Friday, August 27, 2010

The Way Through

When confronted with what may appear to be an obstacle in our path, the natural tendency of many is to go 'over', 'under' or 'around' the obstacle.  As a child growing up I remember that every time that I came to a fence in one of my explorations of the world around me I learned how to climb over it, dig under it or get around it somehow.  In many ways this was noted by myself or others as an achievement, but in my adult life facing different types of obstacles in the areas of finances, relationships, work & career, family, health, etc. I have begun to look at this in another way.

First of all, I no longer immediately assume that the obstacle in front of me is one that was put there by some 'external source' that I have no control over. The default assumption is now that I put this obstacle there or by my own choices that this situation was essentially 'created' by me.  Often this requires a bit of examination but if I am honest with myself and dig deep enough it almost always comes back to my choice.

After coming to this realization and understanding of my 'predicament', I will then ask myself 'Why?' or 'What possible Purpose does this serve?'  As a child I would already be over the 'obstacle' and perhaps on to the next one :), but as an adult I have taught myself to pause and contemplate.  As someone who is energetically inclined to action and movement I have had to work on this part of the process the most and have developed strategies and tactics for doing so.  One of them is to 'photograph' the obstacle and myself confronting it, either with my actual camera, my journal/writing or even just my Mind.  An Energetic Picture can be as powerful as a physical one and if taking a particularly powerful 'photograph' I will usually do all 3.

The reason for this extra 'effort' is that in my adult life I have learned that if I do not achieve some form of a breakthrough or insight that ultimately this 'obstacle' will present it again to me in some fashion or another.  'Like attracts like' and 'resistance attracts resistance' is the fundamental energetic principle that I have validated for myself through countless experiences, both positive and negative.  Through the patient instruction of the Universe, I have found that ultimately what I am seeking is a way Through - not a way over, around or under.

Looking at the fence in the picture I see the gaps between the wooden slats and can feel the moss and lichen.  What if gently pry off a board and replace it after squeezing through?  What if I search for gaps or weaknesses in the fence and use them to my advantage?  What if I turn into fog and drift through into the field?  What if I become one with the energetic particles of the wood and pass right through?  What if the fence is not really there but just a memory or an illusion?  What if I'm already Through and just haven't realized it yet? :)

Guide me O' Universe, I am looking for a way Through.

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2010 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill 

Friday, August 20, 2010

The 'Best' of Intentions

Glastonbury Tor


In moments of elevated emotion and inspiration it is often easy to set powerful future intentions. It is only later when the end result has occurred that we are able to evaluate 'what happened' to determine potential next steps for future intentions and actions.  A positive end result may create a foundation of 'energetic confidence' while a negative end result may provide 'lessons learned' that guide our future energetic focus.  Additionally, there is a tendency to judge and criticize ourselves (and others) for 'poor' execution or communication, often resulting in limiting beliefs that then constrain us energetically.  We may have the 'best' of intentions but they may not always result in the 'best' results.

A powerful distinction to note here is the difference between Intended Action and Executed Action, especially when evaluating the actions or communication of others.  In performing a thorough evaluation, I generally ask the 3 sets of questions:

1)  Was the Intention really there?  Regardless of the outcome, was there an attempt to accomplish what intended?  Bottom line - was it an 'honest' intention?
2)  Was there a mis-communication or did I hear what I wanted to hear and not what was actually said?  Was there any communication in writing that could be reviewed or re-read to clarify the intention at the current time? 
3)  What was the Executed Action and how did it differ from the Intended Action?  Is it complete or is it still in process?  Has the situation changed in any way that might alter the original intention?

Upon completion of this evaluation I am often guided to next steps grounded with a better sense of perspective - again, lessons learned.  Additionally, I have found that a non-executed action is not a 'promise broken' if the true Intention still exists.  I am able to bring myself back into Integrity by resetting the Intention and re-grounding it in the NOW, usually by communicating this to whomever may be involved or impacted by the Intention.

Scripting a path for oneself is bound to result in many disappointments but living your life to the fullest does require some intention and focus.  Just for today, look at your current active Intentions to see if you can add 1 action item for each and communicate this to all those who are involved.  And for those whom you have judged, hit the 'reset button' and offer up your support - you may be surprised at the execution after all.

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2010 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill

'I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.' - Buddha

Friday, August 6, 2010

The Feeling of Vision

Photo courtesy of NASA - Mars Rover tracks (on Mars)

I was recently reminded of the scene from the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" where they talked about imagining and holding a Vision of the future that seemed nearly impossible - it was about building train tracks over a mountain before there was a train that could make the trip.  A powerful feeling and image, it also has  you wonder how they were able to pay for and build the tracks with no immediate gratification available - and who made it happen.  Especially in the current economic climate where budgets are tight and funds are scarce, our rational sensibilities make it difficult to even dream of such a public works project occurring today. 

However, that is what powerful people do, each and every day.  They Vision their future with all of their heart and soul, and then they figure out how to make it happen.  In Energetic terms, they lead with their most powerful intention that is grounded in Joy, then manifest it into their existence.  They encounter Resistance, and then they work through it.  The have Fears, and then they address them.  They get Stopped with money issues, and then they find the money.  When asked how they do it, what they often say is that it is their Vision of the future that keeps them going.  I will add to that Energetically and say that it is the vibration or Feeling of the Vision that really keeps them going.  They are using the natural power of the Universe to assist them, rather than just the power of their 'Mind'.   

Every Vision has a different Feeling and color and texture and vibration.  This content and context is created individually by each of us - like a painter painting a canvass, no two brushstrokes are the same.  As such, each Vision has it's own fractillic pattern that maps and attracts to the Universe around it, constantly creating and manifesting 'reality' as is moves through Time and Space.  However, until created in physical space it is still subject to a myriad of vibrations and energetic influences, some of which we may be aware of consciously.  Our unconscious limiting beliefs and negative emotions are also at play which is exactly why the Feeling component of Vision is so critical - it is our guide to where and when to place the 'brushstroke'. 

In addition to 'Knowing Thyself', Know what 'Feels Good to Thyself' - and make it happen.  Just for today, don't restrain your Vision with your Mind... open it to your Heart and Spirit and See where it wants to go.

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2010 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill

"Between Austria and Italy, there is a section of the Alps called the Semmering.  It is an impossibly steep, very high part of the mountains.  They built a train track over these Alps to connect Vienna and Venice.  They built these tracks even before there was a train in existence that could make the trip. They built it because they knew some day, the train would come." - from "Under a Tuscan Sun"