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When Jack Canfield, author of The Success Principles, teaches us how to write an affirmation, he’s specific. It needs to be in the present tense, positive, brief + several other attributes, and ending with the phrase “or something better.” The implication is that our dreams may be less grand than what the Universe has in mind for us.
I’m co-leading An Invitation to Get Real this weekend with my Leadership partner Brad Isaacs. I had reserved the Memorial Room at the Fairfield Library for the event on Saturday. Due to smaller than anticipated enrollment, we don’t need as large (or expensive) a space. I let go of the reservation, then started to seek a new room for our group.
I already had a beautiful new space for the Sunday group, but it turned out to not be available for Saturday. I allowed myself a moment of panic. “Oh, no! I’ll NEVER find a space. This is a disaster. I’m a failure.” That lasted 30 seconds. Then I moved into action, which is always the secret weapon. I phoned the library to see if any other room existed or if they might negotiate. I left a voicemail. Then, I quickly scanned my brain for people in the area who might point me in another direction.
I called a former client and colleague who lives less than 1/2 mile from that library. She knows the town well. Might she recommend a location for me?
“Have it here, at my house. I’ll be away for the weekend. Come and get the key.”
I have to tell you that this woman is an award-winning interior designer. Her house is nothing short of spectacular. The room we’ll use overlooks an impeccably landscaped backyard. It surpasses all my criteria for a functional space to lead a group–comfortable, serene, generous in size and feeling.
Allowing these miracles into my life didn’t happen overnight. I’ve been practicing meditation, prayer, affirmations, fellowship meetings, etc. which have opened my eyes to seeing all the miracles that occur.
Brad Isaacs and I had our first West Coast offer of an Invitation to Get Real workshop scheduled in Santa Barbara May 7–last Thursday. Amidst reports of wild fires, we drove down the coast (from Brad’s home in San Luis Obispo) only to see the city obscured by smoke. It felt weird and selfish worrying about whether or not our workshop would be affected when thousands were being evacuated from their homes. Fortunately, no lives were lost and our workshop was held.
We had a great gathering there at La Casa de Maria Retreat and Conference Center. Here’s what one participant wrote:
How can I ever thank you for the day that changed my life? The workshop was fabulous and gave me clarity about my life and career. I feel so relaxed and confident now, but ready to go out and achieve my dreams. ~Jan Mollet Evans, Marketing Consultant
After Thursday’s program, Brad and I drove up to the San Francisco area to deliver our second workshop that week in Burlingame. We are both committed to helping people face their ‘gremlins’ head-on and learn to recognize and move forward. It’s sacred work. We feel honored and privileged to be doing this and grateful that our Coaches Training Institute Leadership program brought us together and to a level where we can create and share this.
My brand new program, An Invitation to Get Real, is this Saturday. My co-presenter, Brad Isaacs, is flying in from CA on Friday, and I can’t wait. We’ve been working on this for months. We’ve got a roomful of participants (there are still a few places, if you’re interested) and I’m lining up the supplies in my office.
But one thing had me paralyzed. The guest room bed needed to be changed, and I hate housework. I mentioned it at a meeting on Monday morning and wanted to get into analyzing why it was that I had this issue. What great deprivation had I suffered in my youth that left me inept and antagonistic to bed-making? I asked for feedback.
My dear friend Doreen, rather than jumping into the analysis pool with me, asked me where the clean sheets were kept. It would be her delight to go to my house and “freshen the room.” I should tell you that Doreen is the owner of an award-winning inn in Provincetown.
One of the first motivational tape series I ever listened to was by Dr. Wayne Dyer. A story stands out clearly in my memory of a patient of his who was bemoaning the fact that she never learned how to ride a bike. “Let’s go outside and get you on one right now,” he offered. No, she wanted to figure out why it was that her parents had never given her that opportunity.
I’ve joined Wayne’s world. I want to be in action, not analysis.
