Monthly Archives: May 2014

Transcendental Hitchhiking

Posted in Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of Witthaya Phonsawat, published on 13 March 2014, Stock Photo - image ID: 100247434, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Witthaya Phonsawat, published on 13 March 2014, Stock Photo – image ID: 100247434, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Very often I find myself experiencing serendipitous moments and will notice a theme emerging.

In this case, the theme emerged was hitchhiking. I realized God was speaking to me in a way for me to understand what He’s trying to say about where I am spiritually.

I rarely see hitchhikers. In one day, I saw four! A woman and three men, on different occasions. I merged onto Interstate 5, a highway I rarely travel on, and not only did I see yet another hitchhiker, I was traveling behind a semi-tractor trailer with a blue cursive label scrawled on the large rear door, “The Hitchhiker.” And, that’s when I knew God was having His say.

I asked my husband what the hitchhiker symbol could mean, what was the underlying message? My husband thought hitchhiking had to do with facing your fears as both the driver and the passenger. There is a level of trust in the unknown and the deliverance of all to come that makes hitchhiking very much like having your faith in God and the God in others.

When I looked at what was going on in my life, I realized I was in a moment where I was relying on God, one moment or “ride” at a time. It was all an adventure. I had to hitch a ride, to get to my destination, trusting that I would arrive and in the process, be enlightened and titillated with the journey.

I know the general direction of where I want to go. I hitch my faith and trust in God to carry me closer and closer to my destination. There is uncertainty and wonderment on where I may end up, but I trust that my Driver will get me close, if not all the way to my destination.

What if God’s love and deliverance is like hitchhiking? Each of us having the faith and trust that He’ll give us the ride we need and want. The alternative is to never hitch a ride, to sit and wait for some bus that may never come. Or, we can signal to the Universe that we trust and are ready to go.

~Your Curator of all Things Spiritual, Kimberly Jo Cooley

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Summer 2014 Handbag Round Up

Posted in Fashion, Style by

Summer’s fast approaching  and it is time to switch out your winter carryall to a summertime one. The handbags below are budget-friendly and stylish. All the curated bags have lasting style power, and can be worn for many summers to come. For inspiration or to check out different color options, click on the images.

Grommets add a funky, modern touch to a shoulder bag. Big Buddha, Jkesha Satchel Top Handle Bag, $95. Amazon.

This mustard hue surprisingly goes well with many different outfits and the gold studs are a nice detail. Vieta Oversized Studded Leatherette Hobo Tote Satchel Handbag Purse Shoulderbag, $90. Amazon.

An Aztec, tribal look in bold, graphic colors and print creates instant drama to your outfit. 50% at Nordstrom, $21,

I’m in love with this bag. I’ve owned this Melie Bianco for over a year, and it’s still holding up well, despite the white color. Can be easily cleaned with a Clorox wipe. The gold zipper detail makes this bag ultra versatile. And, it’s a steal at $38. Amazon.

Boho Patchwork Tote, a wonderful compliment to jeans and a white fitted tee or tank, $38. Nordstrom.

More grommets! Nordstrom offers this cool hobo bag for $38.

Fringe is in! Boho Spiritualistas know that fringe never really goes out of style, but Summer 2014, it is definitely en trend for the rest, $32. Nordstrom.

A slouch bag can hold the world! So, try and remember to pack light in this stylish tote, $40. ‘Mixed Signals’ Print Slouchy Tote.

This lime is nineties, the style 2014, $55. Extra-Large Melie Bianco ”Fergie” Crossbody Satchel. Amazon.

~Your Curator of all Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Default Creating, Part Four

Posted in Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought by
Image courtesy of prozac1, published on 17 May 2010 Stock Photo - image ID: 10016666, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of prozac1, published on 17 May 2010 Stock Photo – image ID: 10016666, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Default creating is when we do not set an intention on what we’d like to create, and instead, our random, unchecked thoughts guides and shapes our experiences. It is not to say that all random thoughts are bad or that intentional thoughts are good. But, you will have a much smoother ride in life if you are setting your focus and intention on what you do wish to create, rather than going on the whims of outside forces and random thoughts.

There is never a wasted moment, thought, or situation. Whether we perceive a thought as negative or positive, there is wisdom, insight and guidance in that thought, shaping and molding our experience. The contrast that we feel when we have an undesirable experience is just guiding us towards what we do want to create.

We are dynamic expressions living in a dynamic Universe. There are moments when what we deliberately created represented what we wanted at that time. There are instances where we have created by not doing anything, or operating in default mode.

We gain new information and new insight, which may result in adjusting and realigning to new ways of being and thinking. God knows your true desires and you should know that nothing you’ve created is not a blessing to you. Even when you’ve deliberately created good health, and now you have a disease. The disease is a gift, whether you deliberately created or whether old thought patterns and beliefs brought it to you.

Here are some signs that you’re operating in default mode:

  • There is no time in your day, even five minutes, where you are quieting the mind and focusing in on what you want.
  • Many, unexpected and disturbing events, from minor to major pop up in your life and you can’t pinpoint how or why they appeared.
  • Your emotions are high and low, and especially is swayed by outside influences.

What is very helpful is we can always turn off the default mode and start setting intentions on what we’d like to create right now, so that the next second, minute, day, week, and so on is what we’d like to see unfold, instead of random manifestations.

There will always be some contrast in our lives because not all of thoughts and emotions cannot be checked, and that’s okay. It’s how you manage the contrast in your life that shapes how your deliberate creation will unfold for you.

Homework: Check out the book, “The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent: Living the Art of Allowing by Esther and Jerry Hicks. This a great foundational piece to understanding the relationship or yin/yang of Deliberate Creation and Allowing.

~Your Curator of all Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Jump Into Jumpsuits!

Posted in Fashion, Style by

Jumpsuits are the cat’s meow! They are comfortable, flattering, stylish, sexy and timeless. Here’s a curated list of some of the hottest jumpsuits on Forever21.com – and believe it or not, this list just scratches the surface of all the jumpsuits Forever 21 has to offer!

Strapless, wide legged boho jumpsuit, $30. Forever 21.

Sexy and form flattering, definitely a jumpsuit most ladies can test out. A jumpsuit that covers the arms, belted at the waist and wide leg adds a nice, lean look to most body shapes, $28. Forever 21.

Spaghetti strapped, wide legged jumpsuit. Great for a summer music festival – cool, sexy and practical, $25. Forever 21.

Strapless, drawstring waist, great with strappy sandals, as pictured, $18. Forever 21.

V-neck, wide legged jumpsuit is easy to wear – can wear your everyday bra ladies! Surrealist Wide-Leg Jumpsuit, $23. Forever 21.

I love Forever 21 for not forgetting our shapely figured sisters. Here’s a sexy way to wear a strapless jumpsuit – caged sandals and a clutch takes this look from day to night, $23. Forever 21.

Love 21, an off shoot of the Forever 21 brand, caters to the thirty something crowd and their sizes are more forgiving. Great paisley print, $25. Forever 21.

Brunch with friends, about town jumpsuit. Voyager Wide-Leg Jumpsuit, $23. Forever 21.

This jumpsuit epitomizes the 2014 spiritualista – electric blue, eclectic pattern, modern fit. Eclectic Wonder Jumpsuit, $23.

~Your Curator of all Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Weaving Gratitude Into Deliberate Creation, Part Three

Posted in Affirmations, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of Supertrooper, published on 10 September 2013 Stock Photo - image ID: 100200370, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Supertrooper, published on 10 September 2013 Stock Photo – image ID: 100200370, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

A dose of gratitude goes a long way in life, especially when we are affirming what we already have and what we want more of. The emotion of gratitude is how we communicate to the Universe our appreciation for what has been given.

Gratitude signals we are in a place of receiving and acceptance. To be in a place of receiving is a blessed thing – always. Even when we receive what we perceive as negative situations – like traffic, disease, debt, or divorce.

The trick to appreciating the undesirables that pop up is having compassion for yourself, recognizing when you created what is now a present day annoyance, you were using old spiritual modalities or not creating with intention, instead creating by default. Also, what may seem “negative” could very well be holding your biggest blessing yet.

Examples:  

  • A person who has to file for bankruptcy – on the surface seems like a devastating thing to have to go through. It would be easy for that person to get into a cycle of self-pity. But, after a fresh start, the person was able to rebound and find their true selves in the midst of what looked like turmoil and failure. I’ve known people who’ve faced bankruptcy and now live very abundant lives. The once bankrupt person is grateful for going through the valley of debt to reaching the mountain high of true abundance and prosperity. Just google success stories following bankruptcy – you’ll see countless examples of renewal.
  • Or the cancer patient who prior to being diagnosed, was working sixty hour work weeks and chasing someone else’s dreams of what their life was supposed to be instead of following their own divine path. The patient survives and is now living their authentic life, healthier than ever. The disease signaled their physical body was no longer able to sustain a life void of real peace and purpose; a body and mind only motivated by trying to please others and keeping up with the Jones. The patient is able to be in a constant state of gratitude for what was and now is. The old them died and a new state of being emerged through the illness.

It is when we wholeheartedly open our hearts in gratitude, that our perception of what is widens. We can see the gift in every single thing and experience we have. We can see beyond bad days and heartbreak, because when we are open to receiving and grateful for what comes, the blessings buried in an undesirable situation is revealed and we are able to move in a direction towards what we want, versus staying in a place of constant reaction and despair. Be grateful for the journey as well as the destination.

As ever-expanding Beings of Light, we should understand the power of gratitude and its role in any and everything we do and experience.

Take Aways:

  • Gratitude is paramount in manifesting.
  • When saying affirmations, always infuse it with gratitude, whether you are affirming what you’ve already received or what is on its way to you.
  • All experiences, whether we intentionally create them or was default creating, are shaping the clay of our lives into what we want to create.
  • Just like molding clay, sometimes you have to smooth over and start pressing on in a new spot. The clay is bumpy in some areas, smooth in others – doesn’t mean it can’t still be shaped into what you want it to be (or don’t want it to be). Be grateful for having this experience to mold your life, even if you can only mold a small area.
  • Remember to express gratitude  for the big and small things that happen – be an example for others who may have a harder time experiencing gratitude. In time, you will find you cannot go through the day without feeling and expressing gratitude and neither will the people around you.
  • Gratitude is a nice way to center your thought and intention. When you’re grateful, there is little room for doubt, anxiety, disappointment and frustration.
  • Gratitude opens you to receiving more of good vibing feelings and peace.
  • Gratitude helps with having compassion for yourself, so you don’t stay in a place of constantly trying to “right” something that seems “wrong.” No need to dwell in what was, be grateful for where you are now, so you can move on to bigger and better manifestations.
  • If you have to start with something as basic as “I am grateful for each breath I take,” start there. In time, you will be able to show gratitude for what’s to come, because you practiced gratitude with what you know to be true.

~Your Curator of all Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Mom, my First Love

Posted in Relationships by
Image courtesy of digitalart, published on 29 May 2011 Stock Image - image ID: 10043334, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

Image courtesy of digitalart, published on 29 May 2011 Stock Image – image ID: 10043334, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

My mother was my first love. She was my first love, even before my father, because my first recollection of feeling something like love, was when she’d have to go to work and I’d be left with a babysitter or other relatives. I longed for her company, her hugs, kisses, and smiles. She would play games with me – long tea party sessions and make-believe camping trips where we’d fight off attacking bears (Square Toes is what we called a particularly aggressive bear, lol).

Back in the 1980s, it was easier to bring and keep your child at work. My mother worked in the San Francisco and worked at least fifty to sixty hour work weeks. I would go with her to work on Saturdays and play as if I was a banker. I think that’s how I learned to type, as I played on the old typing and adding machines with other little kids who were there, too. We’d run from cubicle to cubicle, taking papers, pens, and any other office supplies we could fashion into airplanes or paper dolls. My mother and their mothers never scolded us.

She worked for Crocker Bank, started in the check processing lockboxes and moved her way up to computer operations. Crocker Bank was bought out by Wells Fargo, which merged with First Interstate, then Norwest, and now Wells Fargo again. I remember her and her co-worker/friends smoking cigarettes as they worked on mainframe systems. The air was cold and smelled of faint cigarette smoke and new computer machines, fresh out of the box. She was a computer operator and I was fascinated watching her work with these big, smart machines.

After work, we’d shop at Esprit, or Emporium, and then head to the toy store. I remember a doctors kit from TJ Maxx she bought for me. We’d stop at Woolworths for some candy and no matter how tired my mom was, she’d let me talk to the pet birds and fish they sold. Then we’d catch the BART train back to Oakland, and people watch. At night, she would read as many books as I’d give her, often reading stories over and over again.

Everyday my mom tirelessly walked to the bus stop, caught the bus to the train, worked all day, then caught the same buses and trains back to pick me up. One time, she picked me up from daycare. We stopped and picked up a pizza slice from Cybelle’s. As soon as I got that lovely piece of thick crust and pepperoni, it dropped and splattered on the ground. I threw a fit. My mom, ever the appeaser, tried to buy another slice, but the parlor didn’t have anymore pizza slices that were ready. My mom consoled me enough to go home. She had a little surprises for me in her bags, sweets or toys, I can’t remember. What I do remember is she was a magician in my eyes and all-powerful enough to make things alright.

My mom: so smart, so beautiful, so loving, and so kind and indeed, was my first love.

Love you, Mommie. Thank you for always being so selfless, giving and loving to me, Jenni, and your grandkids. We’ve been so blessed and taken care of for as long as I can remember, because God packaged you into the amazing woman who you are. I aspire to be just like you when I become a grandmother. Thank you.

~Your Curator of all Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Eclectic Rhapsody

Posted in Home by

Hand painted votive candle holders, $10. https://www.etsy.com/listing/150167314/moroccan-wedding-votive-holder-with?ref=related-1

Eclectic is bohemian’s quirky cousin in décor. Check out these eclectic home accessories from Etsy.com:

Pink and red handmade garland is a nice, eclectic touch, $22. https://www.etsy.com/listing/175213928

Vintage Beige Western Electric Rotary Phone, $35. https://www.etsy.com/listing/169312077

Decorative Slab of Wood, $25. Great for the coffee table. https://www.etsy.com/listing/184671721

Distressed wood serving tray, $40. https://www.etsy.com/listing/185773748

Mustard Yellow Burlap Wreath, $50. Ohhh, I want this for my front door! https://www.etsy.com/listing

Eclectic Inspirational Ceramic Wall Sign, $25. Great housewarming gift. https://www.etsy.com/listing/176692912

~Your Curator of all Things Beautiful, Kimberly Jo Cooley

 

Practicing Deliberate Creation, Part Two

Posted in Affirmations, Goals, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought, Spirituality by
Image courtesy ofdan, published on 13 March 2013 Stock Photo - image ID: 100146653, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of dan, published on 13 March 2013 Stock Photo – image ID: 100146653, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Deliberately creating experiences we want is fun and fulfilling. Practicing deliberate creation on small things is how you feel more comfortable creating bigger things.

May 7th I woke up and affirmed I was going to have a great day and eat a delicious lunch. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted when I first woke. I also knew I didn’t want to travel far, nor did I want to pay a lot of money for my meal.

Around eleven AM that morning, I stopped by a friend in another department to say hi. She had a bag full of containers and she explained she and some co-workers were having a late Cinco de Mayo celebration and they were having a nacho bar. I realized at that moment, I wanted nachos. She said she’d save me some fixings. At lunch time, my friend brought the nacho fixings to my desk. I went to our office’s break room to heat up the meat and cheese and realized I could really use some olives and green onions. Just as I said that, some other friends from the claims department came in the break room and heard me say that. They invited me to their “Siete de Mayo” celebration and had all the olives and green onions I could want. There was even more offerings at their table. I fixed myself the most delicious nacho plate – ever! 🙂

Let’s break it down:

  • I set the intention and affirmed I was going to have a delicious lunch that I did not need to travel far or pay a lot for.
  • I trusted I was going to receive a delicious lunch.
  • I did not fret over how it was going to happen or worry over how I was going to pay for it. I relaxed into the knowing that it was already manifested and waiting for me.
  • I received the offerings from friends. They felt good sharing their food and I felt good receiving it.
  • What I received was far better than if I could have taken it all into my own hands, spent $10 on some nachos from a restaurant.
  • I was grateful before, during and after receiving my delicious lunch.
  • I enjoyed every bite of it.

There are areas in your life that deliberate creating comes naturally for you and others where you need practice.

Take baby steps and you will be richly rewarded. Although you can take leaps, sometimes our faith and trust has to catch up to the desires that wants to be birthed through us. It can be painful when what we want seems too far out of reach and then we try to believe that it will come. Instead, take baby, deliberate steps to creating an experience.

Remember, it is not your job to worry about the “how” something you want will manifest. All you have to do is set the intention and allow God to fill in the details.

Your homework:

Manifest something by deliberately creating it. It can be a deliberately creating the perfect parking space, or all green lights on your way to work, or an unexpected surprise. Whatever it is, try it and make a note of the experience so you have a resource to remind yourself how powerful and creative you are.

~Your Curator of all Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley  

Deliberately Creating, Affirming and Allowing, Part One

Posted in Affirmations, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Manifestation by
Image courtesy of dan, published on 31 January 2010 Stock Photo - image ID: 10012029, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of dan, published on 31 January 2010
Stock Photo – image ID: 10012029, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

I was asked about deliberate creation, from http://justmeandyoukid.com/: I still don’t understand deliberate creation. How do you deliberately create a great day? Is it a self-mantra that you repeat, an attitude? How does this happen for you?

I am thankful for the questions above because we will answer each of them this week as we delve into what deliberately creating our life is all about.

The answer is when we make a conscious decision to deliberately create our thoughts and our lives, everything changes from that moment forward. The Universe conspires to bring forth your desire. Things will begin to shift to bring you closer to what you desire.

To deliberately create is to decide and to say to yourself what it is you wish to create (and to believe, have faith that it will be done). You can affirm aloud or to yourself. You can write in a journal or paint it in a picture. You can create a dream board or daydream. All of these are modalities in deliberately creating what you want.

The key is to be honest with yourself about your life’s desires and values and stay focused on them. This way, you are not wasting time creating a mish mash of what you do and don’t want.

We can haphazardly create our lives, with no focus. We all know what our lives look like without deliberately thinking about what we want to create.

Think of a business plan, as compared to deliberately creating. You can write a business plan, but do you do not know all the specific results that will come of it, nor can you anticipate all that may come up. You know generally that your business plan will garner certain results, as opposed to not having a business plan at all. The same with an outline for a novel or an actual outline of drawing. You know generally what is being created because you’ve created the outline. Now, picture your drawn outline image, and God coming in to fill in the colors and depths of that image. That is how deliberate creation works.

You are creating the outline, which is the what and why, and God is filling it up with the who, when, where and how. Always remember your role and part in deliberate creating. Your job is to deliberately create what you want, remain in a place of allowing and gratitude, remain faithful and then to be thankful when you’ve manifested what you want.

Your unique desires are direct expressions of God Spirit, so of course God says “Yes” when you ask and affirm what you wish to create.

Deliberate creation and allowing work hand in hand. When you deliberately create (your business plan or novel outline), information is sent out to the Universe to bring forth what you desire back to you. When you allow the fruits of that creative thought to come back, the easier it is to manifest what you want. Sometimes the fruits do not look like what you wanted to bear from your deliberate thoughts. But, always remember there are different vantage points to things and situations, and the blessing is always there, just not yet revealed to you in a way you can comprehend or see yet.

It is important to think about your values and desires for your life, and listen to your intuition. Your intuition will guide and tell you when you are hitting resistance or when you are flowing with Divine Spirit.

I will leave you with a list of my own affirmations that I said this week and last, so you can see the modality of affirmations in play in deliberate creation. Borrow or create your own and say them regularly.

  • I am an extension of God.
  • For in Him, I live, and move, and have my being.
  • I am abundant.
  • I am well, whole, perfect and complete.
  • I am love.
  • I am peace.
  • I am free.
  • I am creative.
  • I am a friend.
  • I am triumphant in everything I do, no matter the outcome.

~Your Curator of all Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley