You might have read my last article, "Finding & Marketing Your Niche Within the Divine Plan," and said, "So what? I'm already doing all that…I'm already following my passion and I'm still not getting anywhere."

You're still not living the promised life of less struggle, more prosperity, and more satisfaction. So what gives? If you believe you're already doing what you're supposed to be doing, then what else is it going to take? …Or are you really following the path of "right livelihood"?

I know some people who say they are "following their passion in life," adamantly stating they don't want to do anything else. But yet they continue to struggle, year after year. One friend of mine has been barely surviving for nine years now, deeply in debt, but never deviating from what he thinks is his path in life. Read the rest of this entry »

Understanding what is required to holistically thrive in today's rapidly evolving world is vital to the millions of people who are now struggling to make ends meet in our weakened economic environment.

As the U.S. economy barely holds onto a lifeline to stay afloat, and vested businesses and government officials attempt to reclaim the U.S.'s once-admired economic stronghold in the world, in the meantime we are seeing an increasing number of 'victims' of the recession take the entrepreneurial route to find financial stability and, for some, hopefully find a niche and consequential prosperity.

Some of the entrepreneurial paths include direct sales and variations of direct-sales careers, including multi-level marketing and franchises. Many of these new entrepreneurs have become independent contractors (or more specifically, "independent consultants"  or "independent sales representatives"), selling other companies' merchandise or services. Spammers are an egregious example of direct selling. Others simply make money by telling you how to make money.

While for some, this movement away from being just a cog in the corporate machine or having an opportunity to climb out of the trenches of unemployment brings a new level of independence and steady income, but for others it can be a constant struggle to get "noticed" and to promote their products or services amid all the thousands of other competing marketers. Read the rest of this entry »

My young daughter has just joined the Real World…she now has one of those jobs from hell. And it's really too bad. She was uber-excited when she found out she was hired for the job. How can a "Dream-job Come True" turn into "Night From the Living Dead" so quickly?

And my husband jokes that the two best days on the job are the first day and the last day. It's unfortunate he lives with this belief about having a career, but there are countless other people who most likely feel the same way because this is the reality they live with.

Those who are pretty far along on their soul's journeys have come to the understanding that with certain challenges come great (and sometimes painful) learning lessons, and with these lessons come spiritual growth. The amount of time we spend immersed in these lessons depends on the everyday choices we make about who we are, who we wish to become, and our awareness about our own areas of needed growth.
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If you think having loads of money, fetching looks, or the admiration of many will improve your life — think again. A new study by three University of Rochester researchers demonstrates that progress on these fronts can actually make a person less happy.

"People understand that it's important to pursue goals in their lives and they believe that attaining these goals will have positive consequences. This study shows that this is not true for all goals," says author Edward Deci, professor of psychology and the Gowen Professor in the Social Sciences at the University. "Even though our culture puts a strong emphasis on attaining wealth and fame, pursuing these goals does not contribute to having a satisfying life. The things that make your life happy are growing as an individual, having loving relationships, and contributing to your community," Deci says.
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Last week I wrote about the true source of prosperity, and how the divine flow can prosper you in ways that are — to say the least — surprising. That's not to say, of course, that abundance can't also flow to you through channels that you expect.

Often you may experience prosperity in a completely predictable manner. But even in those ordinary circumstances, you can still sense the divine flow at work. My lovely partner, Carol, recently experienced that very thing.
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On Thursday, November 27th, citizens of the United States will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. It's a day when we express gratitude for all the things in our lives that we really do appreciate, but often forget to be consciously thankful for . . . such as food, family, and friends.

Well, here's a challenge for you: Can you also be thankful for the things in your life that you do not appreciate? Can you be thankful for the people in your life that you hold resentments against? Can you be thankful for the circumstances in your life that have brought you discomfort . . . or even pain?
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As I occasionally mention in these weekly messages, I teach what I need to learn. That means that I have become pretty good at living life in the divine flow, but I am not perfect at it. There are still times when I fall into fear, and thus restrict my ability to tune into divine guidance. I don't stay in that fearful state for long, but I am certainly not immune to it.

With the dramatic downturn in the U.S. economy — and in the economy of the world in general — it is quite a challenge for me to maintain any kind of positive outlook right now . . . and I'm sure that it's a bit of a challenge for you, too.
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I've noticed a subtle form of self-sabotage that I would like to bring to your attention. It concerns any goal or dream you may have that is particularly ambitious — a desire of your heart that is exceptionally great, grand, and glorious.

That kind of desire is like a destination that lies much further down the stream than other destinations that are closer, simpler, and easier to reach. Because of the "distance" that is involved, a great deal of patience may be required on your part as you "row with the flow" toward the fulfillment of your dream.
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Many of you (if not most of you) have probably heard one or more versions of the following story . . . supposedly a Zen fable:

There was once a wise old farmer who owned a prize horse. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came over to offer their condolences. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "Maybe," was all the farmer replied. A few days later the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "Maybe," replied the old man again. Read the rest of this entry »

Even though "Flowdreaming" was published in 2006, I only recently discovered a copy of this combination book/CD at my local bookstore.

I have long believed in a Universal, divine flowing energy that works to bring about balance and harmony, yet Summer McStravick has actually proposed that one could shift their awareness into this divine flow — a dimension of your existence where all things and events originate and your highest good is manifested — to create a more fulfilling life.
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