Your Problem’s New Street Name is Opportunity!

Image courtesy of Red Ant With Problem by photoexplorer, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Image courtesy of Red Ant With Problem by photoexplorer, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Are you saddled with problems? Are you wrapped up in what’s not working, that you’ve neglected to focus on what is working and what opportunities you do have to change your circumstances? Well, a definite must-listen-to-twice Podcast is Rae Zander’s Everyday Attraction’s Friday, July 17, 2015 show, “Getting Current With Who You Have Become” (https://www.unity.fm/episode/EverydayAttraction_071715).

Rae asked in her show, are you loving your life, even when the shit hits the fan? We’ve come here to sometimes muck things up. Life isn’t meant to be one long, easy ride. Can you imagine how boring life would be if everything was vanilla and smooth? Me personally, I like a hellishly fun roller coaster ride to let me know I’m alive.

Stop looking at your problems, as problems! Look at them as answers to your prayers. Money troubles, health issues, relationship woes, career snags, the big Ds (divorce, debt, death), are not here to kill you, they are here because you can sculpt a blob of clay into a beautiful piece of art. The blob of clay is your life waiting for you to create what you want with it. Once you stop looking at your problems as evidence of everything going wrong, switch it around and think of it as everything going right. Practice this with seemingly small “problems” and watch how everything shifts and moves in the “right” direction. Even if you have to remold your clay of areas in your life over and over again, remember there’s no right or wrong way to create your life’s masterpiece.

Now that these areas in your life have your attention, what are you going to do with it? Are you going to continue to manifest more contrast with negative thoughts about your “problems?” Or, are you going to change course and move in a different direction? Maybe a new word to use in place of “problem” is “opportunity.”

The reason more “bad” things happen is because we dwell in the negative emotions that come with dealing with so-called problems. The more angst and anxiety around a certain subject, the more you align to that emotional vibrational frequency. Look at problems as opportunities to do and feel something different.

The truth is, “what’s going on in your bank account today is yesterday’s news,” according to Rae from Everyday Attraction. She opines we’ve already manifested the low funds and crying over the present circumstance is a waste of energy. Sure, you could cry and tell the story to all your friends that you are broke, but guess what? All that’s doing is perpetuating the circumstance you’re trying to move away from. Shift your perception to what it is you DO have and want. That’s why gratitude journals are so useful. They remind us how we are already abundant.

Abundance is not just money. If you can breathe, you are blessed. If you can read this blog post and understand what its saying, you are blessed.  If you have no pain, you are blessed. And, if you have love in your heart and are loved, you are abundantly blessed. Stop telling stories of lack, and start celebrating and holding into gratitude what’s going right in your life.

I love the term “divine discontent.” I read a Facebook post recently from a co-worker asking if her friends knew of any companies that are hiring. I know from working with her that she’s in a highly stressful job and I can relate because three years ago, that was me, too. But, I also know that her discontent is divinely sent. The uncomfortableness of her stressful job has her searching for something better, more in alignment with where she truly wants to be. She may not have articulated it in that fashion, but that’s what it is. She’s calling out for something better because her discontent is showing her she’s unhappy. And, her taking the simple step of asking friends if there are other jobs out there is signaling to herself and the Universe that she’s ready to do something about her discontent.

The uninformed person would whine about their stressful job for years before they decide to change their thinking to open up to new possibilities. But, the enlightened person takes action when they feel the lower vibrational energies stirring inside them. They realize the present circumstance is a manifestation of yesterday’s thoughts. They know their present circumstance does not bound their future – unless they allow it to. Your power is ALWAYS IN THE NOW. Act like the Co-Creator you’ve come to earth to be and get out of the victimhood mentality.

Rae says when you start to shift your perception of what’s going on is when you finally come to a place of finding more balance in your life, no matter what is actually unfolding in the present moment.

Stop looking at problems like fifteen ton weights holding you down and look at them as possibilities to set you free!

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

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Cultivating Your Spiritual Practice

Image courtesy of Spirit On Hook Displays Spiritual Body Or Purity by Stuart Miles from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Spirit On Hook Displays Spiritual Body Or Purity by Stuart Miles from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

There are day to day activities we do that are chockfull of spirituality. Your spiritual rituals and rhythm can be found in your chores, errands, daily commute, daily work tasks, exercising and spending time with family and friends. Oftentimes, we think of going to church, praying, and meditation as the only means to cultivating a spiritual practice. But, when we recognize how natural and easy it is to carve out a spiritual connection, the world seems abound with many spiritual growth opportunities.

Here are some ways to cultivate your day to day spiritual practices:

  • Stay on the lookout for pockets of time you can take to meditate or to think on what you’re grateful for. Book a conference room at work for you to turn down the lights and meditate. It only takes a few minutes for a mindfulness reboot. If you can’t book a room, go to your car, or do a walking meditation around the block on your breaks.
  • Download phone apps, such as Calm or Nature Meditation Sounds to have on hand to easily meditate. Or, consider creating a YouTube subscription to all of your favorite guided meditation or nature sound videos.
  • When you find yourself in a limiting or defeating thought, consider Esther Hicks/Abraham’s suggestion of the Seventeen Seconds Process where you countdown seventeen seconds as you shift your thoughts to something lighter and better serving. Rae Zander and Heather McKay Novak of Everyday Attraction Podcast’s June 5, 2015 show “The Most Powerful Alignment Practices of All Time” discuss the Seventeen Second Process in greater detail (http://www.unity.fm/episode/EverydayAttraction_060515). They sourced their information from the originator of the Seventeen Second Process, Esther Hicks/Abraham-Hicks of http://www.abraham-hicks.com/lawofattractionsource/index.php.
  • Keep Your cell phone or MP3 player full of positive, New Thought, or inspirational Podcasts to listen to on your commute. I look forward to my twenty minute drives to work thanks to the inspirational Podcasts that spark my imagination and inspire me.
  • There’s nothing more spiritually uplifting than calling an old friend to catch up on life and laughs. When you need a pick-me-up, call up a friend and be their pick-me-up.
  • Take a walk. Even a brisk, ten minute walk in the sun is enough time to get mindful and connected to your inner thoughts. Say some affirmations, think of what you’re grateful for, or, clear your mind.
  • Keep a little journal near you to capture random divine coincidences, things you are grateful for, or even ideas and sparks of interest you want to explore. Make sure its small enough to fit in your back pocket or purse so there’s no excuse to be without it.
  • Read spiritual text and holy books. Read all there is – blogs, books, memoirs, poems and journals, just to name a few. Even if you can only manage a couple of pages a day, you will gain some spiritual nourishment and insight to any give situation.
  • Let the music carry you away. What’s your favorite music genre? Why did you fall in love with that type of music? Fall in love all over again with a long lost genre you used to groove to. Spirituality can also be found in singing songs, so sing away.
  • When exercising, have inspirational Podcasts, affirmations (create your own for a powerful experience), or music that allows your mind to run free playing through your earbuds. I like combining my workouts with spiritual practice because I’m a busy lady and I need to combine my activities.
  • Play in the recesses of your mind. Daydream, get lost in your thoughts and fall in love with the Inner You.

Janice Campbell of Receive Your Life Podcast reminds us that all of us have a spiritual practice that feeds our soul and it’s up to each of us to nourish our spiritual selves everyday on her May 28, 2015 show, “Your Spiritual Practice” (http://www.unity.fm/episode/ReceiveYourLife_052815). It was Janice’s May 28th Podcast that inspired me to write this post to remind us to honor what it is that moves us and have our being.

Can you find spiritual fulfillment in the mundane, like housecleaning or your daily work duties? It doesn’t take a lot to indulge daily in what makes you spiritually connected and happy.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Law of Attraction at Work: Musu’s Season of Manifesting a New Job

The blog, Abundant Life Initiative was on brief hiatus, but I was still initiating an abundant life – more on that in future blogs. I’m back and I have brought along some friends who are initiating their own abundant lives.

Today, Musa Bangura shares a personal story on manifesting a new job – Law of Attraction in theory into practice. Check out Musu’s own blog at New3Creation Writing – http://new3creationservices.wordpress.com/, New3Creation Wellness – http://new3creation.blogspot.com/ and Twitter: @new3Creation. Thank you very much Musu for your contribution to AbundantLifeInitiative.

My Experience with the Law of Attraction

March 10th, the day I made a decision. It was another turn in this journey of life. I was tired and frustrated with my present situation as far as my career went. It felt like I was stuck beneath a glass ceiling where I could see the greener pastures but just couldn’t breakthrough to get through to them. My upbringing taught me the principles of Christianity and how I had to pray and have faith for anything I wanted. Well, life has taught me it doesn’t exactly work that way. The concept of praying and waiting was wrong and there was more to it than that. I remembered a previous conversation I had with someone about the Law of Attraction and decided to look it up and research it. The concept of creative power and placement in the universe just struck me and I decided to try it for myself. I had reached a point when I was determined to make changes, especially if it meant going beyond my comfort zone.

So on this day in March, I grabbed a notebook and pen to make a list (I’m a list person). But I didn’t simply write down what I wished. I wrote down what was going to happen. You see, I realized that it was going to take more than wishing…I had to tap into a place of knowing. I will explain. I wanted/needed a better job ASAP. I was working hard and doing my best to stand out and hopefully get recognized for it, but that didn’t get me anywhere. I had been looking for a promotion for years, but it felt like I was going around in circles, just getting minimal pay raises on an annual basis. I had been on interviews and impressed recruiters, but there was always someone who would beat me at the very end of the process. So I was at a point where I would no longer wish, because I knew what I wanted, which was to be promoted. I had worked for it, I knew my worth and I knew what was supposed to happen for me. That’s what rejection and disappointment did to me – they didn’t consume me. They had indeed built me up. Now I was at a point where I could write down “I have my promotion” on the top of my list. Once I saw it on paper, I began to ingrain it in my mind to the point where I would visualize myself sitting in a new office at a new job. I did it every day as I continued to apply and go on interviews. Then in the second week of April, I got a phone call for an interview. I jumped at the opportunity to go for it, with the excitement of finally getting the job offer I wanted. The interview went well and it would’ve been a move up for me, but I wasn’t fully satisfied. The salary was definitely more, but not the actual increase I envisioned. I continued to envision – seeing myself in the job that I actually wanted.

May 15th – there was another job interview lined up for me. By this time, my mindset had started to change. There was a new sense of confidence because I was taking time out of each day to see myself in the new place of promotion. It became easier to block out the negativity I was facing in my present situation. I knew what I wanted to experience and I was preparing myself just for that. The interview went well but I still had some inner battles to fight. This job was ideal; the pay, exposure and office set up were everything I was looking for. Yes, they were impressed with my experience and knowledge, but would they hire me? I had to consistently fight the self-doubt and fear and remind myself of where I was headed. This was the hardest part, what I like to call “the in-between” where you’re in the middle of the beginning and end point of a goal you’re reaching.

May 23rd – I received a phone call for a job offer. I was excited, but not thrilled because it wasn’t the job I was actually aiming for. It was the job with the lower pay. I hadn’t heard from the actual job that I wanted but was determined to land that one. So even though I accepted the job offer, my thoughts were still towards the position I actually wanted. I hadn’t heard back from them but I still continued to meditate on where I was headed. As far as I was concerned, I was in my actual promotion. As the next couple of weeks passed, the company that gave me the job offer was ready to give me a start date. I wasn’t ready to give them one. I kept stalling them and was very slow to return their calls. At some point, I finally called them and declined the offer even though I hadn’t heard back from the preferred job yet. Simply put, I wanted that second job and would not rest until I heard back from them.

June 4th – I received a phone call that confirmed everything for me. I was offered a job at the company that had everything on my wish list. I was elated that it finally happened, especially since I knew I had worked towards it. The Law of Attraction definitely came into play and worked for me. This experience gave me a new sense of myself and capabilities. I learned a beautiful feature of my mind that I wasn’t aware of before and it felt great.

So why did it work? Why did the job finally come through for me? There were several things going on as I used the Law of Attraction to make things work:

  • I wrote it down. Writing is powerful in many ways. Writing down a particular goal can put it in motion because you’re seeing it on paper which puts your mind to work.
  • I was aware of what I was creating. A lot of the times we want things, but aren’t aware of what’s involved with what we want. With this promotion, I knew there were higher standards and more responsibilities so I had to prepare myself for that. Now that it’s here the transition has been smooth and successful.
  • With meditation, I connected with the creation and made it a part of my mind and soul. I did this every day, sometimes twice a day especially before I went to bed. I wanted that vision to be the last thing on my mind before going to sleep.
  • I welcomed the fear. Yes, I didn’t fight the fear because I learned that it was normal. Fear is just like any other emotion and there’s nothing wrong with experiencing it. I just made sure I didn’t feed it and let it control me or my situation.

If you’re looking to apply the Law of Attraction to an area of your life, be sure to have an awareness of yourself and clearly define what you want. I could’ve settled for the first job, but it wasn’t what I saw while meditation. I made the goal very clear and didn’t settle for anything else. The same can happen for you – or even better.

~Musu Bangura, introduction by Kimberly Jo Cooley

Freedom Consciousness: Part Six – Freedom to Choose a New Thought

In looking at the above picture, we could choose to see a lonely, desolate place for a church. Some would choose not to drive on that tiny, dirt road. Others may see a beautiful place to get away, finding this lone church a sanctuary. It all comes down to choice. How are you going to choose to feel in the moment before the drive up?

Let’s look at some potentially stressful life experiences and see what your first reaction would be and then what could we choose to feel about that situation.

  1. I got passed over for yet another promotion! Why are my talents and abilities always overlooked?
  2. I ran up my credit cards again, and this time, I don’t see a way out of paying them off.
  3. I almost wished I hadn’t gone to college. I’ve racked up this student loan debt and can’t find nothing but menial jobs that barely covers my living expenses.
  4. I wished I went to college, maybe I would have had a better job than the one I have now.
  5. I think my husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend is cheating on me. Now what?
  6. My kids are growing up and don’t need me as much. Where does that leave me?
  7. I can never seem to make enough to make ends meet. I have a “good” job, but I’m not making enough to cover all my expenses.
  8. My parents/friends/lovers are considering a move to a faraway place. Where does that leave me?
  9. There’s so much violence, conflict and suffering in the world. What am I supposed to do about it? How can I pursue happiness when others are suffering?
  10. I was just diagnosed with _________, now what?

What’s your first reaction to each of the above scenarios? Look at them again with a new perspective. What is an alternative, uplifting alternative feeling/expression you could choose to feel in each situation?

How you traverse the mountains of change reveals how you cope with situations that move you out of your comfort zone. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • When you reflect on your past choices and paths traveled, what is your self talk saying about you after you’ve made those choices? Do you feel like you had choices in the matters that concerned you? If not, who held the power of choice in your life? Did that perceived power shift take anything away from your ability to choose?

There is no right or wrong answer – it’s just important to take a look at your choice styles. Let’s pick a few of the above situations and see if we can choose to see the blessing in each of them.

Situation #1: The persistent promotion passover on face value appears like it’s the worst career situation to find yourself in. One could resign themselves to feeling unwanted and unsupported, which in turn generates behaviors in yourself and those around you that may result in undesirable changes, such as being fired. The other choice you have is choose to say, “The Universe recognizes the last position I tried to promote to may not be exactly what I want or need. God knows my true desire. And, whoever receives this promotion will have to work long hours to get the work done versus my comfortable forty hour work week. My life right as it is now cannot support a sixty hour work week – I have a new baby who requires more of me than I am able to give to a demanding career right now. I love my baby and the balance I have right now is what works for me. I wanted my family more than I ever wanted this job. God will show me the best position when it’s time and I’m ready to receive it.” See how a perception change can transform a situation right before your eyes? And, that same paradigm shift is what it will take to bring forth that dream job you want – not the ego driven dream job that really fits someone else’s life. The ego driven job search rarely produces jobs aligned to who we are and what we like to do.

Situation #2: The I am in over my head with debt scenario. You could choose to feel defeated, ashamed you can’t better manage your debt or spending, and you begin to stress over how you can barely pay the minimum payments. Another choice is to first forgive and have compassion for yourself for being in debt. Recognize you made choices to incur the debt, so now it’s time to reclaim your power to bring balance in your life. Perhaps you’ve decided to take on each credit card and negotiate what’s owed to them. Or, you could consider bankruptcy to start anew. Or, you could elect to get a second job for the sole purpose of paying bills. You could create a budget. There are so many divinely led steps you could take, instead of choosing to remain in fear or denial.

Situation #3: My partner, the cheater. One can lose a bit of their self-worth with scenarios such as this one. Instead of blaming yourself or the other person, accept that it happened and thankful God revealed to you what’s going on. Sometimes, we just can’t see the subtle, low vibrational changes occurring in our relationships. Cheating is the symptom of a bigger issue in the relationship. Instead of spending too much time in grief, anger and sadness, find the blessing in that pain. “Now I know – and I had a feeling all along. I have to exercise more trust in my own intuition, but it’s okay that I did not find out until today. I can now make a choice on whether this relationship is worth saving or if it’s not. I got to this point of looking at my relationship, so I need to know why it took me this long to see the signs. At least it’s not five years later and now I can make some real life decisions with this new information.”

Any of the above ten situations could have bounds of blessings in them, if only we choose to see them. Some things that happen, at face value, look dismal – but a new perspective is what will transcend you to the next level of manifesting. You have the freedom to choose! Choose a higher vibrational rung to grasp each time, and you will be on your way to a truly abundant life.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Blog Series: Freedom Consciousness

Abundant Life Initiative’s next blog series explores freedom consciousness. We will explore the following:

  1. Freedom in your spirit
  2. Freedom in your affairs
  3. Financial freedom
  4. Freedom to dream big
  5. Freedom to be who you want to be
  6. Freedom to choose

So many of us know and experience the physical form of freedom, but are we toting that same freedom consciousness in other areas of our lives?

  1. The first installment is Freedom in your spirit. What does it mean to be spiritually free? We will explore how many of our old belief systems adopted from our teachers and parents’ own spiritual interpretations shaped what we believed. Do these old beliefs still serve you, or are they limiting and minimizing who you are as an evolved person? Some beliefs may still work, while others may need to be let go. In this post, we will explore how religion and limiting beliefs shape and many times hinder a person’s spiritual growth instead of evolving or enhancing it.
  2. The second post discusses freedom in your affairs. Your affairs include your personal and professional experiences. Are you enjoying your job and where you work? If not, why? What about your personal relationships and experiences in your everyday life? Let’s explore what makes you feel more restricted and less free in your business and personal matters. What will it take for you to feel a little more free each day?
  3. The third blog installment discusses financial freedom. Some people seem to have it all and never have to worry about money. There are those who do not have a lot of money and express how rich they are anyway. Then there are those with or without money that bemoan what little they have. Abundance is more than just money in the bank, it is maximizing on what you do have, while making spiritual and physical room to receive more from the Universe. The best part of the abundance cycle? Sharing what you have with others! We will explore different ways to look at your situation so you can become more grateful for the financial freedom and abundance you do have.
  4. The fourth blog post explores freedom to dream big. Dream big, but take measured, action steps to get to what you want. Dreaming big, then bigger, then biggest prepares you to receive more. Often people are too afraid to dream big, for fear of getting let down. Are you constantly dreaming too small or becoming too narrow in your search for what you want to manifest, limiting the Universe to give you bigger and better? Lets find ways for you to begin to dream big and dream often.
  5. The fifth installment discusses freedom to be you in any and everything you do or encounter. Do you find yourself changing your tone and personality from person to person, and then losing your own voice in the process? What is it about you that makes you run away from becoming the person you truly want to be? Knowing your worth allows you to stay true to yourself and your values. We’ll explore how to always be your authentic self and why it’s good for manifesting.
  6. Finally, the sixth installment deals with the freedom to choose. Choice and free will is God’s gift to mankind. My people, we can choose! Now, it is time to learn how to practice this freedom and to rely on your intuition to always guide you to where you want to go and where you need to be.

I will include blogs and Podcast recommendations to further deepen our understanding of ways to incorporate more freedom in every area of our lives. I love hearing from my readers, so please share your thoughts on the upcoming freedom blog posts or suggest other topics we can discuss in the future.

~Your Curator of All Things Uplifting, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Applied Happiness 101

Image courtesy of gubgib, published on 29 December 2012 Stock Photo - image ID: 100129566, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

Image courtesy of gubgib, published on 29 December 2012 Stock Photo – image ID: 100129566, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles, published on 17 August 2012 Stock Photo - image ID: 10097414, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles, published on 17 August 2012 Stock Photo – image ID: 10097414, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

I recently applied some techniques on how to be and stay happy, even through stressful times. I overheard my boss having a lengthy argument with an auditor on one of my arbitration files. After she got off the line, she came to my cubicle to tell me a newly hired auditor didn’t understand my arbitration arguments and gave me a poor audit.

In the past, this is something that would have instantly sent me into a tailspin. I’d have to first complain to coworkers over how wrong and unfair it was. I would then internalize it and question all my decisions after hearing that kind of news. Then, I’d slip into a funk for a few days. Meanwhile, the negative funk I’d find myself in would color my present and future experiences with negativity and doubt.

Yesterday, I chose not to go down the path of negativity and refrained from telling a woeful story to friends and co-workers. I remembered that one audit doesn’t define me as a person or an employee. I found solace in how my manager really went to bat for me, and I realized she knew the truth of who I am, so of course I needed to remember the truth of who I am. I prayed for God to reveal to me the jewels in the rough of this experience. I began to say affirmations, affirming the truth of who I am and why I’m here. I did allow myself a few moments to feel upset at the news. But, here’s where it got magical – I began to envision me being on the other side of the situation, smiling and at peace. I went home for the day and focused on other things.

Today, I went to my manager’s desk to thank her again for her support. She told me she met up with management and the head of auditing department yesterday. The head of the auditing department reviewed my manager’s concerns and they all agreed that my handling in the case was solid, but there were issues with the overall handling of the claim that didn’t involve me that had to be noted in the audit. As it turns out, it was a holistic review and not specific to just my handling. My manager said she knows how I take pride in my work product and that she had to fight for what’s right. She was able to get the auditors to see I creatively argued the case, considering what little evidence I had to work with. The auditors eventually raised the scoring up on the review. The auditors and management even have a bet on the outcome of the arbitration – loser buys the other lunch!

In those moments, I could instantly see the jewels.

Here are the jewels:

  • I learned my manager thought highly of me and my work and was ready to defend me – other managers may not do the same.
  • I learned I could choose how to feel in moments of disappointment. I prevented a tailspin that would take me days to recover from.
  • I didn’t overreact, which was critical, because in the past, I would blow up over audit results and it felt wonderful to keep my cool.
  • Had I overreacted, I may not have been in a place to appreciate what unfolded after yesterday’s news.
  • I could have started down the tract of my company doesn’t appreciate me, or that new auditor is a real pill, but today, it feels better to stay in the positive.
  • I remembered I AM a divine creature, and my peace is something to protect.
  • I deliberately created my future by envisioning how I wanted to feel the next day. The Universe obliged.
  • I remembered the truth. I remembered that audits are to show how we’re doing as a company and this reminded me to not take it personal and it really is for the good of our company.
  • Gratitude and appreciation goes a long way. I found what I could be grateful for in the moments following the news, and that helped me to remain in a place of allowing, instead of going into a place of resistance.

We have the power to always reclaim our happiness and peace. I have grown. Yesterday showed me that through prayer, affirmations and shaking the lies and negativity out of the situation, I was able to ride this wave, with ease and grace. I look forward to practicing more of the spiritual principles, because they really work!

~Your Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

What’s Your Choice?

Image courtesy of Master isolated images, published on 23 May 2011 Stock Image - image ID: 10042798, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Image courtesy of Master isolated images, published on 23 May 2011 Stock Image – image ID: 10042798, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

I had a conversation with a friend of mine, upset over her new boss. She just knew her boss hated her. We spent a good part of the conversation discussing how she can’t stand the lady and how she, herself was cold and distant when her supervisor asked how she was doing. She replied with a curt, “I’m fine.” But, she wasn’t fine. She was fired up and pissed. And, she was focused on the negative aspects of the situation.

I wanted to hear about what she did like about her boss and her job. She actually works at an awesome workplace, enviable for most. Instead, she focused on her disdain for this woman.

What we focus our conscious and subconscious on is what will come to pass. It has no choice but to align to what you are focusing on – not what you desire, not what you wish. Faith + Focus = Alignment with the Universe. A sure way to slow down momentum for greater things is lack of faith and lack of focus. A clear, defined focus set in your mind has to take place.

I know people who fret over the beginnings of a cold or an achy stomach. They focused and complain so much about the undesirable symptoms, they never focus on the seconds and moments they had relief.

It’s really a choice on what we choose to focus on and direct our energy to. 

Yesterday morning I was feeling a little queasy. Instead of focusing on my turning stomach and increasingly moist mouth, I shifted my focus to the parts of my body that actually felt good – really good. My lungs – breathing in and out, my legs carried me, my head and my nasal passages clear. I said aloud, “I AM feeling awesome right now.” I turned away from the small and focused on the big. The “big” was my overall good health. As soon as my attention and focus shifted, I instantly started to feel better and I wasn’t nauseous for the rest of the day.

So, to my friend – I offer you this. Focus on the aspects of your boss that you do like. What is it about her that makes her special? Despite what you may believe, there are likely redeeming qualities about her that you could appreciate. Can you find a way to celebrate the good, while shifting away from what feels bad? And, most importantly, how can YOU infuse love into the situation?

My friend may say that I’m always being positive when certain situations or pains don’t always allow for it. And, yes, there is a season for feelings that are less desirable, but let those feelings be your guide back to what it is you truly want. Don’t wallow in the less desirable, but be empowered to feel differently. Ultimately, the Universe will conspire to bring higher vibrational energy and your focus will be aligned to receive it.

I’ve had my share of bad bosses. Each time, I shifted my lower frequency vibrational thoughts (such as lack, depression and anger) to feelings I wanted to feel towards my boss, and over time, the physical experience matched the emotional signals I was sending out and calling the Universe to bring forth. Those undesirable bosses were promoted, got fired, laid off, died, joined a cruise line, or literally took a hike. But, that’s not the best part.

The best part is not the loss of an incompatible boss, but gaining an awesome one, or for some, becoming your own boss. How will you get to an awesome boss when all your energy and emotions are geared towards what you don’t want? It’s okay to be in that place for a moment, but over time, you have to shift gears and move towards solutions, resolutions and love. You will not get there if you are constantly focusing on what you don’t want instead of what you do want. Exercise your power of choice.

Today, challenge yourself to look at the other side of the coin of a difficult person or situation. The power of choice, having faith and focus will guide you back to your highest desires.   

~Your Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Just Be and Let Others Be

– exploring ways to be present and non-judgmental in every circumstance and situation.

Happy balls

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles, published on 04 November 2013, Stock Image – image ID: 100215277, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

When you remove the worry of the future and stop fretting and focusing on the past, you allow yourself and/or the person in your presence to grow up to a higher level of being, just by focusing on the present. Remember, our power lies in the Now. It is what we do and feel in the present that creates the future. Why hold on to past pains and hurts, just to carry it into the future?

When you remain focused on one’s less desirable qualities and the past hurts they’ve afflicted, you are placing your energy to that which you don’t want and living in the past.

Fundamentally, there is a loss of faith when one engages in not letting others be where they are in their journey. Or, not accepting where you are in your own journey.

Allow faith into your heart and trust that all things work out for the Greater Good. That state of being will wash over you and all who come into contact with you.

From a Law of Attraction standpoint, what you focus on is what you receive. If you are focusing on the negative in a person, then more of that will manifest on the physical plane. If you celebrate even the slightest of a positive attribute, more of that positivity will unfold into your experience.

People can change, moment to moment, but it will not be because you’re nagging, begging or fighting them into transition. People change when they are ready to change. That change can happen overnight, or it can take a lifetime or two.

You can always set the space and distance between you and that person, even if you’re married (or divorced and broken up). The space and distance I am referring to is not physical, but instead spiritual and emotional. No longer will you be the instigator of fights over change because you will accept them for who they are and where they are in their journey right now. Or, you will get to a point in your own journey where it’s time to grow on and upward.

If you find you can’t be around a person because their present state is not in alignment with where you want them to be, remember, they have a journey to walk, too. Your focus must ALWAYS be on where YOU want to be. All you can do is hold on to your peace and not lower your vibrational energy to the less desirable, but to maintain the knowing that you and all around you is rising up.

We hear the saying, “live and let live,” but are we doing this with our spouses, children, parents, exes, friends and co-workers? Or, are we sticking our judgmental noses in everyone’s business or up in the air in judgment? Let judgment go – it serves no one and it most certainly will not elevate. It only keeps the energy surrounding that relationship stagnant.

To be in the present means to focus on the very moment that is before you – not the past, not the future.

Infuse love in any and every situation. When you’re having a difficult time with a person or situation, ask yourself, “how can I bring love into this situation?” Love is the cooling salve that heals us all. Self love and Universal love has to be the center of your heart and your experience.

~Your Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

I Begin and End a Job On My Own Terms

Image courtesy of xedos4, published on 29 May 2011, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of xedos4, published on 29 May 2011, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

The Affirmation: I always begin and end my jobs on my own terms.

You may read the above affirmation, and think that it doesn’t apply to you. Perhaps you were fired or downsized, or you’re stuck in a dead-end job. This affirmation is exactly for you. It will transform your experience, the essence of who you are as an employee and it will bring about a change so deep, every employer will want to hire you.

Many of us will be working the majority of our lives, so it’s no wonder it consumes a good portion of our mental and physical space each day. Some of us have jobs that leave us feeling drained, unappreciated, unfulfilled, and under compensated. The easy answer is to leave a job, but many times, that’s not an easy option to do.

I was in a dark place four years ago in my own work life. I was working long hours as a claims adjuster, and feeling like I never could get caught up at work, and even if I did, I always felt like someone was dissatisfied with my job performance. The job market was shaky, and I felt stuck and depressed that I could not find a better job. During this time, I was on a “performance counseling” write-up and there were times I wished the boss would put me out of my misery and fire me. Yet, I was conflicted. I was a single mother at the time and had kids to feed, a mortgage to pay and health insurance to keep.

I began a spiritual journey and realized I had a choice in the matter. I could wallow in my misery, turn my destiny over to the managers to fire me, or I could take charge of my work life and turn it around. I recalled how I always used to say, “I always begin and end my jobs on my own terms – no matter what.” I said it once again, believed and  things drastically changed for me.

I began to feel a positive shift in how people approached me. My workload became manageable and organized, even when the volume increased. I was the experienced go-to person both managers and fellow employees reached out to. I got off performance write-up and instead, was given great annual reviews. I began to share ideas, instead of feeling reluctant to share my opinions with others. I searched other job postings within the company and found a job much more suitable for me. I applied for the new job twice, but the second time was offered a position. In a matter of a couple of years,  I turned my work life around, all because I realized that I really could begin and end a job on my own terms.

I was not settling. Instead, I was embracing where I was in my experience and realizing that I do have a say. I wrote short and long-term goals, both professional and personal. I realized I loved writing and wanted more of that in my life. I found what I was looking for, a job that allowed me to write a lot more and it still utilized my fourteen years of claims experience, which was more than I thought I could ever have. The new job was a lateral move, but in time, I got a much better raise and a quick promotion.  I would not be in the place I am now, had it not been for the affirmation above.

I’ve seen friends and co-workers fired or laid off from jobs. At first, it may seem like they did not leave a job on their own terms. But in closer review, and as time revealed, the termination was the best thing that could have happened to them and they ultimately found better jobs that were more suited for them.

The beauty of affirmations is if you believe in what you are affirming, the Universe will make it happen. Always believe there is a greater, higher plan unfolding for you. Chances are, if you said that affirmation above, it would be you choosing to leave the company rather than the company choosing to let you go.

~Your Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley