Don't Believe Everything You Think!

November 27, 2011

Dear Friends,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK!

DON’T GET LOST IN THOUGHT!

And finally,

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

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Thanks for Everything!

November 20, 2011

Dear Friends,

The fourth Thursday in November is when citizens of the United States celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It’s a day when we express gratitude for all the things in our lives that we really do appreciate, but often forget to be consciously thankful for, such as food, family, and friends.

Well, here’s a challenge for you: Can you also be thankful for the things in your life that you do not appreciate? Can you be thankful for the people in your life that you hold resentments against? Can you be thankful for the circumstances in your life that have brought you discomfort, or even pain?

Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to discover what your blocks to loving are. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to heal wounds you may have forgotten you have. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to remember how precious life is, and to renew your appreciation for it.

When you look at the challenges in your life as opportunities to mature emotionally and spiritually, everything that occurs in your life can be viewed as a blessing. And blessings are something that you are thankful for, right?

So this Thanksgiving, next Thanksgiving, and every day in between, be thankful not only for the “good” in your life, but also for what you judge to be “not so good.”

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in wisdom and compassion.

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in your ability to love others—and to love yourself—unconditionally.

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to remember that life itself is a sacred gift—a gift that is meant to be enjoyed to its fullest, and never taken for granted.

I invite you to join me in giving thanks today and every day . . . for everything.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

You Are Worthy!

November 13, 2011

Dear Friends,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AN AFFIRMATION OF WORTH

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Many Benefits of Meditation

November 6, 2011

Dear Friends,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. You are more responsive. Instead of hastily judging and rashly reacting to something unexpected in life, you calmly respond from the wisdom within. You know what is best to do, when to do it, or if you should do anything at all.

3. You are more present. Your Spirit is always in the now moment. When you are in touch with your Spirit, you are less likely to be lost in thought—that is, reflecting on the past or projecting into the future. That means you are better able to notice the miracles that are happening all around you, right here, right now.

4. You are healthier. Many health issues are either caused by, or aggravated by, stress. And for the most part, stress comes from fearful thoughts. When you are in touch with your all-knowing, indestructible Spirit, fearful thoughts are either greatly diminished or completely removed.

5. You are more creative. True creativity comes from the Divine Creator within. When you are in touch with that Divine Creator, you automatically become more inspired and more insightful.

6. You are more patient. Being in the eternal now, your Spirit never feels bound by time. And being all-knowing, your Spirit sees countless ways for you to move successfully through life. When you are in touch with your Spirit, possibilities seem unlimited, and time stands still. The result is infinite patience.

7. You are more peaceful. As an indestructible, eternal being, your Spirit knows nothing of fear, and it is always at peace. When you are in touch with that eternal, indestructible essence, you, too, will be at peace—no matter what is disturbing others.

8. You are more loving. Your Spirit is love itself—unconditional divine love. When you are in touch with your Spirit, you can’t help but be more compassionate, understanding, accepting, and forgiving.

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

Steven

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

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Moving Beyond Reasons

October 23, 2011

Dear Friends,

In response to extremely challenging situations, one of the things you commonly hear people say is this: “Everything happens for a reason.” Well, I agree . . . in part.

I say “in part,” because when people say, “Everything happens for a reason,” they are usually referring to a “divine reason.” They are indicating that everything that happens—including every circumstance that seems unwanted—has been divinely orchestrated for our benefit . . . even though that benefit cannot be readily seen at the moment. But is every challenge we encounter in life actually there by divine design? Every single one?

Some challenges, no doubt, are divinely directed. As I mentioned in my last message, when your inner Divine Spirit purposely guides you into a challenging situation so you can heal or grow in some way, yes, that situation is certainly part of the divine flow for you. There are also situations that you may perceive to be unwanted challenges, but they transform on their own into something beneficial so quickly, you can easily see how those situations were little more than misunderstood “bends in the stream.”

But again, I ask, is there a divine reason for every single challenge you experience in your life?

What about the consequences you suffer when you continually ignore or overrule divine guidance—when you make misguided choices influenced by your ego, or make unguided choices because you are not paying attention to the divine signs. In that case, there is certainly a reason for what is happening. But is it a divine reason? I don’t think so.

What about the consequences you suffer when other people make misguided choices that ultimately affect your life. What happens is certainly happening for a reason. But again, is that reason of divine origin? Not the way I see it.

And what about natural disasters, such as a tornado that ravages one half of a town, but leaves the other half untouched? Or a light fixture that suddenly falls from the ceiling and injures the one person who happens to be standing underneath it? Personally, I believe that natural disasters are just that—natural, and not divinely governed. And freak accidents? Odd, but not orchestrated by God.

Friends, in a world where troublesome things often seem to happen randomly, trying to make sense out of it all is completely understandable. And to draw the conclusion that everything happens for a divine reason is also completely understandable. But the point I am building up to is this: Searching for reasons—divine or otherwise—is not always constructive . . . especially if turns into blaming others or shaming yourself for what has occurred.

If you can easily see the reason why something has happened, and you—or others—can learn a valuable lesson from that, terrific! But it is often difficult—if not impossible—to know with complete certainty why things happen the way they do. “Why?” is rarely the most important question you need to be asking. The most important questions you need to be asking are “How?” and “What?” How can I heal, grow, or benefit from this experience? And what is my next right step to help bring that good about?

Remember that no matter what has happened or why it has happened, there can always be a divine flow from that point on . . . a flow that directs you and supports you in a return to an overall experience of well-being, or even enhances your life in some way. Your job, as always, is remaining open and receptive enough to hear that still, small voice that is continually telling you the best way to help yourself, and to help all involved.

May you be positive enough to see the potential for good in everything that happens. May you be present enough to participate in the unfolding of that good. And may you be patient enough to allow that good to manifest in its own right time.

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

Challenges Are "Par For The Course"

October 16, 2011

Dear Friends,

The home that Carol and I rent here in Sedona is in the middle of a large golf resort. When some friends of ours in Texas found out that we were living in 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 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 up 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.

And 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 down the stream toward your dream 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 five:

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 easily take that very same challenge in stride. In other words, your situation may not be—in and of itself—particularly challenging. It just looks that way to you, and what you are actually experiencing may simply be a “bend in the stream”—a bend that may quickly transform into something very beneficial.

Second, some of the challenges you face in life are there because—on the level of your Spirit—you have specifically chosen to experience them. In other words, 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.

Third, quite a few of life’s challenges are simply the natural consequence of making too many misguided choices . . . choices made from fear instead of faith . . . choices that are not divinely guided or inspired, but are, in fact, ego-driven. Even if those choices were made with the best of intentions, decisions made from the ego—or based on the ego-advice of someone else whom you are “blindly” following—will never be in your best interest.

Fourth, many challenges you face in life are actually the result of misguided choices made by other people. I’m referring here to “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 fear or frustration, judgment or jealousy, that decision can possibly affect you and many others. It’s a simple matter of cause and effect.

And finally, some challenges are the natural result of going through life unguided—that is, you are just not paying attention. The divine signs and synchronicities are there, but you’re not present enough to notice them. Other people have been divinely inspired to guide you, but you’re ignoring them. Even your own intuition may be clearly speaking to you, but you’re not listening to it. Obviously, you are bound to get a little lost in life when you don’t know the best way to go!

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 suggest again and again in these 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. With the help of The Divine, it can become an opportunity for you to 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.

When it comes to living life in the divine flow, it helps to remember that disappointing days and trying times—when seen in their proper perspective—are “par for the course.”

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

Your Creative Spirit

October 9, 2011

Dear Friends,

Like most people in the world, I was deeply saddened by the premature passing of Steve Jobs. Not since the death of John Lennon have I felt this kind of loss. It reminded me how much I value creative expression, and how much I admire those who tap into that inner source of pure inspiration, and pursue their dreams with both passion and patience.

There are those who point out that Steve Jobs was best at improving products that already existed. Perhaps so. But the innovations he introduced went way beyond tweaks and nudges. He had a way of looking at commonplace things like phones and music players and seeing their possibilities in radically new and inventive ways.

I think Steve Jobs is a wonderful example of how creative we can be, inspiring each of us to live our lives to their fullest creative potential. What’s that you say? You’re not creative? I beg to differ. As an individual expression of what many call “The Great Creator,” you are—at the heart of your being—nothing less than a Divine Creator in your own right. Creativity is as much a part of your innate nature as love is.

You don’t have to be an author, a painter, a musician, or an inventor to express your divinely creative nature. Everything in life can be used as a creative outlet. Whether you are decorating a house, raising a family, landscaping a yard, or developing a new business, nothing satisfies the soul more than creating something new in this world that didn’t exist before.

The challenge is letting go of all those limiting thoughts about yourself—and your perceived potential—that are confining you. Remember that your combination of talents, gifts and abilities is unlike anyone else’s . . . and you have something unique to contribute to this world in a way that absolutely nobody else can. Your job is to quiet your mind long enough to hear that inner creative Spirit that speaks to you through your intuition, and blesses you with divine insights and inspiration.

To quote Steve Jobs, himself:

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Here’s to quieting your mind, following your heart, and becoming an open channel for divine ideas to make their way into the world. Thank you, Steve, for reminding us what that looks like.

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