Reap the Harvest

Have you ever planted a garden? If so, you know how much time, effort, patience, and consistency is required. Can you imagine working that hard, only to let your product rot at the end? It would be silly to let the fruits of your labor go to such waste. And yet that’s what some of us do in the garden of our lives – we work hard toward a worthy goal, only to cheat ourselves of the fulfillment and enjoyment of our valiant efforts.

A few examples of what this might look like:

• Complete a demanding school project, then miss the deadline of turning it in
• Plan over many years toward retirement, then wonder what to do with yourself and feel guilty about your new-found free time
• Finally become an empty-nester, only to feel that your house is big, sad and empty instead of enjoying your new space
• Earn a college degree, then suddenly find you’re no longer interested in the subject of your major
• Finally got that raise, but the extra money goes unaccounted for and disappears, or isn’t enough
• What was once satisfying (usually material things) is now not enough

If you recognize and resonate with any of the above, you are familiar with the guilt and frustration that can come when you realize you’re missing out on the happiness your life’s experiences should bring. You might also notice that other areas of your life are influenced  – not being able to lose weight, feeling stuck in your life, being dissatisfied with life in general.

A good friend recently helped me construct meaningful solutions to help clients navigate through these situations and seasons of life.  These suggestions prompt a healthy mode of receiving the bounties and blessings of our efforts:

1.      Claim. Claim (or re-claim) your space, your blessing, your desire. Tell yourself, “this is mine, I deserve this.” If, for example, you’ve finished a huge assignment for which you are graded, claim the final result you want – in this case an A+. Tell yourself you deserve the best grade possible for your efforts.

2.      Define. Define (or re-define) your new boundaries. Boundaries set aside your space or your energy as your own, and separate them from those of others. If you are designing a house, give a purpose to each room. Give each room a name – a family room, for example, might be called “Gathering”. This room now has the purpose and intention of gathering friends and loved ones together, bringing unity and harmony to important relationships.

3.      Arrange. Arrange (or rearrange) things in their proper place, and put your new boundaries into action. If you’ve just become an empty-nester, rearrange your new rooms (with their named purpose) so they serve you going forward.

4.      Receive. A simple yet complicated word. You receive your good with open arms and without inhibition or hesitation.  If you finally got the raise you’ve been working so hard for, receive it fully: “see” the bounty of the extra, and give this blessing a purpose. Make this bonus money work for you and bless your life.

Isn’t life magnificent? It gives us so many opportunities to grow, learn, and become refined. And one factor always remains constant – Change.  Each season of life presents new challenges, as well as wonderful conditions in which to develop our character. Enjoy the beautiful season of reaping the good harvest. Create space to receive your next harvest.  Claim and receive life’s glorious bounties. Happy Fall!

Write to Create

In this third and final part of my Journaling series, I want to share with you some effective writing tools I’ve acquired over the years. These tools will help transform your written wants into reality. Whether you realize it or not, you are either living with intention or you are merely being reactive.  When you are reactive, you are a slave to your emotions. But when you are a conscious creator you are taking charge - you are taking responsibility for your life.

Here are some key tips for successful creating:

• Reflect. Before you design your life going forward, pause to contemplate the last year. What were your highs and successes? Take a moment to record how great that felt. Then examine briefly your lows, your pains. What did they teach you about yourself? There is always something valuable to be gleaned from difficult circumstances, so jot down those things so you can take those valuable lessons going forward.
• Select a Mantra. Choose a word or a phrase that will highlight the year to come. If, for example, you suffered poor health last year, you might list the word STRENGTH, WHOLENESS, or maybe VITALITY.  This mantra has the power to change your course, so choose your word or phrase thoughtfully. 
• Write in the present tense. Always write as if what you desire is already happening. This tells the subconscious mind that what you want is real, which then plants the seed of change.  Instead of writing, “I want to lose 10 pounds”, put down “It feels great being 10 pounds lighter!”
• Journal in specific detail.  Just as a house plan requires detailed instructions, so does your successful life.  If it’s a better job you want, describe that job in as much detail as possible.  This will help your mind construct the realization of your design.
• Remember that you create with God. We often don’t understand our potential, but God does. You weren’t meant to navigate this world alone, so when you map out this new year remember that He is your guide as you learn and grow.
• Trust and surrender. Once a desire has been stated, give it time and don’t panic if things don’t happen immediately. “A watched pot never boils”. 
• Or something better. My friend and mentor Carolyn Cooper taught me this. At the bottom of every situation you create, you should write “or something better” at the end. No matter how big we dream, we always manage to limit ourselves. All things are possible, so make sure you include this phrase in your writing.
• Practice the magical art of Gratitude. Be grateful no matter what shows up. This life is your journey, and you should be learning something every day. Sincere gratitude for even the smallest of manifestations has an uncanny way of clearing the way for bigger and more magnificent things.
• Whatever you put out there comes back. This is the universal Law of Vibration in action – make sure your thoughts, words, and actions are on that high vibration you want to match.
• Envision what you want in your mind. Seeing it play out on the stage of your mind, while experiencing the happy emotion that accompanies it will help cement your goals into every cell of your being.

If you are not actively creating your life, you are reacting to what life hands you. This puts you in defense mode where your desires find it hard to break through and become realized. When you write to create you are using one of the tools God gave you to be both proactive about your life and to respond with spiritual maturity to anything that comes your way.  Writing is healing. Writing is recording the highlights, defeats, and lessons of your life. It is a way to de-stress, to calm, to clear a cluttered mind. And it is a powerful means to bring about a happy, successful, healthy, and prosperous life.

A New Year’s Resolution – Finding our Unique Purpose

Another new year…another fresh start.  As we make our New Years Resolutions each year, we usually make a list of things we are going to change.  Most of us want a lot of the same things: health, financial freedom, happy relationships, and fulfillment in life. We all want a sense of purpose – a life purpose. Something that’s personal and empowering. So how do we go about finding our life’s purpose?

First, let’s gain some understanding about the origin of making New Years Resolutions, and how it can help us as we move into a new year. The tradition of New Year's Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar. With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies before the beginning of each year.

So our first step then is to look at the past year and learn all that we can from our experiences. What did we do right? What did we do wrong? What didn’t work, and what did? Experience is a powerful teacher, so let’s use it for our highest good.

Next, we move forward by making a Personal Mission Statement. Successful businesses make a Mission Statement, and so should we. This personal motto will serve as a guide and provide clarity as we make worthwhile goals for ourselves. Stephen Covey, in his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People says: “Writing or reviewing a mission statement changes you because it forces you to think through your priorities deeply, carefully, and to align your behaviour with your beliefs ” A Personal Mission Statement might look something like this:  I live to serve my talents as communicator, artist, and independent businesswoman. I create balance in work, play, and community. I inspire those I interact with. To create your own mission statement, list your answers to the following questions:  

• What do I want to do?
• Who do I want to help?
• What will be the result – what value will I create?

To help answer some of these broader questions, make a list of specific qualities that are unique to you. This should include the following:

1. What are your natural talents? What comes easy to you?
2. What were some challenges, difficulties, and hardships you’ve overcome? How did you do it?
3. What activities make you lose track of time?
4. What do people typically seek your advice about? Need your help with?
5. What are your deepest values?
6. You are now 90 years old, looking back happily on your successful life – what mattered to you most?

This exercise should take some time, but will pay off abundantly as you align your goals accordingly.

Once our Personal Mission Statement is created, goal-setting becomes easy, as we now understand our unique focus. As D.M. Dellinger said, “You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you that is all your own…. “ As this new year starts, let us first reflect on the experiences of the past; contemplate our interests, talents, and strengths - then move forward with the confidence of someone who knows their life purpose.

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