The Answer Lies Between the Waves

I just got back from watching Soul Surfer – such an inspiring story on so many levels! The movie is based on the true story of then teenage surfer Beth Hamilton who tragically loses her arm in a shark attack just as her competitive surfing career is taking off. There are so many beautiful insights and words of wisdom in this movie as we watch Bethany come back stronger than ever. Her sheer will and determination are so inspiring and while her faith is truly challenged (tears rolled down my cheek as she asked "What kind of God would do this to me?"), she digs deep within and discovers so much about herself and her true purpose in the process.

There is one scene at the end of the movie when Beth is competing for Nationals that really spoke to me. Recognizing the pressure of this moment for Beth, her father simply tells her to "get to that quiet place between the waves, listen and then just trust your instincts". Don't follow the pack but rather go inside yourself and use your instincts to tell you where that next wave will be.

Such telling advice for us all! When we are looking for answers and feel the pressure of the moment, how many of us look for that space between the waves to connect with source and trust our instincts? We are quick to seek out others for their advice but fail to realize the true answer already lies within us. Her dad's advice reminded me once again just how important it is that we find that space to get quiet and allow ourselves to just listen and connect with source. That's where we will find our inspiration and that answer we've so desperately searched for. It's all there; we just need stop seeking outside and trust source to provide from within.

Let Your Purpose Lead the Way

"Once you clarify your purpose for doing something, the way to it becomes clear". I just read these words from Oprah in her January issue of Oprah. Yes, I know I'm a little behind in my magazines J. Anyway, these words really struck a chord. We spend so much time trying to figure out "the way" when we should instead, be spending that time clarifying our purpose.

She goes on to point out that fear comes from uncertainty. When we know what we want, it helps release the fear that can so often stand in our way and sabotage our results. When desire to achieve is greater than our fears incredible things happen. The soul of that desire rests in your purpose. When you are confident and feel connected to your purpose that overrides everything and allows you to move forward in ways you never imagined having the strength or ability to do so.

I'm learning that there is such power and inspiration when we connect with our purpose and live our lives centered in that purpose. It truly does define "the way". We just need to be willing to step back and really focus on connecting with our divine nature that resides in that purpose and then step forward with complete faith and confidence that the way will show up.

It’s Not About Doing, It’s About Creating

I've been feeling somewhat disconnected in my design work these past couple of weeks, almost like I'm going through the motions but not sensing that creative energy and flow. With so many projects on the plate right now, I have not allowed myself the time or thought to sort through those feelings and just keep pressing forward to get it all done. I've allowed deadlines to become the driver.

It wasn't until last night as I sat quietly listening to a concert my 5^th grade and 8^th grade daughters were participating in that I got that nudge to remind me where I've strayed.

The concert included students from 5^th grade all the way up through high school and to see the talent and passion in these young students was truly inspiring. Especially the high school students; their joy and passion for music shined as they performed. I watched one girl in particular close her eyes as she pulled the bow across her violin and I could see how deeply lost she was in the moment and I could feel her passion for the music she was creating all the way up in the bleachers. It was then I realized, it's not about doing, it's about creating.

We all "do" each and every day but how often do we stop to find inspiration and create? How often do we allow ourselves to get lost in what we love to do? We forget that we shine the most when we are living our passion and creating our lives from that passion. When we stray from that, we feel disconnected and life becomes hard and challenging. We find ourselves going through the motions, pushing for results versus letter our passion guide us to the answer.

It's amazing how God will place certain people or moments into our path to help get us back on course. I love that my reminder came in such a beautiful and meaningful way through the presence of a young violinist.

The Path of Least Resistance

How do you respond to the obstacles in your life? Do you resist them or work around them? Our first instinct is to often push through them to force our desired outcome but the path of greatest resistance typically doesn't produce the desired result.

When we confront something head on, it creates resistance that in turn creates negative energy. That negative energy distracts us from our goal, shifting our focus away from our greater purpose. We become so preoccupied with being in a state of resistance that we lose sight of the real goal at hand. Resistance depletes our energy leaving us less to give to those the tasks that will truly make a difference in reaching our goals. Obstacles can ultimately strengthen and empower us when we learn to work around them versus through them.

Water is a perfect example of something that is so purely powerful yet embodies true nonresistance. As the creek travels to the stream, then the river and ultimately the ocean, it grows stronger with each obstacle it encounters, always choosing the path of least resistance. It quietly works its way around each obstacle and moves on. Eventually, its strength and power is no match for those obstacles further down its path. The obstacles encountered literally melt away and become part of the process.

If you were to map out a direct path from the creek to the ocean, it would look very different I'm sure from the one that nature has created. Obstacles are to be expected. Learning to work around them serves a greater purpose and is just simply part of the process. It's nature's way.

 

Faith Is In the Action

I'm rereading "Working with the Law" by Raymond Holliwell and I'm convinced I'll read it many more times! It's one of those books that each time you read it, you uncover even more insights and wonder how they escaped your awareness before. I've heard people say your mind will receive that which it is ready to receive and I really do believe that.

Holliwell talks about faith but beyond just having faith, what it means to live in faith. He very simply states, "We have to believe in order to receive." In this second read through, that simple statement spoke so clearly and directly to me. Beyond just having faith, we have to act on that faith. Otherwise, our faith is meaningless. If we hold back in fear or uncertainty, then we do not believe in God's ability to provide that which we ask for. There is no middle ground. Faith is taking action despite our fears or challenges because we so completely believe and trust in the outcome. How many times do we sit on the sidelines and hope and wait for a sign before taking action? We sense the direction or the answer but want that final reassurance before boldly stepping into it. Holliwell points to the story of Peter following Jesus in walking on water. Peter was the only one to put his faith into action. The others sat in the boat wanting to believe but afraid to step into that. They let their fear compromise their faith. Did they really believe?

Demonstrate the true meaning of faith by your willingness to take action despite the circumstances. Don't wait for the sign, trust your instincts, that inner spirit that is there to guide us and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. God will see you through it and bring you the desired outcome in His timing and in His way as long as you put your trust in Him.

Whatever you ask for in prayer, BELIEVING, you shall receive. - Matthew 21:22

Receiving God’s Blessings

In my last post, I shared how important it is to fully release our desires to God to truly realize their presence in our life. I want to build on that and talk more about how our failure to release our desires ultimately sabotages their realization.

In "Working with the Law", Holliwell points out that we allow ourselves to release the smaller desires in our life and when they show up we often brush them off as coincidence. But it's really the power of God working to fulfill our desire and because we were able to completely release that thought or desire, God was able to bring it to fruition. It's the bigger desires that we hold onto through doubt and anxiety that creates a wall to receiving God's blessings.

Holliwell writes, "Nothing worthwhile is accomplished. The mind is like a sponge. We squeeze it hard with our anxious thoughts, but not until we can release the pressure and allow the sponge to take its shape can't it become absorbent and receptive again." How many times have we watched someone literally brought to their knees before they start realizing their desires? When we are brought to our knees we are finally saying to God, "I completely hand this over to you, I can do no more". It is then that God can truly provide the abundance and blessings He has available to us. We need to allow ourselves to be completely open to receiving these blessings, letting go of doubt and fear so we can be open and receptive to His guidance, taking action on that which He has divinely arranged for us to lead us towards the realization of that desire.

"Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God." – Philippians 4:7

Releasing Your Desires

I just read a passage in "Working with the Law" by Raymond Holliwell that brought a new awareness to how we can sometimes sabotage our deepest desires.

Holliwell reminds us that we need to dream our biggest dreams and set intentions around those dreams but we then need then to release those thoughts outward to God through prayer believing in full faith they will come to pass. Ours is not to hope but to expect. I didn't realize until reading this passage how often I hold onto my desires. I set the intention but then moments of doubt and fear creep in. How many times have you had a strong desire for something to happen and then find yourself feeling anxiety or fear around that desire? Thoughts start running through your mind creating doubt in its possibility of realization. What if it doesn't happen? How will it happen? What if it doesn't show up in time? These are the very thoughts that are sabotaging our realization of that intention or desire. We need to get to a point where we can fully release our intentions to God in complete faith He will prevail to truly realize the overwhelming abundance He has made available to us. It's so hard to do but it is clear that is what God is asking us to do; to simply release and trust. He reminds us again and again through various scriptures in the Bible that this is how it works. As stated in Matthew 21:21-22, "And whatever you ask for in prayer, having FAITH and BELIEVING, you WILL receive".

What an amazing process God has given us, we just need to learn how to immerse ourselves in that process because once we do, God has promised He will do much more than anything we asked for or ever imagined. Amen!