Don't Believe Everything You Think!

November 27, 2011

Dear Friends,

I have noticed a new trend on Facebook. People are posting witty and inspiring statements in the form of graphic images. Here’s one I saw recently:

The very first time I saw this admonition, it was on a bumper sticker on the car in front of me. I love this sentiment, because it perfectly captures the essence of one of the most important principles for living life in the divine flow: You must let go of what you “think” you know.

One of the most common ways that we interfere with the flow is thinking that we know best, and overruling the divine guidance that we are continually receiving through various sources, such as our own intuitive sense. I’m certainly not suggesting here that you forget everything you think you know. I’m just reminding you of the obvious truth that there is always more to know than you currently know. And when you keep an open mind to new and different information—even when it conflicts with your current understanding—your ability to receive divine direction will be greatly enhanced.

Remember, too, that most of your thoughts are either reflections on the past or projections into the future. And since divine guidance always comes to you in the present, the very act of thinking can limit your ability to be in the flow.

The phrase, “being lost in thought,” is very appropriate in this case, because whenever you are not consciously in the “now,” you are much more likely to miss the divine signposts that can show you the best way to get where you’re going. You become unguided or misguided by your lack of present-moment awareness, and thus, lost!

Even the way you think can limit your experience of the flow. When you are fearful, for instance, you may connect one thought to another so quickly, you create a block that prevents divinely inspired ideas from entering your conscious mind.

The phrase, “a train of thought,” comes to mind here, because that is exactly what a lot of fear-based thinking resembles—a train . . . one car closely coupled to another, and to another, and to another. And often, that train of thought gains so much momentum as it moves along, it is extremely difficult to slow it down, change tracks, and move in a more beneficial direction.

That is why I recommend a daily practice of meditation. Meditation not only slows down your thinking, it helps open up “gaps” between your thoughts, so it is easier for divine insights and intuitive guidance to get through.

So, dear friends, do you want to live life in the divine flow? Yes? Then I suggest you heed the following three suggestions—suggestions that I am going to express here as “bumper stickers:”

DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK!

DON’T GET LOST IN THOUGHT!

And finally,

BEFORE THAT TRAIN OF THOUGHT
GOES TOO FAR . . . GET OFF!

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

Thanks for Everything!

November 20, 2011

Dear Friends,

The fourth Thursday in November is when citizens of the United States celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It’s a day when we express 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 this Thanksgiving, next Thanksgiving, and every day in between, 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

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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

You Are Worthy!

November 13, 2011

Dear Friends,

Sunday, November 13th, is the birthday of my lovely and loving partner, Carol. Although some people pay little attention to birthdays, to Carol that once-a-year occasion is very significant. She not only enjoys people recognizing and celebrating her own birthday, but she is extremely diligent in honoring the birthdays of others, as well. Through cards, gifts, and telephone calls, she makes sure that all of her close friends and family members know that their existence on this earth is cherished and valued.

And so it is when it comes to our relationship with The Divine—with that loving and creative energy that many of us call God. As Children of The Divine, our existence in this world is similarly cherished and valued. But our lives are not just honored once a year. In the eyes of The Divine, every day of our lives is a cause for celebration.

We may not get a card or a call, but we are always being presented with some heavenly gifts—gifts of divine love, divine protection, and divine support as we pursue our goals and dreams in life. And we don’t have to do a single thing to “earn” those gifts. As Children of The Divine, we are divinely entitled to those gifts. Just the fact that we exist—just being—is reason enough for those blessings to be bestowed upon us.

Unfortunately, we don’t always feel this sense of “divine entitlement,” do we? Instead of feeling that we have a divine right to whatever it is we want to have, do, or be in life, we may feel that we don’t deserve to have our dreams come true. We may feel that we are not good enough, or smart enough, or capable enough. In a word, we may feel that we are not “worthy.”

That is a huge issue, because our thoughts about ourselves influence the choices that we make in life. And choices based on feelings of low self-worth can quickly sabotage our ability to fulfill our heart’s desires.

I wish there was a magic wand I could wave that would cause every single person on this planet to immediately recognize his or her innate worth as a beloved Child of The Divine. Obviously, I don’t have a wand like that. However, I do have a helpful tool. It’s an Affirmation of Worth that “wrote itself” through me a number of years ago.

Even though I shared this Affirmation with you last May, as far as I’m concerned, this is one message that cannot be repeated too often. If you are struggling with your sense of worthiness, I hope you find this Affirmation to be helpful.

AN AFFIRMATION OF WORTH

God is All That Is.
And I am part of All That Is.
I now acknowledge my innate worth
as a vital part of The Divine Whole.

It is through me that God knows God’s Self
in a way that no other experience can duplicate.
God cherishes my existence,
and it is God’s great pleasure
to help me fulfill my heart’s desires effortlessly.

It doesn’t matter to whom I was born,
or what circumstances followed.
Nor does it matter
how anyone else perceives my value.

I know that I am a precious and essential
part of this Universe . . .
that I have a right to be here,
and that I have a special purpose to fulfill
in this time and place.

I am wanted.
I am needed.
I am worthy and deserving.

I am a Holy Child of The Divine.
Peace, joy, and prosperity
are mine by divine right.
And I claim my divine inheritance now!

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

The Many Benefits of Meditation

November 6, 2011

Dear Friends,

One of the most common questions I am asked about living life in the divine flow is this one: “What can I do to improve my ability to be in the flow?”

Notice the word, “do,” in that question. These people aren’t necessarily seeking a better understanding of the flow. Rather, they are looking for some kind of specific tool or technique that they can employ to experience the flow’s miracles more freely and more frequently, and to fulfill their heart’s desires effortlessly.

Well, as it turns out, there is something that you can “do” that will dramatically magnify the experience of the divine flow in your life, and I highly recommend it. That, quite simply, is to meditate—and to meditate on a daily basis.

There is nothing really mystical or magical about meditation. Meditation is simply a way of slowing down your thoughts. Generally, it involves focusing your attention on one solitary thing, such as your breathing, a comforting phrase, or a peaceful image. As other thoughts arise—as they invariably will—you observe those thoughts, but you don't let yourself get caught up in them. Instead, you simply allow those thoughts to pass by—like watching clouds floating across the sky—and you gently return your awareness to the focus of your meditation.

And how, exactly, does that enhance your ability to be in the flow? Being in the flow is primarily about recognizing and cooperating with divine guidance. And meditation dramatically increases your ability to be in direct contact with the guidance of your inner Divine Spirit.

Your Spirit is the most valuable and reliable source of divine guidance you have. You can always trust your Spirit to know what your next right step should be. And—through what is commonly called your intuition—your Spirit is always attempting to “tell” you what that step is. The trouble is, it is difficult to “hear” that still, small voice of your Spirit when your mind is full of noisy self-talk—that endless chatter in your head about what just happened, what it might mean, and what might happen next. A daily practice of meditation is an effective way to quiet your mind, and open up enough gaps between your incessant thoughts so the guidance of your Spirit can get through.

But the benefits of meditation don’t stop with enhancing your ability to receive divine guidance. When you meditate on a daily basis, your entire experience of life is dramatically improved. What follows is a short summary of some of the benefits you reap when you maintain conscious contact with your inner Spirit.

1. You are more intuitive. As I already mentioned, when you are in touch with your inner Spirit, you can sense divine direction much more easily. So your next right step becomes much more obvious.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 either greatly diminished or completely removed.

5. 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 inspired and more insightful.

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 it 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—unconditional divine love. When you are in touch with your Spirit, you can’t help but be more compassionate, understanding, accepting, and forgiving.

Here’s to the many benefits of meditation—of going within, getting in touch with the Divine Spirit that resides there, and allowing that divine essence to express itself throughout the day.

Steven

P.S. If you are new to meditation, and would like detailed instructions about how to meditate, here is a webpage that describes the simple technique that I use: www.alternative-medicine.net/meditation.

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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