Tuesday, October 8, 2013

The Intersection Between Acceptance and Change

Letting go of the outcome is one of my biggest challenges on the spiritual path.  Here's the idea: You put your time, energy and effort into a project and then release the results to the Universe.  You do not get to decide what ultimately happens.  You trust that the Universe will take care of you and give you the best outcome, even if it's not what you thought you wanted.  In this way a delay or a change can turn into a gift.  However, it only works if we release our grip on one certain outcome.


If we are feeling angry, frustrated, impatient or disappointed, then we are probably attached to the outcome.  Of course it's not bad to feel these things, and these emotions can be signs that we need to practice surrender, the art of letting go.  Every day I find new opportunities to forgive and let go.  For example, today I have an important meeting with a team of 8 people.  I know that I am attached to a certain outcome (medical testing for a student) and I am trying to stay open to other possibilities and other solutions.  My practice this week has been to speak my truth in a calm way and then step back.  By stepping back and letting go of the need to control or manipulate, the Universe can do her thing and send all of the help/answers/solutions that we need.  If we are completely locked in to only one right answer, then we will be angered and frustrated by any other solution.  Today my intention is to stay open.  I'm doing everything I can and now I get to let go.  I know that I am taken care of.  This situation will work out in divine timing and order.  It feels so good to let myself off the hook.  Now is time to live in faith and surrender.
 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Book Club: A Return to Love

The right people and the right books always have a way of finding their way into our lives.  Recently I have been connecting with some amazing women through the networking site, Herfuture.com.  Gabrielle Bernstein created this site for women to find new connections and mentors based on shared interests.  The networking groups have themes and are called Power Posses.  I have also made two dear friendships through the Seattle Power Posse.  We have started a book club to share books, spark conversation and connect with like-minded people.  This month we are discussing Marianne Williamson's book, A Return to Love.

Reading this book feels like meditation.  Marianne has such a beautiful way of explaining how to choose love instead of fear in our daily lives.  After reading for a few minutes, I can feel my mind relax and absorb her ideas.  She writes,
 
 "We have the free will to think whatever we want to think, but no thoughts are neutral.  There is no such thing as an idle thought.  All thought creates form on some level." 

If you would like to join us for book club, we are meeting on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:00pm.  Email Amelia at amelia.greim@gmail.com to confirm.

If you would like to join our efforts in bringing Gabrielle Bernstein to lecture in Seattle on her next book tour, join our Facebook group.