Bring Your Own Bliss (BYOB), Part Two

(Note: A sincere thanks to those of you who have already read Part One of BYOB!  For those who haven't seen it yet, it's right next door, at the post dated March 28, 2013.)

 Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Steven Robertson

"Keep knocking, and the joy inside will eventually open a window and look out to see who's there." ~~Rumi

In Part One of BYOB (3/28/13), I talked about the "be, do, have" cycle of manifestation.  We looked at one distortion that blocks results, and that's the bulldozer method: "do, do, do, have, be."  Exhausting!  There's no room for bliss and gratitude in that model!

Let's look at another ineffective twist: "have, do, be."  The user of this model also forgets to bring her own bliss.  She thinks it'll be there at the end...if only....  "If only I had what I want, then I could do what I want, and I'd be blissful and full of gratitude." 

Well, if she left her bliss and gratitude at the bottom of her sock drawer, how could she expect it to be anywhere in this model?  BYOB!

The truth is, bliss and gratitude fuel us throughout the cycle of manifesting!  We need to find those first, and put them in our spiritual backpacks!  If we don't take bliss and gratitude, we won't need backpacks, because we won't be going anywhere!

That's why the only way the model will work is "be, do, have."  So, to align with the Law of Attraction, we must be blissful and grateful for what we have already.

Then, we need to do the inspired actions that come to us from the Universe in  forms such as intuition and synchronicity.  Only then can we have the manifestation we're looking for!  

BYOB!

 Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Rebecca Grabill

With bliss and gratitude for you,

Susan

The Great-Life Advocate (TM)

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~~Odds and Ends~~

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Denise Kappa

How I Can Help...

One of the trickiest parts of the "be, do, have" manifestation cycle is learning to watch, feel, and listen for the messages of "inspired action."  And what do we do while we're waiting these messages?

As your coach, I can help you navigate this terrain, using your own day-to-day life as our experimental playground!  Being coached is a "real time,"  customized experience!  

Just email me here to set up a complimentary session so we can see if we're a good match for a coaching partnership...or to ask any questions you may have about tele-coaching with me!   

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Personal Note

Next week, I'm starting as a student in a nine-week comedy improv class.  I've never done this before, but I think it's going to be fun!  Does anyone out there have experience in this area who would be willing to leave a few tips for me in the comments section?

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Getting Your Ego and Intuition to "Play Nice"

The blog post above is on my top ten list according to my Blogger stats!  If you missed it, please check it out.  It's in the archives and dated 1/15/09.  Thanks!

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***All of Susan's posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

***Member of the TriCounty Community Network, at www.tcnetwork.org*** 

Ask "What?" and "Why?"; Forget about "How?"

Greetings, Law of Attraction Fans!

If you want to align yourself with the Law of Attraction ("like attracts like"), it's really important to ask yourself the right questions.

Ask Yourself "What?"

First, get really clear about what it is that you want. Think about it; isn't it next to impossible to help someone get what they want if they aren't even sure themselves? Sometimes as a coach it's my job to help someone figure out what they want. Then we can proceed from there.

Example:

O.K., let's say "Carmen" holds this intention: "To raise a healthy, happy, and productive daughter." Next, she asks herself, "What exactly does this feel like, assuming I'm already there?" This question helps to align her energy with what she wants as well as clarify exactly what the intention means.

Carmen's answers the question this way: "I feel pride, love, and feelings of contribution and accomplishment. I feel my daughter hugging me, and I'm delighted to hear her thanking me for always being there for her. I'm telling her that I wouldn't have it any other way; it's a total joy for me." Do you sense her passion and energy rising?

Now Kick it up a Notch by Asking Yourself "Why?"

Asking why you have set a particular intention pumps up the passion and enthusiasm even more! Then your vibration rises even higher to put you more into alignment with what you want to manifest.

Now Back to Carmen....

Carmen's "Why?": "This intention is my gift to my daughter and part of my contribution to the world, including my future grandchildren and great-grandchildren! I trust that I'll be shown how through intuition and synchronicity."

Suit up and Show up

That's what you do next. You show up. You watch for openings and check with your intuition. And you do this consistently. I would say, "Best of luck to you," but if you follow the advice in this post, you won't need luck. You will make your own.

~Susan

P.S. Give this complimentary coaching session a try....

Respect 101: Teach Others to Treat You Well

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We'll discuss the questions below as they apply to YOU:

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~How do you treat yourself?

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~Do you speak up for yourself clearly, directly, and in a timely manner?

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~Do you stand your ground when being pressured?

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~What vibes are you sending out about how you expect to be treated?

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~What limiting beliefs from the past are hindering you in asking for the respect you deserve?

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Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a session by phone or in person!

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***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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***Member of the TriCounty Community Network, a local human services resource at http://www.tcnetwork.info/ .***

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Two Great Books for the Creativity in All of Us

Both of these books remind us, right on their back covers, that you don't have to be an Artist with a capital "A" to benefit from these books. I'm pleased to recommend them here because I feel the same way about this blog!

Living Your Life Out Loud: How to Unlock Your Creativity and Unleash Your Joy by Salli Rasberry and Padi Selwyn

Specifically, the back cover says, "Creativity is not just for artists--it's everyone's birthright." I agree!

Who could resist a book with such chapter subtitles as, "Write Yourself a Play Prescription Today," and "The Thirty-Minute Breakation"? Here's my favorite quote from the book:

"The path to joy comes from creative expression. When you make the time and space to harness the energy in your life, you can begin to express your unique creativity. Your joy will increase. Your confidence will grow. Your life will be transformed. You will be living your life out loud."

Marry Your Muse: Making a Lasting Commitment to Your Creativity by Jan Phillips

The back cover says, "...everyone who wants to live life as a work of art will find inspiration and practical suggestions in this joyous book."

Here are a few of the inspiring chapter titles:

• You Are Worth the Time
• Giving the Artist Within Half a Chance
• Start Anyway
• The Little Wise Ones
• The Art of Activism
• Pass the Stardust, Please

And from this book, my favorite quote:

"To live creatively is to live from the soul, to shape our circumstances out of our deepest desires instead of conforming our dreams to the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Once we experience the joy and power of creating our own lives, we find that creating in other arenas comes naturally, an outflow of the abundant energy that comes with being true to our essence."

Please comment on your experiences with these books, with living creatively, or with other relevant resources you have found useful. Thanks!

Happy reading,

Susan

P.S. I offer complimentary trial tele-coaching sessions by phone, one per person. To set one up, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. Creativity is my specialty, but most other topics are welcome, too, such as dealing with transitions, starting a new project, etc.

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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More Inspiring Resources

Check these out:

Falter-Barns, Suzanne: "How Much Joy Can You Stand? A Creative Guide to Facing Your Fears and Making Your Dreams Come True"

I love seeing the word "joy" in the title of a book about creativity! Thank goodness the "no pain, no gain" myth around creativity has been replaced by not only the possibility of joy, but the very real benefits of it in the creative process.

Falter-Barnes includes many exercises in the book. One of my favorites poses some very thought-provoking topics for the reader to make lists about, including "What I'm Afraid of Finding Out about My Dream," and "What Will Change If I Succeed at My Dream."

One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "Most failure is not an end in itself but a beginning disguised as an end."


Goleman, Daniel; Kaufman, Paul; Ray, Michael: "The Creative Spirit"

This book covers the inner workings of creativity, creativity in children and at work, and how creativity builds and benefits communities.

My favorite quotes from the book: "When both managers and workers adopt a creative outlook, a subtle but powerful change begins to occur in the workplace," and "Ultimately, a renaissance in creativity will depend on the actions of individuals." (That's us!)


The Imagineers: "The Imagineering Way: Ideas to Ignite Your Creativity"

Who better to learn about creativity from than the team that conceives and creates rides and displays that thousands enjoy at the Disney parks? Even the design of the book is exceptionally creative, inspiring, and fun!

Contributor Michael Sprout cuts to the chase about what we need to be creative: enthusiasm and faith. Another contributor, Bruce Vaughn, advises us to clearly define the creative challenge, and then to "...let go of all the possible solutions you are considering." This way we are not limited by pre-conceived ideas.


McMeekin, Gail: "Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor"

McMeekin has divided her book into three "gateways:" "Engaging Your Creativity," "Mastering Your Challenges as a Creative Woman," and "Actualizing Creative Results: The Power of Positive Priorities." In the section on results, she provides two helpful worksheets. The first one is for planning, and the second is for curing procrastination.

The author has interviewed 45 well-known creative women for this book. No wonder she calls it "A Portable Mentor." And this mentor is on call 24/7!


To your success,

Susan

P.S. Slots are still available for my personalized complimentary email support, once a week for four weeks. So if you'd like assistance with staying on track with your resolutions, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

Closed Hearts Shut Out Creativity

When Do We Close Our Hearts?
We close our hearts in order to prevent further pain when we have been emotionally injured. But like denial, closing the heart is meant to be only a temporary arrangement while we set up the healing process.

Why Does A Closed Heart Block Creativity?
Over time, a closed heart robs us of our enjoyment of life, our playfulness, our ability to trust, our creativity and our intuition. It leaves us in a state of disconnection from Spirit, other people, and ourselves. We feel empty and tired. It can even lead to depression.

Walling off our hearts is an all-or-nothing deal, like general anesthesia. All welcome sensations are blocked out along with the unwelcome ones. Joy, creativity, and even colors are muted. Negative emotions, which are designed to stay in motion, get stuck. Instead of being the useful messengers they are meant to be, they overstay their welcome and can even make us sick.

How Can We Tear Down The Wall, Open Our Hearts, and Start Feeling Again?
Usually we have to do this brick by brick. Even in the case of a sudden catharsis, it takes time to integrate a new way of being. Coaching can often help with this, but if the problem is deeply entrenched, do yourself a favor and find a great therapist. If you're not sure what kind of help you need, I can help you sort it out in a complimentary trial coaching tele-session; email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

Part of opening our hearts is learning to forgive ourselves and others. Forgiveness has been given a bad name because people think it means that we have given in and are going back for more bad treatment. But forgiveness means releasing ourselves from the energy-draining situation in our own minds. It does not always mean reconciliation with the difficult person.

Placing blame leaves us powerless when it leads to feelings of resignation and victimization. We must take responsibility for our responses and for whatever we can do to improve the situation, whether we are to blame or not. As for our own mistakes, we can use the energy they stir up to learn from them and correct them instead of wasting it on beating ourselves up.

As we open our hearts, we can test the creative waters now and then to measure our progress. Here's the good news: Just as the closing off process affects us holistically, so will the opening process! Our general outlooks will improve, along with our energy and creative output levels. Unexplained physical problems may bow out, as well, once we "get" the messages they were sending!

Closing our hearts means closing ourselves off to a full life. What will you do for yourself today to let your heart help you express all of who you are? I'd love to see your answers in the comments section!

To your happiness,
Susan