Spirit is indestructible and eternal.

Your Spirit cannot be injured, or cease to exist. That means that your Spirit knows nothing of fear. It knows only the peace that comes from being one with All-That-Is, and the joy that comes from the human experience—of just being alive and in the world. Generally then, intuitive guidance will feel peaceful, or joyful. If you are in immediate physical danger, yes, you may receive intuitive guidance that feels extremely urgent or powerful, such as “Get off the road now.” And you might react apprehensively to such a strong suggestion. But the guidance itself will not be infused with fear, because it will not be coming from a place of fear.

Like I said, there’s no single, definitive way to identify intuitive guidance. But if that guidance is peaceful, positive, persistent, and in the best interests of all, that’s a good indication that you are receiving divine direction. May those four qualities enhance your ability to tell when your Spirit is speaking to you. And may you be willing to make the decision, or take the step, that your Spirit is suggesting.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Roundabout Way

September 26, 2010

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 sometimes 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 the Arizona Department of Transportation just completed a huge road improvement project. As part of that project, all of the major intersections between Sedona and The Village of Oak Creek were 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 traffic to clear in both directions. 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 Sunday when 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 that you are being divinely guided to move in.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Faith, Experience, and The Divine Flow

September 19, 2010

Dear Friends,

The very first time I decided to solve a problem by consciously putting my “faith” in the divine flow, I experienced a minor, but immediate miracle. Later that same week, I tried it again. And again, the challenge I was facing worked out miraculously. And when I consciously relied on the flow to help me with another issue a few days later, once again everything fell into place marvelously.

I’m not sure, however, if “faith” is the most accurate word to use in describing my approach to those early experiences. Why? Because the first few times I turned my problem over to a “Higher Power,” I honestly didn’t think it would work. At the time, I was skeptical about the whole “let go and let God” thing. But I could also see how my usual way of handling challenges—through control, manipulation, force, and persuasion—wasn’t working very well. So, even though I was extremely doubtful that any kind of positive outcome would occur without my direct, personal involvement, I decided to “give God a shot,” so to speak.

Twenty four years later I have countless stories about how the divine flow has repeatedly and consistently responded to my wants and needs. So, at this point, you would think that I would be a person of great “faith,” right? Well, sort of.

I actually rarely use the word “faith,” because to some people that word means believing in something without any concrete reason to do so. But I have plenty of concrete reasons to believe in the flow. My life experiences have proven to me over and over again that there is, indeed, a Higher Power in this world that is continually guiding me toward the effortless fulfillment of my heart’s desires. So today, when I consciously rely on the flow to help me accomplish a specific goal or solve a particular problem, is that an example of having faith . . . or is it just a reasonable expectation based on more than two decades of repeatedly experiencing the miraculous?

The answer is both. Acting on faith results in miraculous experiences. And those experiences, in turn, strengthen faith. Both faith and experience work hand-in-hand to make it that much easier for you to put your trust in something other than yourself.

Here’s to putting your faith in the divine flow, and discovering through experience that there is, indeed, a Divine Intelligence in this world that is continually working on your behalf to bring about your highest good, and the highest good for all.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Forgiving is For Giving

September 12, 2010

Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago I wrote a three-part series on forgiveness. I decided that those messages would make a good topic for one of the talks I now present every Sunday morning here in Sedona.

As I prepared for that talk, I ended up adding three more reasons why it is beneficial to forgive. Plus, I was inspired to present those reasons using the same wordplay that occurred to me while I was composing the final message in my original three-part series: Forgiving is for giving. That is, it’s for giving yourself five different gifts.

This week I want to share all five of those gifts with you, to deepen your understanding of the many wonderful benefits of forgiveness.

Gift #1. Forgiving is for giving yourself the freedom to be happy again.

As long as you bear a grudge against someone you will be unhappy—feeling frustrated, bitter, or angry. You will be suffering, while the person you resent might not even be aware that you resent him or her . . . or care! When you forgive, you stop giving that person power over how you feel. You break that negative emotional tie, and free yourself to be happy again.

Gift #2. Forgiving is for giving yourself the ability to be attuned to divine wisdom.

When you harbor resentments, you are in ego—that judgmental state of mind that not only causes you to feel separate from others, but also causes you to feel separate from any kind of Higher Power. When you forgive, you reconnect with that Higher Power—returning to a state of mind that is once again open and receptive to divine insights, inspiration, and intuitive direction.

Gift #3. Forgiving is for giving yourself valuable insights about yourself.

Sometimes the person whom you need to forgive is actually “mirroring” a behavioral trait that you may have, but don’t want to consciously admit. If you are willing to “look in that mirror,” you may see something within yourself that needs healing. For instance, you may discover a long-neglected emotional wound that has been causing you to behave in unproductive ways. But now that it’s revealed, you have the opportunity to heal that wound through a little self-love . . . as well as the opportunity to see that person who is your “mirror image” in a more compassionate light.

Gift #4. Forgiving is for giving yourself the ability to enjoy the peace that exists in the here and now moment.

Whatever it is that is causing you to feel resentful, happened in the past, right? Perhaps it was only yesterday, but it still happened in the past. By harboring those negative feelings, you are keeping the past alive. Generally, the now moment is pretty peaceful. But you rob yourself of that peace by dwelling on something that is not actually happening in the here and now. If you want to be able to enjoy the peace of the present, let go of the past through forgiveness.

Gift #5. Forgiving is for giving yourself the power to create a different future.

The future is formed in the present, through the thoughts and feelings that you are having right this minute. If you have dragged the past into the present through unforgiveness, then it is highly likely that you will create a future that is just like the past. If you want a different future, forgive what happened in the past—let go of it—and open yourself up to the infinite possibilities that exist when your mind is free of all prior influences.

There you have it, my friends: Five gifts of forgiveness. Why not give yourself every one of those gifts today?

Steven

P.S. I have another gift for you. It is a set of affirmation statements that you can use to help you forgive others, and help you forgive yourself, as well. To download my Love and Forgiveness Affirmations, just click here. (This is a PDF file, which most computers can easily open.)

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Ego's Will To Survive

September 5, 2010

Dear Friends,

After 24 years of consciously focusing on living life in the divine flow, I have experienced countless major and minor miracles in my life. Day after day, month after month, the divine flow consistently responds to my needs and desires in remarkably miraculous ways—constantly verifying my belief that we do, indeed, live in an intelligent universe that is continually offering us its celestial assistance.

So why is it that no matter how much I experience the divine flow in my life, turning to that flow for assistance is not something that I always do instantly and automatically?

Why is it that so many of us—including me—can experience miracle after miracle, year after year, and still quickly revert to that old feeling that we are on our own when it comes to achieving a dream, or contending with a challenge?

Why is it that we don’t continually sense that we are an inseparable part of a greater Unifying Whole—a Universal Spirit that is always offering each and every one of us its divine support?

One answer to those questions is found in the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, who writes about the development of our ego-identities, and how those identities—or “I-dentities,” as I like to put it—are essentially based on a sense of separation from others, and from God.

Tolle explains how part of us—the ego—convinces us that we will literally cease to exist if we ever allow ourselves to experience a sense of “Spiritual Oneness” for any great length of time. So we let the ego vigorously assert itself at every opportunity, tenaciously clinging to that sense of “I” in order to survive.

Based on that, it’s no surprise then, that our initial reaction to any need or issue that arises in life is often, “I have to solve this,” or “It’s all up to me to achieve this.”

Here’s the good news, though: As the years go by, my experience has been that the time I spend needlessly feeling that “it’s up to me and me alone” to accomplish my goals or solve my problems, grows less and less and less.

Year after year, I find it easier and easier to immediately remember that I am part of a Universal Whole that is continually guiding me toward my highest good. Day by day, I am able to “let go” more quickly, and I am able to “let God” more readily.

And I am certain, friends, that if you continue to practice living life in the divine flow, then you, too, will experience the same thing. You, too, will find the ego gradually losing its ability to dominate your life. And you, too, will experience a greater and greater ongoing sense of divine connectedness, enjoying the peace and ease that comes from that feeling of spiritual union.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Insight, Inspiration & The Divine Flow

August 29, 2010

Dear Friends,

Although there are many ways that you receive Divine Guidance in life, your most valuable and consistent source of Divine Guidance is your own intuition. Your intuition is your inner Spirit speaking to you. Your Spirit not only knows what you want, but it also knows what you need—including the need to grow in understanding or compassion, or the need to heal an emotional wound that may be limiting your life. And your Spirit is continually attempting to help you fulfill those wants and needs by “telling” you what your next right step is.

You may experience intuitive guidance as a thought that suddenly pops into your mind, or as a simple feeling of “rightness” about a course of action that you are considering taking. You may even have a vivid dream that clarifies a situation that has been troubling you. There are many forms that intuitive guidance takes. And when you identify the main way that your Spirit speaks to you, it will be much easier for you to make intuition the primary component in your decision making process.

Intuitive guidance, however, is not the only gift that your Spirit has for you. Your Spirit can also bless you with a divine insight—a deep and accurate understanding of something that can radically improve your life. Or, through what is commonly called divine inspiration, your Spirit may offer you an extremely creative approach to solving a problem or completing a project.

When you are truly open and receptive to Divine Guidance, then intuition, insight, and inspiration are your constant companions. And sometimes, they work hand-in-hand—especially when it involves a mission that your Spirit may have specifically come into this life to accomplish.

For instance, many years ago, through a series of divine insights, I came to believe that we do, indeed, live in a beneficent universe—a universe that is continually working on our behalf to help us fulfill our heart’s desires in the most beneficial way possible. I soon became convinced that it was my mission in life to teach people how to recognize and cooperate with this “divine flow.” I was then divinely inspired to present those principles using the metaphorical song, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” And after that, I was not only intuitively guided to write a book based on that song, but I was also miraculously directed to a publisher, and then offered a series of remarkable speaking opportunities that helped my work become popular.

Insight. Inspiration. Intuition. Without these three, life can be more of a struggle than it has to be. So make sure that you remain receptive to all three forms of celestial assistance by making meditation and prayerful contemplation a daily part of your life. Spend some time every morning by going within, and getting in touch with the divine wisdom of your all-knowing Spirit. You have nothing to lose . . . and a great deal to gain.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Who's Charting Your Course?

August 22, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I was looking for something to watch on television, and I came across a program about researchers who were investigating the sinking of the Titanic. They weren’t trying to discover why the Titanic sank—that’s known. Instead, they were trying to find out why the Titanic broke in half as it sank.

The researchers expected to find flaws in the design of the Titanic, or some mistakes in its construction. As it turned out, however, they found little to suggest that there was anything wrong with the integrity of the ship. So the investigation was inconclusive.

What was confirmed during this program was something that the evidence has long suggested . . . that before the Titanic ran into an iceberg, the captain of the ship made a decision that proved to be disastrous for his passengers and crew.

Hearing that, I was reminded of something that came up when I was writing the first chapter of my book. To stay with the boating metaphor, I described the body as “the physical vessel itself.” But I just couldn’t bring myself to refer to the mind as “the captain” of that vessel. I settled for “the brains of the boat,” instead.

Why? Because for many people the word “captain” evokes an image of a wise decision-maker in a crisp, white suit—a figure entirely worthy of our complete and total trust. But is the mind really that trustworthy?

In the case of the Titanic, it seems that the captain was greatly influenced by someone else on board during that fateful trip . . . Mr. Bruce Ismay. Ismay was the chairman of the White Star Shipping Line—the Line that had the Titanic built, and touted it as both the biggest and the fastest vessel on the seas.

When the Titanic received news that icebergs were drifting toward their latitude, it appears that Ismay convinced the captain to speed up to avoid the approaching icebergs, rather than slow down or change course altogether. The reason? So the Titanic would arrive in New York in record-setting time, living up to its highly publicized reputation for speed.

Do you see the parallel here? Just like the captain of a ship, your mind does have the final responsibility for deciding where you want to go, and how you want to get there. But sometimes your mind can be influenced by the “Bruce Ismay” that resides within your consciousness—that is, your self-serving ego.

Disconnected from the One True Spirit that unites us all, your ego will encourage you to make decisions that may benefit you in the short run, but are not in everyone’s best interest in the long run.

Don’t let your ego—which can be just as fearful as it can be grandiose—chart your course for you! That could be a Titanic mistake! Always make sure that your mind remains open enough to receive divine direction. It’s the kind of direction that comes through intuitive nudges, divine signs and synchronicities, and the wisdom of others. And it’s the kind of direction that you can always trust to be in your best interest, as well as the best interests of all.

Instead of listening to your ego’s advice, spend some time in prayer and meditation, and seek the Guidance Of the Divine (G.O.D.). That way, you will not only reach your chosen destination safely and effortlessly, but all involved will benefit from the journey.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Middle Way and The Divine Flow

August 15, 2010

Dear Friends,

One of my favorite movies—and especially Carol’s—is “Little Buddha.” Although two stories are depicted concurrently in this film, the basic tale is about Prince Siddhartha of India, and how he became the Buddha.

In a pivotal scene, Siddhartha witnesses a man teaching a boy to play a stringed instrument. The man tells the boy, “If the strings are too loose, they won’t play. If they are too tight, they will break.”

It is at this moment in the movie that Siddhartha discovers the wisdom of “The Middle Way,” an enlightened way of life that avoids extremes in favor of moderation.

This is not unlike the wisdom of “rowing with the flow.”

If you have no goals or dreams in life, you are too “loose.” You are just aimlessly drifting. And living life in the divine flow is not about drifting. It’s about actively participating in the manifestation of what brings you joy. It’s about consciously choosing a destination and rowing towards it.

If you do have a destination in mind—a desire that you’d like to fulfill—but you are pursuing that goal relentlessly, always pushing, driving, and forcing your way forward, then you are too “tight.” And one day you may break.

Rowing with the flow is “the middle way.” You choose your destination, and you row towards it, but you row gently—pausing between each and every stroke of your oars to discern the next right step that you feel you are being divinely guided to take.

You don’t force things to go the way you think they should go, or try to control and manipulate outcomes. Instead, you remain flexible enough to continually adjust to the course of the current . . . willing to move in a direction that is different from what you expected . . . and even willing to arrive at a destination that is different from the one you originally set out for.

So, friends, what will it be? Do you want to drift through life listening only to the music created by the well-tuned instruments of other people? Or do you want to create some music of your own? If it’s the latter, just make sure that your strings are not too loose, or too tight. Remember to follow “the middle way”—attuning yourself to the divine flow. Do that, and the music you make will be especially harmonious.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Forgiveness and The Divine Flow, Part 3

August 8, 2010

Dear Friends,

This week’s message concludes my three-part series on forgiveness, and how the act of forgiving enhances your ability to be open and receptive to the guidance of the divine—to the kind of guidance that can help you fulfill your heart’s desires with effortless ease.

But consider this: Even if a forgiving attitude did not increase your ability to be divinely guided, you would still be well advised to maintain that kind of compassionate mindset. Why? Because forgiveness directly affects your ability to enjoy life and be happy!

I will never forget the moment I first came to understand the relationship between forgiveness and happiness. Many years ago there was someone in my life whom I deeply resented. One evening, I was sitting in my car feeling absolutely miserable because of the perceived offense this man had committed against me.

All of a sudden, I recognized that—on a certain level—I actually believed that I was punishing that person by bearing a grudge against him. And yet, the truth was, he probably had no idea how much I resented him. And if he did know, he probably didn’t care!

There I was, sitting in my car feeling angry and upset, while that man was walking down a street somewhere whistling a happy tune! That’s when it dawned on me that I needed to forgive that person for my sake . . . not his! I finally understood that forgiving is primarily for giving myself the freedom to be happy again!

There is a great old saying that sums up this idea perfectly:

“Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison
and expecting the other person to die.”

That’s exactly what I had been doing up to that point—trying to make someone else suffer by doing something that was only hurting me!

Friends, I invite you to get honest with yourself . . . really honest. Are you refusing to forgive someone in your life because part of you believes that you are punishing that person with your resentment? And perhaps more importantly, how is that working for you? Are you, in fact, the one who is actually suffering because of that negative emotional tie?

Perhaps it is time for you to stop giving that person power over your emotions. Perhaps it is time for you to forgive that person, and allow yourself to be happy again.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Forgiveness and The Divine Flow, Part 2

August 1, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about the important role that forgiveness plays when it comes to living life in the divine flow. The general idea was that unforgiveness is an indication that you are in ego—a judgmental state of mind that limits your ability to be in the flow, because the ego is not open to divine direction.

I went on to suggest that you practice forgiveness by looking beyond a person’s outward behavior to see the innocent spirit that lives at the core of his or her being—that divine spirit that comprises his or her Authentic Self.

But what if you are still feeling extremely hurt or exceptionally angry over a perceived offense? What if you are willing to forgive, but willingness alone just doesn’t seem to be enough to get you over your emotional hurdle? Well, here is a technique I find helpful in instances like that:

Whenever I feel extremely judgmental towards someone, I imagine something that might have happened to that person as a child that would explain his or her behavior. Could that child have been abandoned, neglected, or ignored? Could that child have been given adult responsibilities too early in life? Could that child have been physically abused?

I then see the person that I need to forgive as still that child . . . still using the same coping mechanism that may have once served to protect him or her from an intolerable circumstance . . . or still behaving in a way in which he or she was conditioned to behave.

Whenever I do that, I immediately feel compassion for that individual, and forgiving him or her becomes much, much easier.

That doesn’t mean, however, that I condone that person’s behavior. And it doesn’t mean that I am going to tolerate that behavior any longer, either. I see nothing wrong with holding someone accountable for his or her actions, establishing boundaries to protect myself, and taking steps to shield others from being harmed, as well.

The difference is, I no longer condemn that person for their perceived shortcomings. Instead, through eyes of forgiveness, I look upon that individual as a wounded soul who wants nothing more than to be healed of that wound through my compassion and understanding.

Try it. You will be surprised at how quickly some situations transform when people sense that you are no longer attacking them with your judgments. And, of course, you will be amazed at how your forgiving attitude puts you right back in the flow . . . once again open-minded enough to receive and perceive G.O.D.—the Guidance Of the Divine.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Forgiveness and The Divine Flow

July 25, 2010

Dear Friends,

I often write about the power of love, and how just a little bit of loving kindness dramatically enhances your ability to live life in the divine flow and fulfill your heart’s desires effortlessly. But love has many aspects. And one of the most important of those aspects is forgiveness.

Just as it is with loving kindness, practicing forgiveness becomes its own reward—healing you, freeing you, and restoring your sense of well-being. But it also has a very practical side benefit . . . that of improving your ability to move easily down the stream in the direction of your dreams.

The reason why is simple, really. As I frequently mention, living life in the divine flow is about being open and receptive to the guidance you are continually receiving from that creative, intelligent, all-pervading energy that is commonly called God . . . an energy that you are intimately connected to, whether you are consciously aware of it or not.

When you are unforgiving—that is, when you are blaming or resenting someone in your life—you are judging that person. And that creates a problem. Because the part of you that judges is your ego. And your ego is the part of you that is never open to divine direction.

Your ego is the part of you that literally "edges God out" . . . hence, E.G.O. When you are in ego, your mind is closed. And thus, you are no longer receptive to the helpful insights, inspiration, and intuitive guidance that come from the divine spirit within you. Instead, you must make choices based on information that comes solely from the material world around you—information that is always extremely limited and highly biased.

If you want to live life in the divine flow you must constantly practice forgiveness. Instead of blaming, seek understanding. Instead of shaming, have compassion. Take the time to look beyond a person's outward behavior to see the innocent spirit that lives at the core of his or her being. Remember that everyone is doing the best they can with the various limitations they have, and the emotional wounds they bear.

When you forgive, you will not only be opening yourself up to G.O.D.—the Guidance Of the Divine—but you may find yourself opening up to the very person who can help lead you to your highest good.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Life's Divine Cairns

July 18, 2010

Dear Friends,

This weekend I am conducting another Divine Flow Retreat here in Sedona. The very first activity I offer in these retreats is a guided meditation on a Red Rock formation called Bell Rock. Many people believe that Bell Rock has amazing healing and energizing properties, and it is one of the most popular places in the area.

If you have spent any time in Sedona yourself, you probably know that it is not extraordinarily difficult to reach the higher parts of Bell Rock. However, without knowing the best way to ascend, you can easily run into a dozen dead ends, and repeatedly encounter crevices that cannot be crossed.

To make it easier for hikers to reach the higher vistas, the National Forest Service has placed piles of rocks called “cairns” to guide the way. When you travel from cairn to cairn, you are able to climb up Bell Rock in the most efficient and unobstructed way possible.

And so it is with the divine flow in your life.

When you follow your intuition, when you are open to the intuitive guidance of others, and when you pay attention to the divine signs that are all around you, you will find yourself being directed toward the fulfillment of your heart’s desires in a virtually effortless and obstruction-free manner.

That doesn’t mean that your path will always be direct—a straight line from where you are to where you want to be. Nor does it mean that your journey will always be swift. It is common to experience lots of twists and turns along the way, and reaching your chosen destination can take longer than you expected. But if you remain patient, and take one divinely guided step at a time—focusing only on the step that is right in front of you—your journey will still feel like a flow . . . a flow that is helping you get to your highest good in the most beneficial way possible.

Here’s to following life’s divine “cairns.” Here’s to noticing and heeding the divine markers that have been placed along the way to help you accomplish your goals without undue struggle or strain . . . and to help you reach even the loftiest of your dreams with effortless ease.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

It's About The Journey

June 11, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about the freedom you have to choose your destinations in life, and the freedom you have to pursue those goals and dreams by choosing to follow divine guidance . . . or not.

Naturally, if you continually ignore divine guidance, you are probably going to encounter more challenges along the way than you ordinarily would under consistent divine direction. However—that said—not every single challenge in your life is the consequence of making an unguided or misguided choice.

As I mentioned two weeks ago, some challenges you encounter in life are merely bends in the stream, and they will quickly transform into blessings if you cooperate with what is happening. Other challenges—as I mentioned in my message on April 18th—give you a much-needed chance to heal an emotional wound, or eliminate a limiting thought, so you can move down the stream toward your dreams more freely. In hindsight, those kinds of challenges can easily be seen as the divine flow at work in your life.

But what about the really major challenges that occur in life? What about the kind of unwanted circumstances that seem to come out of the blue, and severely test your ability to maintain any kind of positive outlook on life? What possible blessing can there be in the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one, or the diagnosis of a serious disease?

Even though most of my work is focused on the goals and dreams we have in life, and how best to reach them, in the end, life—as the saying goes—is not about the destination . . . it’s about the journey. And that journey is not about getting somewhere. It’s about being something.

Said more accurately, the journey of life is about the kind of person that you become during the journey. Or, more accurately still, it’s about remembering during the journey who you truly are—and always have been—at the core of your being . . . which is nothing less than an individual expression of Divine Love itself.

In my personal experience, nothing has given me the opportunity to get in touch with the Truth of my Being more than a major challenge has. Understandably, it is difficult to readily see an extremely unwelcome challenge as a “blessing.” However, when that challenge leads to a renewed appreciation for the sacredness of life, or when it helps you know first-hand what unconditional love and compassion truly feels like . . . well, you can’t help but feel blessed by the experience.

Remember that pursuing your goals and dreams in life is something that you will always be motivated to do, because it is in your nature as a divine creator to do so. But never lose sight of the fact that when all is said and done, the only thing that is truly important in life’s journey is how you have spiritually matured along the way—how you have grown in wisdom, deepened your faith, increased your gratitude, and expanded your ability to be the love that you are in every situation. And if you do successfully reach some or all of the destinations that you originally set out for in life . . . well, that’s even better!

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Freedom and The Divine Flow

July 4, 2010

Dear Friends,

Sunday, July 4th is Independence Day, the day that we in the United States celebrate our right as a people to create our own futures and pursue our own dreams . . . free from oppressive and dictatorial rule.

But let us remember, too, that when it comes to our relationship with that Divine Intelligence that is commonly called God, every day is Independence Day . . . and should be recognized and celebrated as such.

Each and every day, you have the freedom to choose what you want to have in life, what you want to do in life, and what you want to be in life. And you have the freedom to pursue those goals in any way that you see fit.

That doesn’t mean that accomplishing those goals is totally up to you—and you alone. Quite the contrary. You are continually receiving divine assistance. You are constantly being divinely guided and supported in fulfilling your heart’s desires in the most beneficial way possible. But you will never be forced to do anything that you don't choose to do.

You always have the freedom—the independence—to follow divine guidance . . . or not. You can choose to row with the divine flow, and reach your chosen destinations with effortless ease. Or, you can choose to take a more arduous route, and row against the flow by ignoring or resisting divine direction. It's up to you.

The wonderful thing about your freedom of choice is this: Every choice you make in life—whether it is guided or unguided, divinely inspired or ego-driven—gives you an opportunity to learn from your experience, grow in wisdom and compassion, and ultimately discover more about your own divinely loving and creative nature.

But again, it's your choice. You can choose to learn and grow from the experiences you create . . . or not.

Here's to the joy that comes from creating our lives and living our lives by choice. May we always be grateful for the freedom we have to do that.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Minor Miracles, Continued

June 27, 2010

Dear Friends,

Two weeks ago I wrote about the minor miracles that occur quite frequently in life—the kind of synchronistic events and happy coincidences that may seem relatively insignificant, but lead to the fulfillment of a heart’s desire, nonetheless.

I feel that I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t remind you of the following point: Although miracles are usually associated with circumstances that are obviously to your benefit, an undesirable encounter or a challenging situation can also be a divine gift in your life.

I can’t tell you the number of times that an unexpected “problem” has popped up in my life, which led me to a very valuable learning lesson—a lesson that helped me deal with a similar, but more serious problem just a short time later.

One time, for example, I experienced an issue with my computer that was fairly minor, but still extremely frustrating. It took me quite a while to figure out what was going wrong, and why. But I finally did, and I was able to successfully fix the problem.

I thought that was the end of my computer troubles. But the very next week I ran into another problem . . . only this time the problem was much more complicated, and it was much more important for me to correct the issue immediately.

Well, thanks to what I learned the week before, guess what? I was able to fix the problem both quickly and easily. It felt as though the divine flow had purposely prepared me for what was to come, and had equipped me to handle the upcoming issue much more effectively.

Like so many other times in my life, what I had initially judged to be “bad,” quickly transformed itself into a blessing—a blessing that I could never have foreseen based on my original assessment of the situation.

What I have learned from countless experiences like these, is that unwanted circumstances are often “miracles in the making,” and it is my job to allow the miracle to unfold by cooperating with what is happening, rather than resisting it—by seeking only my next right step, and the one after that, and the one after that.

One of the keys to living life in the divine flow and experiencing its miracles more freely and more frequently, is to embrace every challenge that occurs in life as if it were a blessing about to bloom—a divine opportunity for you to benefit in some way. You will find that when you actively look for the gift in every situation, the divine flow has an uncanny way of making certain that you find it.

So, the next time a situation arises in your life that elicits some kind of discomfort or displeasure, make sure that you remain genuinely open to the possibility of experiencing something miraculous . . . even if the miracle is just a timely lesson learned.

Remember to always be grateful for all of life’s miracles—both major and minor . . . including the ones that show up in your life as blessings in disguise.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Fatherhood and The Divine Flow

June 20, 1010

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 very first time, I could finally relate to the 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. In fact, at this point I feel I have moved beyond appreciation . . . to love.

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!

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Minor Miracles and The Divine Flow

June 13, 2010

Dear Friends,

If my work is somewhat new to you (and to a number of you, it is), you may not be familiar with my definition for the divine flow, which is:

“The divine flow is an underlying current that is continually guiding you toward the effortless fulfillment of your heart’s desires.”

You might assume from the phrase, “your heart’s desires,” that I am talking about major goals that you want to accomplish in life, or desires that are exceptionally grand and glorious. And you would be right about that. But you would only be partially right. Because the desires of your heart can also be desires that appear to be relatively insignificant—desires that seem to be fairly minor in the overall scheme of things.

What you have to remember is that your “heart” is your “spirit,” and your spirit has desires both big and small—all of which, when fulfilled, serve to help you live a life that is more joyful and rewarding. And the divine flow works just as diligently to guide you to the effortless fulfillment of those seemingly small desires, as it does to help you fulfill the ones that seem large by comparison.

Here’s an example:

Here in Sedona, Carol and I subscribe to the local paper, the Red Rock News. Although we always read the headlines on the front page, we rarely do anything more than check out the entertainment section, or look through the classifieds for an interesting estate sale.

Last week, though, I felt an unusual urge to grab a cold drink, go out on the patio, and sit down to read the entire paper—something I had never, ever, done before.

Well, I didn’t have to read very far to discover why I had been mysteriously compelled to open the paper. Because there on Page 2 was an obituary for a dear friend of ours—a woman that Carol and I had not seen in quite some time.

Her name was Nanette, and for many years she was the head innkeeper at our favorite Bed & Breakfast Inn, The Briar Patch. Before we moved to Sedona, Carol and I stayed at The Briar Patch so often, we formed a lasting friendship with Nanette. She was, in fact, one of the very first guests we invited to our home when we became Sedona residents.

Had I not followed my divine intuition to read the paper that day, I would have missed the obituary, and Carol and I would probably have missed the opportunity to attend Nanette’s memorial service. As it turned out, though, Carol and I were able to attend the service, and pay fitting tribute to a woman who meant quite a lot to us.

So, was that an example of being divinely guided toward the accomplishment of a major goal in life, or toward the realization of a lifelong dream? Of course not. But it was the fulfillment of a heart’s desire, nonetheless. In fact, Carol and I would have been heartbroken to have missed the opportunity to join Nanette’s other friends and family in a celebration of her life.

Here’s to living life in the divine flow, my friends . . . and here’s to recognizing, appreciating, and celebrating all the flow’s minor miracles that make such a major difference in our daily lives.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

A Journey to the Center of the Earth

June 6, 2010

Dear Friends,

This week I have a question for you: What’s at the center of the Earth? If you give that question a little thought, you will realize that there is more than one answer.

From a strictly physical standpoint, the answer could be that there is a core of solid iron at the center of the Earth, which is surrounded by an outer core of iron that’s molten.

From a purely spiritual viewpoint, the answer could be “God”—especially if God is understood to be an all-pervading intelligent energy that exists within and throughout everything in the universe.

But neither of those answers is the one that I was looking for. I was actually talking about the word, “Earth,” and what is found at the center of that particular word.

Have you ever noticed that right smack dab in the middle of EARTH is ART? For me, that’s significant, because it helps remind me that our journey here on Earth is meant to be a creative experience.

Like I mentioned recently, we are innately creative beings. As individual expressions of what many call “The Great Creator,” we are, in fact, nothing less than Divine Creators in our own right. And Earth is the canvas upon which we express ourselves.

Earth is where we—as spiritual beings—have the opportunity to take ideas that originate in spirit, and go about the process of giving those ideas physical form. And when we go about that creative process thoughtfully—with the conscious intention to bring more beauty, harmony, love, joy, and understanding into the world—we are doing more than just manifesting something materially, we are producing works of art . . . sacred art, no less.

Whether we are writing books or building homes, painting landscapes or engineering bridges, composing songs or inventing businesses, carving sculptures or raising families, nothing satisfies our souls more than bringing something new and beautiful into the world that wasn’t there before.

To quote a short poem I wrote way back in 1977:

Art for art’s sake.
Art for the heart’s sake.
For God’s sake, art.

Here’s to the divine artist within you, me, and all of us.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Constant Possibility of Good

May 30, 2010

Dear Friends,

Many of you are probably familiar with this line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet: "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." Said another way, nothing in and of itself is inherently good or bad. We are the ones who assign meaning to things and label them as good, bad, or indifferent.

Well, if that’s true—and I do believe it is—then what kind of attitude should we take about the different kind of circumstances that we experience in life?

In some circles, the answer to that question is illustrated by the following fable:

There was once a wise old farmer who owned a prize horse. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came over to offer their condolences. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "Maybe," was all the farmer replied. A few days later the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "Maybe," replied the old man again. The following day, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg. Once again, the neighbors offered their sympathy, saying "How awful." "Maybe," answered the farmer one more time. The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son of the farmer had a broken leg, they passed him by. The neighbors once again congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “What good fortune,” they said. The farmer replied yet again, “Maybe.”

I appreciate this story for one particular reason. It illustrates the fact that we rarely, if ever, know enough to be able to accurately judge any circumstance as either good or bad. However, I wonder if there isn’t a more positive way to respond to what we encounter in life.

I realize that the farmer’s response was objective and non-resistant. And that certainly elicits a feeling of peace, which is wonderful. But to me, the farmer’s “maybe so, maybe not” attitude is somewhat flat and lifeless—limiting the possibility of feeling anything beyond peace . . . such as joy. And I, for one, believe that our spirits are in this world—and in these bodies—to experience happiness and joy, as well as peace.

If something happens that I think is good (even though I know it is just a subjective judgment on my part), I want to be able to experience all the good feelings that come along with that. And when things don’t seem to be going very well, I still want to experience good feelings! So how do I do that?

I simply look at every situation that “appears” to be bad, and see it as a stepping stone to my highest good. And that’s not just wishful thinking on my part. Similar to the circumstances described in the fable, it has been my experience time and time again that the possibility for good exists within every situation . . . and the divine flow is continually working on my behalf—and everyone’s behalf—to manifest that good.

If you want a more positive and uplifting way to respond to life’s circumstances—a way that promotes feelings of happiness and joy, gratitude and thanksgiving—then I invite you to approach life differently than the farmer did in the version of the fable that you just read. I invite you to consider the example set by the farmer in my own alternate version of this story:

There was once a wise old farmer who owned a prize horse. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came over to offer their condolences. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "I believe there can be good in this," the farmer replied. A few days later the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "Yes, it is good," replied the old man. The following day, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg. Once again, the neighbors offered their sympathy, saying, "How awful.” And once again, the farmer answered, “I believe there can be good in this.” The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son of the farmer had a broken leg, they passed him by. The neighbors once again congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “What good fortune,” they said. And one more time the farmer replied, "Yes, it is good. Very good indeed!”

So, my friends, the choice is yours. You can achieve peace by assigning little or no meaning to what occurs in life. Or, you can open yourself up to something more by seeing everything as good, or good in potential.

I, for one, choose to thoroughly enjoy all the “good” things that happen in life. And more than that, I choose to appreciate the constant possibility of good in everything else.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Hold On To Your Dream

May 23, 2010

Dear Friends,

I am currently on a two-week trip to Texas for my grandson’s second birthday; the marriage of my lovely daughter, Tiffany; and a speaking engagement at Unity Church of Richardson.

Because of limited time to write a brand new message this week, and the inability to record it, I have decided to share a video with you that was sent to me by a good friend of mine in Sedona.

This animated video is called “The Miracle of Chinese Bamboo,” and it’s about the value of patience, and the importance of holding on to your dream.

I have written about both of those subjects before, which makes this video an appropriate complement to my work.

To watch the video, click on the following link, or copy and paste it into your browser:

www.5millionforchange.com/MovieBamboo.aspx

Enjoy!

Steven

P.S. This video is a little long and somewhat slow moving, so you will get a chance to practice patience while you watch it!

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Manifestation Process

May 16, 2010

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 of instantaneous manifestation very satisfying—at least, not on an ongoing basis.

Like I mentioned last week, you are an innately creative being. You will always be conceiving of things you want to have, do, or be in life. And you will always be going about the business of manifesting those ideas in the material world. But that 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. 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

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com