A Heartfelt Thanks

December 28, 2008

Dear Friends,

As 2008 draws to a close, I would like to end this year with an expression of gratitude . . . and a small gift.

First, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who have emailed me with your kind comments over the past 12 months. I am thrilled that my weekly messages continue to be a source of inspiration for you, and that you took the time to tell me so.

Also, I want to offer a special thank you to everyone who has supported this labor of love with your donations and tithes. I am honored that many of you consider my work to be a true ministry—a cherished source of spiritual nourishment. It is your generous gifts and offerings that make this ongoing endeavor possible.

And now for my gift to you: As many of you know, I have been teaching the principles for living life in the divine flow since 1995. In 1998—a good three years before I began to write my book—I wrote a lyrical poem about the divine flow that I titled, “River of Life.”

Even though ten years have passed since then, I have never publicly published or posted this poem anywhere. As a small token of my appreciation, I offer it to you today as a bookmark that you can download and print out.

Naturally, this bookmark will work much better if you are able to print it out on heavyweight stock. And it will look much better if you use a photo-quality print setting.

To view and download your bookmark now, simply click on this link: www.rowrowrow.com/Bookmark.pdf.

If your computer cannot open a PDF file, you will also find my poem below.

Again, friends, I greatly appreciate your loving and enthusiastic support of my work. I am touched. I am blessed. And I look forward to serving you equally well in 2009.

Gratefully,

Steven

RIVER OF LIFE

Traveling down,
Turning corners round,
You're rowing down the river of life.

Gliding along,
Hear the river’s song,
You're rowing down the river of life.

Let go and feel the flow.
Make your plans, then let them go.
What you want is round the bend.
Use your oars, but let God lend
A helping hand.

Moving ahead,
No fear, no dread,
You're rowing down the river of life.

Now fast, now still,
Feel the flow of God's will,
You're rowing down the river of life.

Let go and feel the flow.
Do what you can, then let it go.
What you want is round the bend.
Use your oars, but let God lend
A helping hand.

Rowing downstream,
Heading toward your dream,
You're rowing down the river of life.
You're rowing down the river of your life.


© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Making Christmas Merry

December 21, 2008

Dear Friends,

This Thursday 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. Love is the divine 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!

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

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

A Christmas Present

December 14, 2008

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 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

© 2008 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 At Christmas

December 7, 2007

Dear Friends,

Well, here it is again—the Christmas 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 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 to 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 two week period to fulfill the most important items on my “To-Do List.” But instead, by simply paying attention to the subtle guidance of my intuition one day, 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 your experience this holiday season 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

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Our Shared Mission

November 30, 2008

Dear Friends,

Two weeks ago I wrote about your “calling,” and why you will experience the divine flow in a heightened way when you are actively engaged in that calling. A calling, as I pointed out, is something that adds meaning and purpose to your life. It is something that you are so passionate about, you would do it even if you were not paid for it.

That makes a calling different from a job, because—strictly speaking—a job is something you do solely for the income it provides. A calling is different from a career, too, because—again, strictly speaking—a career is also something you do for the income it provides, but it happens to be something that you are very interested in, and you are perfectly content doing that same thing for years on end.

Have you discovered your calling yet? Perhaps it is to bring harmony into the world as a peacemaker. Perhaps it is to bring wholeness into the world as a healer. Perhaps it is to bring understanding into the world as a spiritual guide. Or perhaps you have not yet found your calling. Perhaps you are still just holding down a job, or perhaps you are in the middle of a long career, and are still happy in that career. The point of this week’s message is this: In the big picture, it really doesn’t make any difference what you are engaged in—a job, a career, or a calling—as long as you are doing it with love.

You see, although we may have different callings in life, and may spend our days engaged in very different occupations, there is one thing that we all have in common. And that is our underlying mission. It is a “Mission from God,” so to speak. And what exactly is that shared mission? It is simply the mission to discover, express, and experience the Truth of who we really are at the core of our being—the divine essence of love itself.

As Marianne Williamson said in her classic book, A Return to Love: Knowing who you are and why you really came here is more important than knowing what you want to do. What you want to do is not the important question. The question to ask is, “When I do anything, how should I do it?” And the answer is, “With loving kindness.”

Whether you spend your day behind the counter of a retail store, under a car at an automotive repair shop, or you oversee the work of dozens of people at a large corporation, always remember to spread love, be love, and let love lead the way. That, my friends, is the real key to living life in the divine flow . . . and it is the key to living a joyful and fulfilling life.

Steven

© 2008 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 23, 2007

Dear Friends,

On Thursday, November 27th, citizens of the United States will be celebrating 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 coming 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.

Giving thanks today and every day . . . for everything . . .

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

What Is Your Calling?

November 16, 2008

Dear Friends,

When I was inspired to write my book and get it published, I experienced the divine flow like never before. With incredible ease and grace, I was unmistakably directed to the publisher of my book; the cover photo was divinely delivered to me; three of the notable people who first endorsed my book literally showed up on the doorstep of my church; and my first significant speaking engagement was a rare opportunity that just came my way. Even when I was writing my book, I received extended, unexpected income to help support me during that lengthy process.

The reason, I believe, that the flow was so consistent and obvious in this instance, was simply because the activity that I was engaged in was directly related to my “calling.” A calling is something that you are extremely passionate about. It is something that adds purpose and meaning to your life. It is something that you have an innate talent for, find extremely fulfilling, and would do even if you received no income for doing it.

I found my calling when I was first invited to teach a weekly class to a group of adults at a Unity church in Dallas, Texas. I had never done anything even remotely like that before. But I found it to be the single most fulfilling experience of my life. Within a very short amount of time, I knew that I had found my life’s purpose. I knew that I was on this earth to use my skills and ability as a communicator to deliver a message. And that message was that we live in an incredibly beneficent universe—a universe that is continually working on our behalf to help us fulfill our heart’s desires.

So why—once I found my calling—would I have noticed the flow to such an elevated degree? It is simply because a calling is a true desire of the heart. And being aware of that calling meant that I was consciously aligned with that desire—that my head was aligned with my heart, and that every part of me was open and receptive to moving in the same direction.

One of the main obstacles to living life in the divine flow—in all areas of life—is that your heart may be encouraging you to go in one direction, while your head is looking in another direction. This makes it extremely difficult for you to see the divine signs that are pointing you toward your highest good, and toward your greatest joy.

Have you found your calling yet? If not, begin by asking yourself a few simple questions. What are you good at? What unique combination of talents, skills, or abilities do you have? What brings you the most joy? What have you been fascinated with your whole life?

Remember that your calling is not always something that becomes your career. It may simply be something special that you have to share with this world, no matter what activity you are engaged in.

Here’s to finding your passion in life . . . your purpose . . . your calling. And more than that, here’s to answering that call. When you do, I guarantee you this: It will feel as if the entire universe is bending over backwards to support you in your endeavor. Because it is!

Steven

P.S. I know that getting in touch with one’s passion and purpose is not always simple. If you feel challenged in this area, you might want to investigate the program offered at this site: PassionTestOnline.com. I have not enrolled in this program myself, so I cannot personally vouch for it. But I did notice that the initial cost is minimal—a $2 donation for a 30-day trial—so perhaps it would be well worth your time.

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

A Charmed Life

November 9, 2008

Dear Friends,

Several months ago, Carol and I entertained a couple from Dallas, Texas, who had come to Sedona for a short vacation. We took them on one of our favorite hikes . . . a hike that leads to a relatively small plateau that has some natural caves near the top.

As we relaxed at the mouth of one of these caves, we began to discuss our various philosophies of life. Although Carol and I had known the gentleman for many years, we didn’t know his fiancé very well, and she was unfamiliar with my particular focus in life. When I described some of the miracles in my life that have led me to believe in what I call the divine flow, she replied, “Wow, Steve, you have certainly lived a charmed life.”

Charmed life? It was at that point I realized that she didn’t fully grasp what I was trying to communicate to her. “Being charmed” has nothing to do with being in the divine flow of life. Nor does “luck” or “good fortune.” For the most part, the ability to live life in the divine flow depends on how well you practice certain principles. When you practice those principles, your life will, indeed, feel “charmed.” But when you don’t practice those principles, your life may feel like one, long, uphill battle.

In other words, living a “charmed life” is something that you can consciously create, which means it’s not about “being charmed” at all. It’s about being attentive, flexible, loving, and positive. It’s what occurs naturally when you:

• Pay attention to your intuition


• Try to discern the meaning in signs and synchronicities


• Treat others with loving kindness


• Let go of your preconceived ideas and plans


• See everything that happens as a stepping stone to your highest good


• Release your attachment to specific outcomes

There are other principles involved, too, of course. In fact, I could write a whole book on the subject—and did! My point for today is just to remind you that when you fail to practice any of the above ways of being, you may be instantly limiting your ability to experience the divine flow in your life, and your life will be more of a struggle than it has to be.

Here’s to consciously creating your own “charmed life,” by learning how to recognize and cooperate with the divine flow of life. It’s a flow that is continually guiding you toward the effortless fulfillment of your heart’s desires . . . whether you are aware of it or not.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Paradox of Love

November 2, 2008

Dear Friends,

Once again, I just noticed that the messages I have been inspired to deliver to you lately are part of a series—a series that focuses on the power of love. Today’s message completes this unintentional 3-part series. This one is about the paradox of love.

Before I get to the paradox, however, I need to spell out three ways that love enhances your ability to live life in the divine flow, and reach the destinations you choose in life with effortless ease.

First, love amplifies your ability to be divinely directed. This arises from the fact that love is your divine essence. It is the very nature of your spirit—of your higher self. This higher self, however, is also your source of divine guidance. That means that whenever you express love, you are not only a more compassionate person, you are also a more divinely guided one . . . because you are directly connected to your spirit, and to the wisdom of your spirit.

Second, love brings out the divine wisdom in others. This arises from the fact that whenever you treat others with loving kindness, they are much more likely to respond with love. And just as it is with you, when people come from love, they become open channels for divine ideas to flow through them—and those ideas may turn out to be extremely helpful to you.

Which brings us to the third way that love enhances your ability to live life in the divine flow, or said more accurately, enhances the way you experience the flow. . . and this is what creates the paradox:

Love feels good! This arises from the fact that nothing feels better in life than simply being true to your self. And since—at the core of your being—you are the very embodiment of love, it feels good to express that love. When you love, you feel happy. And when you feel happy, is there anywhere else you’d really rather be at that moment? When you feel happy, aren’t you okay right where you are?

Do you see the paradox here? It’s the fact that love helps you get where you want to go in a more divinely inspired manner, yet at the same time, you are perfectly happy right where you are—whether you are just about to reach your dream, or whether you are still miles away from it.

So, my friends, here’s to following the divine flow to the effortless fulfillment of your heart’s desires. But even better than that, here’s to being happy right where you are—wherever you are—by simply being the love that you are.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Power of Love

October 26, 2008

Dear Friends,

At the end of last week’s message, I mentioned the power of love . . . but it was in a somewhat limited context. My focus was only on the ripple effect that love creates, and how a little loving kindness can go a long, long way.

For example, 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. 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!

As great as that power is, though, it still has its limits. What I just described 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

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Ripple Effect And The Flow

October 19, 2008

Dear Friends,

Lately I have met a few people who have the mistaken impression that if you truly master the art of living life in the divine flow, you will never again run into any obstacles in life. I wish!

It’s true, that when you consistently practice the principles involved with living life in the divine flow, the number of obstacles you encounter in life will diminish dramatically . . . for a couple of reasons:

First, by following divine guidance you will be directed around some obstacles before you even encounter them. But more importantly, by making decisions that are divinely directed, you will not be manufacturing obstacles for yourself . . . which is what people often do. Through our unguided choices and misguided actions, we frequently make life harder for ourselves than it has to be. In short, we inadvertently create our own hurdles, and they are needless ones.

Even if you do, though, manage to stay in a fairly constant state of divine attunement—consistently recognizing and cooperating with the divine flow in your life—it is likely that you will still encounter plenty of unexpected challenges along the way. Why? Because of something commonly called The Ripple Effect.

In ways we can’t even begin to conceive of, we are all interrelated and interconnected. When even one of us does not follow divine guidance, and, instead, makes a choice out of ego—out of fear or frustration, judgment or jealousy—that decision creates a ripple that goes out and eventually affects everyone around it.

Without even getting metaphysical here, it is easy to see how one person’s behavior can directly affect the way that others react to him or her . . . and their reactions, in turn, affect those around them, and so on.

On a small scale, it’s like the old story about a boss who unjustly criticizes one of his employees; the misjudged employee then goes home and unfairly criticizes his wife; and the upset wife then kicks the dog when it gets in her way.

On a larger scale, 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; after that, American Airlines decided not to advertise for a year; their advertising agency then had to cut its budget; and people had to be laid off. I was one of those people.

It’s a simple case of cause and effect. And the economic crisis we are experiencing today is no exception. We are all feeling the effect of that ripple.

So, does living life in the divine flow mean that you will never encounter another obstacle or challenge in your life? Not at all. But the point I want to leave you with today is this: Living life in the divine flow is not about avoidance. It’s about responsiveness.

What’s important is not so much what happens in our lives, but how we respond to that. And when we respond with love—with understanding and compassion, and with an expectation of good—then we create a new ripple effect that is even more powerful than the original one, and much more positive.

In fact, there is no ripple in this world that is more powerful than the one created by a simple act of loving kindness. And when enough people choose to come from love instead of fear, the whole world can transform for the better in a heartbeat.

I could go and on about the miraculous effect of love, but I don’t need to. As “the flow” would have it, right after I was inspired to write this message, I received an email from one of my readers containing a link to a video that is titled . . . yes, you guessed it . . . The Ripple Effect.

I invite you to watch that video now as a fitting and uplifting end to my message for today. You will find it at the bottom of a webpage for the Humanity Healing Network. Just click on this link: http://humanityhealing.net/RippleEffect.htm

Blessings!

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

What Is Your Source?

October 12, 2008

Dear Friends,

As I occasionally mention in these weekly messages, I teach what I need to learn. That means that I have become pretty good at living life in the divine flow, but I am not perfect at it. There are still times when I fall into fear, and thus restrict my ability to tune into divine guidance. I don’t stay in that fearful state for long, but I am certainly not immune to it.

With the dramatic downturn in the U.S. economy—and in the economy of the world in general—it is quite a challenge for me to maintain any kind of positive outlook right now . . . and I’m sure that it’s a bit of a challenge for you, too.

So how can we feel secure in such uncertain times? I, for one, make a conscious effort to remember the following: The true origin of my prosperity is not the income I receive from my work. It is not the money I have in the bank. And it is certainly not the investments I have in the stock market. I remember that the ultimate origin of my prosperity is that Infinite Field of Supply that some call Source, and others (including me) call God.

I do believe that we live in an infinitely abundant universe—a universe that is continually responding to our needs through an unlimited number of channels. And those channels are not limited to the financial avenues we are used to.

I’ll never forget a time when 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—a check for exactly $2,500.

It was that experience, and many others just as amazing, that have repeatedly confirmed for me how incredibly inventive our universe is, and how the divine flow can guide us to our good in totally unexpected ways.

In these challenging days, I invite you to regain your sense of peace by letting go of your need to figure everything out by yourself. In your daily time of prayer and meditation, include a moment to affirm the true source of your financial blessings, and open yourself up to divine direction.

Remember that as a beloved child of God you have a divine right to an abundant life. Remember that abundance is not always about money. And remember that the Mind of the Divine can prosper you in ways that you simply can’t predict . . . or even imagine.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Constant Surrender

October 5, 2008

Dear Friends,

A short time ago, a dear friend of mine named Judi experienced one of those days when “everything that can go wrong, did go wrong.” Judi was in charge of a Potluck Lunch to be held at her church—an event that was usually attended by about 70 people. That day, the electricity went out, so any food that required heating had to be eaten cold . . . or not served at all. It was a particularly hot, humid afternoon, and without electricity there was no air conditioning. And when they tried to open the windows for some relief, only one would budge, so they couldn’t even catch a breeze. Then, to make matters worse, the toilets overflowed.

After noticing how smoothly and calmly Judi continually adjusted to the ever-worsening situation, a woman came up to her and said, “Wow, Judi, you sure know how to go with the flow!” When Judi got home that evening, she immediately called me to express her appreciation for “teaching her how to go with the flow.” As we spoke, though, it occurred to me that her gratitude was perhaps unnecessary.

Even without the benefit of my lessons, there is a very good possibility that Judi would have been in the flow anyway. How so? Simply because it is 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 give up 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.

The real challenge—which is what I am building up to—is relinquishing 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 at all. 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 may get the guidance that you should refrain from taking any action at that moment. Or, you might be inspired to take some kind of action that you have never taken before. The key is to avoid jumping to conclusions, assuming that you know best, and acting hastily.

Remember that living life in the divine flow is about being willing to seek divine direction 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 the outcome will be well worth it.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Divine Desires

September 28, 2008

Dear Friends,

Today’s message is Part 3 of a three-part series. If you didn’t notice that I have been writing a series, there is a very good reason for that. I didn’t notice it myself! Why? Because the messages that I have been inspired to write lately have been delivered to me in reverse.

You see, on September 7th I wrote about the importance of holding on to the grandeur of your dream, and not settling for a lesser destination—even if that requires a great deal of patience on your part. On September 14th I wrote about the manifestation process itself, reminding you that real satisfaction comes from appreciating every step involved in the journey. Now I am inspired to complete this series by talking about where your desires originate in the first place—where do your goals and dreams actually come from, and why do you have them?

There is a common misperception that our desires are purely an aspect of our human nature, and—ironically—a fairly “undesirable” aspect. This idea arises from the fact that we often hinge our happiness on the fulfillment of our desires. And yes, that kind of attachment to a particular outcome can certainly lead to a great deal of suffering and misery. But it is our attachment to our desires that is the issue . . . not the desires themselves.

The way I see it, desire is not so much an aspect of your human nature, as it is an inescapable part of your spiritual nature. As I have mentioned before, I believe that at the core of your being you are an individual expression of God—The Divine Creator—so it is actually in your divine makeup to be constantly creating. And that’s what your desires fundamentally are—a celestial wish to create something in this world that didn’t exist before, and enjoy the experience surrounding that.

In support of this idea, look up the word “desire” in the dictionary. You will see that it came from a combination of the Latin words “de” and “sidus,” which translates literally as “from a star.” Desire, then, is not some kind of human shortcoming . . . some kind of earthly failing (or falling). In its purest form, desire is a heavenly attribute, one born from that higher place—that higher self—that star that is your spirit.

So desire away, my friends! Go ahead and imagine whatever it is you want to have, do, or be in life. That’s just The Creator within you creating!

But do keep in mind this very important Truth: In the end, reaching the destinations that you choose in life—actually fulfilling your desires, accomplishing your goals, or realizing your dreams—is just the icing on the cake.

As I was inspired to put at the very end of my book, “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.”

Here’s to having desires, pursuing desires, and fulfilling desires . . . but more than that, here’s to being and expressing the love that you are while you are doing that.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Dealing With Loss . . . Again

September 21, 2008

Dear Friends,

Last June, I wrote a message about the losses suffered by people in both the U.S. and China due to devastating floods, tornados, and earthquakes. In those catastrophes, many lives were lost. Now, families dealing with loss are in the news again. This time, they saved their lives, but lost their homes in a hurricane that slammed into the coast of Texas.

In television interviews, 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 gone, each of these families feels extremely grateful and blessed to still have each other.

The loss of one’s home, however, is still a very real—and very significant—loss. And I think it is important to acknowledge that fact.

A home, as you well know, is much more than bricks and mortar, 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 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 wind, water, fire, or a shift in the earth itself.

As I often mention, one of the keys to living life in the divine flow is maintaining a positive attitude. But that positive attitude must be genuine. And that means that feelings such as grief, sadness, and sorrow must first be allowed to run their natural course.

Living life in the divine flow is not about stuffing your feelings to maintain an "appearance" of positivity. There is such a thing as legitimate suffering in life. It is not the kind of suffering that you bring upon yourself through needless worry or thoughtless actions. It is the kind of suffering that occurs most often with the sudden and unexpected loss of something, or someone, that you deeply love.

If you are dealing with a loss in your life right now, it is okay to go ahead and let yourself feel your feelings about it. In fact, it is necessary. Give yourself permission to experience all of your feelings freely and fully. Allow them to come, and go . . . and come again . . . and go again. It is the only way that they will eventually dissipate.

If, instead, you attempt to suppress those feelings, they will continue to exist at a subconscious level. And, in the end, that will just delay your ability to heal and feel joy again. And by "joy" I mean that underlying sense of appreciation for the total experience of life . . . a joy that embraces all of life’s twists and turns . . . a joy that may be best described as "bittersweet."

To each of you who have recently lost a loved one, a beloved pet, or anything else that occupies an important place in your heart, please know that kindred spirits the world over are supporting you in the restoration of your sense of wholeness, and the recovery of your sense of peace.

Blessings to you all.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

It's A Process

September 14, 2008

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 if instantaneous manifestation very satisfying—at least, not on a continual basis.

The manifestation 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. Last week I wrote about holding on to your dream—your vision—as you patiently take those strokes. But 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

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Hold On To Your Dream

September 7, 2008

Dear Friends,

I’ve noticed a subtle form of self-sabotage that I would like to bring to your attention. It concerns any goal or dream you may have that is particularly ambitious—a desire of your heart that is exceptionally great, grand, and glorious.

That kind of desire is like a destination that lies much further down the stream than other destinations that are closer, simpler, and easier to reach. Because of the “distance” that is involved, a great deal of patience may be required on your part as you “row with the flow” toward the fulfillment of your dream.

As months go by—or even years—holding on to your dream can be a challenge. As more and more time passes, you may be tempted to scale back your dream. Without even realizing it, you may gradually move into a mind-set where you expect to manifest something less than what you originally desired.

It’s true that in my book and in my workshops, I do talk about allowing the flow to guide you somewhere that is different from what you planned on or expected. But different does not mean mediocre! One of the wonderful things about the divine flow is that it is always guiding you toward your highest good . . . which is always the greatest and grandest expression of whatever it is you “think” you want.

Yes, that does mean that you have to let go of any rigid attachment to the “specifics” of your dream. But that doesn’t mean settling for second best. By “specifics,” I am just talking about all the little details that you picture in your mind’s eye whenever you imagine your dream being fulfilled—the exact location of that dream house you want, the model of that luxury car you desire, the height and hair color of that “very special someone” you want to attract into your life, or how you imagine a healing taking place between you and someone you love.

Do you have a grand and glorious dream in mind? Then hold on to it! Hold on to how your dream makes you feel. Hold on to the tremendous joy it brings you. Hold on to the deep sense of accomplishment it offers you. Hold on to the extraordinary feeling of love it gives you.

Avoid the temptation that might eventually arise to replace your dream with a less satisfying—but more easily fulfilled—one. If you begin to look for less, that is all you will see, and you will miss the flow’s attempts to guide you to something greater.

Remember, as a beloved child of the divine, you are inherently worthy of having, doing, or being whatever it is—in essence—that you desire. As author Sarah Ban Breathnach put it so well, “You deserve nothing less than something more!”

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Labor Day & The Flow

August 31, 2008

Dear Friends,

In both the United States and Canada, the first Monday in September is Labor Day, a day when we honor the hard-working men and women in this world by taking a day off from our labors to pursue more pleasurable activities.

When you live your life in the divine flow, however, even "labor" can be a pleasurable activity. Instead of being "work that requires strenuous effort," as labor is defined by Webster, labor can actually be an endeavor of effortless ease.

When you follow divine guidance, and concentrate only on taking the next right step that is right in front of you, you can find yourself accomplishing the grandest of goals without undue stress, strain, or struggle.

That doesn't necessarily mean that the realization of your dream will be swift. Nor does it necessarily mean that your journey will be direct, and free of unexpected twists, turns, and detours. It simply means that—when you stay centered in the present moment, and stay focused only what you are being divinely directed to do right here and right now—even the most daunting of tasks can be undertaken with a sense of peace and grace.

So enjoy your Labor Day, my friends. And remember, when you live your life in the divine flow, every day can be Labor Day—every day can be a holiday from self-imposed burdens and unnecessary suffering.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

You Are Worthy!

August 24, 2008

Dear Friends,

Because it’s my birthday, August 24th is a very special day for me. But this year, it is twice as special, because it is also the day that my new grandson will be christened.

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? The same identity that you, and I, and everyone on this planet share: We are all children of God—individual expressions of the Divine. And as such, we are all divinely privileged, divinely protected, and divinely loved.

To receive this love we don’t have to do a single thing. Just the fact that we exist—just being—is cause enough for celebration. And, as children of the Divine, we are all divinely entitled to lives of peace, prosperity, and fulfillment.

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 is an affirmation that “wrote itself” through me a few years ago.

Although August 24th is a day when gifts are typically given to me, today I offer this affirmation as a gift to you. You will find it included below.

Happy Being Day!

Steven


AN AFFIRMATION OF WORTH

God is All That Is.
And I am part of All That Is.
Without me, part of God would be missing.
And God would not be God.

Therefore,
let me acknowledge and honor
my innate worth as a vital part of God.
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,
what circumstances followed,
or what decisions I made about myself as a result.
Nor does it matter
how I think 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 destiny to fulfill
in this time and place.

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

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


© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

The Wisdom of Not Acting

August 17, 2008

Dear Friends,

As I often mention, the divine flow continually guides you, leads you, directs you, and supports you in the fulfillment of your heart's desires. But it doesn't live your life for you. To get where you want to go, you still have to row—you have to make decisions, and you have to act on those decisions.

Sometimes, however, the best decision you can make, and the best action you can take, is to decide to do nothing at all . . . at least, for the moment.

There is great wisdom in knowing when to stop what you are doing, and let the divine flow handle the details.

I still remember one of the first times I put my faith in the divine flow and consciously chose not to act. It was a day when I had been accidentally scheduled to be in three places at once. Instead of jumping on the phone and immediately trying to manipulate everyone's schedule, I "felt" that the best thing for me to do at that moment was to go get a cup of coffee. That's it. Just go get some coffee.

So that's exactly what I did. And guess what? Through a sudden cancellation, and an unexpected request for a time change, the entire schedule worked itself out perfectly while I was away. If I had interfered, I would only have complicated the situation.

Please understand, I am not suggesting that you just "drift" through life by taking one, long, endless coffee break. I am only reminding you that rowing with the flow is not about ceaseless activity.

When you attune yourself to the flow, sometimes the next right step that you will be guided to take will simply be for you to get out of the way . . . and give the divine flow some time to work its magic on your behalf.

Here’s to pausing between each and every stroke of your oars to re-attune yourself to the flow . . . and here’s to be being willing to pause a little longer if that is what is called for.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Olympic Dreams

August 10, 2008

Dear Friends,

As the Summer Olympics get underway, you will undoubtedly hear newscasters attribute the success of various Olympic athletes to their perseverance, determination, and endurance. You will hear how many of these athletes overcame tremendous obstacles to be at the pinnacle of their sport.

I admire these athletes. As they continually expand the boundaries of human accomplishment, underneath it all I see the creative power of their divine spirit at work.

Similarly, as you pursue your own life’s goals, it pays to remember your unlimited potential as a child of the Divine. But keep in mind that the accomplishment of your goals is not up to you alone. You have the whole universe working on your behalf. And your main job is to cooperate with the divine flow that is continually guiding you toward the fulfillment of your desires in the most beneficial way possible.

What I am getting to is this. There is a fine line between determination and being driven, and between perseverance and being obsessed. I can’t tell you where that line is for you. All I can do is remind you to continually ask yourself this question: “Am I taking the next right step that I am being divinely guided to take, or am I trying to control, manipulate, and force things to go the way I think they should go?”

To live life in the divine flow is to have the patience and the persistence to hold onto your dream, but to allow that dream to unfold in a divinely guided way. Otherwise, your achievement will only be the result of your ego’s activity. And that kind of achievement is only briefly satisfying, and never in the best interests of all involved.

Here’s to having dreams of Olympic proportions, my friends! But more than that . . . here’s to their Divine realization!

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Missing The Boat

August 3, 2008

Dear Friends,

Throughout my book, and even more explicitly described in my workshops, I list about a dozen different ways that we interfere with the divine flow in our lives, and thus delay the manifestation of our heart’s desires. Among those ways are these three:

1. We consider assumptions to be facts, and we make choices based on that.

2. We think we know best, and we remain rigidly attached to our plans.

3. We look too far ahead, and we miss the next right step that is right in front of us.

You might think that after focusing for more than 20 years on learning how to recognize and cooperate with the divine flow, I would be able to easily avoid these three forms of interference. But the fact is, most of the ways we interfere with the divine flow are quite subtle, and even an “expert” like me can inadvertently miss or dismiss divine guidance. Here’s an example:

One the favorite things that Carol and I like to do is crystal digging. Some of the world’s foremost open-pit crystal mines are near Hot Springs, Arkansas. So when we lived in Dallas, Texas—which is only five hours away from Hot Springs—we would go digging there regularly.

When we decided to move to Sedona, Arizona, we figured it would be a very long time before we had an easy opportunity to go digging again, so we planned one last trip to Hot Springs. This time, however, we decided to break from our routine. First, we decided that we would try digging at a brand new mine. And second, we decided that we would return home via the scenic route, instead of the Interstate.

Well, the new mine was not what we hoped it would be. We found very few crystals, and those that we did find were small and of poor quality. Plus, the weather was cold and misty, so the digging conditions were pretty uncomfortable. Disappointed, we returned to the nearby cabin we were staying in for the night.

When we woke up the next morning, the sun was shining brightly, and my very first thought was, “Now this is a perfect day to go crystal digging!” Carol must have had the same feeling, because she asked me if it was possible to go back to our favorite mine and spend part of the day digging there, before we had to return home. That’s when I failed to follow the flow.

I told Carol that it was, indeed, too far to go back, and if we did, we would have to return home via the Interstate, and we would miss whatever beauty the scenic route had to offer us.

Friends, I told Carol this without even looking at a map! From what I thought I “knew” about where our cabin was located, I just assumed that our favorite mine was too far away, and I never questioned that “fact.”

So we stuck to the plan. We left our cabin, and took the scenic route home . . . which turned out to be nice, but not nearly the spectacular drive we thought it would be.

Only when we got back to Dallas did I take the time to closely look at a map. And guess what? That’s right. Our favorite mine was virtually around the corner from where we were staying! We could have easily spent one more day digging!

Of course, there is no guarantee that we would have found better crystals. And yes, we would not have been able to take the scenic route home. But we quickly realized that we would have gladly traded off the scenic drive for the possibility of coming back with some great crystal keepsakes.

Instead, I completely ignored the intuitive thoughts and feelings that both Carol and I were having when we woke up in the morning, and I didn’t take the next right step that was being called for in that moment. And what was that next right step? To simply look at a map. That’s all—just keep an open mind and look at a map! Instead, I made a choice based on an assumption, and I never really questioned our plan.

Friends, if an “expert” like me can miss a divine opportunity so easily, what does that mean for people who are not nearly as focused on the flow as I am? How many miracles are we missing in life? How much do we needlessly struggle? How often do we—as the saying goes—“miss the boat?”

I believe that we live in a universe that is far more beneficent that we realize, simply because we are constantly missing or dismissing the divine guidance that we are continually receiving.

Here’s to paying better attention, letting go of what we think we “know,” and following the flow to our highest good.

Steven

P.S. To see a picture of the kind of crystals that Carol and I (well, mostly Carol) have found at Ron Coleman’s Mine near Hot Springs, click here.

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Divine Confirmation

July 27, 2008

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about those occasional times when the flow seems unbearably slow—when nothing “seems” to be happening, and you do not clearly sense what your next right step is. My suggestion was to simply enjoy the break, and allow the divine flow some time to work its magic.

One reader in Oklahoma (who described herself as “Ms. Whirlwind USA”) found my message to be particularly timely, and she wondered if it was a divine sign for her to slow down, relax, and just enjoy “the still, calm waters” that she appeared to be in.

Was it, indeed, a divine sign? Most assuredly! Because, within just a few short hours of writing to me, she experienced three synchronistic events that all pointed toward the exact same thing.

First, she drove by a billboard at a church that read, “It’s Summer—A Time To Relax And Spend Time With God.”

Then, a friend called her and asked, “Why do you feel that you always have to be busy? Why not just relax and enjoy the quiet time?”

And finally, she received an email from her daughter inviting her to come over for a night or two and just relax.

Could the message for this woman have been any clearer? And what a perfect example of the way that we receive divine guidance!

You see, the divine rarely speaks to you in one single way, one single time. When you are truly being guided by the divine, you are likely to receive multiple messages that all point in the same direction.

You may hear the still, small voice of your intuition, and then have it confirmed by an article you see in a magazine, or by something a stranger tells you. You may read something particularly inspirational, and then have it confirmed by a song you hear, or by a sign you see on the highway.

I call this kind of corroborating evidence “Divine Confirmation.” And what a relief it is, because it means that you get more than one chance to receive the message.

So, my friends, do you sense that there is a step that you are being divinely guided to take (or not take), but you’re not absolutely positive about it yet? That’s okay! Just wait!

If there is something that you are meant to know—really meant to know—it will become obvious soon enough. You just have to keep paying attention.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

When The Flow Seems Slow

Please note: The following message is one that I wrote less than a year ago. I am already repeating it because, frankly, I need to hear it again . . . and I'm sure that many of you will welcome the reminder, as well.

July 20, 2008

Dear Friends,

Most of the time, I can sense the divine flow in my life quite easily. I notice a steady stream of signs and synchronicities—as well as 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 quickly moving current that is helping me get where I want to go with effortless ease.

Often, I experience unexpected twists and turns along the way. But those surprising detours will quickly transform into stepping stones to a higher good, so I can easily see the divine flow at work in those circumstances, as well.

Whether the flow takes a direct route, or a more circuitous one, some kind of divine movement in my life is usually fairly obvious. And I can generally discern what I am being divinely directed to do to cooperate with that movement.

But not always.

Occasionally, I experience periods in my life where it feels like the flow is hardly moving at all, leaving me in still waters for days or weeks on end with no clear guidance or direction. I do not see any signs, or experience any meaningful coincidences. Doors are not opening. And I simply don't know what my next right step is.

Those are the occasions that test my patience the most. Like most people, I always feel like there is something I should be doing to bring me one step closer to my chosen destinations in life. And doing nothing feels uncomfortable. But one of the first lessons I ever learned about living life in the divine flow is this one: Doing nothing is doing something . . . and quite often that is exactly what is called for.

Sometimes, your job is just to wait patiently while the divine flow works its magic. Yes, you may be waiting quite a while. But it won't be forever. Eventually, clear guidance will come. Your next divinely directed step will appear. And helpful doors will open. And when that happens, there is a good chance that you will be able to see the perfect timing in it all.

If you feel like you are truly open and receptive to divine direction, and yet the flow in your life seems to have slowed down dramatically, I suggest that you simply 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. The current will pick up soon enough.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Quick Decisions

July 13, 2008

Dear Friends,

Earlier this year, a reader from Australia wrote to me with the following question and comments:

"Steve, could you please tell me what you think is the best way to choose between two or more equally good options, when you don't have much time to think about it, and you need to make a quick decision? I know that if I have a week or more, I can just leave a problem on the 'back-burner' of my mind, and a perfect solution will usually arise out of the blue. One time, for example, I was contemplating buying a run-down house that needed a huge amount of work, and then I saw a billboard that had these four words printed on it in big, blue letters: ‘You can do better!’ I took that as a divine sign. When I don't have much time, though, I find myself weighing all the pros and cons, and getting so stressed out that my mind freezes up and I just can't think about it anymore. How can I avoid getting stuck like that?"

Friends, since this is an issue that we all face---especially with the countless number of small decisions that we have to make on a daily basis---I thought it would be helpful for me to share with all of you an enhanced version of my reply:

"Dear Reader . . . first of all, I commend you for the way you generally go about making decisions. When you stated that 'time' usually solves your issue, with an answer arising 'out of the blue,' that is exactly what I tell my workshop participants. We often receive divine guidance through signs and synchronicities, and it helps to be patient and give those divine signposts some time to show up. In fact, over time you might receive so many similar messages that the answer you seek is absolutely unmistakable.

When you don't have much time, however, what then?

You may be surprised to know that---as a perfectionist---I also tend to weigh all the pros and cons to help me make the "perfect" decision. But that thought process doesn't always prove helpful.

That's when I do something that it sounds like you are not doing: I get quiet, go within, and try to gauge my 'feelings' about my options. This is a subtle art that requires some practice, but these days I can quickly tell the difference between a path that 'feels' good/peaceful/flowing, versus one that doesn't 'feel' as desirable. This is my divine intuition speaking to me through my feelings (instead of my mind, because it is too busy thinking!).

From your note, dear reader, it sounds like you may be spending too much time in your head, instead of trying to access the wisdom of your heart . . . that divinely insightful part of you that speaks to you through intuition nudges. You are trying to "think quickly," when thinking is actually part of the problem! It is much quicker to get in touch with the guidance of your intuition, which is immediately available to you, and more reliable, too.

I suggest that you focus on nurturing your intuitive abilities, and learning how to distinguish between that subtle feeling that says 'yes, do this,' versus that subtle feeling that says, 'no, this is not the ideal course of action.'

If you have trouble with this, I recommend a daily routine of meditation in the morning, which helps you stay more in touch with your intuitive nature throughout the day.

Finally, please remember this: When the deadline has arrived, and you have to make a decision, but you are still not confident about what your best course of action is, make any decision and don't worry about it!

It is comforting to remember that the divine flow can take whatever decision you make, and ultimately transform that decision into a beneficial choice . . . as long as you remain open to your divine guidance and continue to follow its direction from that point on. As I often say, 'Everything can be a stepping stone to your highest good . . . if you want it to be.'

Thank you for your question, dear reader. I hope my answer was helpful to you."

. . . and friends, I hope you found my reply to be of value, as well.

Blessings!

Steven

P.S. For more information about intuition, I recommend a book called Divine Intuition. You will find it on the Helpful Links page of my website. For more information about the form of meditation that I personally practice, I invite you to visit www.alternative-medicine.net/meditation/english.html.

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

The Possibility of Good

July 6, 2008

Dear Friends,

Many of you (if not most of you) have probably heard one or more versions of the following story . . . supposedly a Zen 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 reason in particular. It illustrates the fact that we rarely, if ever, know enough to be able to accurately judge any circumstance as either good or bad. With all due respect to the farmer in this famous fable, however, I wonder if there isn’t a more positive way to respond to the circumstances that 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 eliminates the possibility of feeling anything beyond peace . . . such as joy. And I 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?

The answer is something that I have been mentioning in my messages a lot lately. I simply look at every situation that “appears” to be bad, and see it as a stepping stone to my highest good. 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 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, instead, to consider the example set by the farmer is this alternate version of the 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.” “I believe there can be good in this," 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. "Yes, life is good," the farmer replied. “Very good indeed!”

Here’s to thoroughly enjoying all the good things that happen in life . . . and even more than that . . . here’s to appreciating the constant possibility of good.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Independence Day

June 29, 2008

Dear Friends,

This coming Friday, 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 Universal 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.

God will guide you, yes. God will lead you, direct you, and support you in reaching your chosen destinations in the most beneficial way possible. But unlike a tyrant, God will never force you to do anything that you don't choose to do.

You have the freedom—the independence—to follow divine guidance . . . or not. You can choose to row with the divine flow, and accomplish your goals 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.

As I mentioned last week, the wonderful thing is this: Every choice you make in life—whether it's 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

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Par For The Course

June 22, 2008

Dear Friends,

The home that Carol and I rent here in Sedona is in the middle of a golf resort. When some friends of ours found out that we were moving into a golfing community (even though we don’t play the game), they gave us a book called “Golf for Enlightenment” by Deepak Chopra.

One of the most interesting points that Dr. Chopra makes in his book is this: No matter how skilled and experienced you are at golf, there will always be days when you are just plain lousy at it. Instead of holding yourself to an impossibly high standard of perfection, a more “enlightened” approach is to recognize that disappointing days are inevitable, and to keep those challenging times in their proper perspective.

So it is with living life in the divine flow. No matter how good you think you are at following divine direction, there will always be days when you will not glide toward your goal with effortless ease. Instead, you will find yourself running into rocks or getting tied up in the reeds.

Why? There are numerous reasons why you might encounter uncomfortably challenging circumstances in your life. Here are just three:

First, you have to remember that many of the situations in life that you consider to be undesirable are only undesirable from your personal point of view. Someone else who has a different history or belief system might take that very same challenge completely and easily in stride. In other words, your situation may not be—in and of itself—particularly challenging. It just looks that way to you.

Second, some of the challenges you face in life are there because—on a subconscious and/or soul level—you have specifically chosen to experience them. At a very deep level you may actually want these particular challenges to be in your life, so you can heal a long neglected emotional wound, or expand a limited way of being that is preventing you from living a more fulfilling and joyful life.

Finally, quite a few of life’s challenges are simply the natural consequence of making too many unguided or misguided choices . . . choices made from fear instead of faith . . . choices that are not divinely guided or inspired, but are, in fact, ego driven—even though those choices might have been made with the best of intentions.

Are you experiencing a trying time in your life right now? Rest assured, I am not going to tell you to think of this painful period as just “a bad round of golf.” No matter what is going on in your life, the discomfort you are experiencing is real, and I certainly don’t want to make light of that, or summarily dismiss it.

However, I do invite you to keep in mind what I often suggest in these weekly messages: Every challenge you experience in your life—no matter what it is, or why it is there—can be a stepping stone to your highest good . . . a divine opportunity to help you move closer to your dream . . . a chance for you to grow in compassion and wisdom . . . an occasion for you to heal what needs healing . . . or all of those things.

Here’s to living life in the divine flow, and remembering that disappointing days and trying times are—when seen in their proper perspective—“par for the course.”

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Dealing With Loss

June 15, 2008

Dear Friends,

I frequently mention in these weekly messages that one of the keys to living life in the divine flow (and fulfilling your heart’s desires effortlessly) is maintaining a positive attitude. But I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for that positive attitude to be genuine.

In recent weeks, thousands of people across the U.S. and in China have lost cherished loved ones and treasured possessions because of devastating floods, horrendous tornados, and destructive earthquakes. The grief, sadness, and sorrow that these tragic events elicit is completely understandable. And these feelings must be allowed to run their natural course before there can be an authentic return to a more optimistic outlook.

Living life in the divine flow is not about stuffing your feelings to maintain an "appearance" of positivity. There is such a thing as legitimate suffering in life. It is not the kind of suffering that you bring upon yourself through needless worry or thoughtless actions. It is the kind of suffering that occurs most often with the sudden and unexpected loss of something, or someone, that you deeply love.

If you are dealing with a loss in your life right now, it is okay to go ahead and let yourself feel your feelings about it. In fact, it is necessary. Give yourself permission to experience all of your feelings freely and fully. Allow them to come, and go . . . and come again . . . and go again. It is the only way that they will eventually dissipate.

If, instead, you attempt to suppress those feelings, they will continue to exist at a subconscious level. And, in the end, that will just delay your ability to heal and feel joy again. And by "joy" I mean that underlying sense of appreciation for the total experience of life . . . a joy that embraces all of life’s twists and turns . . . a joy that may be best described as "bittersweet."

To each of you who have recently lost a loved one, a beloved pet, or anything else that occupies an important place in your heart, please know that kindred spirits the world over are supporting you in the restoration of your sense of wholeness, and the recovery of your sense of peace.

Blessings to you all.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

From Anger to Anticipation

June 8, 2008

Dear Friends,

One of the major turning points in my life occurred when I discovered that I had a rather uncomplimentary reputation at the advertising agency where I worked. I found out that I was one of three men called “The Angry Guys.”

Normally, I would have gotten angry over being critically labeled like that (how fitting), and I would have vehemently defended myself. But this time I didn’t . . . for one simple reason: It was true. I was angry. I was constantly hitting my fist on the desk or kicking trashcans across the room. But why? Exactly what was I so angry about? To my credit, I became willing to find out.

After doing a little soul-searching, reading a few self-help books, and seeking some professional counseling, I began to get to the core of my issue. I learned that anger is almost always a secondary emotion. Beneath anger, there is usually a primary feeling . . . and beneath that, there is always an underlying thought.

In my case, I realized that I was angry because I was chronically frustrated. And I was frustrated because things didn’t always turn out the way I wanted them to . . . and I thought that they always had to. Why did I think that? Because I had never believed that anything “good” could just happen on its own. And I had never believed that something “bad” could, in the end, turn out to be beneficial.

In short, I didn’t believe in the basic beneficence of the universe. And I certainly didn’t believe there was a higher intelligence in this universe that was always working for good on my behalf. Instead, I believed that if I wanted anything good to occur in my life, then it was up to me—and me alone—to make that happen.

Eventually, though, I grew so tired of trying to control every single aspect of my life, I finally became willing—as many people put it—to “let go and let God.” For the first time in my life I stopped trying to force the outcomes I desired, and I became willing to consider the possibility that something good could arise out of something I initially thought was “bad.” Through prayer and meditation I began to seek divine guidance before acting. And I became more lovingly responsive instead of fearfully reactive to the challenges that arose in my life.

The result? Miracles began to occur in my life immediately. It seemed like the second I let go of the idea that everything had to go my way, everything did go my way—maybe not in the way that I planned, or in a way that I expected, but definitely in a way that was to my benefit, and to the benefit of all involved.

I let go, and I discovered “The Divine Flow.” Since that time, I have devoted my life to learning how to better recognize that flow, and cooperate with it.

These days, I rarely get angry. Frustrated at times, yes. Disappointed, sure. Uncertain once in a while, of course. But I don’t stay in those states for very long. I simply remember what my experience has proven to me time and time again: That I do, indeed, live in a beneficent universe, and this universe is always guiding me to my highest good . . . from wherever I happen to be.

Here’s to trusting in the divine flow, and moving from a state of anger to a place of peace . . . and even better, to a positive anticipation of something really good happening.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of, Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

Life's Challenges

June 1, 2008

Dear Friends,

Have you heard the story about the gambler who dies and finds himself in a very peculiar afterlife? He discovers that—at least for him—the afterlife consists of an eternal game of poker that he will be playing with several other deceased gamblers.

He is elated by this prospect, and is delighted when he easily wins the first hand. He is even more excited when he wins the second hand. And when he wins the third hand, he is absolutely ecstatic. However, when he also wins the fourth hand, he is more surprised than happy. And when he wins the fifth hand, he is downright puzzled. Finally, after winning the sixth hand, seventh hand, and eighth hand, the gambler exclaims: “Hey, this isn’t any fun! I don’t think I’m going to like it here in Heaven.” To which, one of the other gamblers replies: “What made you think this was Heaven?”

I chose to tell this story because I think it makes a good follow-up to last week’s message. Last week, if you recall, I wrote about all the pleasures that life has to offer you, if you will just pause long enough—and be present long enough—to notice and appreciate them.

But life is not always one pleasure after another, is it? As we row our boats down the stream toward the fulfillment of our dreams, we also encounter rocks and reeds, sandbars and whirlpools, unexpected turns and dead-end tributaries—often as a direct result of our own freewill choices. Can you appreciate those experiences also? Can you appreciate life’s challenges as well as life’s pleasures?

The wonderful thing about life is that it is the turbulent parts of the stream that enable you to truly appreciate the more peaceful parts. You cannot fully appreciate experiences like comfort, freedom, and ease, unless you also know their opposites. As I have said before, the true joy of living comes from learning how to appreciate life as a whole—including any rapids or waterfalls you might encounter along the way.

Like the gambler realized in the afterlife, you can’t enjoy winning unless you also experience losing. Here’s to enjoying the game of life, and remembering that it’s the bad hands, as well as the good hands, that keep the game interesting . . . and ultimately, fulfilling.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow

The Pleasures of Life

May 25, 2008

Dear Friends,

For the past week, I have been in Dallas, Texas for the birth of my oldest daughter’s first child, a beautiful baby boy named Cole. When Cole opens his eyes and looks around, the expression on his face makes it look as if he is thinking, “Where in the world am I?” As Cole begins to explore this world he now finds himself in, his parents are in for a great treat. It is so much fun to watch a child discovering and enjoying the pleasures of life.

Not too long ago, I remember watching a toddler eating in a restaurant. It was a joy to observe this little girl eating her dinner with such relish. She was absolutely thrilled by each and every bite, and she kept trying to steal more food off her mother’s plate.

And then there was the time I watched another little girl—this one about four years old—dancing to some music being played by a street musician. What was particularly interesting about this child was the way she “observed herself” as she danced. She would look at her arms as she waved them in the air. She would look at her feet as she shuffled them across the ground. And she would look at her waist as she swiveled her hips around and around.

I felt like I was witnessing that little girl’s soul—her divine, eternal spirit—being fully aware of its presence in this material world, and consciously enjoying the pleasures that this world has to offer. “Look, I have a body!” “Look, I can move it all around!”

So, you may ask, what does all that have to do with living life in the divine flow? Simply this: Always remember that your enjoyment of life has little to do with reaching the destinations you are “rowing” toward.

Sure, fulfilling a desire or realizing a dream feels great! But that is just the icing on the cake. The real, deep-down enjoyment of life comes from allowing yourself to appreciate the entire journey, and all the wonderful things that journey presents to you along the way.

As you pursue your goals in life, be sure to pause for a moment to appreciate the simple beauty of a tiny flower, and the majesty of a mighty tree. Notice the refreshing feel of a cool, spring breeze . . . the pure, clean scent of approaching rain . . . and the sound of a bird as it sings its splendid song.

Remember that living life in the divine flow is not just about getting where you want to go. It’s also about how you live as you row. Remember to take the time to laugh, sing, dance, and read . . . to eat your favorite foods . . . and to listen to your favorite music.

Make sure that you take the time to allow your spirit to do what it really came here to do in the first place—just to enjoy the experience of being alive and in the world!

Steven (Also known as Cole’s Grandaddy!)

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow