October 2, 2011
Dear Friends,
Have you ever had an extremely strong feeling that you needed to take immediate action on some kind of opportunity? Sure you have. We all have. And you may have assumed that this urgent, demanding feeling was your intuition speaking—that it was you inner Divine Spirit telling you the next right step to take.
But was it your intuition? Or was it just an impulse? To live life in the divine flow, it helps to distinguish between intuitive guidance and impulsiveness. Here’s a general rule of thumb to help you discern the difference: Your intuition persists. An impulse insists.
Generally speaking, an impulse is motivated by an underlying thought of lack or limitation. It tells you that if you don’t act right now, the opportunity in front of you will be gone forever! Underlying every impulse is a subtle feeling of fear—of tension or anxiety—and you may feel like your very happiness hinges on taking this particular action.
Intuitive guidance, on the other hand, is never based on thoughts of lack or limitation. In fact, being intimately connected to the Omniscient Mind of The Divine, your Spirit is aware of an almost infinite number of beneficial possibilities for you. So, for a time, your Spirit may persist in nudging you in one particular direction, but it will never insist that you must take advantage of any single opportunity.
If you miss one opportunity, your Spirit will simply lead you to another one. And if you miss that opportunity, it will lead you to yet another. And so on. The opportunities to which you are being intuitively guided may change in form and nature, but they will always satisfy whatever it is your heart is seeking to experience.
But what if you are in immediate physical danger? Wouldn’t your intuition try to protect you through a very insistent message in that circumstance? That depends on how you interpret the word insistent. Will the message be clear and direct? Yes. But will it demand? No. Nor will the message itself be infused with fear. Generally speaking, your intuition will simply give you a positive action-step to take.
I know two people whose lives were saved by a very clear inner voice. But both times, that voice spoke in a very simple and direct manner. One message was simply “Get off the road now,” which prevented that person from colliding with another vehicle. The other message was “Quit what you are doing and leave the river,” which saved that person from drowning in a flash flood.
The still, small voice of your Divine Spirit does not always have to be still and small. It can be obvious and unmistakable—even powerful. But behind that voice there will always be a basic, underlying sense of eternal well-being. Because that is all your Divine Spirit knows.
Is there something in your life right now that you are considering doing? How do you feel about it? If, over time, there is a persistent feeling of peace about it—or even better, a quiet sense of surety—that is probably your intuition speaking. If, on the other hand, your inclination is insistent at first, but later begins to diminish, that is probably an impulse.
Here’s to acting on intuition, passing on impulses, and developing the wisdom to know the difference.
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
Friday, September 30, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
When It's Time To Make A Decision
September 25, 2011
Dear Friends,
In my last message, I encouraged you to accept uncertainty instead of resisting it. I reminded you that even when you do your very best to discern divine direction, it is not uncommon to still be confused. But that state of uncertainty rarely persists for any great length of time. Eventually, mixed signals will give way to clear signals, and you will be able to sense in advance if a step you are considering taking is the most beneficial one for you to take, or not.
But what if the time has come when—because of circumstances beyond your control or influence—you have to make a decision, and yet, you are still unclear about how you are being divinely directed. What then?
I think you know the answer. When that moment arrives, you simply have to make a decision one way or the other, and then see how things feel . . . afterwards. Understandably, waiting to find out if a decision feels right after the fact is not especially desirable. But that situation does not have to be a source of undue stress for you, if you keep in mind one of the fundamental principles for living life in the divine flow—the principle I mention the most in these messages: Everything can be a stepping-stone to your higher good, if you look at it that way.
Even if you inadvertently make a decision based on the fears of your ego rather than the inspiration of your Spirit, the Universe can still guide you to your highest good from wherever you wind up. Your job is simply to remain open and receptive to divine direction by maintaining a positive outlook.
This process is not unlike what happens when you have a navigation device in your car, but you miss the exit it was directing you to take, or you turn the wrong way. It simply offers you a brand new route from wherever you now happen to be.
Remember, too, that there are always valuable lessons to be learned from whatever circumstance you find yourself in . . . which means that every decision you make—divinely inspired or not—gives you an opportunity to gain further clarity about yourself, and to grow in wisdom, compassion, and so on.
So, friends, before you take any step, do your best to discern whether that step truly is your next right step, or not. But if you are still not completely sure, don’t worry too much about that. Living life in the divine flow is not about being 100% certain, 100% of the time. It’s about making the best choice you can with the information and experience you currently have, knowing that—no matter what decision you finally make—the Universe can always “make it right” in the end.
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,
In my last message, I encouraged you to accept uncertainty instead of resisting it. I reminded you that even when you do your very best to discern divine direction, it is not uncommon to still be confused. But that state of uncertainty rarely persists for any great length of time. Eventually, mixed signals will give way to clear signals, and you will be able to sense in advance if a step you are considering taking is the most beneficial one for you to take, or not.
But what if the time has come when—because of circumstances beyond your control or influence—you have to make a decision, and yet, you are still unclear about how you are being divinely directed. What then?
I think you know the answer. When that moment arrives, you simply have to make a decision one way or the other, and then see how things feel . . . afterwards. Understandably, waiting to find out if a decision feels right after the fact is not especially desirable. But that situation does not have to be a source of undue stress for you, if you keep in mind one of the fundamental principles for living life in the divine flow—the principle I mention the most in these messages: Everything can be a stepping-stone to your higher good, if you look at it that way.
Even if you inadvertently make a decision based on the fears of your ego rather than the inspiration of your Spirit, the Universe can still guide you to your highest good from wherever you wind up. Your job is simply to remain open and receptive to divine direction by maintaining a positive outlook.
This process is not unlike what happens when you have a navigation device in your car, but you miss the exit it was directing you to take, or you turn the wrong way. It simply offers you a brand new route from wherever you now happen to be.
Remember, too, that there are always valuable lessons to be learned from whatever circumstance you find yourself in . . . which means that every decision you make—divinely inspired or not—gives you an opportunity to gain further clarity about yourself, and to grow in wisdom, compassion, and so on.
So, friends, before you take any step, do your best to discern whether that step truly is your next right step, or not. But if you are still not completely sure, don’t worry too much about that. Living life in the divine flow is not about being 100% certain, 100% of the time. It’s about making the best choice you can with the information and experience you currently have, knowing that—no matter what decision you finally make—the Universe can always “make it right” in the end.
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, September 17, 2011
Accepting Confusion
September 18, 2011
Dear Friends,
Even when you do your very best to get in touch with your intuitive guidance, and when you sincerely try to pay attention to the divine signs and synchronicities that are leading you forward in life, there will be plenty of days when you will still feel uncertain—confused, even.
Should you go this way or that way? Should you do this thing or the other? Often the answer just isn’t clear. And as your confusion continues, you may feel increasingly frustrated.
Do you know why confusion is frustrating? Because you believe that you shouldn’t be confused! Actually, it is only your resistance to your state of confusion that is causing you to feel frustrated, and causing you to suffer needlessly.
A little confusion is common! It is something that we all experience every now and then. But rarely does it persist for any great length of time. Eventually, mixed signals will give way to clear signals, and you will feel comfortable enough to make a choice.
The key to more rapidly reaching that state of divine certainty is to accept your confusion when it arises. Instead of hastily and unwisely forcing yourself to make a decision, simply acknowledge the fact that—at the moment—you are too unsure to make a decision . . . and be okay with that!
Remember, to be able to discern your next right step, you must be genuinely open and receptive to divine guidance. And a mind that is in resistance is rarely relaxed enough for that guidance to be readily apparent. In other words, your resistance to your confusion is the very thing that may keep you stuck in that uncertain state!
Are you a little confused right now? Is there somewhere you want to go but you don’t know which way to row? Then repeat this mantra: “I’m confused. But that’s okay. I will not always feel this way.”
Simplistic? Maybe. But it works for me. And it may offer you a little relief, as well.
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,
Even when you do your very best to get in touch with your intuitive guidance, and when you sincerely try to pay attention to the divine signs and synchronicities that are leading you forward in life, there will be plenty of days when you will still feel uncertain—confused, even.
Should you go this way or that way? Should you do this thing or the other? Often the answer just isn’t clear. And as your confusion continues, you may feel increasingly frustrated.
Do you know why confusion is frustrating? Because you believe that you shouldn’t be confused! Actually, it is only your resistance to your state of confusion that is causing you to feel frustrated, and causing you to suffer needlessly.
A little confusion is common! It is something that we all experience every now and then. But rarely does it persist for any great length of time. Eventually, mixed signals will give way to clear signals, and you will feel comfortable enough to make a choice.
The key to more rapidly reaching that state of divine certainty is to accept your confusion when it arises. Instead of hastily and unwisely forcing yourself to make a decision, simply acknowledge the fact that—at the moment—you are too unsure to make a decision . . . and be okay with that!
Remember, to be able to discern your next right step, you must be genuinely open and receptive to divine guidance. And a mind that is in resistance is rarely relaxed enough for that guidance to be readily apparent. In other words, your resistance to your confusion is the very thing that may keep you stuck in that uncertain state!
Are you a little confused right now? Is there somewhere you want to go but you don’t know which way to row? Then repeat this mantra: “I’m confused. But that’s okay. I will not always feel this way.”
Simplistic? Maybe. But it works for me. And it may offer you a little relief, as well.
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, September 10, 2011
The Challenge of Change
September 11, 2011
Dear Friends,
September 11, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of an event that—for many of us—greatly altered the way we live our lives.
I, for one, was laid off from a 30-year career in advertising as a direct result of what took place that fateful morning. American Airlines was one of my advertising agency’s principle accounts, and American decided to suspended advertising for an indefinite period following the attack that used their planes. My agency had to cut its budget. People were laid off. And I was among those people.
It was a dramatic change in my life, but just one of many changes over the years. And I’m sure that you have experienced quite a few radical shifts in your life, as well. Some of those changes may have felt like they were thrust upon you. Others may have been changes that you, yourself, consciously chose to make.
No matter what initiates it, a change of any kind can always be a source of tension and anxiety. Even when a change is obviously for the better, you may still resist it—clinging to a familiar past for comfort. Even when the future seems ripe with positive possibilities, you may still feel uneasy about stepping into the unknown.
If you are going through a major change in your life right now, or—even ten years later—you are still actively dealing with the aftermath of 9/11, take a moment to reaffirm what you know to be the Truth. It is the Truth that—with the help of The Divine—everything can be a stepping-stone to your highest good. It is the Truth that you are continually being divinely supported in your return to a sense of well-being, and continually being divinely guided to a life of even greater happiness and satisfaction.
The challenge—for you, for me, and for all of us—is remaining open and receptive enough to hear that still, small, divine voice that is continually telling us the best way to help ourselves, and to help each other.
And even more than that, the challenge is remembering that the only constant in life is change. And if we want to experience more peace in our lives, it is up to us embrace change instead of resisting it. It is up to us to “row with the flow,” and consciously cooperate with life . . . even when life takes a sudden and dramatic turn.
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,
September 11, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of an event that—for many of us—greatly altered the way we live our lives.
I, for one, was laid off from a 30-year career in advertising as a direct result of what took place that fateful morning. American Airlines was one of my advertising agency’s principle accounts, and American decided to suspended advertising for an indefinite period following the attack that used their planes. My agency had to cut its budget. People were laid off. And I was among those people.
It was a dramatic change in my life, but just one of many changes over the years. And I’m sure that you have experienced quite a few radical shifts in your life, as well. Some of those changes may have felt like they were thrust upon you. Others may have been changes that you, yourself, consciously chose to make.
No matter what initiates it, a change of any kind can always be a source of tension and anxiety. Even when a change is obviously for the better, you may still resist it—clinging to a familiar past for comfort. Even when the future seems ripe with positive possibilities, you may still feel uneasy about stepping into the unknown.
If you are going through a major change in your life right now, or—even ten years later—you are still actively dealing with the aftermath of 9/11, take a moment to reaffirm what you know to be the Truth. It is the Truth that—with the help of The Divine—everything can be a stepping-stone to your highest good. It is the Truth that you are continually being divinely supported in your return to a sense of well-being, and continually being divinely guided to a life of even greater happiness and satisfaction.
The challenge—for you, for me, and for all of us—is remaining open and receptive enough to hear that still, small, divine voice that is continually telling us the best way to help ourselves, and to help each other.
And even more than that, the challenge is remembering that the only constant in life is change. And if we want to experience more peace in our lives, it is up to us embrace change instead of resisting it. It is up to us to “row with the flow,” and consciously cooperate with life . . . even when life takes a sudden and dramatic turn.
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, September 3, 2011
T.R.U.S.T.I.N.G.
September 4, 2011
Dear Friends,
As a person whose livelihood depends primarily on the written word, I always appreciate clever wordplays and creative phrases, including what some people call “backronyms” . . . that is, appropriate phrases formed from letters of an existing word (the reverse of an acronym). For example:
However, living life in the divine flow—and fulfilling your heart’s desires effortlessly—is not just about timing.
It’s also about inspiration . . . about being open and receptive to divine ideas—the kind of thoughts and insights that fill you with great enthusiasm, and give you a clue as to what you were born on this planet to do.
It’s about nurturing . . . knowing that the Universe is always supporting you in your emotional development and spiritual growth, by giving you the opportunity to benefit from every single thing that you experience in life.
And it’s about guidance . . . remembering that the Universe is continually directing you toward your highest good in a myriad of ways, and it is up to you to constantly be on the lookout for that guidance—whether it comes from your own intuition, the intuitive wisdom of others, or the divine signs and synchronicities that are all around you.
Put all of these things together, and you wind up with this expanded backronym:
S.T.E.V.E.N.
(Simply Trusting Everything Very Easily Now)
Okay . . . maybe that’s a bit of a stretch!
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,
As a person whose livelihood depends primarily on the written word, I always appreciate clever wordplays and creative phrases, including what some people call “backronyms” . . . that is, appropriate phrases formed from letters of an existing word (the reverse of an acronym). For example:
EGO = Edging God OutA while back, the minister at a Unity church that Carol and I attend, mentioned this backronym during his talk:
FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
HOPE = Holding Onto Positive Expectations
TRUST = Totally Relying Upon Spirit’s TimingIn these messages I often mention the part that divine timing plays in the manifestation of your desires, and how that requires a fair amount of patience on your part. If you try to force something into being before the Universe has gotten all the “ducks in row,” you may complicate things and delay that manifestation even further. Or, you may create something that is a poor imitation of what the Universe was originally lining up for you. Or, you may fulfill your desire before you are the kind of person you need to be in order to maintain that manifestation for any length of time.
However, living life in the divine flow—and fulfilling your heart’s desires effortlessly—is not just about timing.
It’s also about inspiration . . . about being open and receptive to divine ideas—the kind of thoughts and insights that fill you with great enthusiasm, and give you a clue as to what you were born on this planet to do.
It’s about nurturing . . . knowing that the Universe is always supporting you in your emotional development and spiritual growth, by giving you the opportunity to benefit from every single thing that you experience in life.
And it’s about guidance . . . remembering that the Universe is continually directing you toward your highest good in a myriad of ways, and it is up to you to constantly be on the lookout for that guidance—whether it comes from your own intuition, the intuitive wisdom of others, or the divine signs and synchronicities that are all around you.
Put all of these things together, and you wind up with this expanded backronym:
TRUSTING = Totally Relying Upon Spirit’s Timing,T.R.U.S.T.I.N.G. It’s a way of being that I constantly try to practice. And I invite you to join me in practicing this way of being, too . . . not just sometimes and in some situations, but—as the first letter in this backronym suggests—all the time and in all situations. That is, Totally!
Inspiration, Nurturing, and Guidance
S.T.E.V.E.N.
(Simply Trusting Everything Very Easily Now)
Okay . . . maybe that’s a bit of a stretch!
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
