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:

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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

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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 Ripple Effect

May 29, 2011

Dear Friends,

Once in a while I meet someone who has the mistaken impression that if you truly “master” all of the principles for living life in the divine flow, you will never again run into any obstacles or challenges in life. I wish!

It’s true, that when you consistently follow divine direction, the number of obstacles and challenges you encounter in life will diminish dramatically. However, no matter how good you are at recognizing and cooperating with divine guidance, you are still likely to encounter quite a few obstacles and challenges along the way . . . for two very good reasons:

First, there are certain challenges that—on the level of your spirit—you actually want to experience. Why? Because some challenges offer you an ideal opportunity to grow spiritually or mature emotionally—to heal a long neglected emotional wound, for instance, or to expand a limited way of being that is preventing you from living a more fulfilling and joyful life. (For more about this, re-read my message titled, “Purposely Choosing Challenges” by clicking here.)

The second reason that some obstacles and challenges are unavoidable—even when you are highly attuned to the feel of the flow—is because of something called “the ripple effect.” Keep in mind that we are all interrelated and interconnected in ways that we can’t even begin to conceive of. So, when even one of us does not follow the guidance of the divine, and, instead, makes a choice out of ego—out of fear or frustration, judgment or jealousy—that decision creates a ripple that can go out and eventually affect the rest of us.

On a personal level, it’s like the scenario of a boss who unjustly criticizes one of his male employees; the misjudged employee then goes home and unfairly belittles his wife; the upset wife then kicks the dog when it gets in her way; the confused dog then bites the delivery man . . . and on and on it goes.

On a global level, it’s like the time in 2001 that a man directed his followers to hijack some American Airlines planes and fly them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center. That action had a ripple effect that directly changed the lives of countless people across the country and around the world . . . including me. At that time I was employed by the advertising agency for American Airlines. Right after 9/11, American Airlines decided to stop advertising for a while. My agency had to cut its budget. People were laid off. And I was one of those people.

It’s a simple case of cause and effect . . . like the choices that led to the dramatic downturn in our economy over the last few years. We are still experiencing the effect of that ripple!

So, does being a “master” at living life in the divine flow mean that you will never encounter another obstacle or challenge in your life? Obviously not. What it does mean, though, is this: When you encounter an obstacle or a challenge, you will always know the best way to respond to it, because you will be intimately connected to the wisdom of your spirit. You will intuitively know what to do, when to do it, and if you should do anything at all. And even more importantly—because you will be responding from the part of you that is divine love itself—your every response will be a loving one.

And guess what? When you respond to a challenge with love, you create a brand new ripple—a ripple that is so great, it has the power overcome, cancel out, or transform all that has gone before it! In fact, there is no ripple in this world that is more powerful than the one created by a simple act of loving-kindness.

Why not start your own positive ripple today? It begins the instant you treat a challenging person with compassion, or greet a troublesome situation with understanding. Believe me, you are definitely going to like the effect of that ripple!

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!

May 22, 2011

Dear Friends,

Last weekend I attended the christening of my second grandson, Tanner Taylor Thomas, pictured here:

Regardless of what christening may mean in various religious circles, I like to think of christening as a ceremony in which the true identity of a baby is named and proclaimed. And what is that true identity? It is the same identity that you, and I, and everyone on this planet share: We are all children of The Divine—individual expressions of that loving and creative energy that many call God.

As children of The Divine we are all divinely loved, divinely protected, and divinely entitled to lives of peace, prosperity, and fulfillment. And to enjoy these divine privileges we don’t have to do a single thing. Just the fact that we exist—just being—is cause enough for celebration.

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.”

This is a big issue, because our thoughts about ourselves influence the choices that we make in life. And choices based on feelings of low self-worth can easily 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. Here it is:

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!

If you are struggling with your sense of worthiness, I hope you find this Affirmation to be helpful.

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

Of Heart And Home

May 15, 2011

Dear Friends,

During the six years that I have writing these weekly inspirational messages, the world has experienced numerous natural disasters, including devastating floods, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, and even volcanic eruptions. These horrific events have resulted in the loss of thousands upon thousands of lives. And thousands upon thousands of livelihoods have been destroyed, as well. Family businesses that took years and years to build have been obliterated in seconds. And these losses—of both lives and livelihoods—have been the cause of great grief.

Recently, a huge cluster of powerful tornadoes tore across the southeastern United States, and once again many, many lives and livelihoods have been lost. But something else has been lost, as well. It is something that is also the cause of great grief. And it is something that I want to specifically acknowledge in this message. It is the loss of people’s homes.

In television interviews with families who have lost their homes, but not their lives, it is nice to see that all of these people recognize that—in the largest sense—life is not about things, it is about love. And even though their houses and all of the things in them are now gone, these people are extremely grateful to still have each other. They feel blessed, in fact.

The loss of one’s home, however, is not something to be minimized. It is still a very real—and very significant—loss. And grieving the loss of one’s home is both understandable and appropriate.

A home, as you well know, is much more than bricks and mortar, wood and shingles, stucco and tile. It is much more than a structure, a shelter, or even—in some cases—a work of art. A home is a box of memories, containing cherished mementos, souvenirs, keepsakes, heirlooms, and irreplaceable photographs. All of those treasured things are physical symbols of the people and the experiences in our lives that we hold near and dear to our hearts.

Although the memories themselves remain intact, it is still understandably tragic when the “memory collage” that one has spent a lifetime constructing, has been destroyed by fire, wind, water, or a shift in the earth itself.

To each of you who have recently lost your home, a loved one, a beloved pet, or anything else that occupies an important place in your heart, know that you have the entire Universe working on your behalf to help you restore your sense of wholeness, recover your sense of peace, and rebuild whatever it is that needs rebuilding.

And know, too, that even though it may not appear that way to you right now, with the help of The Divine, it is always possible for great good to come out of this time of great grief.

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

Motherhood and Manifesting

May 8, 2011

Dear Friends,

In the United States, the second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day. That’s the day we celebrate the women in our lives who conceived us, gave birth to us, and nurtured us as we began to establish our own individual identities in the world.

As I contemplate the beauty of motherhood on this special day, I can't help but notice the similarity between motherhood and manifesting. What similarity, exactly?

Well, as I have mentioned many times before, you are an innately creative being. No matter how happy and fulfilled you are, you will always be conceiving of things you want to have, do, or be in your life. Through your words and your actions you will constantly be giving birth to your ideas—to your desires, goals, and dreams. And by giving them your love and attention, you will continually be in the process of nurturing your creations—of helping them to grow into full expression.

In other words, whether you are male or female, whether you have brought a child into this world or not, in many respects you are—at the core of your being—a mother . . . someone who is divinely designed to bring something new and beautiful into this world.

As you pay tribute to your mother (or mothers), and to all the mothers living in the world around you, I invite you to take a moment to also honor the mother that exists within you. Take a moment to celebrate that motherly part of you that is an open chamber for receiving divine ideas, and an open channel for bringing those beautiful ideas into the world, and giving them life.

Here's to the joy of motherhood! And here's to the peace that comes from knowing that the whole universe is willing to help you with that wonderful and immensely fulfilling work.

Happy Day, Mother!

Steven

P.S. If you’re a Mom—especially one with children still living at home—then you know how difficult it can be to stay “in the flow” while you are being pulled in a dozen different directions. Here’s a book and meditation series that can help. It’s called The Enlightened Mom: A Mother’s Guide for Bringing Peace, Love & Light to Your Family’s Life, by Terri Amos-Britt. Terri’s teachings are very much in line with my own, but focus specifically on the challenges of motherhood. For more information about this inspiring book and its 25 guided meditations, click here. (Note: When you close that webpage you will be given the opportunity to purchase the book alone—without the meditations.)

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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

We're All In The Same Boat

May 1, 2011

Dear Friends,

When it comes to living life in the divine flow, it pays to remember that—in a very real sense—we are all "in the same boat." Rarely, if ever, do you get anywhere in life completely on your own. As you row your boat gently down the stream toward your dream, there is always at least one other person (and usually many more) involved in your journey . . . and you may be involved in their journey, as well.

It's as if you have your hands on one oar, but there is someone else manning the other oar. To get where you want to go effectively, efficiently, and effortlessly, you must row in harmony—in tandem—with anyone else involved in the process. If, instead, you are rowing against each other, you are much more likely to row your boat in circles, or run your boat into the rocks and reeds.

In recent weeks, the survivors of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami have demonstrated a remarkable ability to work together to reach what has become their common destination—to recover from their tremendous personal and professional losses, while having their daily needs met.

Although, for the most part, the news from Japan has been heartbreaking, there have been many heartwarming stories, as well—stories of people helping people . . . of people giving and sharing, and going the extra mile to support each other, and care for each other.

Perhaps the cooperative spirit of the Japanese is due to the fact that they are from a small island-nation, and thus, are more keenly aware that they are all “in the same boat.” The point of this week’s message, though, is to remind you that no matter where you are from, or what your current circumstances are, you, too, can experience that same kind of selfless, cooperative assistance. In fact, you can experience the kind of assistance in your life that is nothing less than divine. All it takes is just a little bit of loving kindness.

You see, when you treat others with loving kindness, they are not only more willing to be of assistance to you, but the assistance that you receive is more likely to be divinely inspired. When treated with love and respect, people often become open channels through which divine ideas flow freely into the world . . . and divine ideas are the kind of ideas that are always the most beneficial for you, and for everyone else, too.

That said, can I guarantee you that when you treat someone with loving kindness, he or she will rise to the occasion and become your helpful angel? No. The only thing I can guarantee you is this: If that person feels threatened by you—if you are judging, belittling, or criticizing him or her—you will definitely not get the support you need.

If you need assistance to get down the stream to your dream, it is your job to create the kind of environment where others feel safe enough to be the divine angels that they are at heart. It is your job to practice loving kindness, and create the kind of atmosphere that makes it possible for miracles to manifest in your life . . . and makes it possible for miracles to manifest in the lives of other people, as well.

Here’s to remembering that we are all “in the same boat.” And here’s to treating everybody in that boat with the loving kindness that they deserve as your brothers and sisters in spirit.

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

An Easter Reminder

April 24, 2011

Dear Friends,

As the saying goes, “You are not a human being having an occasional spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being having a temporary human experience.” And there is no better time of the year to affirm that for yourself than Easter.

For me, the Easter story is a dramatic demonstration and profound illustration of something that I believe is just as true for you now, as it was for Jesus over 2,000 years ago—that you are in this world, but you are not of this world.

Like I often mention, your true essence is spirit, not body. And unlike the body, your spirit is eternal and indestructible. Your authentic self is, in a word, divine—an individual expression of that source energy that many call God. And you are here for one purpose, and one purpose only: to express your divine nature in the body, and in the world.

And what, exactly, is that nature? Love. Unconditional love. Divine love.

It’s the kind of love that knows no limits . . . the kind of love that forgives—no matter what. It’s the kind of love that Jesus fully expressed throughout his life, right up to the final moments of his earthly existence. And it’s the kind of love that you, and I, and all of us are called upon to express on a daily basis.

Today, and every day of the year, may you remember who you are, and why you are here. May you remember that the journey of life is not about getting somewhere. The journey of life is about being something. It’s about being the love that you are in every single moment of that journey. And it’s about experiencing the absolute joy that your love brings to the journey, and brings to each and every spirit that you encounter along the way.

Happy Easter!

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