All that you desire to be and to have is already within you. Ask Divine Spirit to help reveal more of what you want and then allow the answers and gifts to come to you.
~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley
Monthly Archives: August 2014
Freedom Consciousness: Part Four – Freedom to Dream Big
Image courtesy of pixtawan, published on 19 February 2012, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
The definition of a dream: A strongly desired goal or purpose.
It takes courage to trust, and trust evolves into faith and knowing. So, for those who are in the shaky first steps of their spiritual journey, it may seem farfetched and ridiculous to dream big. If we remember to first sense what it is we want, believe it will come, then the natural step is to trust and allow the Universe to bring what you’ve dreamed of into fruition.
Where many of us get tripped up is in the trusting and allowing. Some of us may get tripped up in missing the divine signals from the Universe to take action or to be still. While others get tripped up in not dreaming at all.
When was the last time you took inventory of your dreams? Dreams do not have to be lofty, out of reach and only for the select few who can achieve them. Dreams are a strongly desired goal or purpose that you can have. You can first have it in your mind as you daydream about it, then you can later have it in your reality. Finally, you can have it in the memory of experiencing the dream in reality.
What does your dreams say about you? Are they in alignment with the essence of who you are? Or, are they symbols of someone else’s reality? Your dreams should reveal a lot about who you are and where you’d like to be. Are your dreams authentic or generic – soul or ego driven?
You will know when you have an authentic or ego driven dream by how it makes you feel when you think of it. Whenever I think of an ego driven dream, like when I used to desire buying large homes, I felt a slight pang of anxiety from wondering how it was ever going to happen, then worried how I’d take care of and fill those homes. When my dreams shifted to wanting a cozy, warm space, that was perfect for my family and a sanctuary for myself and others, I felt peace and a knowing of already having it in me – my authentic dream.
Dreams that are in alignment with your soul will come to be. Dreams that are ego driven may or may not come, but in time, they may not be sustainable if they are not in alignment with your life flow and the essence of who you are.
Here are some ways to stay in touch with your dreams and to make them a reality for yourself and others:
- Create a dream journal and scribe every single dream you have. Periodically read your journal’s pages – when you feel good and when you feel less than good. As you grow, so will your dreams, both in manifesting and your faith they will come true. In time, you will see pages of dreams fulfilled and your dreams will also become more tailored to who you are and where you want to go.
- If you are in the shaky first steps of having faith your dreams will come true, look to your smaller dreams to blossom so you can start to have faith in the bigger dreams. Baby steps in your dream making will help you build the trust and faith in Divine Spirit to hasten your dreams to come true.
- It is okay to start with small dreams, but don’t remain in a place of limiting your dreams to small ones. Dare to dream big, so the Universe has more ways of getting Its good to you.
- Action – deliberate, good old fashioned baby steps towards your goal. Leaps are wonderful, but baby steps will get you there, too.
- Thank God for placing those dreams into your heart and be thankful whether they have manifested in physical form or not.
- There’s varied advice on whether or not you reveal your dreams to others. I see the benefit in holding your dreams close to you, just as I see the benefit in sharing them with others. It is all in how you feel about sharing your dream. Some are meant to be known immediately by others, while other dreams need to remain close until close to fruition. For me, I do both. Many of my dreams, I share with others so a) my dreams can escape the confines of my mind and b) to encourage others to dream as well.
- Honor your dreams by acknowledging them, celebrating when they move in the direction of manifesting, and dwell in a state of mind that creates more and more dreams.
- Do not be a dream crusher to others – instead, uplift others by encouraging them to pursue their dreams and celebrate with your friends on their accomplishments. It is people’s dreams and pursuits of their dreams that makes the world better. And, what makes the world richer are those who support others in making dreams come true.
We are blessed to have the ability to dream. So, I dare you to dream wild, dream often, dream big!
~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley
References:
“Dream.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dream>.
Guest Blogging and Curating with Abundant Life Initiative
Image courtesy of domdeen, published on 20 February 2011
Stock Photo – image ID: 10031199, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net
AbundantLifeInitiative blog wants to spread the word of abundant living and would like to collaborate with guest bloggers and/or guest curators to reach out to more readers. Here’s my invitation for guest bloggers and guest curators to post on my blog, https://abundantlifeinitiative.com/. Please find the easy submission guidelines below.
I’m available for consultation on various topics and areas, such as all areas of abundant living, spirituality, law of attraction, and the New Thought movement. To collaborate or consult with me, send an email to KimberlyJoCooley@aol.com. I am especially helpful in curating inspirational Podcasts, books, MP3s in all life’s areas that you just don’t have the time or energy to search and sort through. I also curate style and home trends for the budget conscious Spiritualista.
Guest Curators:
Curators search for and compile interesting, visually tantalizing images and lists that engage/inspire readers. Curators do not necessarily need to write full blog posts, but it is helpful if guest curators have selected images for their post. I am in need of guest curators for the following AbundantLifeInitiative blog departments:
- Spiritualista’s Guide to Fashion
- Abode
- Health and Wellbeing
- Break Bread (Recipes, Beverages and dining tips) Urgent Need
- Spiritualista’s Guide to Fashion
- Love and Relationships (with a Law of Attraction or Spiritual touch)
- Poems and Prose
- Prosperity
- Where in the World…(travel and leisure) Urgent Need (posts on local towns, as well as distant, far away destination blogs okay)
- Law of Attraction and New Thought Movement
- Recommendations and Shout Outs
- Your Spiritual Calling
Guest Blogging Submission Guidelines:
I am looking for inspirational blog posts and poems, from an authentic and revealing perspective. The guest blogger can write about spirituality and spiritual practices, dining, traveling, fashion and home décor/living. This blog’s goal is to inspire the reader to live their unique and abundant life.
How to submit a guest post:
You don’t have to write a guest post in its entirety before you submit. Just follow the three steps below to get started:
- List a blog title. If you have other working titles, feel free to list those in the post’s outline.
- Write an outline of the post you plan to write. If you already have a post in mind, no need to do an outline, just submit the blog post via email.
- Email your post title and outline/post to KimberlyJoCooley@aol.com.
If we’ve got a collaborative match, then I will ask for the following items:
- A short bio of yourself.
- Your personal website information and other social media connections (such as Facebook, Twitter handle, etc.) so followers can connect with you.
- If we have an ongoing collaboration, I will set up a user account for you to be able to upload your own guest blog posts to the website.
Want to Work with Kimberly Jo or Guest Blog for Your Blog?
If you’d like to collaborate with me on writing posts for your blog or you’d like to simply exchange content and ideas, email me. I am looking forward to you learning from your experiences and finding ways to initiate an abundant life for all of us.
~Your Curator of all Things Abundant, Kimberly Jo Cooley
The 3 Decorating Words I Live By
My 3 decorating words I live by: bohemian, textures, colors. What are your 3 decorating words you live by?
Just like growing up and figuring out what you want to do with your life, it takes some time to develop a decorating style. It’s easy to go to a furniture store and buy a set — lamps included– but it takes a little bit more forethought to put something together that’s collected, showcases your personality and is functional to your lifestyle.
There are three words that sum up my decorating style and makes it easier for me to add things to my home that will fit. When I’m shopping or DIY-ing something, whatever I come up with will usually fit one of these three categories.
Simple
I don’t like a lot of clutter or things that are fussy. Simple to me means clean lines, neutral colors and classic silhouettes. I have had the same lamps for years. Their shape is simple and they can be updated with a new…
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I Am Spirit ~Ernest Holmes
Image courtesy of samarttiw, published on 13 September 2013 Stock Image – image ID: 100201296
There is a spiritual body that cannot deteriorate. This spiritual body is already within you; as much of it appears as is recognized. Spiritual perfection always responds to your consciousness, but it can respond only in such degree as you become aware of it. It is because this inward perfection is so insistent that you maintain a physical body, and because you are in an individual with volition, you can, as it were, hang a curtain between your physical life and spiritual cause.
Spiritual realization helps you withdraw this curtain. Every statement you make about your body or belief you hold about it that causes the mind to accept Spirit as the substance of the body tends to heal.
Say: I realize there is a Divine Presence at the center of my being. I let this recognition flow through my entire consciousness. I let it reach down into the very depths of my being. I rejoice in this realization. I am now made vigorous and whole. I possess the vitality of the Infinite. I am strong and well. Every breath I draw is a breath of perfection, vitalizing, animating, and renewing every cell of my body. I am born of the Spirit. I am in the Spirit. I am the Spirit made manifest.
-Earnest Holmes, 365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Earnest Holmes, August 12th
~Curated by Kimberly Jo Cooley
How to Redecorate with No Money
Great tips on redecorating with items already in your possession and for small, budget friendly ways to spruce up a piece of furniture. Thanks Home For Now!
I know a lot of what stopped me from decorating our house in the past was the fact that a decorating budget just did not exist. I remember when we moved to Florida (from Philadelphia where I did zero decorating) my mom gave me a set of four frames. I was so excited that I immediately put some family pictures in them and hung them on the wall.
And honestly — that’s where I got bit by the decorating bug. I had always loved making things pretty — but I thought it took a ton of cash to get the look I wanted. But those free frames started the wheels turning in my head. I looked around for other free things that I could make into something beautiful.
Over the years — I’ve figured out ways to decorate our home with little to no money. Trust me it’s very possible.
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Freedom Consciousness: Part Three – Financial Freedom
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles, published on 25 July 2014 Stock Image – image ID: 100277020
To be abundant is to know and remember who you are, why you’re here, and where you’re going.
An abundant life can be expressed in having lots of money, but that is a limited way of looking at abundance. Abundance can be expressed in the love you have, or the home you’ve created (physically, mentally, spiritually), or your job with all its good benefits and perks, or when others share free meals, gifts, and windfalls of money with you. When you focus on money alone, you are limiting the Universe in being able to provide and support you with all the streams of abundance It has the ability to send your way.
How would you feel if all your needs were met and your desires were unfolding? If you trusted all your needs are truly being met in divine timing? Getting to the space of knowing you are truly well requires exercising moments in faith.
Who are you?
You are a child of God, and your Source is God. You bless the world by being uniquely you and allowing God to express through you, as you. When you know who you are, it is easier to discern what you do and don’t want in your life.
You can quickly assess whether a certain situation or experience is in alignment with your divine purpose. Knowing yourself helps to recognize, alleviate or neutralize contrast and resistance. In life, resistance and contrast are your friends. Contrast and resistance quickly reminds you of what you don’t want, causing you to begin creating and molding what you do want.
From how much to pay on a bill, to picking out a new home, to exploring debt resolution options, to knowing what salary to ask for when applying for a job – all the answers are already in you – if you just listen to your intuition and discern it from negative self talk and others’ feelings.
Why are you here?
You are God revealed. God’s light shines through your talents and abilities. The more you reveal your authentic self and ooze gratitude, the more God is revealed through you. We all came to this life to experience being human – with life’s highs and lows deepening our love and compassion for others.
What are your talents? What are your divine purposes? I believe we have many divine, little and a few big divine purposes. We only have enough room in this human experience to do what we are spiritually guided to do. You must be able to discern what it is you want, and not adopt what others feel is best for your life. Your spirit talks to you everyday – listen to what it is saying and trust it, too.
What do you wish could reveal more of in your life? For me, my divine purposes are loving, laughing, sharing good times with others, expressing myself creatively in writing, decorating and styling, and being a mother (not just to my own biological children, but a guardian to ALL children).
Where are you going?
There’s so much emphasis in the world on where we’ve been, but we need to take a look at where we are going and where we want to go, in order to tap into our well of abundance. What’s going on right now in your life? Are you headed in the general direction of your dreams, or do you feel like you are hitting wall, after wall, after wall? The good news is, your Good is already with you, you just have to get into alignment with it. The best news is our power is in the now. So, spending time focusing on where you see your life going by visioning and meditating will help you get “aha!” moments more quickly and the next thing you know, where you were going is now where you are!
Is it by accident, luck, divine intervention that some people have a lot of financial freedom, while others struggle?
The Universal Laws is in effect for everyone. There are some more aligned to their abundance than others, and the good news is, everyone has the ability to have financial freedom should they choose to have it.
Nothing is more liberating than living within your means. After going through major shifts in my own life, I realized I never really adopted living on a realistic budget. I was always in a feast or famine paradigm, the pendulum swinging wide and fast. One moment, I could afford a vacation, the next, I was trying to figure out how to pay all my bills. Recently, I dissected all of my finances and realized I was living way beyond my means. By finding ways to save money, including downsizing to a smaller place and selling an extra vehicle, I realized I could live a good life with what I have right now, albeit with a budget.
In my quest to better understand my finances, I realized I had a lot of abundance in my life. From the great employee benefits I have, to a good salary, to resources that have helped me to transition and manifest the life I truly want. I became more aware of the abundance around me and intuition spoke to me on what action items I needed to do next. Finally, I acted quickly on those intuitive action steps.
I misunderstood what and how abundance showed up in my life. I used to equate abundance with having designer clothes and accessories, being able to afford the things I want. As I grew awareness, the more abundance revealed itself – and it had nothing to do with a designer handbag or even a vacation. It had everything to do with how each life experience I went through shaped my consciousness and brought me one step closer to a life I truly desired. Abundance was just one of many ways for revealing who I am, why I’m here, and helping me get to where I’m going.
The Dance.
Examples of inner dialogue and dance with Divine Spirit.
I need to become more healthy. I wish I had a gym membership. Oh, wait, I do have an elliptical machine in the living room, and various weights, and great workout videos. I have what I need to work out at home. Wow! I’ve implemented 30 minutes of activity in the morning before I start my day. I am healthy. I have all I need to be what I want to be. I am so happy I AM healthy and abundant. I do not need to spend anymore money to get healthy, because I am healthy.
I am in over my head with mortgage, credit card bills, and car and student loans. There’s financial counseling through my workplace, who connected me to an attorney. The attorney is walking me through the steps of short selling my underwater home and filing bankruptcy – and the attorneys fees are paid by my employer. A few months later, I am debt free, albeit with a bankruptcy and short sell on my credit report, but I now can live comfortably. I have taken courses at my local library on how to live within my means and I have even started investing small amounts in a portfolio I started recently! I AM abundant.
Being abundant means I have faith that all my needs are met and that I am co-creating with God a life that illuminates love and light to others. God sustains me as I reveal more and more of myself.
True abundance is allowing God to support and guide to you to all the Good that awaits you. Listen, watch and be in the abundance that is already yours.
~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational and Abundant, Kimberly Jo Cooley
The African Shop Delivers in Dramatic Fashion
Danna Dress by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
I love how now more than ever, we have access to worldwide clothiers and Etsy provides a platform for the exchange between buyers and sellers. On my Facebook newsfeed, an African clothing seller caught my eye. I clicked on it and lo’ and behold, stumbled on a gorgeous, affordable collection of beautiful, modern, African dresses, skirts and pantsuits that are sure to flatter most figures and budgets.
The African Shop opened it’s virtual Etsy store in March of 2013, by Christelle and Michelle Nganhou. The store’s owners are based in Great Britain, but lucky for world shoppers, they ship to most places. The African Shop’s fashion forward African clothing lives up to its motto: “Empowering African designers/tailors while providing the best of African Fashion.”
There are 76 pieces for sale in The African Shop’s Etsy store, and it was difficult to choose which curated pieces to highlight for this blog post. Be sure to check out their complete collection at https://www.etsy.com/shop/THEAFRICANSHOP?ref=pr_shop_more.
Akwa Wrap Style Blazer by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Meida Skirt by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Chela Blouse by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Fleur Skirt with bow tie by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Kaky Skirt by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Leray Dress by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Freeda Mid Length Skirt by the African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Skyy Maxi Skirt by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Dashiki Boom Dress 2 by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Birdy Blouse by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Nabine Dress by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Kalima Pencil Trouser by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
Africa Maxi Dress by The African Shop, Etsy and Facebook
~Your Curator of All Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley
