Spirit In Gear

Redesigning My "Inner Space" aka Blog Hiatus

2008-08-19T13:05:00-04:00

A few weeks ago we emptied out one of our spare bedrooms. It had housed a twin bed, a desk/chair, bookcases, and knick-knacks from a daughter who had since graduated from college and moved away several years ago. We gave away some of the furniture and boxed up the books and knick-knacks for safe-keeping until our daughter has room to take them off of our hands.

I looked at the empty room. All this open space lay before me, full of possibilities. I knew one thing for certain. I would replace the twin bed with a Queen bed (when kids grow up it's not terribly comfortable to sleep in the twin bed anymore!)

Something interesting and delightful happens after the bed is delivered and set up. I look at the bedroom space in a different way. I pull different pieces of furniture and accessories from other rooms in our home to create a cottage feel to the new guest bedroom.

From our family room I retrieve an attractive antique dresser that my husband and I used in the early days of our marriage. It had gone from our bedroom for 4 years, to our daughter's bedroom for 13 years, and then to our family room, where we used it to house linens and blankets. Now we return it to the converted guest bedroom. I switch out a round, skirted table from my bedroom, with a beautiful crystal base lamp, and place it by the bed in the new guest room. I retrieve an end table from storage that matched my bedroom suite and return it to my bedroom. And so I continue in this fashion, gathering framed artwork, lamps and other accessories from other rooms in our home to complete the room. Last but not least we haul up an old bentwood rocker that has been in my husband's family for years. All we need to do is reupholster it.

It feels rewarding to recycle furnishings and possessions into new combinations that bring a sense of vitality, continuity, and renewal.

Emptying out space through the bedroom story I share leads me to the realization at a heart level that I want to experience my "inner space" in a different way. It really hits me when a friend mentions to me recently that she misses reading more posts from me. She finds them inspiring to read. In my mind I say to myself silently that I need time and space to fill up my "well," a notion that Julia Cameron stresses in her series of books on creativity.

Strangely, I am not in a place in my life where I feel overwhelmed or tired. Taking a blogging hiatus is not so much a reaction to something, as a sense that something else wants to come forward, and space is needed for that to happen.

I have been taking a blogging hiatus for several months, if I'm honest. I post infrequently and inconsistently. I dearly love reading certain bloggers, yet I have also stopped reading other blogs for the most part. Rather than delving into guilt, I notice where my energy wants to go. I come to the realization that I can give myself permission to take a break from blogging. I don't know yet if it's a temporary break or a permanent one; if it will last a few weeks or months.

It seems strange to me to let go of something that I actually enjoy. But I trust that there is a "season" for everything. Announcing this in a public way makes the break real to me. I give myself the "good to go" signal to clear space for new growth.

Things will be quiet from this end for some undetermined time. Yet you can count on me to keep you "posted" when the time comes for me to do that. Be well.

From Soul to Deb

2008-07-29T22:17:58-04:00

Lately I am catching bits and pieces of conversation my soul is having with me.

It begins earlier this week on a Monday morning. I awaken from a dream I find puzzling. In the dream I am walking with my grandmother (deceased several years ago at the age of 101). She and I are in a store of undetermined nature and she wishes to purchase a gallon of gasoline to carry with her. I have no idea what she intends to do with it. She has no car, nor lawn mower. Nevertheless my grandmother is relishing this purchase and clearly wants it. I notice however that grandmother is carrying a small plastic bag to put the gasoline in. I explain to her that the plastic bag can't hold the gasoline. She ignores me. By the time she reaches the cashier, her plastic bag has miraculously turned into a gallon gas container with cap. Grandmother thinks nothing of this. She clearly expected this would happen. (Intention + Action = Results).

I ask for guidance on the meaning of this dream. The immediate response: "Your grandmother is suggesting you follow her example - you can go after what you want and desire, even when you don't know how or when it may happen." I needed that encouragement and permission to believe I can have a big dream and go after it. I realized too that my grandmother, while on earth, demonstrated a level of inexplicable faith and trust I would do well to emulate.

Later that morning I am working on writing my business plan. I had recently returned from an intensive 3-day business summit designed to help real estate investors learn how to create a genuine business, with systems and processes. I have weeks and months ahead of me as I implement what I learned. As I struggle to slow down my impatience, I can hear whispers. Not so much in the literal sense, but as faint voices in my head. They suggest my current lesson is to allow myself to swim in financial abundance by viewing it as a grand adventure of creating focus, taking the next action step, while employing an attitude of levity. This message travels down to my heart and I feel physical comfort.

Moving past the completed vision and mission statements, and the company description, I look at the next section on core strengths of the business. At first I only look at the weaknesses - what is lacking. Only a little over 2 years experience in this field. Then the soul whispers become louder. I hear the message that what I am good at (and have been for 30+ years) - working with people - will make the difference in my current business. Combining continuing education and networking in this field, with my people and communication expertise puts me on solid footing.

Just before dinner I stop at the library to pick up some fiction. Before leaving, I browse the new non-fiction section. Gary Zukav's newest book - Soul to Soul - Communications from the Heart, practically leaps into my hand. That evening after dinner I begin reading his book.

Zukav explains that dreams are "messages from your soul," "comments on your life," and "valuable perspectives that are meant to inform you of what you need to consider at the moment.' Everything I read, my spirit says "yes, yes, yes!" It's all coming together. I practically inhale half of the book in one sitting.

The whispers and "voices" I heard this week come from my own intuitive guidance. Zukav defines intuition as the ability to expand beyond the 5 senses to access information ("multi-sensory information). We each experience intuition differently. This multi-sensory perception allows us to see meaning in everyday circumstances.

The connecting thread continues this morning. I have 10 minutes to read other blog posts before heading off to a series of meetings all day. It's no coincidence that I read Slade's post on What If Step B is the Only Step Required? It's a powerful and hopeful true story of manifestation from taking one more step.

I "know" that we are surrounded by benevolent spirit guides. This week I listened more carefully and caught their messages amidst the clamor of my daily life. I feel less alone. I feel more empowered. I feel in synch. It's a place I intend to spend more time in.

The only way to get what you want, is to know what you really want. And the only way to know what you want, is to know yourself. And the only way to know yourself, is to be yourself. And the only way to be yourself, Debbie, is to listen to your heart.
- Notes From the Universe (www.tut.com), dated 7/28/08

Taking My Cues From Mickey

2008-07-14T11:59:18-04:00

A couple of weeks ago we returned from a business-related trip to Orlando. We added a few days prior to the business event to head out to Disney. Amidst the crowd, the heat, and the infamous Floridian humidity, we enjoyed our favorite thrill rides, and a bit of the signature trademark magic unique to the Disney parks.

On my last night there, I browsed through a store of Disney merchandise located on the Boardwalk. Besides purchasing a cool v-neck T-shirt in my favorite shade of pink, I found an irresistible little Mickey with his sorcerer hat perched on his head. This is the same Mickey found at the Hollywood Studios Park in a giant sculpture.

I scooped up Mickey. I just knew I needed to take him home with me. He sits on my desk. He smiles and reminds me that I can create the magic in my life. And it all starts with remembering that my own inner wizard waits within. She's only a silent moment away. She was the one, after all, who told me to buy Mickey in the first place.

Where Oh Where Did My Energetic Groove Go?

2008-07-08T23:00:00-04:00

I found my energetic groove in my last post, but seem to have misplaced it since then. In the lag time between writing this post and the last one in June (surely it cannot be that long), I experience the distinction between making a change and maintaining a change.

Mid June finds me making a change in "how" I do my work for money. This change works more in sync with my natural energy rhythm and creates space for creative expression. The first week of change works beautifully.

During the 2nd week we are out of state - part vacation and part business conference. No room for routines during this week. I return home to the 3rd week and find my work schedule packed. All the changes get thrown out of the window as I attempt to keep my head above water during this 4-day work week before the July 4th weekend. Although we spend time with friends, I also veg out a lot during the weekend and seem to have little energy.

Feeling tired, and wanting more control over my time, I become very clear about how much time I want to work in real estate investing/wholesaling if money were no longer an issue. More than anything, it's a lifestyle issue. I want more time off. I'd take Monday and Friday off, and work about 5-6 hours each on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Over the past few months we have done a lot of travelling over 4-day weekends (empty nesters we are!). Real estate investing can easily become a 24/7 job.

On July 1st I put my money where my mouth is, in a matter of speaking. I signed up for a 3-day business summit to learn how to convert real estate investing from a "job" to a business that can eventually run without my (and my business partner's) complete involvement, and be much more profitable. Of course getting to this place requires much time and commitment upfront, but I like the payoff.

I notice the synchronicity of this training offering and how it dovetails with my lifestyle of choice. I also notice how I initially struggle to decide to go because of the financial cost. I've heard the presenter before and she is one of the best, so I trust her material and her pitch. Deadlines help - I have 24 hours to sign up and shave $1000 off the price, and so I do. Later I discover that because I'm one of the first 50 to sign up, my hotel stay, along with breakfast and lunch each day, are paid for by the presenter! Although I will need to travel out of state for this business summit, it will be held just south of Cincinnati, where I lived for 30 years, and can enjoy visiting with friends in the 3 evenings (and with one daughter who'll drive to see me) while I'm attending the event late next week.

It gets better. I signed up for this, knowing that I'd wipe out my business reserves, and not knowing when the next assignment fees would come in. But I decided to go for it big time, and trust that somehow it will work out (I'm not a gambler by nature!). One week after signing up for the summit, we have 2 deals that have been "hanging out there" that will close next week and replenish the coffers quite nicely.

I'm learning that staying in my energetic groove does not necessarily mean I remain the same. In my better moments I view this as a grand adventure, influenced by the currents in my life. I can make my own rules, I can break my own rules. The point for me is to stay awake enough that I act more, and react less. Trust, Debbie, Trust.

[Photo Credit - Steve Woods]

Getting My Energetic Groove Back

2008-06-21T11:46:43-04:00

Thank you, Tom Volkar, for your compelling post, Get Real About Your Work.

Tom's post came out in perfect response to my own need a couple of weeks ago. It sure does illustrate the impact we can have on one another through writing, as well as the underlying synchronicity that can occur through the medium of the Internet.

Rather than summarize Tom's post, I urge you to read it and to take the 4-minute written exercise that helps you uncover the real truth about your work when money is no longer an issue.

Now allow me to back up to tell you where I lost my groove and how I got it back, thanks in part to reading Tom's post.

Ironically, a positive change in my business created the conundrum. It begins when my business partner and I make the decision to get an outside office to work out of (in addition to our respective home offices). With the addition of an assistant, we find great benefit in working more cohesively in the same physical space.

Three plus months later, we are reaping tangible benefits from the outside office. We are developing processes and systems to work smarter; we are making far more offers on real estate; we have increased our income; and we enjoy great camaraderie.

So what's the downside to positive change? I'm hauling my laptop and a number of essential files back and forth between home and the outside office. I figure I'm losing an hour in the packing and commuting each day. I've given up a great deal of flexibility and autonomy. I begin to feel like I'm going to a "job." The office is an environment laced with adrenaline and constant interruption. After several weeks of this I find myself exhausted each day. I fall behind on stuff at home. And by the time I could blog later in the evening, I'm simply too spent. I have shot my wad of energy. Creative expression? What's that?

As I note what my body and heart are telling me, I realize that the outside office is not the problem per se. HOW I am working is a problem. In a flash, I get it. (When I did Tom's exercise, I discover that if money were no longer an issue, I'd write a whole lot more, and I wouldn't necessarily stop doing my day job. I'd just do it differently.)

A pleasant shock of physical relief surges through me. A solution presents itself and I implement it immediately. I make the decision to come into the office on Monday/Wednesday, and part of Friday as needed. Tuesday and Thursday I work from home, by phone and laptop, In addition, I will go out to any seller's home on any day of the week if we have a deal. But I don't need to sit in an outside office to wait for my phone to ring.

As soon as I implement this, I stop feeling tired. I hadn't realized how much inner resistance I experienced each day on an unconscious basis. Once I get aligned by changing how I work, I almost feel giddy. Doesn't take much for me to feel light and joyful once I get aligned.

This is a lesson to me in the art and care of my creative being. That part of me is especially happy. I can only imagine the positive ripples that will continue to flow out, not only to other areas of my life and business, but further and further into the world. Abraham notes that our purpose in life is to feel good. And let's get real. It's a lot more fun to hang out with people who feel good, isn't it?

What I've Been Doing in Lieu of Blogging

2008-06-09T21:57:19-04:00

I just set the timer for 20 minutes - that's what I'm alotting to write this post.

I've been gathering items to write about and filing them away. I've moved way beyond guilt over not writing. I'm in overwhelm and work fatigue.

What can I say? I'm trying to find my way back into the blogging groove. It requires a system change. I had an epiphany moment today about how to change my work structure to give me back my old freedom and flexibility so that I'm not worn out and tired at the end of the day. I'm going to spend more time in my home office and less time in the outside office with my other business partners. The comraderie is great but not my productivity, or flexibility with time and structure.

Poignant once in a lifetime moments have also been taking precedence over blogging. Two weekends ago we went back to Ohio to visit family - had special moments with my 86 yr.old aunt (sister of my deceased mom); we went to see our senior college daughter's visual thesis and met her Graphic Design professors. I glowed all the way back to South Carolina reliving the moment when our daughter's class of senior graphic design students voted our daughter most likely to change the world with one design.

This past weekend we spent in Gatlinburg (3 hrs away) with old friends, laughing and listening to the sounds of music from the 70's. It felt good to be with a liberal crowd.

This weekend we head back to Ohio for the college graduation. I already feel emotional about it. Four years ago our younger daughter graduated from high school. We sold the family home, moved to South Carolina for a job transfer, and left our daughter back in Ohio. She grew up fast. And the four years flew by. This is the milestone time - not just for our daughter, but for us as parents. We're moving into a different phase of parenting - enjoying the flight of our children, but I feel sad about that too. More change for poor old Mom. And on that note, the timer just went off.

Greatness - Beyond Abstraction

2008-05-27T22:29:29-04:00

I find myself plodding through Eckhart Tolle's latest book, A New Earth. I'm only on chapter 3 - slow going on this end. Don't get me wrong, I have read his other books and appreciate the brilliance of recognizing how we each create our own heaven or hell, depending upon how we utilize the power of now. I'm just not a fan of his heady writing style.

A friend suggested that I jump ahead near the end of the book to chapter 9 - "Your Inner Purpose." Eureka! This chapter justifies the book. Tolle illustrates his concepts with a practical dialogue to bring it all home. I'll be writing several posts on gems in this chapter that resonate for me.

Today's gem - GREATNESS

"The great arises out of small things that are honored and cared for. Everybody's life really consists of small things. Greatness is a mental abstraction and a favorite fantasy of the ego. The paradox is that the foundation for greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment instead of pursuing the idea of greatness. The present moment is always small in the sense that it is always simple, but concealed within it lies the greatest power." - Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

Rather than my expounding on this quote, I invite you to respond to it. If this idea of "greatness" resonates for you, how have you found it true in your own life? Or you may have another perspective altogether. Please further the dialogue by sharing a comment.

Wholeheartedness

2008-05-21T06:00:00-04:00

The third in a series of inspiring quotes focuses on the mysterious ways of the heart. It reminds us that the ultimate truth cannot be found in a book!

Wholeheartedness is a precious gift, but no one can actually give it to you. You have to find the path with heart and then walk it impeccably . . . It's like someone laughing in your ear, challenging you to figure out what to do when you don't know what to do. It humbles you. It opens your heart.

- Pema Chodron, The Wisdom of No Escape

Photo Credit - Michal Koralewski

Nature's Energy

2008-05-19T06:00:00-04:00

The following quote is the 2nd in a series of inspirational messages. What if we greeted the start of the new week in a different way?

First thing in the morning, before you meet or greet anyone, remember to greet all of nature, all visible and invisible creatures. Say to them, "I am grateful for your work, I love you and I want to be in harmony with you!" At this very moment, in response to your greeting, all of nature will open to you and send you energy for the entire day.
But hey, if talking to nature is not your thing, try addressing your gratitude to whatever Source works for you. It's about recognizing and aligning ourselves with the life energy surrounding us.

Photo Credit - Daniel Reis

Grace

2008-05-18T20:33:07-04:00

Over the next few days I am posting short uplifting quotes. In these times of economic uncertainty, and political unrest around the world, we need to sustain ourselves with sources of hope and faith. I find these words touch my spirit and stir my soul.

The first in this series of quotes is on grace -

The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need to do is set our sails.

- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Photo credit: Alex D. (Stockxpert)