Spirit In Gear

Taking My Cues From Mickey

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

Moments to Relive

The best moments in life can't be bought, in spite of what Master Card would have us believe.  These are the ones that take us by happy surprise, tickle our hearts with joy, or fill us with uncommon peace and contentment.  Those moments we replay in our minds to savor and revel in.

I experienced several of those moments last weekend.  The place was Ohio University, the occasion was "Mom's Weekend," and the significant person in my series of special moments was my daughter, a soon to be BFA graduate.

The moments begin before I arrive when my daughter checks in with me several times by phone while I am driving to her campus.  I can hear the excitement in her voice.  This is the first time I have been able to attend in 4 years (we live several states away).  She is thrilled that I can join in with her roommates and their mothers, and just as importantly, meet the new love in her life.

She insists that I stay with her instead of a hotel.  We share a bed, something we haven't done since she was 2 years old and had the chickenpox.  I wake up late Saturday morning to her smile.

I revisit college life by going with my daughter and our group of mothers/daughters to her favorite bar.  I try new drinks - the "hot shot," and the "car bomb."  I stay up late the first night, til 2:30 a.m., and sleep in the following morning til 11:34 (something I haven't done in at least a decade!).  I attend cookouts, engage in Karaoke, dance, and play a beer drinking game called "flip the cup (to which the team of mothers made a worthy effort and saved face).  My daughter and her friends remain bright-eyed and fresh-faced as the evening wears on (wish I could say the same for me, but my spirit was bright, even if my body was not!)

Certain moments stand out.  Quiet time sitting on the porch talking with my daughter about her future, and her fellow; watching her dance at a house party; seeing the happiness on her face with her friends, and the poignant hugs goodbye when I left Sunday morning. 

There were those moments of closeness from just being with my daughter doing ordinary things that can't be quantified or fully described, yet become imprinted upon my heart in permanent fashion.  All of these moments come together to create an early Mother's Day gift.  This gift of moments is destined to outlast the day itself.

I recently listened to a CD featuring a real estate investing guru, Greg Pinneo, who shares both his philosophy about how to "be" in life, as well as his content rich nuggets on some aspect of investing.  In the vein of synchronicity, I listen to his take on cultivating these kinds of moments.  He asserts that the real winners in life are those that can accumulate the most of these kind of moments by the time they die, not how much money they make, or how much stuff they have.  I agree wholeheartedly.

A couple of things stand out in my mind that Pinneo mentions on the CD.  It's hard to encourage these kinds of moments when we hang out with "assholes" instead of quality people; and it's equally hard when we run at breakneck speed, filled with stress.

How can we live our life to attract, make room for, condition ourselves to recognize and receive such moments on a more consistent basis?  We know that we have to stay present, and we have to "show up."  How do we translate that specifically for ourselves?

Here's a couple of examples that I can share.  Both involve doing things that I don't always feel like doing.  Like going to exercise when I feel tired.  When I do show up, I often discover, through the camaraderie of my fellow Jazzercisers, that moment of lightness that makes me forget about my worries.  Or when my husband and I venture outside after dinner for a walk, often dragging our tired butts into the imperfect weather, we find it easier during those walks to have moments of connection when we can share our day at a deeper level.

I'd love to hear what you do to create opportunities for memorable moments to enter your life.  The clock is ticking and we have many more of these moments to gather.

Connecting the Dots From Higher Guidance

I start to connect the dots around 2:00 a.m.  But it all actually begins early that day.

The first clue shows up without any recognition on my part that morning.  A fellow real estate investor, a fan of my writing, hands me a book before a networking meeting begins.  She proclaims that I could be making a lot of money through my writing and that this book will blow me away.

The next clue shows up that evening when I clean my bedroom closet and find a file full of intuitive readings from the past few years. I glance at it and put it back on the shelf.

The third clue,  which forces me to see a pattern of dots to connect, happens when my guides wake me up from a sound sleep, literally and figuratively, leading me back to the bedroom closet to the file of readings.

Allow me to lay some down some context.  A blog post has been forming in my head for the past two days.  It's mid-evening and I plan to devote some time to begin writing this.  I fall into a typical pattern of procrastination.  The blog post idea feels too "personal."  I tell myself that I really can't capture my feelings well enough in this post.  My inner critic refuses to pass muster on this topic.