INITIATE THE CHANGE

When I put my first foot on this divine path and opened myself up to all the Universe has to bestow on us, my life blossomed. It began with something as simple as reading a couple of books. My spiritual life, which was yearning to thrive, has expanded into greatness. I didn't even realize I was opening myself to this expansiveness until I looked back and noticed how far I had come.

I ended an unhealthy relationship, and my relationship with my children became rocky. I had no idea what I was going to do. I had little money. I was in a dark and challenging place. My doctor prescribed an antidepressant for me that made me want to be alone and sleep all day. I felt lost, with no energy or spirit left. I had no passion for anything life had to offer. Everything I had come to know as my life had been broken. I felt like a failure to myself and to my children. I barely even saw them. I was in such a low, self-defeating place.

One day I came to the realization that I could not live like that. I got off my pills (under the supervision of my doctor), began to see my children more, and spent more time with my family. I also began reading books by Cheryl Richardson and Dr. Wayne Dyer. They took hold of me so tightly, I spent a considerable amount of time reading and being consumed by my self-improvement and spiritual transformation. I was transforming myself and my life, inside and out. I was activating the law of attraction without my knowledge, as I had not even heard of the law of attraction at that time.

Taking a stand for an independent life and having the faith to take action is difficult, although crucial. During the many years I was married, I was petrified to stand up for myself. I always thought, How could I ever make it on my own? I did not feel I was independent or capable enough. I felt like a child afraid to leave her parents for the first time—as if the world out there was too intimidating to venture out into. I was in my comfort zone with my husband. Although I knew we were both unhappy in our marriage, it was more comfortable and "safer" to stay, rather than to go out into the scary world on my own. I felt it was selfish of me to leave just because of a longing for my own happiness.

One day, however, something came over me—literally. Something seemed to take over my body. To this day, I can still feel how strong this "possession" was over my being. For many, many years I stayed with my ex-husband, as I was too weak to leave permanently. I left for short periods on a few occasions, but I always went back. On the day I finally told him I wanted a divorce, it was so easy. I felt like I was comforted by an angel. I felt as if my body and mind were still present, but dormant in the background, watching. I knew it was time. The feeling was so intense—as though I was instantly another person. I felt stronger inside than I ever have in my entire life. I knew I was on the right path.

Although that moment was divinely influenced and peaceful, I did experience extremely tough times throughout the divorce process. Though I never regretted my decision to end my marriage, I knew it was the best for both of us and for our children. We were meant to come together temporarily. Although we were meant to come together and have our children, we were not destined to stay with each other. Now we are both happier and wish each other well.

When you are going through tough times, it is not always easy to see the significance in the lessons and experiences taking place. I now know that the years I was married to my ex-husband primed me to be the person I am today. I also believe he was in my life for a divine, soul- level purpose. I evolved not only on a mental level but on a soul level as well. I have no regrets, judgments, or grudges toward him. Likewise, I do not regret my years spent with him. I truly—from my heart and soul—wish him well and want him to be happy. I forgive all in our past together; I am now grateful for those years.

When I look back, I see how far I have come. I am now married to the love of my life, my soul mate. Our relationship is everything I have ever desired. We are best friends and love doing everything together. We travel and enjoy every moment that we spend together. We moved from Ohio to beautiful Arizona, and we love it. My relationship with my children has improved tremendously. I quit my job, and I am doing something I love wholeheartedly; my husband and I coach and mentor others to find their passion in life and to connect with the grace of the Universe. I have realized my life's purpose and have true fulfillment and meaning. I am on the path that was intended for me during my incarnation on Earth.

These positive changes have manifested because I decided to stand up and make a change for myself. When you begin to change your inside, your outside world follows. Allow this inner change to occur, and your outer experiences will shift as well.

By reading this book, you are on your new path. This is only the beginning! If you were not transforming, you would not have been guided to this book or given it, if that is the case. Congratulations on taking the first step toward improving your life; be proud of yourself. Picking up just one book transformed me, and I am proud of you for taking a stand for yourself and your life.

Remember, your initiation onto your spiritual path is just the beginning. This journey ahead of you is guided by the Universe. It is divinely orchestrated. Trust the process, and the outcome will be a more harmonious, peaceful, and joyful life.

WORKING WITH THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

When you first begin your transformation process, you may not realize what is transpiring. As I mentioned, I was utilizing the law of attraction prior to learning of it; I did not even realize there were such laws. As I look back, I am amazed at how I was unconsciously conspiring with the Universe.

The law of attraction is the universal law of "like attracts like"; by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, we can bring about positive or negative results. This is based on the idea that people and their thoughts are both made from pure energy. Like energy attracts like energy. This law draws to us—into our physical life—the same vibration of energy as our thoughts and feelings; that energy responds to the thoughts that we hold at all times. So it is accurate to say, "We are creating our own reality." Our thoughts are magnetic forces to the manifestation of creation in our lives. We create by what we see in our minds and how we feel.

It is important to learn everything you can about the law of attraction so you can use it in your everyday life. But you should also recognize that some of the modern-day teachings of it touch only on a small portion of this universal law. Everyone must research this law in depth; do not buy into the idea that we will manifest our desires simply by sitting around and thinking about them. You must be an active creator. This means you must take action to make needed changes in your life.

You cannot, and should not, anticipate a new car in your driveway simply by sitting on your couch visualizing a new car in your driveway. If you truly desire the law of attraction to work in your favor, you must take the appropriate action for your desire to be fulfilled. The Universe will assist you in the manifestation if, and only if, you follow the steps to allow this to happen. Go out there and do what is required to have the car manifest. As you take the action, continue to visualize it, and the Universe will assist you. Always remember to maintain your trust and faith in the process and the power of this great law. Furthermore, continue to visualize the manifestation of your outcome. Taking action, keeping your faith, and visualizing are powerful approaches to conspiring with the Universe for the manifestation of all that you desire.

Always keep this law in mind. You create what you think about. Be mindful of your thoughts. It is natural to slip at times and think a few negative thoughts. However, if you remain mindful and catch yourself slipping, you can immediately think in a way that will bring a more positive outlook. You can do this by repeating a mantra or affirmation, meditating on a positive outcome, bringing to mind what you are grateful for, or discussing your thoughts with a likeminded, positive person. What works for you is what is best.

We must learn all we can about our Universe. We are one with it. To understand everything about the Universe, we need to understand ourselves and our minds. We must understand the miniature universes that we are. We are fragments of one great light that is within each one of us. We are all the lights in the world that we can imagine—the sun, the moon, and the stars. As we begin to define ourselves as miniature light-beings that are one with the cosmos, we understand and experience a collective harmony with the entire world. We begin to sense the union with the essence of who we really are. We are all united with the one great mind of the Universe.

Here is an exercise in utilizing the law of attraction: Visualize something you do not see every day, such as a red wool hat in the summer, an odd-colored car, or a sequence of numbers (444). Hold this vision in your head, and feel it manifesting in your life. Periodically think of this object. If you hold the thought and feeling of this object you will see the manifestation in some form. You may see someone wearing a red wool hat on a hot day or begin to see 444 frequently. Do not forget to journal the outcome.

LETTING GO OF ADDICTIONS

Many of us have addictions that keep us trapped in lower levels of consciousness. These addictions are not necessarily physical, such as overeating, drugs, alcohol, and smoking. They might include continual thinking (not living in the present moment), being judgmental of others and situations, blaming others for how your life is (always acting like a victim), holding yourself back from happiness because you feel it is selfish, and many, many more.

Addictions keep you at a lower energy vibration and do not allow you to grow into a higher consciousness. They keep you in a state of unhappiness. If you tune into your minute-to-minute stream of consciousness, you will discover your addictions.

Continual thinking is a hard addiction to break for most people. When your mind is restless and has endless chatter, you keep yourself at lower consciousness levels. Do not allow your mind to control you with thinking of the past or the future. Live in the present moment. Enjoy what is going on during every single moment. You will be more content and at peace if you always live in the moment. Enjoy the present moment; be appreciative instead of having your mind in the past or future.

If you find you are not living in the present moment as much as you would like, begin to become aware of these moments. When you catch yourself, bring yourself back by truly being in the moment. If you are outside, look around at nature and listen to the birds. If you are at work, you can close your eyes, count your breaths, and say a focus mantra, such as "I am at peace." Even if you are taking a shower, you can be in the moment by devoting your thoughts to what you are doing only at that time. You may say, "I am washing my body right now" or "Right now I am living in the moment, washing my hair."

Judging others or situations is an addiction many people do not realize they possess. Being judgmental keeps you from advancing in your own spiritual growth and happiness. It holds you back from gaining more answers and insight for yourself and others. I have been drawn to look at my own life and alter my judgments of certain situations. When I experience a more flowing harmony with my interactions among people and things, I am more accepting of anything that may arise in my daily activities. Try not to judge anything or anyone. Everything is as it should be in life. When you find yourself judging others, stop and recognize that they are doing the best they know how at the time. View them as our Source views us: without judgment or criticism.

Do not blame others for how your own life is. This is a deep-rooted addiction that needs to be reprogrammed. If you are unhappy, do not blame other people or things around you for being the root of your own unhappiness. Instead, assume full responsibility for everything in your life. Your mind creates your Universe and outcome. Accept the here and now of what you previously regarded as unacceptable. This does not mean you have to continue living with a particular person or situation. It means you should view your situations as lessons that you need in order to grow in consciousness.

Look at your life as a show in a theater. We are simply actors playing many roles. When we begin to view our lives in this way, we can see our addictions. Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women, merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts."

We need to open up and stop trying to hide our faults. In doing so, we free ourselves from the game of hiding in our own unhappiness. We then continue on our path toward a higher consciousness, which will bring much more joy into our lives.

As you are on this joyous path, you are a teacher of others. They're watching you live the experiences they need to reprogram their addictions. They are also your teachers, enabling you to find your own addictions.

Another addiction is getting caught up in drama. Be compassionate and understanding to others by dealing with them without getting emotionally caught up in their predicaments. Do not get caught up in another person's drama. When you help someone, it should be out of compassion, not out of obligation. If we are helping out of obligation, we create duality and separation. These negative feelings can prevent you from being sensitive to others' needs. As conscious beings, we must remain loving and centered, no matter how tense the drama is around us. As we do this, we begin to tune into people at their deepest levels of being—where we are alike and experience oneness together.

Many people hold themselves back from changing because they feel it is selfish of them to do so. I kept talking myself out of my divorce because I thought it was selfish of me to want my own happiness. You deserve happiness. Do not allow others to bring you down with guilt and hold you back from fulfilling your dreams and desires. This also is directed to you; do not allow your own mind and limited thinking bring you down and hold you back.

This type of addiction is unfortunate, as it keeps so many individuals from finding true joy and meaning. They listen to the negativity around them and within themselves. They listen to naysayers that bring them down and make them feel guilty. They feel it is wrong to make a change. So they stay stuck and frozen. They do not follow their dreams and passions, because they feel they should not do something that does not benefit others. They feel it is selfish if it only benefits themselves.

Mothers seem to have this addiction more than anyone else. They feel a yearning, but they keep it inside instead of allowing it to bloom and flourish. They do not make a positive shift, because they believe it will only bring them happiness and won't benefit their family. However, if they would make the needed change, it would benefit their family—and others.

As you let go of your addictions, your mind will become quieter and quieter, and you will increase your insight and perceptiveness. In turn, you will be more in touch with the deep, calm place inside you, which is peaceful, loving, and blissful.

I say to everyone, "Follow your passion, and quit allowing others to stop you from growing."