Moving: a new blog address

This blog is moving to a new blog address http://www.thrivingmomma.com

I hope you'll visit me there.

Thanks,
Tera

Plugged into Now

When we are connected to the present moment, we plug into our true source of internal energy. Barbara Kingsley points out this simple truth in her book The Energy Cure. How often do we squander our energy and forget to stay plugged into now? How many moments slip away while we fill our heads with other distractions?

Common sense dictates that it would be important to connect to the present moment. We practice meditation, yoga, or tai chi, or simple breathing to practice this simple, yet sometimes elusive habit. In an energy session I will check and plug in my client's connections, including groundedness and connection to the present. Yet these connections can be quickly severed in the fray of living.

But instead of feeling guilty for not being connected to now, simply be aware when letting that connection slip. It's simply a matter of energy. I don't berate myself when I leave my laptop unplugged. The battery is working, yet I prefer to keep it plugged in most of the time. It will be ready when I need it--all charged up--and I can afford to make the conscious choice to not plug in when necessary. Similiarly, we can make those choices every moment of every day to plug into the present, in essence, honoring one's spirit. No judgment. It's just a choice. But today, I choose energy.

Small Change Today

Bob Proctor wrote a chapter called "Razor's Edge" in which he describes how the difference between mediocrity and success is simply persistence. Successful people are able to focus on the one action that would set them apart from all the others. For everyone, that action is different. For an Olympic Gold athlete, the difference might mean simply continuing to train when other gifted athletes move on to other careers. For the stay-at-home mom/ aspiring writer, it might mean simply waking up 15 minutes earlier and writing a page a day--to produce a book in a year.

This idea inspired me. What is the one action that I can focus on that will reap exponential results? For my dissertation writing, it is reading daily works by other scholars. At this stage of the writing process, it seems counter-intuitive. I have been impatient to read too much because it takes away from my writing time.  But actually, the reading will immerse my mind in the academic language of my field. I'll be more fluent. Ideas will come to me more readily. And I'll be able to communicate my argument with greater ease.

I thought about asking this question about other facets of my life: What is the one thing I could do in my marriage to create a more harmonious union with my spouse, with hearts and minds knitted together? What is the one action I could focus on with my children to convey to them the depth of the Father's love? What is the one habit our family could focus on to create home, a heaven on earth? What is the one small change in my health habits that would reap radical results for my physical health?

Sometimes, we come up with a laundry list of things to change, which can be self-defeating. But if we only focus on an incremental change: maybe it's only walking 15 minutes a day, not drinking diet soda, speaking softly in the home, playing 15 minutes one-on-one with our child, or turning off the television at night... a small action can yield great rewards.

I read this excerpt from Bob Proctor's book from signing up for "19 Rules of Prosperity" from http://www.thoughtsalive.com . It was certainly inspiring.

A Recipe for Overcoming any Challenge

The other night, while lying in bed, I prayed and asked for clarity, "What is my next step?" I have so many fun projects and ideas that pull me in different directions. A story told by Stephen Covey popped into my head:

A prominent church leader visits a large assembly of young missionairies. One missionary asks, "What is the most important commandment to follow?

The leader looks him in the eye and says, "The one you are struggling with the most..."

Suddenly, I had my answer: focus on the dissertation.

To some, that may seem an obvious answer, since after all, I am working on finishing my PhD this year, yet it seemed a revelation to me because after all, it was the most difficult task before me. 

I am almost finished with this baby--write an introduction and conclusion and revise the entire book. The end is in sight, yet crafting an introduction is seemingly insurmountable. This is a familiar pattern for me: whether it is the newness of writing a 5-page paper as an undergraduate or writing an introduction for a book, I am weighted by the fear of the unknown.

I'll share with you my process of creation (using the Law of Attraction or what I call the Law of Creation), something I first read in Carol Tuttle's Remembering Wholeness. I wrote a letter to my angels to assist me in creating this dissertation. I write the letter as a petition, in present tense, as if it has already happened. (By the way, I write to my angels and my Father in Heaven because that fits within my belief system, but I also believe that any acknowledgment of a Higher Power and the Universe will work, because God in His Infinite Mercy works with His children on their terms, if He is somehow acknowledged...)

I wrote a creation plan, and it helped some. I was able to write a couple more pages on Friday, but writing still felt like wading through molasses.  Obviously, I still have some blocks. But this weekend, I realized... I was not focused on the end result, the feeling of excitement and relief I feel when I finish the introduction, as well as the sense of accomplishment when earning my PhD. I was not tuned into the reason I am doing this in the first place. 

Part of practicing the Law of Creation is creating the high-vibration energy and feelings, as if the end result has already happened. The idea is what we vibrate, we attract to us...

I know this process works because it has worked for my husband's career moves, our relocation, buying a home, and creating the life we want here. But this is my current challenge. I would love to hear how others practice this Law of Creation to create the life of their dreams.

Below, I've included how I wrote a creation plan. It is intended as a sample, for someone who has never written one before, or would like ideas on how to write affirmations specific to our goals. These affirmations might also be useful to other energy coaches whose clients are writers. The universe obeys our thoughts, so the more specific the better....

Part I: Dissertation: Creation Plan

I sit down in front of the computer and words and ideas come to me effortlessly.

I have fun on this project. I am in the zone. Time just flies by--I lose track of time. I am in my groove when writing. I experience writing as an effortless process.

I receive all the Heavenly Assistance I need to make this chapter a brilliant chapter.

I am plugged into the universe's well of ideas.

I easily comprehend the necesary theoretical concepts that I need for my project. I define my keywords and terms succinctly, brilliantly, and persuasively.

I intuitively know how to build my argument, what the next step is.

I develop my argument so that it is persuasive, stunning and clear.

This dissertation is worth my time, my effort, my creativity, and my resources.

When I write, I am aligned with my Father's will. My work and purpose is to glorify Him. My success is His success. This dissertation allows me to accomplish my goal of a purposeful, successful life that influences and inspires others. My success in this project is an inspiration to others. I simply show up and write, and I am channelling the universe's intelligence. I intuitively know what theorists and books to go to for my own work. I easily grasp the necessary concepts and explain them well. I use my reading and research time efficiently. I am immersed in my writing project. I concentrate on my dissertation easily.

Here's Part II to the Law of Creation:

The joy I share with my husband and family when we celebrate my graduation. The freedom I feel when closing this chapter on my graduate career. The pride I feel with my husband in this journey we walked together. The thrill of traveling back to Austin with my family to celebrate this milestone. The assurance I show to my children of realizing dreams. The deep sense of gratitude I feel for my Father in Heaven and all His mercy in leading me along the way, even when it seemed impossible.

Part III: Express gratitude as if it is finished.

Thank Thee, Heavenly Father for making this possible. Thank Thee for all Thine assistance in writing this dissertation, all the resources Thou hast provided me in allowing me to focus on my studies, my research, and my writing, Thank Thee for carrying me along, when I felt weak. I am so thankful for the abundant love, resources, and mercy Thou hast so generously provided me. I am humbled to see the fruition of this dream come true.

Declare: It is finished.

From Bitter to Sweet

Only with experiencing the bitter do we appreciate the sweetness of life. My pregnancy has shifted! After ten weeks of miserable nausea and fatigue, I almost feel like myself again. Well.... a pregnant version of myself.


Why the shift? I sought help. As an energy coach, I can facilitate my own clearing, but with my own energy at an all-time low, this ability seemed inhibited. First, I prayed about it. Then, I found a fellow colleague who I felt impressed would be able to assist me. Her name is Amberly Robinson. After a session with Amberly yesterday morning, I felt a huge difference. In fact, I almost forgot I was pregnant. It helped to have an objective viewpoint--from someone outside of the storm, so to speak. 


I feel incredibly grateful for this experience and this personal trial. There were some life lessons that I needed. I was judging myself for my inability to think positively out of this physical discomfort. And I wasn't staying hydrated spiritually and physically. For over a month I could only sip water. I consumed about 8 oz. a day. More water made me hurl. Similarly, I was only sipping at the true "fountain of living water"--my true source of peace.


 We share a cultural consciousness about pregnancy as struggle that hearkens all the way back to Eve. Yet it's possible to release what no longer serves us. For me, this 1st-trimester blues served me for awhile. There were important lessons that I needed to learn.  But perhaps, once I learned it, I could let it go.  


I am grateful for Calyco and the abundant resources God puts me before me.

A Work in Progress

This blog--very much like my life--is a work in progress. It's as much my musings on living a vibrant life as  stating my intention and commitment to the universe. I think of a scripture that explains how our Creator designed us for these higher vibrations: "Man are, that they might have joy." 


I'm conscious of my audience. Perhaps for other readers, thriving is simply ordinary living. I have always lived passionately. In my youth it would be described as "living on the edge." One summer I packed up my belongings and dive gear and drove from San Francisco to the Yucatan to get certified as a cave-diver and work as a cave guide in the cenotes, a majestic, limestone underworld. But was I thriving?


Thriving is not just living adventurously. It is living in emotional, spiritual, and physical integrity. 

Swimming with Grace

Thriving is not a destination. It is a conscious choice we make every time we get out of bed in the morning. It is not necessarily a constant state of being, though that is my desire.

There may be some who naturally exude joy with every step. But for some of us, beliefs about life as a struggle have been passed down for generations. On my Filipina mother's side I come from a people who spent centuries under Spanish and (later, American) colonialism. Victim energy is all too familiar. On my father's side I descend from Mormon pioneers. Struggle and adversity is a badge of honor. It takes a deliberative choice to break that pattern. 

In Living a Charmed LIfe, Victoria Moran points out that we can put magic into our every day: every time we sign our name, or make a bed, we can put a little extra into each moment. I love that--we can perform even the banal activities of our day to make each moment extraordinary. Since I read that, I remember to put an extra flourish in my signature rather than scribbling it across the page. I try to laugh more, even when it might start as forced. With my kids we will start the day with Donna Eden's energy exercises. As I breath, I laugh and tap. My kids look at me and start laughing too. Soon, the laughter erupts naturally. How easy it is for my children to thrive, to exist in the moment. When did that change for me? I can learn much from my children.

Even when I slip into old patterns, I can start afresh. A shower. A prayer. A conversation with a friend. Maybe I've chosen the experience of this particular pregnancy so I can practice showing up and thriving, regardless of my bodily experience, to float despite the gravity of my hips and thighs. That reminds me--to start swimming again--cutting through the water, weightless and slippery, I remember what grace feels like, how effortless it can be, when I don't struggle, but move with less resistance. 

Here's to graceful swimming...