June 26, 2011
Dear Friends,
Fairly often, people will tell me how overwhelmed they feel by everything that they need to do—and want to do—in their lives. Their day-to-day responsibilities, combined with all the things they think they need to do to accomplish their goals and dreams, is just too much. Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by it all?
The way I look at it, there are three main reasons why you may, at times, feel overwhelmed . . . but unnecessarily so!
The first is laboring under the impression that it’s up to you—and you alone—to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. If that’s what you think, then yes indeed, completing your “To Do List” will not only feel like a daunting task, it will be a daunting task.
Never forget that you have celestial assistance in life! It’s the kind of assistance that comes mainly through divine guidance—through steps that are suggested to you by your own intuition, by divine signs and synchronicities, and by others who are divinely inspired to share their wisdom with you. When you remember to consciously look for—and be open to—divine direction, you will find that you can accomplish a multitude of tasks in an incredibly effective and efficient manner.
The second reason you may feel overwhelmed is because you are simply not in the now moment. You are looking way too far ahead and imagining—all at once—every step you will “probably” have to take to fulfill your desires. Do you know with absolute certainty that you will really have to take all of those steps? And even if you do, keep in mind that you generally get where you are going in life by taking one step at a time. And when you focus only on the step that is right in front of you—the step that is right here, right now—it is almost impossible to feel overwhelmed.
Which brings me to the final reason you may feel overwhelmed. You believe that you have identified your next right step, but you are feeling anxious about taking that step because it is a really big step. Hey, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of a step, then that step is probably not your next right step! Why? Because the divine flow never requires you to “bite off more than you can chew.”
One of the telltale signs of a next right step is that it is relatively easy to do. The divine flow does not ask you to take giant leaps. Instead, it offers you tiny little baby steps that—when taken one right after another—move you effortlessly down the stream in the direction of your dreams.
Think small! Maybe there is a step that you are completely overlooking because it seems so insignificant . . . like visiting a certain website to get a little more information about something. Or, perhaps there is a step that you are not noticing because it doesn’t even look like a step to you . . . like accepting that invitation to a friend’s party. Who knows what helpful person you might meet there?
If you want to stay in the flow, be sure to pay attention to—and take care of—all of those “little” things that seem to just “pop up” in life. Stay in the present moment and concentrate only on the task at hand. And continually seek—and be receptive to—divine direction in all of its various forms. Do those things, dear friends, and instead of feeling overwhelmed by it all . . . you will feel overjoyed by it all!
Steven
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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Fatherhood and The Divine Flow
June 19, 2011
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 achieve their dreams, and live abundant and joyful lives.
For the first time, I could finally relate to idea of God as Father . . . as a loving, generous, and 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
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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC
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 achieve their dreams, and live abundant and joyful lives.
For the first time, I could finally relate to idea of God as Father . . . as a loving, generous, and 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
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Gratitude and The Divine Flow
June 12, 2011
Dear Friends,
In November of 2006, Carol and I moved from Dallas, Texas to Sedona, Arizona. Sedona, as most of you know, is one of the prettiest places on the planet . . . considered by many to be their personal paradise.
Shortly after moving here, one of our dearest friends wrote to us and asked, “Do you pinch yourselves every day to make sure that you are not just dreaming that you live in Sedona?”
Well, the answer is “yes.” We do have to pinch ourselves every day. But it’s not to assure ourselves that we are not dreaming. It’s the opposite of that. We have to pinch ourselves every day to remind ourselves to be grateful for where we are living, and not take it for granted.
I am constantly amazed by how easy it is to take almost anything for granted—even this heavenly haven called Sedona. It takes very little for me to become distracted by the day-to-day details of living and working, and completely forget to appreciate the beauty that is all around me: the magnificent red rock formations, the brilliant orange sunsets, the profusion of purple blooms, and the abundance of wildlife right in our own backyard.
I bring this up, because one of the keys to living life in the divine flow is to have an attitude of gratitude. And why is gratitude so important? Because when you are grateful, you feel good. And when you feel good, you are more open and receptive to divine guidance, and thus able to experience the flow’s miracles more freely and more frequently.
The challenge is maintaining that attitude of gratitude for all of those things that you usually take for granted, such as your health, your home, and your helpful relationships. To live life in the divine flow it is important to be continually grateful for all of the blessings you have in your life—not just the extraordinary ones, such as receiving unexpected income, or miraculously avoiding an accident.
Take a moment right now to look around you. What are you taking for granted? And what, instead, should you be consciously grateful for? Pinch yourself, and begin to consciously count your blessings. You may be surprised by how quickly the divine flow gives you even more to be grateful for!
Steven
P.S. Below is a delightful video of a little girl affirming everything she is grateful for. You can’t help but be uplifted by her enthusiasm.
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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC
Dear Friends,
In November of 2006, Carol and I moved from Dallas, Texas to Sedona, Arizona. Sedona, as most of you know, is one of the prettiest places on the planet . . . considered by many to be their personal paradise.
Shortly after moving here, one of our dearest friends wrote to us and asked, “Do you pinch yourselves every day to make sure that you are not just dreaming that you live in Sedona?”
Well, the answer is “yes.” We do have to pinch ourselves every day. But it’s not to assure ourselves that we are not dreaming. It’s the opposite of that. We have to pinch ourselves every day to remind ourselves to be grateful for where we are living, and not take it for granted.
I am constantly amazed by how easy it is to take almost anything for granted—even this heavenly haven called Sedona. It takes very little for me to become distracted by the day-to-day details of living and working, and completely forget to appreciate the beauty that is all around me: the magnificent red rock formations, the brilliant orange sunsets, the profusion of purple blooms, and the abundance of wildlife right in our own backyard.
I bring this up, because one of the keys to living life in the divine flow is to have an attitude of gratitude. And why is gratitude so important? Because when you are grateful, you feel good. And when you feel good, you are more open and receptive to divine guidance, and thus able to experience the flow’s miracles more freely and more frequently.
The challenge is maintaining that attitude of gratitude for all of those things that you usually take for granted, such as your health, your home, and your helpful relationships. To live life in the divine flow it is important to be continually grateful for all of the blessings you have in your life—not just the extraordinary ones, such as receiving unexpected income, or miraculously avoiding an accident.
Take a moment right now to look around you. What are you taking for granted? And what, instead, should you be consciously grateful for? Pinch yourself, and begin to consciously count your blessings. You may be surprised by how quickly the divine flow gives you even more to be grateful for!
Steven
P.S. Below is a delightful video of a little girl affirming everything she is grateful for. You can’t help but be uplifted by her enthusiasm.
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC
Saturday, June 4, 2011
When The Flow Seems Slow
June 5, 2011
Dear Friends,
I am happy to say that most of the time, I can sense the divine flow in my life quite easily. I notice a steady stream of signs, synchronicities, and intuitive nudges that are all pointing me in one particular direction. And when I head in that direction, I feel like I am in a gently moving current that is helping me get where I want to go with effortless ease.
Sure, sometimes there are unexpected twists and turns along the way. But usually, those surprising detours quickly transform into stepping-stones to a higher good. So even in those circumstances, I can still feel the divine flow at work on my behalf.
In other words, whether the flow takes a direct route, or a more circuitous one, some kind of divine movement in my life is usually very apparent.
But not always.
Occasionally, I experience periods in my life when it feels like the flow is hardly moving at all, leaving me in still waters for days—or even weeks—on end. I do not see any signs, or experience any meaningful coincidences. Doors are not opening for me. Opportunities are not presenting themselves. My inner voice is silent. And I have no idea what my next right step is.
Friends, are you experiencing something like that in your life right now? Then I invite you to consider the following:
Sometimes, your job is just to wait patiently while the divine flow works its magic. And that’s when it is more important than ever to make sure that you are meditating on a daily basis. Why? Because meditation helps you become more patient.
When you meditate you are consciously connecting with your inner Divine Spirit. Your Spirit exists in a world that lies beyond time and space. It is always in the Eternal Now, which means that how long something is going to take, or how far away something is, are meaningless concepts. What may try the patience of your ego is never—ever—an issue for your Spirit.
Remember too, that your Spirit can see a virtually unlimited number of ways for you to achieve your dream. So when something occurs that blocks your way or impedes your progress, your ego may become impatient, but your Spirit won’t.
If you want to avoid frustration, and the unpleasant consequences that can come from losing your patience and forcing your way forward, take some time each morning to consciously connect with that all-knowing, eternal Spirit within you . . . a Spirit that is—by its very nature—infinitely patient.
And the rest of the time? Hey, enjoy the break! Take care of all the little details in life that are calling for your attention. Enjoy the time that you have been given to partake of life's many simple pleasures. And take advantage of this opportunity to just "be."
Don't worry about how slow the flow may seem. If—through your daily practice of meditation—you remain open and receptive to divine direction, I assure you that the current will pick up soon enough. Eventually, clear guidance will come. Your next divinely directed step will appear. And helpful doors will open. And when that happens, there is a very good chance that you will be able to see the perfect timing in it all.
Steven
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC
Dear Friends,
I am happy to say that most of the time, I can sense the divine flow in my life quite easily. I notice a steady stream of signs, synchronicities, and intuitive nudges that are all pointing me in one particular direction. And when I head in that direction, I feel like I am in a gently moving current that is helping me get where I want to go with effortless ease.
Sure, sometimes there are unexpected twists and turns along the way. But usually, those surprising detours quickly transform into stepping-stones to a higher good. So even in those circumstances, I can still feel the divine flow at work on my behalf.
In other words, whether the flow takes a direct route, or a more circuitous one, some kind of divine movement in my life is usually very apparent.
But not always.
Occasionally, I experience periods in my life when it feels like the flow is hardly moving at all, leaving me in still waters for days—or even weeks—on end. I do not see any signs, or experience any meaningful coincidences. Doors are not opening for me. Opportunities are not presenting themselves. My inner voice is silent. And I have no idea what my next right step is.
Friends, are you experiencing something like that in your life right now? Then I invite you to consider the following:
• The flow may be slowing things down on purpose, so you will arrive at just the right place at just the right moment. It’s simply a matter of divine timing.Those are just a few of the reasons why the flow can seem painfully slow at times. The challenge in those trying times is to not lose your patience. You may feel like there is something you should be doing to bring you one step closer to you chosen destination . . . and doing nothing feels uncomfortable. But the fact is, in many instances, doing nothing is exactly what is called for.
• The flow may be hard at work removing obstacles in your path that you are not aware of.
• Because of certain freewill decisions that you—or others—have made, the flow may be having to rearrange a lot of things, so you can once again move down the stream toward your dream in the most beneficial way possible.
• The flow may simply be giving you the time to become the kind of person you need to be before you arrive at your chosen destination.
Sometimes, your job is just to wait patiently while the divine flow works its magic. And that’s when it is more important than ever to make sure that you are meditating on a daily basis. Why? Because meditation helps you become more patient.
When you meditate you are consciously connecting with your inner Divine Spirit. Your Spirit exists in a world that lies beyond time and space. It is always in the Eternal Now, which means that how long something is going to take, or how far away something is, are meaningless concepts. What may try the patience of your ego is never—ever—an issue for your Spirit.
Remember too, that your Spirit can see a virtually unlimited number of ways for you to achieve your dream. So when something occurs that blocks your way or impedes your progress, your ego may become impatient, but your Spirit won’t.
If you want to avoid frustration, and the unpleasant consequences that can come from losing your patience and forcing your way forward, take some time each morning to consciously connect with that all-knowing, eternal Spirit within you . . . a Spirit that is—by its very nature—infinitely patient.
And the rest of the time? Hey, enjoy the break! Take care of all the little details in life that are calling for your attention. Enjoy the time that you have been given to partake of life's many simple pleasures. And take advantage of this opportunity to just "be."
Don't worry about how slow the flow may seem. If—through your daily practice of meditation—you remain open and receptive to divine direction, I assure you that the current will pick up soon enough. Eventually, clear guidance will come. Your next divinely directed step will appear. And helpful doors will open. And when that happens, there is a very good chance that you will be able to see the perfect timing in it all.
Steven
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC
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