Awaken the Genie Within

Ready, Set...Wait!

Do you ever find yourself in the ready, set...wait mode? I'm willing to come clean here and tell you I have - more times than I care to admit.

Ready, set...wait, simply means there's more time spent getting ready to take that next step in your life than there is actually participating in it. When ready, set, go replaces ready, set...wait here's a few things you'll experience:

You're moving through your fear.
You're now immersed in the journey you've been dreaming about.
You're learning what works and doesn't work for you.
You're no longer concerned with the perfect moment to show up.
You've stopped talking about the dream and are living the dream.
You actually find out if this dream is what you truly want.

Sometimes it may feel like you're in the go mode, but I promise you, it's a very different feeling sitting on the edge of the pool dangling your feet in the water than it is to actually swim in it. If you don't find yourself outside of your comfort zone from time to time, you're more than likely experiencing, ready, set...wait!

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Stories To Awaken The Genie Within can help you move into, Ready, Set...GO!! www.awakenthegeniewithin.com/wisdombook

Bad People or Just Bad Situations?

A comic I read in the LA Times, Sally Forth, inspired this blog post.

Without getting into the details of the comic, Sally found out her mother was lying to her about needing a place to live. She had been living with Sally and her family for a while and it was not a good scenario. The relationship between mother and daughter is very strained and when a truth was discovered Sally made it clear her mother had to leave immediately.

In comes the husband to reframe the entire circumstance so his wife can see it through her mother's eyes. He says, "...You or Jackie (the sister) never would have let her stay over if you didn't think you had to. She was lonely. She missed her kids. And she knew only by saying she had nowhere to go you would welcome her."

"So now Jackie and I are the bad people?"

"Sometimes there are no bad people, Sal. Just bad situations."

That's a powerful statement. People are often too afraid to admit to others what's really true for them. Maybe they're embarrassed or ashamed or afraid of being vulnerable - it's hard to know sometimes. So instead of dealing with the emotion honestly, that's sitting heavy in their heart, they find ways to manipulate a situation to get the result they ultimately want. When people are confused and hurting, it's not unusual to take desperate actions. In the moment, they really believe they're doing what's best.

The problem is, the truth usually ends up revealing itself and then there's much more hurt all the way around. In these situations, it helps to move our ego to the side so our soul can come through and help us see the situation with new eyes.

I invite you to look back in your life and see if there's any situation that was created causing a lot of hurt between you and someone else. If you use the idea of no bad people, just bad situations, is it possible that person did something because he or she didn't have the courage or tools to do it differently?

If your answer is yes, and there's a chasm in the relationship, are you willing to have a new conversation with him or her?

 

Stepping Stones Vs. Mistakes

I've been working with a client who's been beating herself up because of all the mistakes she claims she's been making while working to reach a really big dream in her life. I think it's worth sharing some thoughts on this with you since many people have a tendency to get down on themselves when they have set backs while moving toward their dreams.

When you're striving to achieve something in your life, especially big things, you're bound to make mistakes along the way - and your mistakes can be a blessing. They give you the opportunity to step back and access what you've done or haven't done up to that point. This lets you evaluate what you need to do differently so you don't travel further down a path that's ultimately not going to serve you.

As I told my client, these mistakes can be looked at as your stepping stones instead of mistakes. They not only give you the opportunity to make you stronger in the long run, but they can guide you in a direction that takes you toward an achievement you're not even aware that you'll be doing yet. Sure, you may have a certain outcome in mind, but allowing yourself the flexibility along the way gives the Universe an opportunity to support you in even greater ways.

Everything shows up for a reason - absolutely everything - even if we never figure out what that reason is. So be grateful for the mistakes and let them assist you in taking the next step that's going to put you on a path that's for your higher good.

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Judgment Is Sneaky

If there's one spiritual growth area I work very hard on in my life it's around judgment of others. And I also recognize this is one of the more difficult practices to honor consistently.

During my Pilates session, my teacher was talking to me about possibly getting rid of one of his 2 studios - they're just 10 minutes apart. I asked him what the advantage is having two studios so close to each other.

He told me that many of his clients refuse to drive the extra 5-8 minutes to get to the studio that he would want to keep. In an instant I went into judging mode. I couldn't believe what I was hearing since we live in a fairly small community. The words lazy and spoiled flew out of my mouth quicker than I care to admit.

He responded with, "Well, that may or may not be true, but that's how they feel and I have to consider their feelings because it will make an impact on my business."

Hearing the words, "may or may not be true, but that's how they feel." immediately woke me up. Who the heck was I to make them wrong for choosing how far they drive to workout. I have no idea what any of their situations are. Maybe those extra minutes put them in a time crunch coming from, or going to someplace, before or after their session.

I went into a judgment based on my filter system - where all judgments stem from. Just because I wouldn't have an issue with the extra 5-8 minutes, doesn't mean others can't have their own preference.

As trivial as this seems, the truth is, even the smallest judgments have an affect on us emotionally and spiritually. I felt the shift in my energy when I judged them. I became uptight and I actually stopped my workout in the moment. How does that serve me? It doesn't! And as soon as I let go of my judgment I relaxed and felt lighter.

I invite you to really pay attention to all the ways you hold another person or group of people in judgment. Notice how it affects your energy and well-being. Remember, those you are judging are fine with their choices. You're the only one who's being adversely affected in the moment.

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With the holidays just around the corner, my new book, Stories To Awaken The Genie Within can make a wonderful gift for a friend or family member. 
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The Generosity of Spirit

I've just returned from a 3-day seminar for authors. Not knowing what to expect as to who would be attending, I was quite surprised, and somewhat intimidated, when I realized I was surrounded by some very successful authors. People who had sold well over a million books - some that I had read and admired. On the other side of the spectrum were people who were in the baby stages of creating their first book.

Within a matter of an hour my fears and intimidation melted away as I quickly learned that I was surrounded by a group of people whose generosity of spirit was awe inspiring. There wasn't one person in that room who wasn't willing to help and encourage another. Those who had already experienced great success not only shared their knowledge openly and completely to help others, but they sought out ideas and encouragement from those who were new to this arena. The egos were obviously left at the door and the energy in the room was magnificent!

While riding the elevator with another participant who sold over 300,000 copies of his book, I shared a personal story relating to its content and expressed my gratitude that he wrote about this issue. We ended up talking for another 20 minutes. During that time he willingly showed me his vulnerability. In that moment our hearts connected and once again, I was being shown, that no matter where we are in life, we are all of one spirit doing the best we know how - ultimately wanting the same things for ourselves. To be loved. To be appreciated. To feel like we matter.

Great success does not necessarily eliminate your fears or insecurities. Not having reached the dreams you have for yourself does not make you less than those who have. You already understand this on some level. The key, however, is to start feeeeeling it in the deepest part of your being. To live your life like you know it.

Notice if you're intimidated when in the presence of people who have reached a level of success you would like for yourself. If the opportunity presents itself, be willing to strike up a conversation. If you appreciate what they've given to the world, let them know. Share yourself if they've had an impact on you.  Ask questions to help take you closer to your dreams. You may be pleasantly surprised of the generosity of spirit that comes forth.

And never forget - it works both ways. Give the generosity of your spirit to those who can learn from you to reach their dreams.

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Let Stories To Awaken The Genie Within remind you of your importance in the world and that you matter in a huge way!  http://www.awakenthegeniewithin.com/wisdombook 

 

Your Personal Legend

I just finished reading The Alchemist for the second time after many years and I forgot what a powerful book it is. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. Author Paul Coelho used a term throughout the book that I find very powerful - Personal Legend.

He describes it in this way, "It's what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At one point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend."

Now I'm not sure I believe that every young person knows what their Personal Legend is, at least not consciously, but I do believe that at some point in our life, there's a stirring that takes place within, as our heart starts to reveal our Personal Legend to us.

For some, that Personal Legend may very well be there from day one, and for others, perhaps their Personal Legend changes form as they grow emotionally, spiritually and mentally. I know my Personal Legend has definitely changed throughout the years, although its theme has always remained constant - wanting to make a difference in people's lives. What I now know is my Personal Legend is just being executed differently than I originally thought it would.

Take some time to explore your Personal Legend. Go back as far as you can remember and see if there's anything still calling you. If there is, open up to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, you can take some steps to execute it in the present day. Remember, it may not have to take form they way you thought it should.

And that "mysterious force" mentioned in the above quote? Well, it's not so mysterious. Think of it as your Gremlin or anyone in your life that told you all the reasons why you can't or shouldn't.

"My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity."                                                                                                                    Paul Coelho - The Alchemist

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Sometimes my writing well runs a little dry so I would like to invite you to send any questions or ideas around spiritual awakening/growth that you would like me to address. I'd be happy to write something in this blog in response to your inquiries. You can click on the comment link at the bottom of this post to write your suggestions or send me an email directly. Linda@awakenthegeniewithin.com

Stories To Awaken The Genie Within - www.awakenthegeniewithin.com/wisdombook