Living Life in the Divine Flow

The Therapeutic Effect of Non-Resistance

2012-01-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

January 29, 2012

Dear Friends,

Many, many moons ago, when I was in my late twenties, I suffered from chronic lower back pain. And “suffered” is the right word to use here. Because, over time, that pain became so intense, it was almost paralyzing.

Seeking the source of my problem, I consulted my family physician, an orthopedic surgeon, an internist, a chiropractor, and an arthritis specialist. Although tests revealed that I was definitely experiencing some kind of severe inflammation, not a single one of those medical professionals was able to diagnose my condition.

One day, with no relief in sight, and nowhere else to turn, I sat down, threw up my hands, and basically said to myself, “Oh, to heck with it!” I gave up trying to fight the pain, and just surrendered to it. And guess what? Almost immediately, the pain began to subside. And within a week or so, it was completely gone.

I was pain-free for several months, and then the pain returned. But this time, I responded to it differently. Instead of resisting the pain, I simply observed it. “Oh, there’s that pain again,” I said to myself. As uncomfortable as it was, I accepted the pain. And this time, it went away in a matter of days.

It was a year before the pain came back again. And when it did, once again I didn’t resist it. I just allowed it to be. And once again, it quickly passed. And that’s when I had an epiphany about my pain. Although the pain I was experiencing was very real, and there was probably a very real reason I was experiencing inflammation in that part of my body, I realized that it was my resistance to the pain that caused it to increase in intensity and severity.

The original pain itself was not really intolerable. But when I resisted the pain, my body would become so tense, the pain was greatly magnified. And the longer I resisted the pain, the more chronic my condition became. The “cure” was for me to “relax into the pain,” and make it easier for my body to do what it is designed to do—heal itself. My resistance—and the tension and anxiety that accompanied that resistance—was only creating a toxic environment that inhibited my body’s natural healing response.

In short, I discovered the therapeutic effect of non-resistance. Several years passed before I had to deal with that pain again. And it has now been over two decades since I have experienced that particular issue.

There is a popular saying that goes like this: “What you resist, persists.” And you can certainly see how that applies to this situation. But there is another saying that is equally apropos: “Suffering is optional.” That statement refers to the fact that a certain amount of pain may be inescapable in life, but suffering is experiencing that pain to an exaggerated extent, and—in many cases—that degree of pain is avoidable.

Friends, whether you are physically suffering because of an illness or an injury, or you are emotionally suffering due to a hurtful situation or a seemingly detrimental circumstance, I encourage you to practice non-resistance to see if it lessens the severity of your pain. Allow yourself to feel your pain just as it is, instead of fighting against the very existence of your pain—which, of course, is futile. What is . . . is! All the resistance in the world is not going to alter that fact. And your resistance may actually be making the experience worse.

Here’s to the therapeutic effect of non-resistance! Here’s to knowing that sometimes the best thing you can do to help alleviate your suffering is to just sit down, throw up your hands, and say to yourself, “Oh, to heck with it!”

Steven

Note: If you have any reason at all to suspect that you have a truly serious physical or emotional condition, please don’t hesitate to immediately seek the counsel of a certified health professional. Non-resistance may lessen the severity of your pain, but that doesn’t mean that it will eliminate your pain altogether, or remove its cause.

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© 2012 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

There's No Place Like Home

2012-01-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

January 22, 2012

Dear Friends,

In my last message, I shared a story about the first house that Carol and I rented here in Sedona, and how the divine flow miraculously guided us to that wonderful home. Stories about peoples’ homes—and the astonishing ways those homes have come into their lives—are among the most profound manifestation stories that I hear. But why is that? What makes manifesting a home so special? Is it somehow different from manifesting anything else?

In a way, yes, it is. As I frequently mention, most of the things you think you want in your mind, are really just symbols for what your heart desires. And it is the underlying desires of your heart to which the divine flow is guiding you. And what does your heart desire? Mostly, to have various experiences of life. And that’s what makes a home so special. Because the right home can satisfy a multitude of experiences that you deeply desire to have.

For instance, in a world where we are constantly on the go, you may desire a sense of permanence, and the right home can certainly offer you that—giving you a feeling that there is one place on this planet that you can always come back to.

You may desire to express yourself creatively, and the right home can offer you endless opportunities for creative self-expression—from interior decorating to outdoor landscaping. It may even provide you with the perfect environment for other creative pursuits, such as writing, or painting, or building your own home-based business.

One desire that we all share is to express the love that we are at the core of our being, and there is usually no better place to love—and be loved—than right at home with your own family.

Perhaps, too, you are seeking a little more comfort in your life, and a warm, cozy home can definitely provide you with that experience—both physically and emotionally.

So, when you are focused on a desire for a new place to call home, is it any surprise that the divine flow becomes more evident? Is it any surprise that coincidences happen more frequently, and miracles occur more freely? No, it is no surprise at all. Because everything that the Universe is doing to help you fulfill your desires for experiences such as permanence, creative self-expression, love, comfort, and more, may be converging on that one, single manifestation!

When it comes to manifesting the desires of your heart, there truly is no place like home. Perhaps the old song, “Home, Sweet Home,” says it best:

'Mid pleasures and palaces
Though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble,
There's no place like home.

A charm from the skies
Seems to hallow us there,
Which, seek thro’ the world,
Is ne’er met with elsewhere.

Home, home, sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home,
There's no place like home.

Steven

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© 2012 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Something Better

2012-01-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

January 15, 2011

Dear Friends,

In previous messages, I have pointed out that the divine flow is not necessarily guiding you to what you specifically want. Instead, it might be guiding you to the equivalent of what you want, or to something that is even better—to something that is greater, grander, and more deeply fulfilling. That means if you want to manifest that better blessing, you have to trust the flow and follow its lead . . . even if you don’t understand where you are headed!

The first house that Carol and I rented here in Sedona is a good example of “rowing with the flow,” and manifesting something that was greater and grander than anything we ever imagined possible. Here’s the story:

After attending a spiritual conference in Phoenix, Arizona in July of 2006, Carol and I drove up to Sedona to check out homes for rent. It had long been our dream to move to Sedona, and we wanted to see what was available to rent in this peaceful paradise, before we had to fly back to Dallas, Texas—where we lived at the time.

We had a list of a dozen homes to look at. The first home on our list was a home that—from the description in the classified ad—seemed perfect. The price was right, the location was good, and Carol thought that she had made a special connection with the homeowner when they spoke on the phone. We couldn’t wait to see it.

The last home on our list was last for a reason. It was on a golf course. Not being golfers, we just couldn’t imagine how that house could possibly be the one for us, and we were in no hurry to see it. In fact, the only reason that this house was on our list at all was because it literally “came to us” via someone we happened to meet in Phoenix.

I'm sure you have already guessed where this part of the story is going. As it turned out, the home at the top of our list was not at all suitable. It was a place we wouldn't want to spend a day in, let alone years. Disappointed, but not discouraged, we then proceeded to look at the rest of the homes. There were a couple that would “do,” but none that we really felt good about.

Finally, with every other home on our list crossed off, we reluctantly went to look at the house on the golf course. Wow! Were we ever surprised! We loved almost every single thing about this house. It had a huge covered patio, a really nice office, an oversized bathtub, a two-car garage, and lots of lush, green flowering bushes. And best of all, this particular home wouldn’t be ready to rent until November—the exact month that Carol and I wanted to move! All the other homes required us to start paying rent immediately.

We felt like the divine flow had guided us to the perfect home, and we were glad that we had included it on our list, even though we had been reluctant about it. The only thing this house lacked was a view of Sedona’s Red Rock formations, which is what Sedona is famous for. Although a Red Rock view would have given us a more “authentic experience” of living in Sedona, Carol and I weren’t expecting to have that kind of vista, anyway. So we agreed to rent the house on the golf course starting in November, and we flew back to Dallas.

Now, here’s where this tale takes an interesting turn. Believing that everything was all set with that particular property, Carol and I began to make plans for moving. We had already gotten pretty far “down the stream” when we received some distressing news from the woman in Arizona who had directed us to that house. To make a long story shorter, suffice it to say that this property was suddenly no longer available to rent.

Yikes! What were we going to do now? Should we fly back to Sedona to find another place to rent—any place—even if it meant we had to start paying rent right then and there? That’s not what our inner guidance said. Our inner guidance simply told us to ask the woman in Arizona if she would be willing to keep looking around for something similar.

So we followed our guidance and asked her. The woman replied that she didn’t really have time to do that kind of thing for us. Plus, she said it would be very unlikely for her to come across another house that was as nice as that one—especially one that would available at the time we wanted it. However, she said she would keep her ears and eyes open.

Although that didn’t sound very promising, Carol and I immediately noticed that we both felt an inexplicable sense of peace about the whole thing. In fact, we not only felt that we would still manifest a really nice house in Sedona, we had a feeling that it might be an even better house!

One week passed. Then two. It was getting close to the point where Carol and I would have to make some decisions about moving that couldn’t be reversed. And yet, we still felt this inner sense of calm. And then the call came.

Through a series of synchronistic encounters, our “angel” in Arizona had heard about another home that would be available to rent right when we wanted it—in November. But this wasn’t just any home. It was a home that was right down the street from the one we had originally agreed to rent. And we wouldn’t even have to fly out to see it, because in its construction, features, and landscaping, it was almost identical to the other home! There was only one major difference between the two. This home happened to feature a direct view of Bell Rock, Castle Rock, and Courthouse Butte—three of Sedona’s most popular Red Rock formations!

So, did the divine flow guide us to "something better?" I'll say! But I hope you noticed two very important things about this story—two things that contributed to its remarkable ending. First, although Carol and I couldn't imagine ourselves living on a golf course, we let go of our resistance just enough to go ahead and include that kind of house on our list of homes to look at. And second, when the house we wanted became unavailable, we did not hastily take matter into our own hands—that is, we did not immediately fly back to Sedona and rent something else out of desperation. Instead, we trusted that inner sense that told us that everything was going to be okay. We put our faith in the flow, and the flow came through for us beautifully.

Friends, I've said it before and I'll say it again: We live in an incredibly miraculous Universe—a Universe that is continually working on our behalf to fulfill our every heart's desire, or it's equivalent, or something even better. May be have the faith and patience it takes to cooperate with that divine flow of goodness in our lives. May we always be open and receptive to all possibilities. And may we consistently take the steps that we are being divinely guided to take . . . even if we're not sure where those steps are leading!

Steven

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© 2012 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Dealing With Loss

2012-01-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

January 8, 2012

Dear Friends,

I just returned from Washington D.C., where I attended a service celebrating the life of Warren Hill, my sister’s late husband. Warren had been in good health, but he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly due to complications from a fall.

I often mention that one of the keys to living life in the divine flow is maintaining a positive attitude. A "merry" mind-set is important because it helps you stay open to divine guidance, which enables you to play your part in the unfolding of a greater good. But—and here’s the point of this particular message—that positive attitude must be genuine. That means that when you experience a loss in your life, feelings such as disappointment, sadness, and sorrow must first be allowed to run their natural course. Only then can there be an authentic return to a more optimistic outlook on life.

Living life in the divine flow is not—I repeat, not—about stuffing your feelings to maintain an "appearance" of positivity. There is such a thing as legitimate pain in life. It is not the kind of pain that you bring upon yourself through needless worry, thoughtless actions, or inappropriate attachments. It is the kind of pain that occurs most often with the sudden and unexpected loss of someone you deeply love, or the loss of something else that is near and dear to your heart, such as a fulfilling job.

If you are dealing with a loss in your life right now—or any challenging situation—it is okay to go ahead and let yourself feel your feelings about it. Give yourself permission to experience all of your feelings freely and fully. Allow them to come, and go . . . and come again . . . and go again. It is the only way that they will eventually dissipate.

If, instead, you attempt to suppress those feelings, they will continue to exist at an unconscious level. And, in the end, that will just delay your ability to heal and feel joy again. And by "joy" I mean that underlying sense of appreciation for the total experience of life . . . a joy that embraces all of life’s twists and turns . . . a joy that may be best described as "bittersweet."

To each of you who have recently lost a loved one, a beloved pet, your home, or anything else that occupies an important place in your heart, please know that kindred spirits the world over are supporting you in the restoration of your sense of well-being.

And know, too, that even though it may not appear that way to you right now, with the help of The Divine it is always possible for great good to come out of this time of great grief.

Steven

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© 2012 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Happy "Now" Year!

2011-12-31T10:08:00.000-08:00

January 1, 2012

Happy Now Year, Friends!

Yes, you read that right. I wrote Happy "Now" Year instead of Happy "New" Year. It’s not a typo. It's just my way of reminding you about the important part that the present moment plays in the manifestation process.

As I frequently mention, fulfilling your heart’s desires effortlessly depends upon your ability to recognize and follow divine guidance. But that guidance only comes to you in “the now”—through what you are intuitively feeling now, through what others are telling you now, and through the signs and synchronicities that you are noticing now.

That doesn’t mean that there isn’t value in spending some time visualizing what you want to have, do, or be in the coming year. In fact, that’s important. Focusing on a destination is what sets the whole flow in motion in the first place. But after that, you must return your attention to the present moment, so you can sense the next right step that the divine flow is directing you to take.

It’s sort of a back-and-forth thing: You visualize your goal, then return your awareness to the present moment. You picture your dream, then come back to the here and now. If you are continually focused on the future—continually daydreaming about where you are headed—you may miss the very step that is leading you there.

To live life in the divine flow, you must let go of your projections into the future—as well as your reflections on the past—so can be present for the doors that are being divinely opened for you right here, and right now.

Do you have a particular desire that you would like to fulfill in 2012? A goal that you would like to accomplish? A dream that you would like to realize? You do? Terrific! Then tell the Universe exactly what it is you would like to achieve this year, and pay keen attention to what starts to show up in your life.

But please remember this: Although having desires and pursuing desires is an inescapable part of your innately creative nature, you never have to fulfill a desire in order to be happy; you never have to accomplish a goal in order to be happy; and you never have to realize a dream in order to be happy. Remember that real happiness—true, long-lasting happiness—only comes from accepting and appreciating the current moment for whatever it is offering you . . . and from opening up your heart and being the love that you are in that moment. That, my friends, is the real key to having a happy new year—from the first day of the year to the very last.

Steven

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© 2012 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Secret for a Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T08:18:00.000-08:00

December 25, 2011

Dear Friends,

December 25th is the day that many people celebrate the birth into this world of the being called Jesus. There are many different opinions about the exact nature of this extraordinary man’s mission on this planet. But I do believe there is one aspect to his life that most people can agree upon: Jesus was the perfect example of living a life of unconditional love. And he made it quite clear that we would all benefit greatly by living our lives in the same loving way.

Fortunately, loving others is one of the most natural things in the world for you to do. For I believe that love is not only in your nature, it is your nature. Like I mentioned in last week’s message, as an individual expression of Universal Divine Love, love is the essence of who you truly are at the core of your being. And you know what? It feels good to express the truth of who you are! It feels good to love!

Many people believe that being loved is what feels good, but that’s only how it appears. The fact is, when someone extends love to you, you don’t automatically feel good. What you feel is safe enough to love that person back. And loving that person back is what feels good. It is being love—not being loved—that is the real source of your happiness.

Conversely, when you perceive that someone has attacked you in some way, it’s not what that person has done that makes you feel bad. What feels bad is judging that person for what has occurred, and no longer extending love to him or her. It is not being yourself—not being the love that you are—that is the real source of your unhappiness.

When you experience all the good feelings that come from loving, you experience one of life’s greatest truths: the truth that love is its own reward. When you love, you feel happy. When you love, you feel joyful. When you love, you feel downright . . . well . . . merry!

So, do you want to have a truly merry Christmas this year—and every year? Then be true to yourself! Be the love that you are this season, and a merry Christmas will be yours, indeed.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Our Shared Mission

2011-12-17T07:41:00.000-08:00

December 18, 2011

Dear Friends,

For the last two weeks, I have been focusing on the relationship between your “calling” and the experience of the divine flow in your life. Your calling, as I pointed out, is something that you are so passionate about, you would do it even if you were not paid for it.

That makes a calling different from a job, because—strictly speaking—a job is something you do solely for the income it provides. A calling is different from a career, too, because—again, strictly speaking—a career is also something you do for the income it provides, but it happens to be something that you are very interested in, and you are perfectly content doing that same thing for years on end.

The point of this message is this: In the big picture, it really doesn’t make any difference what you are engaged in—a job, a career, or a calling—as long as you are doing it with love.

You see, although we may have different callings in life, and we may spend our days engaged in very different occupations, there is one thing that we all have in common. And that is our underlying mission. It is a “Mission from God,” so to speak. And what exactly is that shared mission? It is simply the mission to discover, express, and experience the Truth of who we really are at the core of our being—the divine essence of love itself.

To paraphrase Marianne Williamson, from her classic book, A Return to Love: Knowing who you are and why you really came here is more important than knowing what you want to do. What you want to do is not the important question. The question to ask is, “When I do anything, how should I do it?” And the answer is, “With loving kindness.”

Friends, whether you spend your day in front of a computer, behind the counter of a retail store, under a car at an automotive repair shop, or you oversee the work of dozens of people at a large corporation, always remember to be love, spread love, and let love lead the way. That is the real key to living life in the divine flow . . . and it is the key to living a life that is full of joy and meaning.

Steven

P.S. If you have never read Marianne Williamson's classic book, A Return to Love, I highly recommend it. You will find it on the Helpful Links page on my website, along with many other books I recommend. Just click on www.rowrowrow.com/links.html.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Your Calling and The Flow, Part 2

2011-12-10T07:34:00.000-08:00

December 11, 2011

Dear Friends,

In my last message I described what a “calling” is, and I pointed out that your calling is not always the same thing as your career. It may simply be a special gift that you have to share with this world, while—at the same time—you are involved in other activities to generate an income. One of my readers just shared the following personal story with me, and it is a great example of how the divine flow supports us in a heightened way whenever we are following our passion . . . even if the support we receive is somewhat indirect.

This man and his wife—a lovely couple that I will refer to as John and Linda—feel called to help people learn, grow, and heal through a variety of spiritual services that they offer . . . including a church service they conduct every Sunday morning, and a spiritual education center they operate during the week. Although John and Linda’s ministry is well loved, the main source of John and Linda’s income has always been through a client that John provides advertising services to.

Recently, John’s relationship with his longtime client ended, and John and Linda wondered how they would be able to continue offering their spiritual services without that substantial financial support. They decided that downsizing their personal life would probably be a good idea.

Their first step in that direction was a decision to sell their vacation condo on the Gulf Coast. John and Linda made that decision on a Thursday. On Sunday—just three days later—a couple walked up to John and Linda’s condo and offered to buy it. But get this—at that point, John and Linda had not yet listed the condo for sale, nor even put up a sale sign! Out of 40 condos in that development, this couple had somehow been drawn to John and Linda’s place, and had knocked on the door just to see if it was available for sale. Which, of course, it was! Amazing!

John and Linda’s second step toward downsizing was a decision to move into a smaller, less expensive home, and lease out their current one. Well, guess what? The same thing happened again! Before John and Linda had time to list their home, put up a sign, or place an ad, some neighbors came over while they were having a garage sale, and—right on the spot—offered to lease their home for the next three years. As John put it, “Once again, the Universe brought the people we needed right to our door, and we didn’t have to do a single thing!”

Even John and Linda’s decision to downsize from two vehicles to one was “in the flow.” After selling Linda’s Trailblazer for way more money than they were told they could get for it, they decided they would like to replace that vehicle with a Kia Soul—appropriate considering John and Linda’s spiritual focus! When they looked in the paper, they immediately found one. It was the color they wanted, the price was fantastic, and it only had 500 miles on it. While Linda was driving the Kia home, she looked for a sign to confirm that what she and John were doing was, indeed, divinely supported. And guess what she noticed? The State Inspection Sticker on the Kia was dated October 20th—John’s birthday. That was confirmation enough for Linda!

As for John’s car—a Yukon—it sold via Craig’s List in less than one day. And just like the Trailblazer, the cash John received for the car was much more than he had originally been told it was worth.

Paraphrasing John’s summation of this wonderful stream of events: “Maybe I am reading too much into this, but the way things worked out for us so effortlessly seemed nothing less than miraculous. The quick and easy sale of our condo could have been a coincidence. But to have that same kind of thing happen over and over and over again? No way! Plus, before I lost my lucrative client, Linda and I were going to trade in our cars for one that would have ended up really hurting us financially. Thankfully, that deal fell through at the last minute. Throughout this entire experience, Linda and I have felt the ‘Hand of God’ at work on our behalf. Every step of the way, we have felt divinely protected, divinely directed, and divinely supported. And we thank you, Steven, for helping us learn how to be—and stay—in the divine flow.”

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Your Calling and The Flow

2011-12-03T11:31:00.000-08:00

December 4, 2011

Dear Friends,

When I was inspired to write and publish my book, I experienced the divine flow like never before. With incredible ease and grace, I was unmistakably directed to the publisher of my book; the cover photo was divinely delivered to me; three of the notable people who first endorsed my book literally showed up on the doorstep of my church; and my first significant speaking engagement was a rare opportunity that just "came my way." Even while I was writing my book, I received unexpected income to help support me during that lengthy process.

The reason, I believe, that the flow was so consistent and so obvious in this instance, was simply because the activity that I was engaged in was directly related to my “calling.” A calling is something that you are extremely passionate about. It is something that adds purpose and meaning to your life. It is something that you have an inborn talent for, find extremely fulfilling, and would do even if you received no income for doing it.

I found my calling when I was first invited to teach a weekly class for a group of adults at a Unity church in Dallas, Texas. I had never done anything even remotely like that before. But I found it to be the single most fulfilling experience of my life. Within a very short amount of time I knew that I had found my life’s purpose. I knew that I was on this earth to use my skills and abilities as a communicator to deliver a message. And that message was that we live in an incredibly beneficent Universe—a Universe that is continually working on our behalf to help us fulfill our heart’s desires.

So why—once I found my calling—would I have noticed the flow to such an elevated degree? It is simply because a calling is a true desire of the heart. And being consciously aware of that calling meant that my head was aligned with my heart, and that every part of me was open and receptive to moving in the same direction.

One of the main obstacles to living life in the divine flow is that your heart may be encouraging you to go in one direction, while your head is looking in another direction. That makes it extremely difficult for you to see the divine signs that are pointing you toward your highest good, and toward your greatest joy.

Have you found your calling yet? If not, begin by asking yourself a few simple questions. What are you good at? What unique combination of talents, skills, or abilities do you have? What brings you the most joy? What have you been fascinated with your whole life?

Keep in mind that your calling is not always the same thing as your career. It may simply be a special gift that you have to share with this world, no matter what kind of other activities you are engaged in to generate an income. Perhaps your calling is to bring more harmony into the world as a peacemaker. Perhaps it is to bring more wholeness into the world as a healer. Or perhaps it is to bring more understanding into the world as a spiritual guide.

Here’s to finding your passion in life . . . your purpose . . . your calling. And more than that, here’s to answering that call. When you do, I guarantee you this: It will feel as if the entire Universe is bending over backwards to support you in your endeavor. Because it is!

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Don't Believe Everything You Think!

2011-11-28T08:36:00.000-08:00

November 27, 2011

Dear Friends,

I have noticed a new trend on Facebook. People are posting witty and inspiring statements in the form of graphic images. Here’s one I saw recently:

The very first time I saw this admonition, it was on a bumper sticker on the car in front of me. I love this sentiment, because it perfectly captures the essence of one of the most important principles for living life in the divine flow: You must let go of what you “think” you know.

One of the most common ways that we interfere with the flow is thinking that we know best, and overruling the divine guidance that we are continually receiving through various sources, such as our own intuitive sense. I’m certainly not suggesting here that you forget everything you think you know. I’m just reminding you of the obvious truth that there is always more to know than you currently know. And when you keep an open mind to new and different information—even when it conflicts with your current understanding—your ability to receive divine direction will be greatly enhanced.

Remember, too, that most of your thoughts are either reflections on the past or projections into the future. And since divine guidance always comes to you in the present, the very act of thinking can limit your ability to be in the flow.

The phrase, “being lost in thought,” is very appropriate in this case, because whenever you are not consciously in the “now,” you are much more likely to miss the divine signposts that can show you the best way to get where you’re going. You become unguided or misguided by your lack of present-moment awareness, and thus, lost!

Even the way you think can limit your experience of the flow. When you are fearful, for instance, you may connect one thought to another so quickly, you create a block that prevents divinely inspired ideas from entering your conscious mind.

The phrase, “a train of thought,” comes to mind here, because that is exactly what a lot of fear-based thinking resembles—a train . . . one car closely coupled to another, and to another, and to another. And often, that train of thought gains so much momentum as it moves along, it is extremely difficult to slow it down, change tracks, and move in a more beneficial direction.

That is why I recommend a daily practice of meditation. Meditation not only slows down your thinking, it helps open up “gaps” between your thoughts, so it is easier for divine insights and intuitive guidance to get through.

So, dear friends, do you want to live life in the divine flow? Yes? Then I suggest you heed the following three suggestions—suggestions that I am going to express here as “bumper stickers:”

DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK!

DON’T GET LOST IN THOUGHT!

And finally,

BEFORE THAT TRAIN OF THOUGHT
GOES TOO FAR . . . GET OFF!

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Thanks for Everything!

2011-11-19T07:33:00.000-08:00

November 20, 2011

Dear Friends,

The fourth Thursday in November is when citizens of the United States celebrate 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?

Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to discover what your blocks to loving are. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to heal wounds you may have forgotten you have. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to remember how precious life is, and to renew your appreciation for it.

When you look at the challenges in your life as opportunities to mature emotionally and spiritually, everything that occurs in your life can be viewed as a blessing. And blessings are something that you are thankful for, right?

So this Thanksgiving, next Thanksgiving, and every day in between, be thankful not only for the “good” in your life, but also for what you judge to be “not so good.”

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in wisdom and compassion.

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in your ability to love others—and to love yourself—unconditionally.

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to remember that life itself is a sacred gift—a gift that is meant to be enjoyed to its fullest, and never taken for granted.

I invite you to join me in giving thanks today and every day . . . for everything.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

You Are Worthy!

2011-11-12T08:04:00.000-08:00

November 13, 2011

Dear Friends,

Sunday, November 13th, is the birthday of my lovely and loving partner, Carol. Although some people pay little attention to birthdays, to Carol that once-a-year occasion is very significant. She not only enjoys people recognizing and celebrating her own birthday, but she is extremely diligent in honoring the birthdays of others, as well. Through cards, gifts, and telephone calls, she makes sure that all of her close friends and family members know that their existence on this earth is cherished and valued.

And so it is when it comes to our relationship with The Divine—with that loving and creative energy that many of us call God. As Children of The Divine, our existence in this world is similarly cherished and valued. But our lives are not just honored once a year. In the eyes of The Divine, every day of our lives is a cause for celebration.

We may not get a card or a call, but we are always being presented with some heavenly gifts—gifts of divine love, divine protection, and divine support as we pursue our goals and dreams in life. And we don’t have to do a single thing to “earn” those gifts. As Children of The Divine, we are divinely entitled to those gifts. Just the fact that we exist—just being—is reason enough for those blessings to be bestowed upon us.

Unfortunately, we don’t always feel this sense of “divine entitlement,” do we? Instead of feeling that we have a divine right to whatever it is we want to have, do, or be in life, we may feel that we don’t deserve to have our dreams come true. We may feel that we are not good enough, or smart enough, or capable enough. In a word, we may feel that we are not “worthy.”

That is a huge issue, because our thoughts about ourselves influence the choices that we make in life. And choices based on feelings of low self-worth can quickly sabotage our ability to fulfill our heart’s desires.

I wish there was a magic wand I could wave that would cause every single person on this planet to immediately recognize his or her innate worth as a beloved Child of The Divine. Obviously, I don’t have a wand like that. However, I do have a helpful tool. It’s an Affirmation of Worth that “wrote itself” through me a number of years ago.

Even though I shared this Affirmation with you last May, as far as I’m concerned, this is one message that cannot be repeated too often. If you are struggling with your sense of worthiness, I hope you find this Affirmation to be helpful.

AN AFFIRMATION OF WORTH

God is All That Is.
And I am part of All That Is.
I now acknowledge my innate worth
as a vital part of The Divine Whole.

It is through me that God knows God’s Self
in a way that no other experience can duplicate.
God cherishes my existence,
and it is God’s great pleasure
to help me fulfill my heart’s desires effortlessly.

It doesn’t matter to whom I was born,
or what circumstances followed.
Nor does it matter
how anyone else perceives my value.

I know that I am a precious and essential
part of this Universe . . .
that I have a right to be here,
and that I have a special purpose to fulfill
in this time and place.

I am wanted.
I am needed.
I am worthy and deserving.

I am a Holy Child of The Divine.
Peace, joy, and prosperity
are mine by divine right.
And I claim my divine inheritance now!

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Many Benefits of Meditation

2011-11-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

November 6, 2011

Dear Friends,

One of the most common questions I am asked about living life in the divine flow is this one: “What can I do to improve my ability to be in the flow?”

Notice the word, “do,” in that question. These people aren’t necessarily seeking a better understanding of the flow. Rather, they are looking for some kind of specific tool or technique that they can employ to experience the flow’s miracles more freely and more frequently, and to fulfill their heart’s desires effortlessly.

Well, as it turns out, there is something that you can “do” that will dramatically magnify the experience of the divine flow in your life, and I highly recommend it. That, quite simply, is to meditate—and to meditate on a daily basis.

There is nothing really mystical or magical about meditation. Meditation is simply a way of slowing down your thoughts. Generally, it involves focusing your attention on one solitary thing, such as your breathing, a comforting phrase, or a peaceful image. As other thoughts arise—as they invariably will—you observe those thoughts, but you don't let yourself get caught up in them. Instead, you simply allow those thoughts to pass by—like watching clouds floating across the sky—and you gently return your awareness to the focus of your meditation.

And how, exactly, does that enhance your ability to be in the flow? Being in the flow is primarily about recognizing and cooperating with divine guidance. And meditation dramatically increases your ability to be in direct contact with the guidance of your inner Divine Spirit.

Your Spirit is the most valuable and reliable source of divine guidance you have. You can always trust your Spirit to know what your next right step should be. And—through what is commonly called your intuition—your Spirit is always attempting to “tell” you what that step is. The trouble is, it is difficult to “hear” that still, small voice of your Spirit when your mind is full of noisy self-talk—that endless chatter in your head about what just happened, what it might mean, and what might happen next. A daily practice of meditation is an effective way to quiet your mind, and open up enough gaps between your incessant thoughts so the guidance of your Spirit can get through.

But the benefits of meditation don’t stop with enhancing your ability to receive divine guidance. When you meditate on a daily basis, your entire experience of life is dramatically improved. What follows is a short summary of some of the benefits you reap when you maintain conscious contact with your inner Spirit.

1. You are more intuitive. As I already mentioned, when you are in touch with your inner Spirit, you can sense divine direction much more easily. So your next right step becomes much more obvious.

2. You are more responsive. Instead of hastily judging and rashly reacting to something unexpected in life, you calmly respond from the wisdom within. You know what is best to do, when to do it, or if you should do anything at all.

3. You are more present. Your Spirit is always in the now moment. When you are in touch with your Spirit, you are less likely to be lost in thought—that is, reflecting on the past or projecting into the future. That means you are better able to notice the miracles that are happening all around you, right here, right now.

4. You are healthier. Many health issues are either caused by, or aggravated by, stress. And for the most part, stress comes from fearful thoughts. When you are in touch with your all-knowing, indestructible Spirit, fearful thoughts are either greatly diminished or completely removed.

5. You are more creative. True creativity comes from the Divine Creator within. When you are in touch with that Divine Creator, you automatically become more inspired and more insightful.

6. You are more patient. Being in the eternal now, your Spirit never feels bound by time. And being all-knowing, your Spirit sees countless ways for you to move successfully through life. When you are in touch with your Spirit, possibilities seem unlimited, and time stands still. The result is infinite patience.

7. You are more peaceful. As an indestructible, eternal being, your Spirit knows nothing of fear, and it is always at peace. When you are in touch with that eternal, indestructible essence, you, too, will be at peace—no matter what is disturbing others.

8. You are more loving. Your Spirit is love itself—unconditional divine love. When you are in touch with your Spirit, you can’t help but be more compassionate, understanding, accepting, and forgiving.

Here’s to the many benefits of meditation—of going within, getting in touch with the Divine Spirit that resides there, and allowing that divine essence to express itself throughout the day.

Steven

P.S. If you are new to meditation, and would like detailed instructions about how to meditate, here is a webpage that describes the simple technique that I use: www.alternative-medicine.net/meditation.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Transformation

2011-10-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

October 30, 2011

Dear Friends,

Many people believe that Halloween is a night when the line between the physical world and the world of Spirit is exceptionally thin. With that in mind, I want to share a story with you that is not only appropriate for Halloween, it is also inspiring.

When Carol and I lived in Dallas, Texas, we spent a fair amount of time visiting and caring for Carol’s mother, Ethel M. Marsden. Ethel lived in a nearby nursing home, and after years of declining health, Ethel finally made her transition to the next plane of existence. She was laid to rest in her long-time home of St. Louis, Missouri.

A few months later, as a thank-you gift for my support and assistance during that difficult period, Carol bought me a beautiful painting of a dragonfly. Dragonflies were not especially significant to either Carol or me. But the painting was created by our favorite artist, and he had used our favorite colors—purple and blue—so naturally, we were attracted to it.

Immediately after purchasing that painting, we discovered that in many circles, the dragonfly is considered to be a symbol of transformation. We also found out that certain Native American tribes believe that dragonflies carry the souls of the departed.

We had no idea how significant that information would become!

You see, both Carol and I were present at the time of her mother’s transition, and Carol, in particular, was having a very hard time letting go of that final, painful image of her mother’s withered and lifeless form.

One day, Carol felt divinely guided to visit the gravesite of a loved one buried right there in Dallas . . . far from Ethel’s final resting place in St. Louis. As Carol stood at the grave, a fluttering motion caught her eye. It was a dragonfly hovering around a headstone a number of rows away. A few minutes later, that dragonfly had been joined by several more. And later still, dozens had gathered at this single spot in the cemetery.

Carol was just about to leave—and was, in fact, in her car—when she noticed that even more dragonflies had now converged at this one place on the grounds. Carol sensed that something very important was happening, and she felt divinely directed to get out of her car and walk over to that headstone. And when she did, guess what name was etched in the granite. Ethel M!

That’s right. Out of hundreds and hundreds of graves in this huge, metropolitan cemetery, Carol had been drawn by a group of dragonflies to the one headstone that bore her mother’s name.

Immediately, Carol understood the message. Her mother was no longer sick and withered . . . she was transformed! As Spirit, Ethel was now dazzlingly beautiful and flying free! And Carol was now free, too—free of that disturbing, lifeless image that had been haunting her thoughts for so long.

Were those dragonflies actually Carol’s mother trying to communicate with her? Was Ethel letting Carol know that—as Spirit—she still existed, and that she was once again happy and whole? That’s for you to decide.

What I do know is this: We live in a miraculous universe, and we are intimately connected to everything in it—both the seen and the unseen. When you are open and receptive to divine guidance, and when you follow that guidance—no matter what form it comes in—you will always receive what you need . . . including the healing of a troublesome thought, or the lifting of an emotional burden.

Here’s to Carol for following her guidance, and for reconfirming for us all that we are, indeed, eternal beings . . . and that life never ends . . . it merely transforms.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Moving Beyond Reasons

2011-10-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

October 23, 2011

Dear Friends,

In response to extremely challenging situations, one of the things you commonly hear people say is this: “Everything happens for a reason.” Well, I agree . . . in part.

I say “in part,” because when people say, “Everything happens for a reason,” they are usually referring to a “divine reason.” They are indicating that everything that happens—including every circumstance that seems unwanted—has been divinely orchestrated for our benefit . . . even though that benefit cannot be readily seen at the moment. But is every challenge we encounter in life actually there by divine design? Every single one?

Some challenges, no doubt, are divinely directed. As I mentioned in my last message, when your inner Divine Spirit purposely guides you into a challenging situation so you can heal or grow in some way, yes, that situation is certainly part of the divine flow for you. There are also situations that you may perceive to be unwanted challenges, but they transform on their own into something beneficial so quickly, you can easily see how those situations were little more than misunderstood “bends in the stream.”

But again, I ask, is there a divine reason for every single challenge you experience in your life?

What about the consequences you suffer when you continually ignore or overrule divine guidance—when you make misguided choices influenced by your ego, or make unguided choices because you are not paying attention to the divine signs. In that case, there is certainly a reason for what is happening. But is it a divine reason? I don’t think so.

What about the consequences you suffer when other people make misguided choices that ultimately affect your life. What happens is certainly happening for a reason. But again, is that reason of divine origin? Not the way I see it.

And what about natural disasters, such as a tornado that ravages one half of a town, but leaves the other half untouched? Or a light fixture that suddenly falls from the ceiling and injures the one person who happens to be standing underneath it? Personally, I believe that natural disasters are just that—natural, and not divinely governed. And freak accidents? Odd, but not orchestrated by God.

Friends, in a world where troublesome things often seem to happen randomly, trying to make sense out of it all is completely understandable. And to draw the conclusion that everything happens for a divine reason is also completely understandable. But the point I am building up to is this: Searching for reasons—divine or otherwise—is not always constructive . . . especially if turns into blaming others or shaming yourself for what has occurred.

If you can easily see the reason why something has happened, and you—or others—can learn a valuable lesson from that, terrific! But it is often difficult—if not impossible—to know with complete certainty why things happen the way they do. “Why?” is rarely the most important question you need to be asking. The most important questions you need to be asking are “How?” and “What?” How can I heal, grow, or benefit from this experience? And what is my next right step to help bring that good about?

Remember that no matter what has happened or why it has happened, there can always be a divine flow from that point on . . . a flow that directs you and supports you in a return to an overall experience of well-being, or even enhances your life in some way. Your job, as always, is remaining open and receptive enough to hear that still, small voice that is continually telling you the best way to help yourself, and to help all involved.

May you be positive enough to see the potential for good in everything that happens. May you be present enough to participate in the unfolding of that good. And may you be patient enough to allow that good to manifest in its own right time.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Challenges Are "Par For The Course"

2011-10-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

October 16, 2011

Dear Friends,

The home that Carol and I rent here in Sedona is in the middle of a large golf resort. When some friends of ours in Texas found out that we were living in a golfing community (even though we don’t play the game), they gave us a book called “Golf for Enlightenment” by Deepak Chopra.

One of the most interesting points that Chopra makes in his book is this: No matter how skilled and experienced you are at golf, there will always be days when you are just plain lousy at it. Instead of holding yourself up to an impossibly high standard of perfection, a more “enlightened” approach is to recognize that disappointing days are inevitable, and to keep those challenging times in their proper perspective.

And so it is with living life in the divine flow. No matter how good you think you are at following divine direction, there will always be days when you will not glide down the stream toward your dream with effortless ease. Instead, you will find yourself running into rocks or getting tied up in the reeds.

Why? There are numerous reasons why you might encounter uncomfortably challenging circumstances in your life. Here are five:

First, you have to remember that many of the situations in life that you consider to be undesirable are only undesirable from your personal point of view. Someone else who has a different history or belief system might easily take that very same challenge in stride. In other words, your situation may not be—in and of itself—particularly challenging. It just looks that way to you, and what you are actually experiencing may simply be a “bend in the stream”—a bend that may quickly transform into something very beneficial.

Second, some of the challenges you face in life are there because—on the level of your Spirit—you have specifically chosen to experience them. In other words, you may actually want these particular challenges to be in your life, so you can heal a long neglected emotional wound, or expand a limited way of being that is preventing you from living a more fulfilling and joyful life.

Third, quite a few of life’s challenges are simply the natural consequence of making too many misguided choices . . . choices made from fear instead of faith . . . choices that are not divinely guided or inspired, but are, in fact, ego-driven. Even if those choices were made with the best of intentions, decisions made from the ego—or based on the ego-advice of someone else whom you are “blindly” following—will never be in your best interest.

Fourth, many challenges you face in life are actually the result of misguided choices made by other people. I’m referring here to “the ripple effect.” Keep in mind that we are all interrelated and interconnected in ways that we can’t even begin to conceive of. So, when even one of us does not follow the Guidance of The Divine, and, instead, makes a choice out of fear or frustration, judgment or jealousy, that decision can possibly affect you and many others. It’s a simple matter of cause and effect.

And finally, some challenges are the natural result of going through life unguided—that is, you are just not paying attention. The divine signs and synchronicities are there, but you’re not present enough to notice them. Other people have been divinely inspired to guide you, but you’re ignoring them. Even your own intuition may be clearly speaking to you, but you’re not listening to it. Obviously, you are bound to get a little lost in life when you don’t know the best way to go!

Are you experiencing a trying time in your life right now? Rest assured, I am not going to tell you to think of this painful period as just “a bad round of golf.” No matter what is going on in your life, the discomfort you are experiencing is real, and I certainly don’t want to make light of that, or summarily dismiss it.

However, I do invite you to keep in mind what I suggest again and again in these messages: Every challenge you experience in your life—no matter what it is, or why it is there—can be a stepping-stone to your highest good. With the help of The Divine, it can become an opportunity for you to move closer to your dream . . . a chance for you to grow in compassion and wisdom . . . an occasion for you to heal what needs healing . . . or all of those things.

When it comes to living life in the divine flow, it helps to remember that disappointing days and trying times—when seen in their proper perspective—are “par for the course.”

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Your Creative Spirit

2011-10-08T10:31:00.000-07:00

October 9, 2011

Dear Friends,

Like most people in the world, I was deeply saddened by the premature passing of Steve Jobs. Not since the death of John Lennon have I felt this kind of loss. It reminded me how much I value creative expression, and how much I admire those who tap into that inner source of pure inspiration, and pursue their dreams with both passion and patience.

There are those who point out that Steve Jobs was best at improving products that already existed. Perhaps so. But the innovations he introduced went way beyond tweaks and nudges. He had a way of looking at commonplace things like phones and music players and seeing their possibilities in radically new and inventive ways.

I think Steve Jobs is a wonderful example of how creative we can be, inspiring each of us to live our lives to their fullest creative potential. What’s that you say? You’re not creative? I beg to differ. As an individual expression of what many call “The Great Creator,” you are—at the heart of your being—nothing less than a Divine Creator in your own right. Creativity is as much a part of your innate nature as love is.

You don’t have to be an author, a painter, a musician, or an inventor to express your divinely creative nature. Everything in life can be used as a creative outlet. Whether you are decorating a house, raising a family, landscaping a yard, or developing a new business, nothing satisfies the soul more than creating something new in this world that didn’t exist before.

The challenge is letting go of all those limiting thoughts about yourself—and your perceived potential—that are confining you. Remember that your combination of talents, gifts and abilities is unlike anyone else’s . . . and you have something unique to contribute to this world in a way that absolutely nobody else can. Your job is to quiet your mind long enough to hear that inner creative Spirit that speaks to you through your intuition, and blesses you with divine insights and inspiration.

To quote Steve Jobs, himself:

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Here’s to quieting your mind, following your heart, and becoming an open channel for divine ideas to make their way into the world. Thank you, Steve, for reminding us what that looks like.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Intuition or Impulse?

2011-09-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

October 2, 2011

Dear Friends,

Have you ever had an extremely strong feeling that you needed to take immediate action on some kind of opportunity? Sure you have. We all have. And you may have assumed that this urgent, demanding feeling was your intuition speaking—that it was you inner Divine Spirit telling you the next right step to take.

But was it your intuition? Or was it just an impulse? To live life in the divine flow, it helps to distinguish between intuitive guidance and impulsiveness. Here’s a general rule of thumb to help you discern the difference: Your intuition persists. An impulse insists.

Generally speaking, an impulse is motivated by an underlying thought of lack or limitation. It tells you that if you don’t act right now, the opportunity in front of you will be gone forever! Underlying every impulse is a subtle feeling of fear—of tension or anxiety—and you may feel like your very happiness hinges on taking this particular action.

Intuitive guidance, on the other hand, is never based on thoughts of lack or limitation. In fact, being intimately connected to the Omniscient Mind of The Divine, your Spirit is aware of an almost infinite number of beneficial possibilities for you. So, for a time, your Spirit may persist in nudging you in one particular direction, but it will never insist that you must take advantage of any single opportunity.

If you miss one opportunity, your Spirit will simply lead you to another one. And if you miss that opportunity, it will lead you to yet another. And so on. The opportunities to which you are being intuitively guided may change in form and nature, but they will always satisfy whatever it is your heart is seeking to experience.

But what if you are in immediate physical danger? Wouldn’t your intuition try to protect you through a very insistent message in that circumstance? That depends on how you interpret the word insistent. Will the message be clear and direct? Yes. But will it demand? No. Nor will the message itself be infused with fear. Generally speaking, your intuition will simply give you a positive action-step to take.

I know two people whose lives were saved by a very clear inner voice. But both times, that voice spoke in a very simple and direct manner. One message was simply “Get off the road now,” which prevented that person from colliding with another vehicle. The other message was “Quit what you are doing and leave the river,” which saved that person from drowning in a flash flood.

The still, small voice of your Divine Spirit does not always have to be still and small. It can be obvious and unmistakable—even powerful. But behind that voice there will always be a basic, underlying sense of eternal well-being. Because that is all your Divine Spirit knows.

Is there something in your life right now that you are considering doing? How do you feel about it? If, over time, there is a persistent feeling of peace about it—or even better, a quiet sense of surety—that is probably your intuition speaking. If, on the other hand, your inclination is insistent at first, but later begins to diminish, that is probably an impulse.

Here’s to acting on intuition, passing on impulses, and developing the wisdom to know the difference.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

When It's Time To Make A Decision

2011-09-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

September 25, 2011

Dear Friends,

In my last message, I encouraged you to accept uncertainty instead of resisting it. I reminded you that even when you do your very best to discern divine direction, it is not uncommon to still be confused. But that state of uncertainty rarely persists for any great length of time. Eventually, mixed signals will give way to clear signals, and you will be able to sense in advance if a step you are considering taking is the most beneficial one for you to take, or not.

But what if the time has come when—because of circumstances beyond your control or influence—you have to make a decision, and yet, you are still unclear about how you are being divinely directed. What then?

I think you know the answer. When that moment arrives, you simply have to make a decision one way or the other, and then see how things feel . . . afterwards. Understandably, waiting to find out if a decision feels right after the fact is not especially desirable. But that situation does not have to be a source of undue stress for you, if you keep in mind one of the fundamental principles for living life in the divine flow—the principle I mention the most in these messages: Everything can be a stepping-stone to your higher good, if you look at it that way.

Even if you inadvertently make a decision based on the fears of your ego rather than the inspiration of your Spirit, the Universe can still guide you to your highest good from wherever you wind up. Your job is simply to remain open and receptive to divine direction by maintaining a positive outlook.

This process is not unlike what happens when you have a navigation device in your car, but you miss the exit it was directing you to take, or you turn the wrong way. It simply offers you a brand new route from wherever you now happen to be.

Remember, too, that there are always valuable lessons to be learned from whatever circumstance you find yourself in . . . which means that every decision you make—divinely inspired or not—gives you an opportunity to gain further clarity about yourself, and to grow in wisdom, compassion, and so on.

So, friends, before you take any step, do your best to discern whether that step truly is your next right step, or not. But if you are still not completely sure, don’t worry too much about that. Living life in the divine flow is not about being 100% certain, 100% of the time. It’s about making the best choice you can with the information and experience you currently have, knowing that—no matter what decision you finally make—the Universe can always “make it right” in the end.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Accepting Confusion

2011-09-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

September 18, 2011

Dear Friends,

Even when you do your very best to get in touch with your intuitive guidance, and when you sincerely try to pay attention to the divine signs and synchronicities that are leading you forward in life, there will be plenty of days when you will still feel uncertain—confused, even.

Should you go this way or that way? Should you do this thing or the other? Often the answer just isn’t clear. And as your confusion continues, you may feel increasingly frustrated.

Do you know why confusion is frustrating? Because you believe that you shouldn’t be confused! Actually, it is only your resistance to your state of confusion that is causing you to feel frustrated, and causing you to suffer needlessly.

A little confusion is common! It is something that we all experience every now and then. But rarely does it persist for any great length of time. Eventually, mixed signals will give way to clear signals, and you will feel comfortable enough to make a choice.

The key to more rapidly reaching that state of divine certainty is to accept your confusion when it arises. Instead of hastily and unwisely forcing yourself to make a decision, simply acknowledge the fact that—at the moment—you are too unsure to make a decision . . . and be okay with that!

Remember, to be able to discern your next right step, you must be genuinely open and receptive to divine guidance. And a mind that is in resistance is rarely relaxed enough for that guidance to be readily apparent. In other words, your resistance to your confusion is the very thing that may keep you stuck in that uncertain state!

Are you a little confused right now? Is there somewhere you want to go but you don’t know which way to row? Then repeat this mantra: “I’m confused. But that’s okay. I will not always feel this way.”

Simplistic? Maybe. But it works for me. And it may offer you a little relief, as well.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Challenge of Change

2011-09-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

September 11, 2011

Dear Friends,

September 11, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of an event that—for many of us—greatly altered the way we live our lives.

I, for one, was laid off from a 30-year career in advertising as a direct result of what took place that fateful morning. American Airlines was one of my advertising agency’s principle accounts, and American decided to suspended advertising for an indefinite period following the attack that used their planes. My agency had to cut its budget. People were laid off. And I was among those people.

It was a dramatic change in my life, but just one of many changes over the years. And I’m sure that you have experienced quite a few radical shifts in your life, as well. Some of those changes may have felt like they were thrust upon you. Others may have been changes that you, yourself, consciously chose to make.

No matter what initiates it, a change of any kind can always be a source of tension and anxiety. Even when a change is obviously for the better, you may still resist it—clinging to a familiar past for comfort. Even when the future seems ripe with positive possibilities, you may still feel uneasy about stepping into the unknown.

If you are going through a major change in your life right now, or—even ten years later—you are still actively dealing with the aftermath of 9/11, take a moment to reaffirm what you know to be the Truth. It is the Truth that—with the help of The Divine—everything can be a stepping-stone to your highest good. It is the Truth that you are continually being divinely supported in your return to a sense of well-being, and continually being divinely guided to a life of even greater happiness and satisfaction.

The challenge—for you, for me, and for all of us—is remaining open and receptive enough to hear that still, small, divine voice that is continually telling us the best way to help ourselves, and to help each other.

And even more than that, the challenge is remembering that the only constant in life is change. And if we want to experience more peace in our lives, it is up to us embrace change instead of resisting it. It is up to us to “row with the flow,” and consciously cooperate with life . . . even when life takes a sudden and dramatic turn.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

T.R.U.S.T.I.N.G.

2011-09-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

September 4, 2011

Dear Friends,

As a person whose livelihood depends primarily on the written word, I always appreciate clever wordplays and creative phrases, including what some people call “backronyms” . . . that is, appropriate phrases formed from letters of an existing word (the reverse of an acronym). For example:

EGO = Edging God Out
FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
HOPE = Holding Onto Positive Expectations

A while back, the minister at a Unity church that Carol and I attend, mentioned this backronym during his talk:

TRUST = Totally Relying Upon Spirit’s Timing

In these messages I often mention the part that divine timing plays in the manifestation of your desires, and how that requires a fair amount of patience on your part. If you try to force something into being before the Universe has gotten all the “ducks in row,” you may complicate things and delay that manifestation even further. Or, you may create something that is a poor imitation of what the Universe was originally lining up for you. Or, you may fulfill your desire before you are the kind of person you need to be in order to maintain that manifestation for any length of time.

However, living life in the divine flow—and fulfilling your heart’s desires effortlessly—is not just about timing.

It’s also about inspiration . . . about being open and receptive to divine ideas—the kind of thoughts and insights that fill you with great enthusiasm, and give you a clue as to what you were born on this planet to do.

It’s about nurturing . . . knowing that the Universe is always supporting you in your emotional development and spiritual growth, by giving you the opportunity to benefit from every single thing that you experience in life.

And it’s about guidance . . . remembering that the Universe is continually directing you toward your highest good in a myriad of ways, and it is up to you to constantly be on the lookout for that guidance—whether it comes from your own intuition, the intuitive wisdom of others, or the divine signs and synchronicities that are all around you.

Put all of these things together, and you wind up with this expanded backronym:

TRUSTING = Totally Relying Upon Spirit’s Timing,
Inspiration, Nurturing, and Guidance

T.R.U.S.T.I.N.G. It’s a way of being that I constantly try to practice. And I invite you to join me in practicing this way of being, too . . . not just sometimes and in some situations, but—as the first letter in this backronym suggests—all the time and in all situations. That is, Totally!

S.T.E.V.E.N.
(Simply Trusting Everything Very Easily Now)
Okay . . . maybe that’s a bit of a stretch!

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Estate of Your Spirit

2011-08-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

August 28, 2011

Dear Friends,

One of the things that Carol and I enjoy doing in Sedona is going to estate sales. Because of the large senior population in Sedona, there is an estate sale here almost every weekend.

From a strictly practical standpoint, Carol and I save a lot of money by going to these sales. There is usually something at these sales that we really need, and more often than not, that item is either brand new or in pristine condition. We have found everything from a large patio set, to a bee-proof hummingbird feeder, to a chiminea . . . plus lots of standard—but useful—household items.

You can’t help but feel like you are “in the flow” when something you intended to buy at a retail outlet shows up at an estate sale at a fraction of the cost. But that’s not what this message is about.

Attending these sales is fun, yes, but it can also be a bittersweet experience. It is quite obvious that the owners of these estates have had to severely downsize. Some have moved into assisted living centers. Some have moved into nursing facilities. But most have left this planet altogether. Although family members have removed all of the really personal items—such as framed family photos—so much remains behind, it often feels like the former residents have just stepped outside for a quick walk around the block.

There is a popular saying that goes, “You can’t take it with you.” And the truth of that statement is glaringly apparent when you attend an estate sale. However—and this is the point I am getting to—just because you can’t take it with you, is no reason to refrain from acquiring it in the first place.

It’s true that most of us tend to accumulate too much “stuff” throughout our lives. I still remember George Carlin’s hilarious comedy routine about our “stuff.” And yes, too much “stuff” can become a burden, and it can be financially irresponsible, too. Some people, in fact, cross the line from collecting into hoarding, and that’s a very real problem. But that’s not what I mainly see when I attend these estate sales.

By and large, what is usually on display at these sales is artwork of all kinds, and exotic items acquired in far-off places. There are beautiful paintings, unique statuettes, and creatively fashioned furniture and musical instruments. There are masks from Africa, glass vases from Italy, and tapestries from China.

What I see when I look at these things is not just a bunch of “stuff.” What I see is a record of what that person’s Divine Inner Spirit experienced in its time here on Earth. What I sense is that person’s Spirit saying, “Look at all the interesting places I visited while I was here! Look at the beauty I was able to see, acquire, and enjoy on a daily basis!”

It’s easy to look at all the things that someone collects, and draw the conclusion that this person was overly materialistic. But you know what? As the popular singer/songwriter called Sting once sang, “We are Spirits in the material world!” And I, for one, believe that the material world is a source of great joy to the Spirit within.

As an individual expression of what is sometimes called, “The Great Creator,” your Spirit is in this life to create, and to appreciate creativity in all of its various forms. When I see a man who has a great love for his classic car, for example, I don’t see a man obsessed with a material object. I see the Spirit of that man appreciating a beautiful sculpture that has been formed out of metal . . . a sculpture that moves . . . and a sculpture that can take you to places on this planet you have never been to before. I see the Spirit of that man enjoying the experience of being alive and in this physical world.

So, dear friends, can you accumulate too much “stuff” in life. You bet. Can you become too attached to some of that “stuff?” Certainly. It almost goes without saying that it is very important for you to not let your possessions possess you. And it is wise to keep a close eye on that potential issue, and clear out those things that you don’t really need, or no longer appreciate. But, that said, don’t be too hard on yourself about what you choose to hold on to . . . especially if it is mostly cherished artwork or treasured souvenirs from your wonderful trip to planet Earth.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Divine Procrastination

2011-08-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

August 21, 2011

Dear Friends,

Have you ever had something on your “To Do List” that you knew was important for fulfilling a particular desire, but—for some reason—you kept putting off doing it? Then, one day, you just suddenly felt like taking that action? And when you did, you discovered that your timing was absolutely perfect, and everything flowed beautifully?

I’ve had that happen quite a bit. And I’ve coined a phrase for it. I call it “divine procrastination.”

As a rule, procrastination is not a constructive behavioral trait. But occasionally, there’s a very good reason why you don’t feel like doing something. Your inner Spirit is telling you that the timing just isn’t right!

Sometimes, your part of the manifestation process needs to be delayed until other pieces of the puzzle are put into place—until other people do what they are being divinely directed to do, or obstacles that you are unaware of are removed from your path.

Sometimes, too, you may not feel motivated to act, because your Spirit knows that it would be premature for you to accomplish a particular goal right now. There might be a few things that you need to learn first.

Or, if you have a dream to bring a brand new product or service into this world, perhaps your Spirit knows that your product or service will be much easier to produce or provide at a later date, or the additional time will give you the opportunity to make your offering an even better one.

That said, please don’t use this idea of divine procrastination as a flimsy excuse for continually dragging your feet, or for avoiding something that is outside of your personal comfort zone. You’ll know when you are doing that, because you will feel a subtle sense of guilt about your procrastination, instead of feeling perfectly okay about it. Just be aware that, on any given day, some things on your “To Do List” will elicit more positive and peaceful feelings than others. And pay attention to that.

Rest assured, that when the time is right, your Spirit will give you the nudge you need. All of a sudden you will just feel like taking a step that may have been on your list for days, weeks, or even months.

What’s on your “To Do List” right now? Is there something that seems to stand out today, that didn’t yesterday? Is there a subtle sense of “rightness” about doing something in particular on your list, or a new sense of urgency about it? Perhaps your Spirit is trying to tell you something. Perhaps the time has finally come for you to take that action you have been putting off for so long.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Divine Encounters

2011-08-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

August 14, 2011

Dear Friends,

In last week’s message, I wrote about the people you “attract” into your life, and how those people are often there to help you accomplish a goal or realize a dream. These divinely orchestrated relationships—no matter how brief—are always beneficial to both parties. And usually, the mutual benefits are obvious. But not always.

Sometimes, the Universe brings two people together for a purpose that is far more significant than either person recognizes or realizes. In 2007 I met a man in Quincy, Illinois who shared his story with me, and it is a perfect example of what I am talking about.

This man, Mac, is fascinated with antique farm equipment, and he has an entire barn—a museum really—filled with inventions that have made farming more efficient and less physically demanding.

One day, Mac attended a farm equipment exhibition in a town in far eastern Iowa. Out of all the people who were there, Mac felt “compelled” to introduce himself to one man in particular. This man’s name was Skip, and Mac learned that Skip lived clear across Iowa in the border town of Omaha, Nebraska—the same town that Mac’s daughter, Connie, happened to live in.

After a few minutes, Mac asked Skip if he knew anyone who had a particular antique grain conveyor for sale. Surprisingly, Skip told Mac that his own family had that very piece of equipment sitting unused on a farm in northwestern Iowa, and they would be happy to sell it.

Delighted by this happy coincidence, Mac offered to purchase the conveyor. The two men arranged to meet in Omaha a few weeks later, and drive up to the farm together to pick it up . . . which is just what they did.

After putting the conveyor on a trailer, Mac and Skip began the long, slow drive back to Omaha. During the course of their conversations, Mac revealed that ten years earlier his granddaughter—Connie's child—had lost her life in a car accident when she was just a teenager. Skip asked where the accident had happened, and when Mac told him, Skip grew very quiet.

Mac went on to explain that another teenager—a boy—was driving Mac’s granddaughter home that night, and they were hit by a car that ran a red light. The boy survived, but Mac’s granddaughter didn’t. When Skip heard this, he became quieter still.

After several miles of silence, Skip finally asked Mac what his granddaughter’s name was. When Mac told him, Skip paused, then quietly replied: “The boy who was driving your granddaughter home that night was my son.”

Naturally, Mac was stunned by this amazing coincidence, and he wondered what the significance of this divinely orchestrated encounter was. The answer came quickly enough. Although Mac, Connie, and the rest of their family had made peace with this tragedy long ago, Mac had the definite feeling that it still troubled Skip—that there was some kind of unfinished business that he had never attended to. And when Mac found out that Skip had never met Connie, Mac felt guided to ask Skip if he wanted to visit her when they got back to Omaha. Skip said yes.

What transpired between Connie and Skip—the mother of one child, and the father of the other—is between them. Mac only knows that hugs were exchanged, tears were shed, and some kind of needed closure was reached.

What I find particularly beautiful about Mac’s story is this: There are plenty of things in life that we consciously know we want—like a new car, a bigger house, or a better job. But there are also plenty of things we deeply need, which we may not be fully aware of—like complete recovery from an old emotional wound. How comforting it is to know that the divine flow can bring us together in ways that not only give us what we wish for on a surface level, but can also—at the very same time—take care of a desire that lies beneath . . . such as a desire to be healed, or a desire to be returned to a state of peace.

What a blessing that is! Is it not?

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Networking and The Divine Flow

2011-08-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

August 7, 2011

Dear Friends,

In 2001, when I was laid off from my 30-year career in advertising, one of my friends in the business said to me, "You'd better start networking!" I cringed when I heard that. Why? Well, for a couple of reasons:

First, I wasn't sure I wanted to stay in the advertising business any longer. And second, the whole idea of "networking" had always made me feel very uncomfortable. At the time, networking felt to me like something that only high-pressure salesmen did . . . you know, passing out their business cards right and left—often inappropriately.

However, as I began my new career as a spiritual author, speaker, and teacher, it didn't take me very long to realize that networking—if seen in the proper perspective—is actually an important part of living life in the divine flow.

Rarely, if ever, do you get anywhere in life completely on your own. Usually, you need the help of at least one other person to get where you want to go. In fact, quite often, the assistance of several people, or more, is required for you to reach your chosen destination.

When you tell the Universe what it is you want to have, do, or be in life, you attract these people to you. The Universe literally sends them your way to assist you in fulfilling your desire. These are the people who have the leads, contacts, information, and inside scoop that you don't have. And, as part of your divine flow, they have been divinely inspired to share what they know with you . . . or, to direct you to others who might be of assistance to you . . . or, to take direct action themselves on your behalf.

When you recognize these people for who they are, or who they might be, and—with an open heart and an open mind—you engage them in conversation, isn't that networking?

Of course, like most anything, networking can be misused—especially when the relationship is one-sided and you are just trying to "get something" from the other person. But when you enter into any relationship—even the briefest of encounters—seeking ways that the two of you can be of mutually beneficial service to each other, that's networking as it is divinely designed to be done.

Many of my speaking engagements have come about by just that kind of networking. My first home in Sedona was the result of networking. And networking is responsible for much of the prosperity I have enjoyed in my life.

So, my friends, do you have a dream that you want to realize? Do you have a goal that you want to accomplish? Then, as my advertising friend said to me ten years ago, "You'd better start networking!" Or, as I am more inclined to say: Pay attention to the people who come into your life, and treat them with the honor, respect, and gratitude they deserve as your brothers and sisters in spirit. Who knows . . . they may be divinely guided "Earth Angels" who have crossed your path for the sole purpose of helping you fulfill your heart's desires effortlessly.

To all the people who have been part of the divine flow in my life, thank you all!

Steven

P.S. On August 11th, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, I will be conducting a one-hour Teleclass on the four main ways you may be inadvertently interfering with the divine flow in your life. This class is $15, and it will be recorded so you can listen to it later. To register for this event, go to www.rowrowrow.eventbrite.com.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row, Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

One Step At A Time

2011-07-29T16:02:00.000-07:00

July 31, 2011

Dear Friends,

One of my favorite quotations is this one by the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tzu:

“A journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step.”

I was originally planning to use that quotation to punctuate a particular point I made in my message for the week of June 26th. In that message I pointed out that you generally get where you are going in life by taking one step at a time. And when you focus only on the step that is right in front of you—the step that is right here, right now—it is almost impossible for you to feel overwhelmed . . . no matter how far away your chosen destination is.

But I didn’t use that quotation. Why? Because when I researched it on-line, one source said that a more correct translation from the original Chinese would be:

“The journey of a thousand miles
begins beneath one’s feet.”

The source of this alternative translation suggested that rather than emphasizing the first step, Lao-Tzu regarded action as something that arises naturally from stillness.

Hey! As far as living life in the divine flow goes, that fits too! As I have said many times, “being in the flow” is about taking action . . . but not just any action. It’s about taking divinely inspired action! And for the most part, that inspiration arises from deep within you—guiding you forward from wherever you happen to be standing. You may be inspired to take a step in one particular direction. Or, you may be inspired to take no immediate action at all, giving the Universe time to forge a new opportunity for you out of the very circumstance you are experiencing.

Yes, living life in the divine flow is about actively taking steps to get where you want to go in life. But I cannot emphasize enough the importance of pausing long enough between each and every single one of those steps to get in touch with the wisdom of your inner Spirit. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being quiet long enough to hear that still, small voice of divine direction. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being still long enough to attune yourself to the feel of the flow, and—if so directed—to step back and allow the flow to work is magic without your interference.

Do you have a journey of a thousand miles ahead of you? Then before you take that first step, be still! And after you take that first step, be still again! Remember that a journey of a thousand miles not only begins with a single step, it ends with a single step. And if you want that journey to be a virtually effortless one—from beginning to end—I encourage you to take only one step at a time . . . allowing the next step to arise naturally out of the stillness.

Steven

P.S. On August 4th, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, I will be conducting a one-hour Teleclass on the three main ways you receive divine guidance in life, and how to enhance your ability to receive that guidance. This class is $15, and it will be recorded so you can listen to it later. To register for this event, go to www.rowrowrow.eventbrite.com.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Power of Divine Dreams

2011-07-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

July 24, 2011

Dear Friends,

Of all the ways that your inner Spirit can speak to you, perhaps the most interesting one is through your dreams. Although it is common for me to experience the guidance of my Spirit through a thought that suddenly pops into my head, or through a subtle—but telling—feeling or physical sensation, divine dreams are rare for me. And by “divine dreams,” I mean dreams that are so clear, so meaningful, and so helpful, there is little doubt that they are “heaven sent.”

What follows are three dreams that helped Carol and me deal with some troubling issues in a manner that was remarkably direct and effective:

Dream #1

I had this dream about 20 years ago, when I was working at an advertising agency in Dallas, Texas. There was one man at this agency with whom I was always butting heads. We could never see eye to eye, and we argued about almost everything incessantly.

One night I dreamed that this man and I were at it again—yelling and screaming and stomping our feet. Suddenly, another person entered the room, looked around, and said, “Oh, I’m sorry. I was looking for some adults.”

When I woke up the next morning, not only was that dream still clear in my mind, but its meaning was also crystal clear. I was behaving like a little child! My heated exchanges with this man were little more than childish temper tantrums I was throwing because I couldn’t get my way!

After that dream, I am happy to say that I finally began to act my age, and behave like the 40-year-old professional I was. I finally grew up a little!

Dream #2

This dream also occurred while I was working at the advertising agency I just mentioned. I had been assigned a permanent partner to work with—a lovely lady I’ll call Linda. Our partnership was supposed to be ideal, because we were both very much alike—perfectionists.

Can you see the potential problem here? Two perfectionists don’t work well together when their ideas about perfection aren’t the same! On a personal basis, I really liked Linda, because I could relate to her persnickety ways. But our professional relationship was quickly growing tense and uncomfortable.

Then, one night, I dreamed that Linda walked up to me in the lobby of our office building, and we embraced. And as we did, I felt genuine love for Linda. I didn’t feel like I was “in love” with her exactly, but I certainly felt a deep sense of compassion for this lady.

And guess what? When I woke up the next morning, that warm, tender feeling stayed with me. And from that point on, I was able to treat Linda with the loving kindness that she deserved. Sure, we still had our differences of opinion. But after that dream, I was able to work things out with Linda in a much more patient and respectful way. My heart had opened up, and our troubled relationship was healed.

Dream #3

If you have heard the “Dragonfly Story” that Carol and I often tell, you may remember that after her mother passed away, Carol was disturbed by the last image she had of her mother—that of a withered and lifeless body. Although Carol knows that our Spirits live on, she just couldn’t get that painful picture out of her mind. But Carol was finally relieved of that burden due to the miraculous appearance of some dragonflies. These dragonflies—which symbolize transformation—appeared at such a unique and meaningful time and place, it was clearly a divine reminder for Carol that her mother was not that lifeless form. Her mother was transformed! She was now a beautiful Spirit—lively, loving, and flying free!

But there’s more to the story than that. Because shortly after Carol’s burden was lifted, she had a dream. In this dream Carol was looking over an audience seated in a large auditorium. Suddenly, Carol heard a voice whisper, “Your mother is here.” Excited, Carol quickly responded, “Where?” At that moment, Carol’s mother—now looking very happy and very healthy—stood up in the center of the crowd and loudly proclaimed, “I’m right here! And I’m not dead!”

Thanks to that divine dream (and those dragonflies) the image that Carol now holds of her mother is strictly a beautiful one—a vibrant picture of everlasting life and unending love.

Friends, have you ever had a dream that helped you recover from something painful? Have you ever had a dream that helped you heal a relationship? Have you ever had a dream that answered a pressing question that you had, told you your next right step, or guided you to something you greatly needed?

Whether your answer is yes or no, I invite you to nurture your ability to have divine dreams. Before you go to bed each night, take some time to affirm for yourself that you are open to receiving a message from your Spirit, and that you will clearly remember that message and completely understand it. It also helps to have a pen and paper nearby, so you can write down your dream the moment you wake up.

Here’s to receiving divine assistance from your inner Spirit . . . not only when you are awake, but also when you are asleep! Here’s to the healing and revealing power of divine dreams!

Steven

P.S. If you are new to my work and you missed my free, one-hour Teleseminar last Thursday, you will find a recording of it on this page of the host’s website: www.joyandsuccess.com/register.html.

P.P.S. If you are planning to participate in both of the follow-up Teleclasses I am conducting on August 4th and August 11th, you can receive a discount for these events if you register before this coming Thursday, July 28th. For information and/or to register, please visit www.rowrowrow.eventbrite.com.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Freedom and The Divine Flow, Part 3

2011-07-16T10:06:00.000-07:00

July 17, 2011

Dear Friends,

Two weeks ago I wrote about the freedom you have as a Child of The Divine to choose what you want to have, do, or be in life . . . and the freedom you have to pursue those goals in any way that you see fit.

Last week I wrote about the freedom you experience when you let go of your attachment to a specific outcome, and when you realize that your happiness does not rely on achieving that particular outcome . . . or any outcome.

To conclude this three-part series on freedom and the divine flow, I want to remind you that you are still not truly free as long as you are subject to the tyrannical rule of ego—of that “little, limited self” that tells you that you don’t have enough, and that you need more; that “little, limited self” that tells you that you are not good enough, and that you need to be better; or that “little, limited self” that tells you that you are better than everyone else, and others are simply not good enough for you!

As long as you are subject to the rule of ego, your ability to experience a joyful and fulfilling life is restricted and constricted in almost every single way.

So—right here and right now—I invite you to declare your freedom from ego’s oppressive and dictatorial rule. It is the freedom that comes from recognizing that you have enough because you are enough. You are a glorious Child of The Divine . . . equal at birth and equal in worth to every other person on this planet . . . free of all limits . . . and deserving of all that the Universe so freely offers you!

Remember that every day is Independence Day, whenever you get in touch with that Divine Spirit that freely lives—and freely loves—at the core of your being.

Here’s to experiencing true independence—that sense of absolute and unconditional freedom that originates deep within yourself.

Steven

P.S. If you are new to my work, you will appreciate a free introductory teleseminar I am conducting on July 21st. In this teleseminar I will talk about the three main ways you receive divine guidance in life, and the four ways you may be inadvertently interfering with that guidance. These points will be explored more fully in two follow-up teleclasses I will be presenting in August. For more information, and to register for these events, go to www.rowrowrow.eventbrite.com.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Freedom and The Divine Flow, Part 2

2011-07-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

July 10, 2011

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about the freedom you have as a child of The Divine to choose what you want to have in life, to choose what you want to do in life, and to choose what you want to be in life. And I wrote about the freedom you have to pursue those goals in any way that you see fit.

This week I want to expand on that message. I want to point out that you are never truly free as long as you remain overly attached to one specific outcome. Nor are you truly free if you believe that you must achieve that outcome in order to be happy.

Always keep in mind that no matter what it is you “think” you want, the divine flow may be guiding you to something that is even better—to something that may be greater and grander than anything you ever imagined possible, and to something that will always fulfill your desire in a truly deep, lasting, and meaningful way. True freedom comes from letting go and allowing the divine flow to lead you to that destination—to a destination that may be quite different from the one you planned on or expected.

And even then, you are not truly free if you believe that you can’t be happy until you reach that destination . . . or any destination. As the saying goes, “It’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey.” And happiness, my friends, is found in the journey—not the destination.

In fact, when all is said and done, you are not truly free until you can momentarily forget your goals and dreams altogether, and just appreciate what life has to offer you right here and right now!

You are not truly free until you remember that nothing outside of yourself has the power to make you happy—nothing that you acquire, and nothing that you achieve.

You are not truly free until you recognize that happiness is fundamentally a choice. It is something that you allow yourself to feel, and something that can only come from that innately joyful place within you—from that inner sanctum where your Spirit resides.

Here’s to letting go of attachments to things that lie outside of yourself. Here’s to finding the happiness that lies within yourself. And here’s to experiencing the true freedom that comes from doing that.

Steven

P.S. If you are relatively new to my work, you will appreciate a free introductory teleseminar I am conducting on July 21st. In this teleseminar I will talk about the three main ways you receive divine guidance in life, and the four ways you may be inadvertently interfering with that guidance. These points will be explored more fully in two follow-up teleclasses I will be presenting in August. For more information, and to register for these events, go to www.rowrowrow.eventbrite.com.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Freedom and The Divine Flow

2011-07-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2011

Here in the United States, July 4th is Independence Day, the day we celebrate our right as a people to create our own futures and pursue our own dreams . . . free from oppressive and dictatorial rule.

But let us remember, too, that when it comes to our relationship with that Divine Intelligence that is commonly called God, every day is Independence Day . . . and should be recognized and celebrated as such.

Each and every day, you have the freedom—the independence—to choose what you want to have in life, what you want to do in life, and what you want to be in life. And you have the freedom to pursue those goals in any way that you see fit.

That doesn’t mean that accomplishing those goals is totally up to you—and you alone. Quite the contrary. You are continually receiving divine assistance. You are constantly being divinely guided and supported in fulfilling your heart’s desires in the most beneficial way possible. But you will never—ever—be forced to do anything that you don't choose to do.

You always have the freedom to follow divine guidance . . . or not. You can choose to row with the divine flow, and reach your chosen destinations with effortless ease. Or, you can choose to take a more arduous route, and row against the flow by ignoring or resisting divine direction. It's up to you.

The wonderful thing about your freedom of choice is this: Every choice you make in life—whether it is divinely guided or unguided, divinely inspired or ego-driven—gives you an opportunity to learn from your experience, grow in wisdom and compassion, and ultimately discover more about your own divinely loving and creative nature.

But again, it's your choice. You can choose to learn and grow from the experiences you create . . . or not.

Here's to the joy that comes from creating our lives and living our lives by choice. May we always be grateful for the freedom we have to do that.

Steven

P.S. If you are relatively new to my work, you will appreciate a free introductory teleseminar I am conducting on July 21st. In this teleseminar I will talk about the three main ways you receive divine guidance in life, and the four ways you may be inadvertently interfering with that guidance. These points will be explored more fully in two follow-up teleclasses I will be presenting in August. For more information, and to register for these events, go to www.rowrowrow.eventbrite.com.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Feeling Overwhelmed?

2011-06-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

June 26, 2011

Dear Friends,

Fairly often, people will tell me how overwhelmed they feel by everything that they need to do—and want to do—in their lives. Their day-to-day responsibilities, combined with all the things they think they need to do to accomplish their goals and dreams, is just too much. Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by it all?

The way I look at it, there are three main reasons why you may, at times, feel overwhelmed . . . but unnecessarily so!

The first is laboring under the impression that it’s up to you—and you alone—to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. If that’s what you think, then yes indeed, completing your “To Do List” will not only feel like a daunting task, it will be a daunting task.

Never forget that you have celestial assistance in life! It’s the kind of assistance that comes mainly through divine guidance—through steps that are suggested to you by your own intuition, by divine signs and synchronicities, and by others who are divinely inspired to share their wisdom with you. When you remember to consciously look for—and be open to—divine direction, you will find that you can accomplish a multitude of tasks in an incredibly effective and efficient manner.

The second reason you may feel overwhelmed is because you are simply not in the now moment. You are looking way too far ahead and imagining—all at once—every step you will “probably” have to take to fulfill your desires. Do you know with absolute certainty that you will really have to take all of those steps? And even if you do, keep in mind that you generally get where you are going in life by taking one step at a time. And when you focus only on the step that is right in front of you—the step that is right here, right now—it is almost impossible to feel overwhelmed.

Which brings me to the final reason you may feel overwhelmed. You believe that you have identified your next right step, but you are feeling anxious about taking that step because it is a really big step. Hey, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of a step, then that step is probably not your next right step! Why? Because the divine flow never requires you to “bite off more than you can chew.”

One of the telltale signs of a next right step is that it is relatively easy to do. The divine flow does not ask you to take giant leaps. Instead, it offers you tiny little baby steps that—when taken one right after another—move you effortlessly down the stream in the direction of your dreams.

Think small! Maybe there is a step that you are completely overlooking because it seems so insignificant . . . like visiting a certain website to get a little more information about something. Or, perhaps there is a step that you are not noticing because it doesn’t even look like a step to you . . . like accepting that invitation to a friend’s party. Who knows what helpful person you might meet there?

If you want to stay in the flow, be sure to pay attention to—and take care of—all of those “little” things that seem to just “pop up” in life. Stay in the present moment and concentrate only on the task at hand. And continually seek—and be receptive to—divine direction in all of its various forms. Do those things, dear friends, and instead of feeling overwhelmed by it all . . . you will feel overjoyed by it all!

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Fatherhood and The Divine Flow

2011-06-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

June 19, 2011

Dear Friends,

Many of the churches where I present my talks and workshops refer to the divine power at work in this world as “Father-Mother-God.” The reason is apparent. It is a simple reminder that this Higher Power that many of us call God, not only has a nature that we associate with fatherhood, but it also has characteristics that we associate with motherhood . . . such as nurturing.

I’ve never had an issue with the notion of God as Mother. But I’ll be perfectly honest with you. For much of my life I was very uncomfortable with the concept of God as Father.

You see, I used to harbor a lot of resentments towards my own father, and whenever I heard the word “Father” used in reference to God, I would cringe a little.

Then one day I had a revelation—one so simple, I was astounded that it didn’t occur to me sooner. I remembered that I was a father. And what, as a father, did I feel towards my children? Nothing but unconditional love. And what, as a father, did I want for my children? Nothing but for them to be happy and fulfilled . . . and I would gladly do anything in my power to help them achieve their dreams, and live abundant and joyful lives.

For the first time, I could finally relate to idea of God as Father . . . as a loving, generous, and powerful presence in my life that was continually providing for my needs, and continually guiding me towards the fulfillment of my heart’s desires.

At that moment, I not only changed the way I felt about God as Father, but I began to feel differently about my own father, as well. I began to look beyond his human shortcomings to see the divinely loving spirit within him. And I am happy to say that today I can truly appreciate many things about my father that I ignored or took for granted in the past.

Here’s to all the men who have been “fathers” in our lives—who have provided for our well-being, and guided us in effective ways of providing for ourselves . . . just like the divine flow guides and provides.

Here’s to our earthly fathers . . . and here’s to our heavenly one, as well.

Happy Father’s Day!

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Gratitude and The Divine Flow

2011-06-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

June 12, 2011

Dear Friends,

In November of 2006, Carol and I moved from Dallas, Texas to Sedona, Arizona. Sedona, as most of you know, is one of the prettiest places on the planet . . . considered by many to be their personal paradise.

Shortly after moving here, one of our dearest friends wrote to us and asked, “Do you pinch yourselves every day to make sure that you are not just dreaming that you live in Sedona?”

Well, the answer is “yes.” We do have to pinch ourselves every day. But it’s not to assure ourselves that we are not dreaming. It’s the opposite of that. We have to pinch ourselves every day to remind ourselves to be grateful for where we are living, and not take it for granted.

I am constantly amazed by how easy it is to take almost anything for granted—even this heavenly haven called Sedona. It takes very little for me to become distracted by the day-to-day details of living and working, and completely forget to appreciate the beauty that is all around me: the magnificent red rock formations, the brilliant orange sunsets, the profusion of purple blooms, and the abundance of wildlife right in our own backyard.

I bring this up, because one of the keys to living life in the divine flow is to have an attitude of gratitude. And why is gratitude so important? Because when you are grateful, you feel good. And when you feel good, you are more open and receptive to divine guidance, and thus able to experience the flow’s miracles more freely and more frequently.

The challenge is maintaining that attitude of gratitude for all of those things that you usually take for granted, such as your health, your home, and your helpful relationships. To live life in the divine flow it is important to be continually grateful for all of the blessings you have in your life—not just the extraordinary ones, such as receiving unexpected income, or miraculously avoiding an accident.

Take a moment right now to look around you. What are you taking for granted? And what, instead, should you be consciously grateful for? Pinch yourself, and begin to consciously count your blessings. You may be surprised by how quickly the divine flow gives you even more to be grateful for!

Steven

P.S. Below is a delightful video of a little girl affirming everything she is grateful for. You can’t help but be uplifted by her enthusiasm.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

When The Flow Seems Slow

2011-06-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

June 5, 2011

Dear Friends,

I am happy to say that most of the time, I can sense the divine flow in my life quite easily. I notice a steady stream of signs, synchronicities, and intuitive nudges that are all pointing me in one particular direction. And when I head in that direction, I feel like I am in a gently moving current that is helping me get where I want to go with effortless ease.

Sure, sometimes there are unexpected twists and turns along the way. But usually, those surprising detours quickly transform into stepping-stones to a higher good. So even in those circumstances, I can still feel the divine flow at work on my behalf.

In other words, whether the flow takes a direct route, or a more circuitous one, some kind of divine movement in my life is usually very apparent.

But not always.

Occasionally, I experience periods in my life when it feels like the flow is hardly moving at all, leaving me in still waters for days—or even weeks—on end. I do not see any signs, or experience any meaningful coincidences. Doors are not opening for me. Opportunities are not presenting themselves. My inner voice is silent. And I have no idea what my next right step is.

Friends, are you experiencing something like that in your life right now? Then I invite you to consider the following:

• The flow may be slowing things down on purpose, so you will arrive at just the right place at just the right moment. It’s simply a matter of divine timing.

• The flow may be hard at work removing obstacles in your path that you are not aware of.

• Because of certain freewill decisions that you—or others—have made, the flow may be having to rearrange a lot of things, so you can once again move down the stream toward your dream in the most beneficial way possible.

• The flow may simply be giving you the time to become the kind of person you need to be before you arrive at your chosen destination.

Those are just a few of the reasons why the flow can seem painfully slow at times. The challenge in those trying times is to not lose your patience. You may feel like there is something you should be doing to bring you one step closer to you chosen destination . . . and doing nothing feels uncomfortable. But the fact is, in many instances, doing nothing is exactly what is called for.

Sometimes, your job is just to wait patiently while the divine flow works its magic. And that’s when it is more important than ever to make sure that you are meditating on a daily basis. Why? Because meditation helps you become more patient.

When you meditate you are consciously connecting with your inner Divine Spirit. Your Spirit exists in a world that lies beyond time and space. It is always in the Eternal Now, which means that how long something is going to take, or how far away something is, are meaningless concepts. What may try the patience of your ego is never—ever—an issue for your Spirit.

Remember too, that your Spirit can see a virtually unlimited number of ways for you to achieve your dream. So when something occurs that blocks your way or impedes your progress, your ego may become impatient, but your Spirit won’t.

If you want to avoid frustration, and the unpleasant consequences that can come from losing your patience and forcing your way forward, take some time each morning to consciously connect with that all-knowing, eternal Spirit within you . . . a Spirit that is—by its very nature—infinitely patient.

And the rest of the time? Hey, enjoy the break! Take care of all the little details in life that are calling for your attention. Enjoy the time that you have been given to partake of life's many simple pleasures. And take advantage of this opportunity to just "be."

Don't worry about how slow the flow may seem. If—through your daily practice of meditation—you remain open and receptive to divine direction, I assure you that the current will pick up soon enough. Eventually, clear guidance will come. Your next divinely directed step will appear. And helpful doors will open. And when that happens, there is a very good chance that you will be able to see the perfect timing in it all.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Ripple Effect

2011-05-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

May 29, 2011

Dear Friends,

Once in a while I meet someone who has the mistaken impression that if you truly “master” all of the principles for living life in the divine flow, you will never again run into any obstacles or challenges in life. I wish!

It’s true, that when you consistently follow divine direction, the number of obstacles and challenges you encounter in life will diminish dramatically. However, no matter how good you are at recognizing and cooperating with divine guidance, you are still likely to encounter quite a few obstacles and challenges along the way . . . for two very good reasons:

First, there are certain challenges that—on the level of your spirit—you actually want to experience. Why? Because some challenges offer you an ideal opportunity to grow spiritually or mature emotionally—to heal a long neglected emotional wound, for instance, or to expand a limited way of being that is preventing you from living a more fulfilling and joyful life. (For more about this, re-read my message titled, “Purposely Choosing Challenges” by clicking here.)

The second reason that some obstacles and challenges are unavoidable—even when you are highly attuned to the feel of the flow—is because of something called “the ripple effect.” Keep in mind that we are all interrelated and interconnected in ways that we can’t even begin to conceive of. So, when even one of us does not follow the guidance of the divine, and, instead, makes a choice out of ego—out of fear or frustration, judgment or jealousy—that decision creates a ripple that can go out and eventually affect the rest of us.

On a personal level, it’s like the scenario of a boss who unjustly criticizes one of his male employees; the misjudged employee then goes home and unfairly belittles his wife; the upset wife then kicks the dog when it gets in her way; the confused dog then bites the delivery man . . . and on and on it goes.

On a global level, it’s like the time in 2001 that a man directed his followers to hijack some American Airlines planes and fly them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center. That action had a ripple effect that directly changed the lives of countless people across the country and around the world . . . including me. At that time I was employed by the advertising agency for American Airlines. Right after 9/11, American Airlines decided to stop advertising for a while. My agency had to cut its budget. People were laid off. And I was one of those people.

It’s a simple case of cause and effect . . . like the choices that led to the dramatic downturn in our economy over the last few years. We are still experiencing the effect of that ripple!

So, does being a “master” at living life in the divine flow mean that you will never encounter another obstacle or challenge in your life? Obviously not. What it does mean, though, is this: When you encounter an obstacle or a challenge, you will always know the best way to respond to it, because you will be intimately connected to the wisdom of your spirit. You will intuitively know what to do, when to do it, and if you should do anything at all. And even more importantly—because you will be responding from the part of you that is divine love itself—your every response will be a loving one.

And guess what? When you respond to a challenge with love, you create a brand new ripple—a ripple that is so great, it has the power overcome, cancel out, or transform all that has gone before it! In fact, there is no ripple in this world that is more powerful than the one created by a simple act of loving-kindness.

Why not start your own positive ripple today? It begins the instant you treat a challenging person with compassion, or greet a troublesome situation with understanding. Believe me, you are definitely going to like the effect of that ripple!

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

You Are Worthy!

2011-05-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2011

Dear Friends,

Last weekend I attended the christening of my second grandson, Tanner Taylor Thomas, pictured here:

Regardless of what christening may mean in various religious circles, I like to think of christening as a ceremony in which the true identity of a baby is named and proclaimed. And what is that true identity? It is the same identity that you, and I, and everyone on this planet share: We are all children of The Divine—individual expressions of that loving and creative energy that many call God.

As children of The Divine we are all divinely loved, divinely protected, and divinely entitled to lives of peace, prosperity, and fulfillment. And to enjoy these divine privileges we don’t have to do a single thing. Just the fact that we exist—just being—is cause enough for celebration.

Unfortunately, we don’t always feel this sense of divine entitlement, do we? Instead of feeling that we have a divine right to whatever it is we want to have, do, or be in life, we may feel that we don’t deserve to have our dreams come true. We may feel that we are not good enough, or smart enough, or capable enough. In a word, we may feel that we are not “worthy.”

This is a big issue, because our thoughts about ourselves influence the choices that we make in life. And choices based on feelings of low self-worth can easily sabotage our ability to fulfill our heart’s desires.

I wish there was a magic wand I could wave that would cause every single person on this planet to immediately recognize his or her innate worth as a beloved child of The Divine. Obviously, I don’t have a wand like that. However, I do have a helpful tool. It’s an Affirmation of Worth that “wrote itself” through me a number of years ago. Here it is:

AN AFFIRMATION OF WORTH

God is All That Is.
And I am part of All That Is.
I now acknowledge my innate worth
as a vital part of The Divine Whole.

It is through me that God knows God’s Self
in a way that no other experience can duplicate.
God cherishes my existence,
and it is God’s great pleasure
to help me fulfill my heart’s desires effortlessly.

It doesn’t matter to whom I was born,
or what circumstances followed.
Nor does it matter
how anyone else perceives my value.

I know that I am a precious and essential
part of this Universe . . .
that I have a right to be here,
and that I have a special purpose to fulfill
in this time and place.

I am wanted.
I am needed.
I am worthy and deserving.

I am a Holy Child of The Divine.
Peace, joy, and prosperity
are mine by divine right.
And I claim my divine inheritance now!

If you are struggling with your sense of worthiness, I hope you find this Affirmation to be helpful.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Of Heart And Home

2011-05-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

May 15, 2011

Dear Friends,

During the six years that I have writing these weekly inspirational messages, the world has experienced numerous natural disasters, including devastating floods, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, and even volcanic eruptions. These horrific events have resulted in the loss of thousands upon thousands of lives. And thousands upon thousands of livelihoods have been destroyed, as well. Family businesses that took years and years to build have been obliterated in seconds. And these losses—of both lives and livelihoods—have been the cause of great grief.

Recently, a huge cluster of powerful tornadoes tore across the southeastern United States, and once again many, many lives and livelihoods have been lost. But something else has been lost, as well. It is something that is also the cause of great grief. And it is something that I want to specifically acknowledge in this message. It is the loss of people’s homes.

In television interviews with families who have lost their homes, but not their lives, it is nice to see that all of these people recognize that—in the largest sense—life is not about things, it is about love. And even though their houses and all of the things in them are now gone, these people are extremely grateful to still have each other. They feel blessed, in fact.

The loss of one’s home, however, is not something to be minimized. It is still a very real—and very significant—loss. And grieving the loss of one’s home is both understandable and appropriate.

A home, as you well know, is much more than bricks and mortar, wood and shingles, stucco and tile. It is much more than a structure, a shelter, or even—in some cases—a work of art. A home is a box of memories, containing cherished mementos, souvenirs, keepsakes, heirlooms, and irreplaceable photographs. All of those treasured things are physical symbols of the people and the experiences in our lives that we hold near and dear to our hearts.

Although the memories themselves remain intact, it is still understandably tragic when the “memory collage” that one has spent a lifetime constructing, has been destroyed by fire, wind, water, or a shift in the earth itself.

To each of you who have recently lost your home, a loved one, a beloved pet, or anything else that occupies an important place in your heart, know that you have the entire Universe working on your behalf to help you restore your sense of wholeness, recover your sense of peace, and rebuild whatever it is that needs rebuilding.

And know, too, that even though it may not appear that way to you right now, with the help of The Divine, it is always possible for great good to come out of this time of great grief.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Motherhood and Manifesting

2011-05-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

May 8, 2011

Dear Friends,

In the United States, the second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day. That’s the day we celebrate the women in our lives who conceived us, gave birth to us, and nurtured us as we began to establish our own individual identities in the world.

As I contemplate the beauty of motherhood on this special day, I can't help but notice the similarity between motherhood and manifesting. What similarity, exactly?

Well, as I have mentioned many times before, you are an innately creative being. No matter how happy and fulfilled you are, you will always be conceiving of things you want to have, do, or be in your life. Through your words and your actions you will constantly be giving birth to your ideas—to your desires, goals, and dreams. And by giving them your love and attention, you will continually be in the process of nurturing your creations—of helping them to grow into full expression.

In other words, whether you are male or female, whether you have brought a child into this world or not, in many respects you are—at the core of your being—a mother . . . someone who is divinely designed to bring something new and beautiful into this world.

As you pay tribute to your mother (or mothers), and to all the mothers living in the world around you, I invite you to take a moment to also honor the mother that exists within you. Take a moment to celebrate that motherly part of you that is an open chamber for receiving divine ideas, and an open channel for bringing those beautiful ideas into the world, and giving them life.

Here's to the joy of motherhood! And here's to the peace that comes from knowing that the whole universe is willing to help you with that wonderful and immensely fulfilling work.

Happy Day, Mother!

Steven

P.S. If you’re a Mom—especially one with children still living at home—then you know how difficult it can be to stay “in the flow” while you are being pulled in a dozen different directions. Here’s a book and meditation series that can help. It’s called The Enlightened Mom: A Mother’s Guide for Bringing Peace, Love & Light to Your Family’s Life, by Terri Amos-Britt. Terri’s teachings are very much in line with my own, but focus specifically on the challenges of motherhood. For more information about this inspiring book and its 25 guided meditations, click here. (Note: When you close that webpage you will be given the opportunity to purchase the book alone—without the meditations.)

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

We're All In The Same Boat

2011-04-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

May 1, 2011

Dear Friends,

When it comes to living life in the divine flow, it pays to remember that—in a very real sense—we are all "in the same boat." Rarely, if ever, do you get anywhere in life completely on your own. As you row your boat gently down the stream toward your dream, there is always at least one other person (and usually many more) involved in your journey . . . and you may be involved in their journey, as well.

It's as if you have your hands on one oar, but there is someone else manning the other oar. To get where you want to go effectively, efficiently, and effortlessly, you must row in harmony—in tandem—with anyone else involved in the process. If, instead, you are rowing against each other, you are much more likely to row your boat in circles, or run your boat into the rocks and reeds.

In recent weeks, the survivors of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami have demonstrated a remarkable ability to work together to reach what has become their common destination—to recover from their tremendous personal and professional losses, while having their daily needs met.

Although, for the most part, the news from Japan has been heartbreaking, there have been many heartwarming stories, as well—stories of people helping people . . . of people giving and sharing, and going the extra mile to support each other, and care for each other.

Perhaps the cooperative spirit of the Japanese is due to the fact that they are from a small island-nation, and thus, are more keenly aware that they are all “in the same boat.” The point of this week’s message, though, is to remind you that no matter where you are from, or what your current circumstances are, you, too, can experience that same kind of selfless, cooperative assistance. In fact, you can experience the kind of assistance in your life that is nothing less than divine. All it takes is just a little bit of loving kindness.

You see, when you treat others with loving kindness, they are not only more willing to be of assistance to you, but the assistance that you receive is more likely to be divinely inspired. When treated with love and respect, people often become open channels through which divine ideas flow freely into the world . . . and divine ideas are the kind of ideas that are always the most beneficial for you, and for everyone else, too.

That said, can I guarantee you that when you treat someone with loving kindness, he or she will rise to the occasion and become your helpful angel? No. The only thing I can guarantee you is this: If that person feels threatened by you—if you are judging, belittling, or criticizing him or her—you will definitely not get the support you need.

If you need assistance to get down the stream to your dream, it is your job to create the kind of environment where others feel safe enough to be the divine angels that they are at heart. It is your job to practice loving kindness, and create the kind of atmosphere that makes it possible for miracles to manifest in your life . . . and makes it possible for miracles to manifest in the lives of other people, as well.

Here’s to remembering that we are all “in the same boat.” And here’s to treating everybody in that boat with the loving kindness that they deserve as your brothers and sisters in spirit.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

An Easter Reminder

2011-04-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

April 24, 2011

Dear Friends,

As the saying goes, “You are not a human being having an occasional spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being having a temporary human experience.” And there is no better time of the year to affirm that for yourself than Easter.

For me, the Easter story is a dramatic demonstration and profound illustration of something that I believe is just as true for you now, as it was for Jesus over 2,000 years ago—that you are in this world, but you are not of this world.

Like I often mention, your true essence is spirit, not body. And unlike the body, your spirit is eternal and indestructible. Your authentic self is, in a word, divine—an individual expression of that source energy that many call God. And you are here for one purpose, and one purpose only: to express your divine nature in the body, and in the world.

And what, exactly, is that nature? Love. Unconditional love. Divine love.

It’s the kind of love that knows no limits . . . the kind of love that forgives—no matter what. It’s the kind of love that Jesus fully expressed throughout his life, right up to the final moments of his earthly existence. And it’s the kind of love that you, and I, and all of us are called upon to express on a daily basis.

Today, and every day of the year, may you remember who you are, and why you are here. May you remember that the journey of life is not about getting somewhere. The journey of life is about being something. It’s about being the love that you are in every single moment of that journey. And it’s about experiencing the absolute joy that your love brings to the journey, and brings to each and every spirit that you encounter along the way.

Happy Easter!

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

A Fable and The Flow

2011-04-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

April 17, 2011

Dear Friends,

As I mentioned in my last message, no matter how bad you perceive a situation to be, it can quickly become be a stepping-stone to your highest good . . . if you are willing to look at it that way. There is a fable I sometimes tell in my talks and workshops that is a wonderful illustration of this principle. And lately I have realized just how perfect this metaphorical tale really is.

Here’s the story:

“There was once a rancher who owned a donkey. This donkey was more of a pet than a work animal, and the rancher was sad to watch his beloved donkey grow increasingly feeble and blind as time went by.

One day, the rancher noticed the donkey hobbling across a field toward a bucket of oats. Between the donkey and the oats there was a dried-up well, which was encircled by a short stone wall.

The rancher was horrified when the donkey—being half-blind—stumbled over the wall and fell right into the well! The rancher ran out to the well, and looked down into the hole. But the hole was so deep, the rancher couldn’t see the bottom. So he listened carefully for sounds of suffering. But he never heard a thing.

The rancher finally assumed that the donkey must have died instantly in the fall. And although the rancher was very sad about what had happened, he felt like this terrible accident might be a blessing in disguise. The donkey’s life had ended quickly, and the donkey no longer had to suffer the ever-increasing aches and pains of aging.

Since retrieving the donkey from the well would be extremely difficult, the rancher decided to make the well the donkey’s final resting place. He would fill in the dangerous hole, and then erect a small monument to the animal on that very spot.

Requiring help with this, the rancher asked his friends to bring over some loads of dirt, which they did. And after conducting a short, but touching memorial service, the rancher and his buddies began to shovel dirt into the hole.

Well, guess what? Although the well no longer produced water, there was still six feet of wet mud in the bottom of the hole. And the mud had protected the donkey from harm. Other than being disoriented, and having his legs stuck in the mud, the donkey was perfectly fine—alive and well!

But then dirt starts falling on the donkey’s head! And on his back! And all around him! Until finally, the dirt had piled up past the donkey’s knees. And that’s when the donkey’s instinct took over.

First with one leg, and then with the others, the donkey slowly pulled himself out of the mud, and stepped up onto the dry dirt. As more dirt accumulated, the donkey stepped up again. And then again. And then again. Imagine how shocked the rancher was when the donkey suddenly appeared at the top of the well! What a delightful surprise that was!”

You get the point, right? Quite literally, the dirt that was supposed to bury the donkey became his “stepping stone to a higher good!” And the lesson for us should be equally obvious:

We, too, blindly fall into holes. And when we think we’ve hit bottom, sometimes the world adds insult to injury and throws dirt down on us. The difference between people and the donkey, though, is this: We often let the dirt pile up to our necks—or even over our heads—before we are open to seeing the next right step that is right in front of us.

Unlike the donkey, we spend all our time blaming the people who dug the hole, or shaming ourselves for stupidly falling into it. We rant and we rave about the injustice of it all, and in that judgmental state, we fail to notice that the very elements that make up our circumstance can provide us with a way out of our predicament.

But now I see that there is even more depth to this story than I originally thought. For when the donkey got to the top of the well, he was no closer to the oats than he was when he first fell into the hole. And friends, the same may be true for you.

Although it is possible for the divine flow to instantly open a portal that leads directly from the bottom of a hole to a goal that you are trying to reach, more often than not, the next right step that you will be divinely guided to take, will simply be a step that is designed to help lift you up and/or rectify the situation that you are in.

There may be a step that helps you heal emotionally, a step that helps you mature spiritually, or a step that helps restore something that was damaged or lost . . . but those steps won’t necessarily move you any closer to your original destination.

There are consequences to going through life blindly—that is, making choices based on fear and ego, rather than continually seeking divine guidance. And when you fall into a hole, there may be quite a few steps that have to be taken, and quite a bit of time that might have to pass, before you feel like you are once again heading toward your dream.

Whether it’s a step that heals something, reveals something, or repairs something, it’s a great comfort to know that the divine flow is continually providing you with what you need to learn and grow, so you can once again glide toward your goal with effortless ease. Remember, though, it’s up to you to recognize that step when it appears. And it’s up to you to take that step . . . and the one after that . . . and the one after that.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Turning Problems Into Possibilities

2011-04-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

April 10, 2011

Dear Friends,

Every now and then, you will end up in a place that you don’t like. You won’t understand how the problem that you are facing could possibly be part of the divine flow for you, and you will try to figure out why you are experiencing that particular challenge. But, as I put it in my book . . .

“You don’t have to know why things happen the way they do. Because it doesn’t make any difference! Regardless of where you are, regardless of how you got there, and regardless of how bad you perceive your situation to be, it can always be a stepping-stone to your highest good . . . if you are willing to look at it that way.”

Why something happens is not nearly as important as how you respond to it. And the best way to respond to any undesirable situation is to see the potential for good that lies within that situation. It is that kind of positive attitude that keeps you open and receptive to divine guidance—the kind of guidance you will need in order to move beyond your current circumstance.

Admittedly though—depending on the severity of the situation—quickly adopting that kind of positive outlook can be a challenge in itself. That’s why I recommend that you take the following four steps to help turn a problem into a possibility for good.

Step #1. Accept what is. That doesn’t mean that you have to like what’s going on. Acceptance is simply about allowing a current circumstance to be the way it is, and to stop resisting it. If you examine your resistance closely, you will see that it is not about moving beyond your present situation. It is just a futile effort to fight against the very existence of that situation. Friends, what is . . . is! All the resistance in the world is not going to alter that. Refusing to accept something the way it is will only subject you to needless suffering. And as long as you are trying to rewrite history in your head—vainly trying to arrive at a different outcome with thoughts like “This can’t be,” or “This shouldn’t be”—you will have little hope of moving to a place that you do like. As long as you are focused on how something should be, you will restrict the divine evolution of what can be. That is why it is said, “What you resist, persists.”

Step #2. Stop blaming others or shaming yourself for what has occurred. You cannot judge or hold a grudge, and, at the same time, be open and receptive to divine guidance. When you are in a judgmental state of mind, you are in ego. And the ego is the part of your mind that is not open to divine ideas and divine inspiration. To move forward you must stop looking backwards, trying to determine exactly who caused what. Keep in mind that every single person—including you—is doing the best he or she can according to his or her limited knowledge, imperfect understanding, and behavioral conditioning. To see the good that lies within a situation, you must also see the good that lies within each and every person involved in that situation. You must let go of your judgments and release your resentments by looking beyond people’s behavior to see the innocence that exists within them—the innocence of their true self . . . the innocence of their divine inner spirit.

Step #3. Adopt an expectation of good. Again, that doesn’t mean that you have to like your present circumstance. You don’t have to try to trick yourself into believing that your current situation is—in its present state—“good.” But you do have to be open-minded about what you are experiencing, and realize that—with the help of the divine flow—your situation can potentially be good . . . that it can be a stepping-stone to your highest good, a blessing about to bloom, and a miracle in the making. Remember that the divine flow can guide you to your good from wherever you are. You might think that you are “up the creek without a paddle,” but the infinite intelligence of the Universe can see an almost unlimited number of ways for you to get to your highest good from your current position in life. In fact, the very situation you are in may give rise to a divine opportunity that couldn’t have existed in any other environment . . . even if that opportunity is just a chance for you to learn a valuable lesson—a lesson that may serve you well in the future.

Step #4. Seek your next right step. Once you have accepted what is, stopped blaming others or shaming yourself for what has occurred, and have adopted an expectation of good, you are now in a position to be truly open to divine guidance. Generally, there will be some kind of step that you will be divinely directed to take. You might intuitively sense within yourself exactly what that step is. Someone else might be divinely inspired to suggest that step to you. Or, you might realize what that step is via a divine sign or a synchronistic encounter. Remember, though, to seek only your next right step—that one single step—because the divine flow only presents to you one step at a time. A daily practice of meditation is a great way to maintain a heightened sense of awareness, so you will more readily recognize that step when it presents itself.

And there you have it, friends: Four steps to help you turn a troublesome problem into a positive possibility for good. Four steps to help you become genuinely receptive to divine direction. Four steps to help you transform an unwanted situation into a stepping-stone to your highest good . . . which, as it happens, is always the highest good for all.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Practicing Divine Discernment

2011-04-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

April 3, 2011

Dear Friends,

Last week I suggested that you refrain from acting hastily whenever someone encourages you to “push through” a problem—to “force your way forward,” so to speak. Although the accomplishment of a goal or the realization of a dream may require a great deal of patience on your part, the divine flow will never ask you to “force” anything. Nor, usually, will it require you to endure extreme conditions of any kind. Generally speaking, the path of the flow is always one of grace and ease, even when it takes an unexpected turn.

That said, I am not asking you to always ignore the suggestions of others. In fact—in addition to divine signs and synchronicities—one of the primary ways that you receive divine guidance in life is through other people. But please remember, no matter what anyone encourages you to do, and no matter how much you respect his or her advice or opinions, it is up to you to decide what is best for you.

Never forget that your most valuable, reliable, and consistent source of guidance is always your own intuition. Even if someone makes a suggestion that sounds like it is “in the flow” and not at all forceful, it is still up to you to access you inner sense of “knowing” to decide whether that advice is right for you or not.

Regardless of what people say, or what the signs and synchronicities “seem” to indicate, it is always important to practice divine discernment—to get quiet, go within, and get in touch with that subtle, inner sense that helps you distinguish between “yes, this feels right for me,” or “no, this doesn’t feel like it is in my best interest.”

As Rev. Suzanne Bishop of Payson, Arizona wrote to me: “I have learned the importance of taking personal responsibility for my own well-being—to not allow anyone to override my internal guidance, and to resist the efforts of someone else to push me beyond what I intuit is good or safe for me at the time.”

Friends, it is helpful to receive guidance from “without”—from signs and synchronicities, and from friends, family members, teachers, and other leaders. But for the most part, that information should just be used to confirm what your own heart is telling you. In the end, every decision that you make, and every action that you take, should be based on the wisdom that lies “within”—on the wisdom of your very own spirit.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Being In The Flow Is "No Sweat"

2011-03-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

March 27, 2011

Dear Friends,

As I prepare this week’s message, James Arthur Ray, a popular self-help “guru,” is on trial for contributing to the deaths of three people who participated in a sweat lodge ceremony that he conducted here in Sedona in October of 2009. In addition to the three people who lost their lives, at least fifteen other people became seriously ill during this tragic incident.

Usually, a sweat lodge ceremony is reasonably safe, because the person in charge of this sacred ritual continually monitors the well-being of the participants, and allows anyone to leave the lodge if they are experiencing severe, physical discomfort. Although Ray did not physically restrain anyone from leaving, one survivor of the ordeal claims that those who did attempt to leave—or complained about their distress—were strongly encouraged to “push through it.” In other words, they were encouraged to endure their discomfort, to persevere, and to literally “sweat it out.” Regardless of whether Ray is found guilty of an actual crime or not, the outcome of his kind of mentality proved to be disastrous.

There are many lessons that can be learned from this unfortunate tragedy. But what it immediately brings to my mind—and is pertinent to the focus of my work—is the importance of knowing the difference between “flow” and “force” when it comes to pursuing your chosen destinations in life. When you ignore the divine flow of life, and choose, instead, to push ahead and force your way forward, there can be undesired consequences.

That’s not to say that being in the divine flow always feels completely comfortable. In fact, there may be times when the divine flow will purposely invite you to step out of your personal comfort zone. But if you look closely at what your personal comfort zone is, you will see that is usually a “box” that was artificially created by your own personal history and conditioning . . . and it feels good to finally move beyond that limited—and limiting—space.

It appears, though, that Ray was doing far more than asking people to move beyond their personal comfort zone. He was inviting them to tolerate extreme discomfort, and encouraging them to ignore what their bodies were trying to tell them. There are physical limits to what the body can endure, and to what the body can do. And even though professional athletes are continually stretching those boundaries, those expansions happen very gradually, and in very tiny increments.

Friends, there are going to be plenty of times in life when you will run into a formidable obstacle that seems to be blocking you from reaching your desired destination. And there will probably be well-meaning people around you who will encourage you to “push through it.” In those times, just remember to refrain from acting hastily, and—through prayer, meditation, and/or contemplation—try to discern if the next step that you are considering taking feels “fluid” or “forceful.”

Remember that being in the flow is not about taking a step just because you can. It’s about attuning yourself to divine guidance, and taking the step that you are being divinely directed to take . . . a step that is usually a tiny, little, baby step—one that is right in front of you, and relatively easy to do.

Remember that being in the flow is not about forcing your way through an obstacle. It’s about flowing around that obstacle, or sometimes—through the power of divine love—watching that obstacle dissolve right before your very eyes.

In other words, being in the flow is not about sweating it out. It’s about the grace and effortless ease you experience in life when all of your decisions and all of your actions are divinely inspired.

Do you have a particular goal or dream that you are pursuing right now? Then why not allow the divine flow to lead you to your desired destination. About the hardest thing you will have to do is exercise a little patience. Other than that, getting there should be . . . well . . . no sweat.

Steven

P.S. Discerning for yourself what is in your best interests—and what isn’t—is an important part of this topic. I will be focusing on that particular aspect of this subject in next week’s message.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

Disasters and The Divine Flow

2011-03-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

March 20, 2011

Dear Friends,

When a disaster occurs—like the devastating earthquake and tsunami that just struck Japan—we often turn our faces to the sky and cry, “Why, God? Why?” In our attempt to make sense out of what has happened, we desperately seek some kind of “divine” reason for it all. And that is completely understandable.

But in this physical world we live in—a world that is not only influenced by the choices of man, but also by the natural forces of wind and water and shifting ground—things happen . . . tragic things, sometimes. And the simple fact is, there may not be a “divine” explanation for it.

Perhaps a better question to ask right now is not why something has happened, but now that it has happened, what is our next right step? What is that divinely guided step that is not only in our own best interests, but in the best interests of all?

Remember that no matter what has happened or why it has happened, there can always be a divine flow from that point on . . . a healing flow that directs us and supports us in our return to health, wholeness, and an overall experience of well-being. The challenge, as always, is remaining open and receptive enough to hear that still, small voice that is continually telling us the best way to help ourselves, and to help each other.

In this time of shock and grief, confusion and sadness, let us send our love and light to all the people in Japan who are in too much pain right now to sense any kind of divine flow in their lives.

Or, better yet, let us offer those people our aid in whatever way we feel divinely inspired to . . . and be the divine flow in their lives.

Steven

P.S. If you would like to support the relief efforts of the American Red Cross in Japan with a donation, click here.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Hold On To Your Dream

2011-03-12T08:45:00.000-08:00

March 13, 2011

Dear Friends,

In my last message I wrote about the importance of letting go of any rigid attachment you might have to a specific destination you have in mind—to the fulfillment of a specific goal, dream, or desire that you believe is best for you. But please notice my use of the word “specific,” because that word is significant.

Letting go of what you want to have, do, or be in life does not necessarily mean letting go of your dream in its entirety. It’s about letting go of the “specifics” of that dream—of what you think it specifically has to look like.

Remember that the divine flow is rarely guiding you to exactly what you “think” you want. Instead, it is guiding you to what will fulfill you the most, which is usually an experience of life that your inner spirit wishes to have—such as an experience of love, healing, or creative self-expression. And that experience can be manifested in a myriad of ways . . . not just the one you’ve thought of.

Do I dream of being a New York Times Best Selling Author? Of course I do. I think that would be wonderful. But I avoid becoming overly attached to that one specific dream. Why? Because I really don’t know—with absolute 100% certainty—that being a best selling author is the “soul-satisfying experience” that I assume it would be for me.

What I do Know (with a capital K) is this: When I share my spiritual journey and understanding with others, I experience a profound sense of joy and satisfaction. And writing a popular book is not the only way for me to share my truths and have that experience. I can also do it as a public speaker, as a class leader, as a private instructor, as a minister, or even as an Internet blogger. My job, I believe, is to stay in touch with my underlying desire to share my spiritual insights, and to allow the divine flow to orchestrate the best outcome for that desire—the one that would truly be best for me according to my own personal makeup.

Friends, as long as you feel enthusiastic about a particular dream of yours, by all means, hold on to that dream . . . but hold on mainly to its “essence”—to the experience of life that dream elicits. Whether your dream is a certain kind of career, or a particular kind of relationship, hold on to how that dream makes you feel. Hold on to the tremendous joy it brings you. Hold on to the deep sense of accomplishment it offers you. Hold on to the extraordinary feeling of love it gives you. But let go of the specifics.

By holding on to the “essence” or your dream, and letting go of the particulars, you allow the divine flow to guide you to something that will be truly fulfilling for you—something that will not only be in your best interests, but in the best interests of everyone . . . and something that may even be better than anything you have ever imagined.

Here’s to having dreams and pursuing dreams. But most of all, here’s to allowing those dreams to come true in whatever way is the most beneficial way for you.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

When The Flow Appeases You

2011-03-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

March 6, 2011

Dear Friends,

One of the key principles for living life in the divine flow is letting go of what you think you know . . . and that includes letting go of any specific destination—any goal, dream, or desire—that you believe is best for you.

Any destination that you have in mind is, at best, just an approximation of what your heart desires—of what your inner spirit really wants to experience. And the fulfillment of that underlying desire is what the flow is continually trying to guide you to. If you remain rigidly attached to a goal that is different from what your heart wants, your journey is likely to be a difficult one, because the Universe is simply not supporting you in reaching that particular destination.

That doesn’t mean that it is completely impossible for you to reach a destination that is not divinely supported. You certainly can. If you row against the flow long enough—literally forcing your way forward—it is quite possible for you to wind up exactly where you want to be. But it is also quite possible that you will regret where you end up, because the destination you reach will turn out to be unfulfilling, or fraught with trouble.

Here’s an interesting question, though: What does it mean when you do seem to be rowing with the flow—when doors miraculously open for you, and opportunities miraculously appear—and yet the destination you reach still turns out to be extraordinarily challenging?

A few months ago I received that very question from Robin, one of my readers in Australia. Robin had fulfilled a dream of 25 years to own and operate a combination café/bookstore located in a small country town 360 miles from her longtime home in Sydney. Accomplishing her goal had been virtually effortless. Doors had divinely opened for Robin. And opportunities had appeared serendipitously. And yet, within one month, Robin knew that this was not what she wanted to be doing for the rest of her life. The work was repetitive and backbreaking. The locals preferred to give their business to other locals instead of an “out-of-towner.” And Robin greatly missed her daughter, her friends, and the culture of the city. Robin is now in the process of selling her business and moving back to Sydney.

So, paraphrasing Robin, I ask the question again: What does it mean when the Universe seems to be completely supporting your journey, and yet the destination you reach isn’t satisfying, or it creates a whole new set of problems for you?

One answer to this puzzling scenario is that you are, in fact, exactly where you need to be, because the challenges you are facing are something that—deep down inside—you do want to experience, so you can grow spiritually or mature emotionally.

The answer I want to focus on this week, however, is a slightly different one. It is the simple fact that sometimes the flow will help you get where you want to go, so you will finally let go of your fixation on that particular goal, and once again become willing to consider a different destination . . . a destination that is truly best for you.

You might think you know yourself pretty well, but there is always the possibility that you aren’t perfectly suited for the goal that you are pursuing. There is always the possibility that there is a destination out there that might be a much better match for your talents, abilities, and preferences—a destination that, in the end, would be much more rewarding for you.

Like I said at the beginning of this message, to row with the flow you have to be willing to let go of what you think is best for you. If you remain overly obsessed by one particular goal, the divine flow might eventually appease you. That is, the divine flow will help you get where you want to go, so you will find out—through firsthand experience—that you don’t really want what you think you do.

Sometimes, the best way to find out what truly makes you happy is to find out what doesn’t make you happy. And sometimes, that is exactly what the flow is doing. It is helping you become clearer about yourself—about what you truly do like, what you truly don’t like, and what you genuinely need out of life. And what a blessing that increased clarity can be.

Friends, as you row your boat down the stream toward the fulfillment of your dreams, please remember this. Whether you are experiencing turbulent waters and unexpected obstacles, or you are enjoying a journey of ease and grace, your job always remains the same: To spend a little time each day in prayer, meditation, and/or contemplation, seeking only your next right step, and then being willing to take that step . . . even if it becomes apparent that you are being divinely guided to a destination that is different from the one you originally thought was best for you.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Ego and The Divine Flow

2011-02-26T10:46:00.000-08:00

February 27, 2011

Dear Friends,

In my weekly messages I often mention the word “ego,” and I write about the various ways that choices made from your ego can severely limit your ability to be “in the flow” and fulfill your heart’s desires effortlessly.

Usually, the ego is associated with an inflated sense of self-importance—of pride, arrogance, or grandiosity. And it is fairly easy to see how decisions based on those aspects of your ego can lead you into troubled waters.

But did you realize that the opposite is also true? A low sense of self-worth—of being less than others, or undeserving—is also an expression of ego. And, just like an inflated sense of self-importance, a low sense of self-worth can also make life more difficult for you than it has to be.

You might wonder how both of these extremes in self-perception can have the same source. Well, the answer lies in the way that many spiritual teachers define “ego,” which is simply “a thought that you are separate.”

Any thought that causes you to feel greater than others, or less than others, is a thought that—in your consciousness—separates you from others. And since we are all individual expressions of the same all-pervading energy that is commonly called God, that means that any thought that separates you from others will also—in your consciousness—separate you from that supportive divine energy.

And therein lies the problem. When you are in ego, you are disconnected from G.O.D.—from the “Guidance Of the Divine”—and any decision that you make . . . even one made with the best of intentions . . . is limited by your own incomplete knowledge and imperfect understanding.

As I have mentioned time and time again, to live life in the divine flow it is important for you to maintain a conscious connection with divine direction. And that means that thoughts of separation must be avoided. Instead of belittling others and inflating yourself—or the other way around—it is important to consistently affirm the Truth about yourself and others.

And what is that Truth? It is the Truth that each and everyone of us is a Beloved Child of The Divine—that each and everyone one of us is equal at birth and equal in worth to every other person on this planet . . . and thus, equally deserving of whatever it is we want to have, do, or be in life.

May we all enhance our ability to live life in the divine flow through thoughts of oneness instead of separation.

May we recognize the underlying Truth that every single person in this world is not only our brother or sister in Spirit, but is actually a part of ourselves . . . another wave in that ocean of universal energy that gave birth to us all, nurtures us all, and sustains us all.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Pleasures of Life

2011-02-19T12:29:00.000-08:00

February 20, 2011

Dear Friends,

For the past week, I have been in Dallas, Texas for the birth of my oldest daughter’s second child, a beautiful baby boy named Tanner. When Tanner opens his eyes and looks around, the expression on his face makes it look as if he is thinking, “Where in the world am I?” As Tanner begins to explore this world he now finds himself in, his parents—for the second time—are in for a great treat. It is so much fun to watch a child discovering and enjoying the pleasures of life.

I remember what a joy it was to watch my daughter’s first son, Cole, learning how to play a drum that I bought him for his first birthday. How he would bang on that drum with such enthusiasm.

And then there was the time I watched a little four-year-old girl dancing to some music being played by a street musician. What was particularly interesting about this child was the way she “observed herself” as she danced. She would look at her arms as she waved them in the air. She would look at her feet as she shuffled them across the ground. And she would look at her waist as she swiveled her hips around and around.

I felt like I was witnessing that little girl’s soul—her divine, eternal spirit—being fully aware of its presence in this material world, and consciously enjoying the pleasures that this world has to offer. “Look, I have a body!” “Look, I can move it all around!”

So, as I asked in last week’s message, what does all that have to do with living life in the divine flow? Similar to my answer last week, it’s simply this: Always remember that your enjoyment of life has very little to do with reaching the destinations you are “rowing” toward.

Sure, fulfilling a desire or realizing a dream feels great! But that is just the icing on the cake. The real, deep-down enjoyment of life comes from allowing yourself to appreciate the entire journey, and all the wonderful things that journey presents to you along the way.

As you pursue your goals in life, be sure to pause for a moment to appreciate the simple beauty of a tiny flower, and the majesty of a mighty tree. Notice the refreshing feel of a cool, spring breeze . . . the pure, clean scent of approaching rain . . . and the sound of a bird as it sings its splendid song.

Remember that living life in the divine flow is not just about getting where you want to go. It’s also about how you live as you row. Remember to take the time to laugh, sing, dance, and read . . . to eat your favorite foods . . . and to listen to your favorite music.

Make sure that you take the time to allow your spirit to do what it really came here to do in the first place—just to enjoy the experience of being alive and in the world!

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Beauty of Blind Love

2011-02-12T07:33:00.000-08:00

February 13, 2011

Dear Friends,

Monday, February 14th, is Valentine’s Day, the day we make a conscious effort to express our love and appreciation to the people in our lives whom we dearly cherish.

For the most part, the kind of love being celebrated on this special day is “romantic” love. And one of the characteristics of “romantic” love—at least in the beginning—is that this kind of love is “blind.” We literally don’t see the physical flaws and personality quirks in the beloved. He or she looks perfect to us.

But is that really being blind? Or is that seeing as we are truly meant to see—as that Universal Presence we call God, sees? As we grow in spiritual understanding, aren’t we called to see beyond appearances? Aren’t we called to see beneath the physical, and look past the behavior? Aren’t we called to see the true beauty and the radiant innocence of the spirit that lies within each person? Aren’t we called to see his or her inner perfection?

If that’s being blind, fine! Give me some dark glasses and a cane! Because there is nothing that feels as good as truly loving. There is nothing that feels as good as recognizing the inherent goodness of another’s soul, and allowing yourself to bask in that glorious light.

So what does this have to do with living life in the divine flow? Simply this: When you love as God loves, and see as God sees, it won’t make any difference where you are along the course of “the stream.” It won’t make any difference whether you are just about to reach your dream, or whether you are still miles away from it.

When you love without limits you are happy right where you are, wherever you are. And, in the end—all goals and dreams aside—isn’t happiness all you really want out of life? Isn’t happiness all you’ve been trying to get out of life . . . all along?

Well then, here’s to “blind” love! And here’s to having a lovingly happy day, every day!

Steven

P.S. I just published a related article titled, “Love—The Ultimate Lucky Charm,” in the latest edition of the new, online magazine called Love Your Life! This issue contains 84 Pages of uplifting articles and helpful information by authors such as Marci Shimoff, Michael Beckwith, and more. To review the current issue, or to subscribe, click here.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Does Negativity Have Power?

2011-02-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

February 6, 2011

Dear Friends,

Countless books and articles have been written about a principle called the “Law of Attraction,” and the power we seem to have to “attract” into our lives whatever it is we give energy to. The authors of those books and articles usually caution us to avoid negative thinking, and warn us to avoid dwelling on that which we do not want . . . and for a very good reason. It is commonly believed that negative thoughts have just as much power as positive thoughts. So, if we continually focus on negative outcomes instead of positive ones, then that is exactly what we will attract into our lives . . . even though those outcomes are not something that we desire.

I don’t dispute the fact that undesirable outcomes can manifest when we continually harbor negative thoughts. But I do wonder if negativity has the power to attract something into our lives in the exact same way positivity does. The reason I question that belief is for one simple reason. It just doesn’t fit my own experience of life.

You see, for many, many years I was a very negative person—constantly fearful and worried, and always expecting the worst to happen. Occasionally, yes, my fears would come true to one extent or another. More often than not, though, something good would happen instead! Even when I acted in ways that were obviously self-destructive, I was often miraculously saved from any real harm.

So, as I began to read more and more about the Law of Attraction, I began to wonder about a few things, such as:

Why doesn’t my chronic negativity always have the negative effects it should according to the Law of Attraction?

Why—in spite of my negative thoughts and feelings—do good things often happen instead?

Why, in my experience, does negativity seem much weaker than positivity? Is it some kind of lesser power?

Through a process of contemplation, meditation, and what I consider to be nothing less than divine inspiration, this—in part—is the conclusion I reached:

Negativity is not the power to create negatively. It is simply
a self-induced reduction in the power to create positively.

Allow me to briefly explain:

I believe there is tremendous power in positivity. When you think positive thoughts, feel positive feelings, and foster positive and loving intentions, you do—literally—attract into your life the people, events, and circumstances that lead you to the effortless fulfillment of your heart’s desires.

What’s more, it is relatively easy for you to recognize and cooperate with what you are attracting into your life, because positivity keeps you open and receptive to G.O.D.—the Guidance Of the Divine. You are more insightful, more inspired, and more intuitive . . . and you make much wiser choices as a result.

When you consistently entertain negative thoughts, you experience something quite different.

Surprisingly, even when you are in a negative state of mind, you still attract into your life the people, events, and circumstances that can be highly beneficial to you. Why? Because this intelligent universe of ours knows what lies beneath your negativity. It knows what you really want. It knows what you really need. And, because of its beneficent nature, it continues to work on your behalf to help you manifest those desires—in spite of your negative mindset!

However—and here’s the crux of this week’s message—negativity makes it extremely difficult for you to recognize and cooperate with what the universe is orchestrating for you!

When you harbor negative thoughts and feelings, you severely restrict your ability to be open and receptive to divine guidance. It is harder to see what the divine signs are trying to show you. It is harder to hear what your intuition is trying to tell you. And thus, you are much more likely to make unwise choices—choices based solely on your own limited knowledge and biased perceptions.

When doubt and dread rule your head, you are bound to have some undesirable experiences in life. But it is not because you literally “attracted” those experiences to you through some kind of magnetic power. For the most part, those experiences are simply the natural consequence of going through life without the advantage of divine direction—of moving through life unguided or misguided.

As I illustrate this concept in my book:

“It’s like trying to make your way across an unfamiliar room in the middle of the night. Without a guiding light, it’s almost impossible to avoid bumping into something. But you did not attract that something to you. You simply ran into it because you couldn’t see it in the darkness. You did not attract a collision. You were simply more susceptible to a collision as the natural result of your blindness.”

Friends, are you stumbling around in the night, blindly bumping into things you don’t want or like? Do you want to regain your power to create what you do want in life? Then turn on the light! It is the light that illuminates your path by illuminating your mind. It is the Light of the Divine that resides deep within your own heart. And all it takes for you to turn on that helpful, beneficent, guiding light is just a little bit of positivity.

Steven

P.S. It’s important to note that making decisions without the benefit of divine guidance is not the only reason unwanted challenges appear in your life. Other factors can also be involved. Chief among them is the possibility that—on an unconscious level—you may be choosing to experience a particular challenge. I invite you to review the article I wrote on that subject last April. Just click here.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Why Pride Precedes A Fall

2011-01-29T09:25:00.000-08:00

January 30, 2011

Dear Friends,

Regardless of your spiritual background, most of you are probably familiar with the old saying, “Pride goeth before a fall.” Originating from a verse in the Book of Proverbs, it simply means that pride can somehow set you up for failure, and lead you down a destructive path. But why is that?

First of all, let’s clarify one thing. The kind of pride we are talking about here is not authentic pride. Authentic pride is a healthy sense of your own personal worth and value. You recognize that you have been blessed with a unique combination of talents, gifts, and abilities . . . but you also recognize that your accomplishments are the result of a co-creative endeavor between you and that Divine Universal Intelligence that many call God. It’s a “we” thing.

The kind of pride that precedes a “fall” does not recognize divine assistance. Instead, it credits all achievements solely to the self. It’s an “I” thing, revealed in statements such as “I did this,” or “I did that.” This false sense of pride comes from the ego—that part of you that tends to Edge God Out (E.G.O.).

When you Edge God Out you are no longer open to divine direction—to the divine guidance that is there to help you accomplish your goals and fulfill your dreams effortlessly. Instead, you have only your own intellect to rely on. And thus, your ability to make truly wise decisions and take truly wise actions becomes extremely limited. Struggle—and sometimes, trouble—often follows as a result.

I can’t help but wonder if pride, in part, contributed to the downfall of Ted Williams. Ted is the homeless man who recently made the national news when a video of him was posted on the Internet. People were surprised to discover that this man, who was begging for money on a street corner, had a remarkable gift—a “golden voice” that was ideal for radio and television broadcasting.

Although the overt cause of Ted’s trouble appears to be alcohol and drug addiction, Ted said something in an interview that I believe is quite telling. He said that before his life began to fall apart, “he took everything for granted.” He was never grateful for any of the blessings that appeared in his life, and he never thanked a Higher Power for any of the good things that came his way.

I don’t know if an attitude of gratitude would have been enough to have saved Ted from his “fall,” but I am certain about this, friends: If you want to live a life that is more joyful, more fulfilling, and remarkably effortless, then don’t let the “I” in “PRIDE” be your only guide.

Remember that you also have the help of something greater than yourself—the support of a Greater Intelligence and a Higher Power. And there is no better way to be open and receptive to the divine direction of that Intelligent Power, than to consciously acknowledge its presence in your life, and be continually grateful for its loving assistance.

As Meister Eckhart, the German philosopher and theologian, said:

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life
is ‘Thank You,’ that will be enough.”

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Dealing With Loss

2011-01-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

January 23, 2011

Dear Friends,

No doubt, each and every one of you have heard quite a bit about the horrific shooting rampage that recently took place in Tucson, Arizona, as well as the massive flooding that occurred in both Australia and Brazil. Hundreds of people have lost their lives, lost their health, and lost their homes.

I often mention that one of the keys to living life in the divine flow is maintaining a positive attitude. A "merry" mind-set is important because it helps you stay open to divine guidance, which enables you to play your part in the unfolding of a greater good. But—and here’s the point of this week’s message—that positive attitude must be genuine. That means that when you experience a loss in your life, feelings such as disappointment, sadness, and sorrow must first be allowed to run their natural course.

Living life in the divine flow is not—I repeat, not—about stuffing your feelings to maintain an "appearance" of positivity. There is such a thing as legitimate pain in life. It is not the kind of pain that you bring upon yourself through needless worry, thoughtless actions, or inappropriate attachments. It is the kind of pain that occurs most often with the sudden and unexpected loss of someone you deeply love, or the loss of something else that is near and dear to your heart, such as a fulfilling job.

If you are dealing with a loss in your life right now—or any challenging situation—it is okay to go ahead and let yourself feel your feelings about it. Give yourself permission to experience all of your feelings freely and fully. Allow them to come, and go . . . and come again . . . and go again. It is the only way that they will eventually dissipate.

If, instead, you attempt to suppress those feelings, they will continue to exist at an unconscious level. And, in the end, that will just delay your ability to heal and feel joy again. And by "joy" I mean that underlying sense of appreciation for the total experience of life . . . a joy that embraces all of life’s twists and turns . . . a joy that may be best described as "bittersweet."

To each of you who have recently lost a loved one, a beloved pet, or anything else that occupies an important place in your heart, please know that kindred spirits the world over are supporting you in the restoration of your sense of wholeness, and the recovery of your sense of peace.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Devastation of Separation

2011-01-14T08:57:00.000-08:00

January 16, 2011

Dear Friends,

Although there are rarely definitive answers as to why certain tragedies occur in this world—such as the shooting rampage that recently took place at a political gathering in Tucson, Arizona—I believe that the underlying cause for many of these events is ultimately the same thing: a feeling of separation instead of oneness.

“Oneness” is about our intimately joined relationship with each other. It is a relationship that arises from the fact that we are all individual expressions of One Spirit—that creative, loving, all-pervading Spirit that many call God.

There are times when we sense that holy connection more than others, such as when we pray, meditate, spend time in nature, or hold a tiny baby in our arms. And the natural result of that sense of connection is a wonderful feeling of well-being.

But all too often we feel disconnected, instead. We forget that we are one with God, and one with all of God's children. We feel separate from others, and separate from everything around us. And that sense of separation—of being all alone and on our own in this world—can generate a fair amount of fear.

Sometimes that fear—and the anger that often issues from that fear—can be so magnified by mental illness or negative mental conditioning, we witness the kind of destructive behavior that exploded in Tucson on January 8th.

Although everything that happens in life is an opportunity for us to discover where our blocks to loving are, it may be quite a while before many of us are willing to feel compassion for the lonely soul who orchestrated that horrific event which ended the lives of six people, and changed forever the lives of many, many more.

For now, let us remember that when we judge others—when we attack them, belittle them, and criticize them—we are not only mentally and emotionally separating ourselves from them, we are also mentally and emotionally divorcing ourselves from the One Spirit . . . from the All-That-Is that is God.

May we remember who we truly are at the core of our being: individual expressions of God, as inseparable from our Source as waves are from the ocean. And may we maintain that conscious connection—and the sense of well-being that comes from that connection—by seeing all of our brothers and sisters as equal members of God's family.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Misconceptions About Manifesting

2011-01-08T12:43:00.000-08:00

January 9, 2011

Dear Friends,

One of my favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson is this one:

“The moment you make a decision,
the whole universe conspires to make it happen.”

If that is true—and, for the most part, I believe it is—you can see what tremendous power you have when it comes to manifesting whatever it is you want to have, do, or be in life. You have the whole universe working on your behalf to help you realize your dreams!

In a few popular books and videos, our helpful universe is portrayed as a “genie” that magically delivers to you whatever it is you specifically ask for . . . as long as you stay focused on what you want. But is that true? Is the universe like a giant genie?

My experience of life suggests that we do, indeed, have celestial assistance when it comes to accomplishing our goals and fulfilling our desires. But to me, the portrayal of the universe as a genie is overly simplistic. And I believe it leaves people with quite a few misconceptions about how the manifestation process really works.

This week, I would like to briefly address four of those misconceptions.

MISCONCEPTION #1:
You must be very specific about what you want,
because you only get exactly what you ask for.

There is nothing wrong with being specific about what you want to get out of life. In fact, I recommend it. But after that, it is best to let go of any rigid attachment you might have to one specific outcome. My experience has shown me that the universe is willing to help me manifest something that is even better than what I think I want—something that is greater, grander, and more fulfilling . . . and something that is always in the best interests of all. When I confine myself to my own, limited, pre-conceived ideas about what I think is best for me, I risk missing a much greater miracle.

MISCONCEPTION #2
You literally attract what you want to you.

Is it possible to ask the universe for something and have it literally show up on your doorstep the very next morning? Yes, actually, it is. I have done that very thing. But that kind of experience is rare. What you are always attracting to you are the people and circumstances that lead you to what you want. Through synchronistic events and happy coincidences, the universe will open doors for you and create opportunities for you in direct response to your desire. But you have to go through those doors and take advantage of those opportunities! In short, you have to act! If you are just sitting around waiting for something to literally fall in your lap, you may be waiting quite a while . . . perhaps forever.

MISCONCEPTION #3:
It takes a lot of concentrated thought and energy
to manifest what you want.

Really? Time and time again I have manifested something in my life without giving it a second thought—often within 24 hours! The key is not telling the universe what you want over and over again. The universe hears you the first time! The key is being totally open to receiving what you want, and paying attention to what immediately appears in your life—no matter what that might look like. It’s okay to spend a little time visualizing what you want, and getting in touch with what brings you joy. Just remember to keep most of your focus in the here and now, because that’s where your miracle is going to manifest.

MISCONCEPTION #4
You must be consciously aware of what you want,
and ask for it.

On more than one occasion, the universe has demonstrated to me that it knows exactly what I need, even when I am not consciously aware of it myself! When I cooperate with the universe by doing what I feel divinely guided to do at any given moment, I consistently end up manifesting things I greatly need, but never thought to ask for. If you want to have a similar experience, then listen to your intuition, heed the divine signs and synchronicities that are all around you, and move in the direction that seems indicated—even if you have no idea where you are being guided.

So, my friends, I ask the question again: Is our universe like a genie that can only respond to our stated desires in a very automatic, robotic-like fashion? Based on my own experience, I say no. This wonderfully beneficent universe is far more intelligent than many people are giving it credit for these days.

Whether we call it “The Universe,” “Source,” “Divine Mind,” or “God,” experience after experience suggests to me that there is, indeed, a Higher Intelligence that is at work in this world. It knows what is in our hearts, as well as what is in our heads. It knows what we need, as well as want we want. And it is already working on our behalf to fulfill our dreams, goals, and desires . . . whether we have specifically asked for something or not.

Let’s not get so caught up in our power to manifest, that we forget to be grateful for the Higher Power that is behind it all . . . a Power that always has our best interests in mind, and is continually orchestrating the highest good for each and every one of us.

Steven

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Do You Know What You Want?

2011-01-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

January 1, 2011

Happy New Year, Friends!

This is the time of year when many of you will begin to seriously visualize what it is you want to create for yourself in the coming 12 months. But I can already hear a few of you saying, “I really don’t know what I want.”

“I don’t know what I want” is something I hear fairly often in my workshops and retreats. And to be perfectly honest with you, it’s an issue I don’t relate to very well. Personally, I have never had any trouble identifying what it is I want to have, do, or be in my life. I just follow the old adage, “follow your bliss.” I notice what makes me the happiest, and I focus my time and energy on manifesting more of that.

If you are a person who claims to not have any specific goals or dreams—if you feel like you don’t really know what you want—I invite you to consider this: Perhaps you do know what you want. Perhaps you do know what you would like to have, do, or be. And perhaps you do know what makes you happy. Maybe you just aren’t willing to admit it to yourself. So you nip the idea in the bud before it ever fully develops.

And why would you do that? There are various reasons why. Among them are these: You don’t consider yourself worthy enough to have, do, or be what you want. You don’t think you are smart enough to have it, or capable enough to handle it. Or your goal is so lofty, your dream is so ideal, you can’t conceive of how such a manifestation could ever be possible. So you literally stop the thought before it ever fully forms in your mind.

Friends, if any of you are in this position, I invite you begin this brand new year by affirming the following: If you can dream it, then you deserve to have it!

As a holy and wholly-loved child of the Divine, you are innately worthy of whatever it is you want to have, do, or be in this life. You don’t have to know how to create it, and you don’t have to know how to handle it once you have it. The entire universe is working on your behalf to fulfill your every heart’s desire . . . just because you desire it!

This year, don’t edit yourself. The only limits in life are the ones that you—yourself—put on it. Go ahead—dream big! Begin picturing your ideal life today. Let your imagination soar!

May your 2011 be absolute heaven!

Steven

P.S. If you would like to improve your sense of self-worth or deservedness, I invite you to download a helpful set of affirmations I created a number of years ago. To download this simple Word document, just click here.

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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Magical Power of Love

2010-12-25T12:50:00.000-08:00

December 26, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about love, and how love is the secret for experiencing a truly merry Christmas. What I didn’t mention is how the joyful feeling that love generates doesn’t stop with you. There is a ripple effect that love creates, which not only spreads happiness far and wide, it often results in something extraordinary happening.

The way it works is simple. When you treat people with understanding and compassion, they feel loved and uplifted. Because of that, they are much more likely to treat others in their path with the same caring attitude. And those people, in turn, are likely to pass the love along once again. A little loving kindness goes a long, long way. In fact, for all you know, one simple act of loving kindness on your part may end up transforming a life or healing a situation halfway around the world!

Love is a great, great power. What I just described, however, was a power confined by the laws of cause and effect—of action and reaction. The true power of love goes way beyond the laws that govern this world. It is a power that exists beyond this physical plane we live in . . . a power that works its magic totally unrestricted by the confines of either time or space. It is this power that is responsible for the experiences in our lives that we consider to be truly miraculous.

It is the kind of power that choreographs incredible synchronistic encounters between individuals who have similar desires of the heart, but need each other in order to manifest their dreams.

An architect with a critically ill child, for example, may one day feel divinely inspired to design a hospital wing for children with similar health challenges. At the very same instant, thousands of miles away, a wealthy benefactor may become inspired to finance just such a project. Before these two people meet—or even know of each other—they both “decide” to vacation in New York City, where they just “happen” to encounter each other at a coffee shop. And . . . well . . . you can fill in the rest.

That, to me, is the real power of love. It is a power that sets the whole flow in motion, initiating a complex series of events that weave together in a way that no one would ever have imagined possible.

It is a power that simultaneously inspires minds, ignites hearts, and orchestrates harmonious outcomes of incredible beauty.

That is authentic power—a power that goes far beyond the ripple effect, but still starts in exactly the same way . . . with one, single, loving intention.

Here’s to the power of love . . . rippling . . . tripling . . . and manifesting miracles in an instant.

Steven

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© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Secret of a Merry Christmas

2010-12-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

December 19, 2010

Dear Friends,

December 25th is the day that many of us will celebrate the birth into this world of the being we call Jesus. There are many different opinions about the exact nature of this extraordinary man’s mission on this planet. But I do believe there is one aspect to his life that most of us can agree upon: Jesus was the perfect example of living a life of unconditional love. And he made it quite clear that we would all benefit greatly by living our lives in the same loving way.

Fortunately, loving others is one of the most natural things in the world for you to do. For I believe that love is not only in your nature, it is your nature. As an individual expression of Universal Divine Love, love is the essence of who you truly are at the core of your being. And you know what? It feels good to express the truth of who you are! It feels good to love!

Many people believe that being loved is what feels good, but that’s only how it appears. The fact is, when someone extends love to you, you don’t automatically feel good. What you feel is safe enough to love that person back. And loving that person back is what feels good. It is being love—not being loved—that is the real source of your happiness.

Conversely, when you perceive that someone has attacked you in some way, it’s not what that person has done that makes you feel bad. What feels bad is judging that person for what has occurred, and no longer extending love to him or her. It is not being yourself—not being the love that you are—that is the real source of your unhappiness.

When you experience all the good feelings that come from loving, you experience one of life’s greatest truths: the truth that love is its own reward. When you love, you feel happy. When you love, you feel joyful. When you love, you feel downright . . . well . . . merry!

So, do you want to have a truly merry Christmas this year—and every year? Then be true to yourself! Be the love that you are this season, and a merry Christmas will be yours, indeed.

Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily,

Steven

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© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Gift of a Christmas Present

2010-12-11T08:32:00.000-08:00

December 12, 2010

Dear Friends,

One of my favorite sayings is this one:

THE PAST IS HISTORY.
THE FUTURE, A MYSTERY.
BUT THE NOW MOMENT IS A GIFT.
THAT’S WHY IT’S CALLED THE “PRESENT.”

In this season of gift-giving, I invite you to remember that the true gifts of the holidays are always in the now moment. But to receive those “presents” you must first be present yourself. Instead of focusing all of your time, attention, and energy on what’s coming next, make a conscious choice to be fully present in the here and now.

Be present for the gift of a child’s laughter,
and for the gift of bright, twinkling lights.

Be present for the gift of fresh-baked cookies,
and for the gift of sweet-smelling evergreens.

Be present for the gift of a soundless snowfall,
and for the touch of a single snowflake on your tongue.

Be present for the gift of friends you may have taken for granted,
and for family members you haven’t seen in ages.

Be present for the gift of unconditional love
that embraces each of us this season.

And be present for the unbounded joy
that this season elicits in us all.

Here’s wishing you one of greatest gifts you could ever hope to receive this season: the gift of a Christmas present.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Holidays and The Divine Flow

2010-12-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

December 5, 2010

Dear Friends,

Well, here it is again—the holiday season. For many of you, this is the busiest time of the year. As usual, you still have to go to work, handle family responsibilities, clean the house, feed the pets, work in the yard, pay the bills, and take care of a multitude of other tasks and chores that are a routine part of daily life.

But now, on top of all that, you may also have to decorate the house, trim the tree, host parties, prepare special meals, entertain company, visit relatives, and send out cards . . . not to mention buy gifts, wrap gifts, pack gifts, and ship gifts.

The list goes on and on. And yes, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by it all, and lose the very sense of joy this season is supposed to elicit.

But take heart, because the divine flow is ready to come to your rescue! There is no task too small for the divine flow to focus its attention on. And there is no schedule too complex for the divine flow to manage. At every given moment the divine intelligence of the universe is simultaneously orchestrating the most effective and efficient accomplishment of every single thing you need to do this season.

I remember a time that I thought I would have to make three separate trips over a period of a week to fulfill the most important items on my “To-Do List.” But instead, by simply paying attention one day to the subtle guidance of my intuition, all three tasks were taken care of in one single hour, with not one bit of preparation or planning on my part. Everything just fell into place, and I just kept showing up in exactly the right place at exactly the right time to achieve what I wanted to achieve.

The way everything worked out for me in such an incredibly coordinated fashion was simply astounding. And this holiday season, your experience can be a similar one. If you take the time to listen to your intuition—to literally feel what your next right step is, and to continue listening and continue taking those divinely guided steps—you may be amazed at how all of your holiday commitments can be accomplished in a virtually effortless and seamless manner.

Here’s to an exceptionally joyful and fulfilling holiday season. May everything flow beautifully for you and yours!

Steven

P.S. If you would like to read the full story about the time that the flow helped me fulfill three desires all at once, you will find it included in an article I wrote for a brand new online magazine called Love Your Life! To review the Winter Edition of this helpful and inspiring publication, click here.

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Thanks for Everything!

2010-11-27T09:06:00.000-08:00

November 28, 2010

Dear Friends,

On Thursday, November 25th, citizens of the United States celebrated Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is that one special day of the year when we take time to express our 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?

Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to discover what your blocks to loving are. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to heal wounds you may have forgotten you have. Yes, you can . . . if you see those challenges as opportunities to remember how precious life is, and to renew your appreciation for it.

When you look at the challenges in your life as opportunities to mature emotionally and spiritually, everything that occurs in your life can be viewed as a blessing. And blessings are something that you are thankful for, right?

So, during this time of Thanksgiving—and throughout the year—be thankful not only for the “good” in your life, but also for what you judge to be “not so good.”

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in wisdom and compassion.

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to grow in your ability to love others—and to love yourself —unconditionally.

Be thankful for the entire experience of life, including the opportunities it gives you to remember that life itself is a sacred gift . . . a gift that is meant to be enjoyed to its fullest, and never taken for granted.

I invite you to join me in giving thanks today and every day . . . for everything.

Steven

P.S. I offer my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who have supported my work this year with your kind comments, your purchases, and your donations. Whether you share your thoughts with me, or share your prosperity with me, your expressions of appreciation help keep this labor of love alive. And I am grateful. Bless you all!

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Flow of Abundance, Part 2

2010-11-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

November 21, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about the flow of abundance in your life. I pointed out how you may be restricting that flow by focusing too narrowly on the channels of abundance that you are already used to, or by confusing a “channel” of income with the true, underlying “source” of all financial blessings . . . that infinitely creative force that some call God, and others call—appropriately enough—Source!

Well, here is another way that you might be inadvertently limiting your abundance. It’s by dwelling on the desire to make more money. I realize that desire doesn’t sound very limiting. But let’s examine that desire for a moment and see if it is something that you really want to focus on.

First of all, is money what you really want? Or is it an experience of comfort, security, adventure, or beauty that money can offer you?

I define the divine flow as an underlying current that is continually guiding you toward the effortless fulfillment of your heart's desires. But what your heart desires—what your divine spirit desires—is generally an experience of life. So that is what you should be focusing on . . . the experience you want to have . . . not just money.

Money is not an experience. It is a means to an end. And in many cases, when you are following the divine flow, you will discover that money isn’t even required to achieve your desire. Sometimes, the experience you desire is provided for you without cost at all! It comes to you freely, as a gift from the universe.

One time, for example, I saw a painting of an angel that I really wanted—a painting that would satisfy my desire to experience more beauty in my life. The painting cost $400. And I was willing to pay that price. But through a series of unusual mistakes, I was never charged for the painting. I tried to settle the bill several times with both the credit card company and the online merchant that was selling the piece. But both companies insisted that I owed nothing, and that the painting was mine, free and clear. I felt like I had received a divine present.

And what about the idea that you want to make more money? Do you really want to make more money? Or do you just want to have more money?

The act of “making” often entails effort and struggle. When, instead, you focus on what it is you want to experience, any money that may be required to have that experience flows to you naturally as part of the manifestation process.

Sometimes, you will receive money through miraculous channels like the ones I described last week. More commonly, though, you will receive it through some kind of work that you do. When work is involved, it may look like you have undertaken that endeavor to “make money.” But if you truly enjoy your work—and I hope you do—is making money your main objective? Or is making money simply the beneficial result of doing what you enjoy doing? Isn’t it the latter?

So, my friends, do you really want to make more money? Or, is your true desire to have some wonderful new experiences? If experiences are what you are after, then focus on that! Let the universe know in no uncertain terms exactly what it is you want to experience.

When you do that—when you focus on the experiences you want to have, rather than the money that may (or may not) be required to have those experiences—you will find your desires being fulfilled in a much more effective, efficient, and effortless manner.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Flow of Abundance

2010-11-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

November 14, 2010

Dear Friends,

By simply observing nature, we can learn a lot about living life in the divine flow. For example, the way a tree bends in the wind reminds us of the importance of being flexible instead of rigid. And the way a flower pops up from a crack in the concrete reminds us that a blessing can bloom in almost any environment.

And then there is the way one hummingbird will tenaciously guard a feeder and scare away all the other hummingbirds that come to eat—reminding us that we live in a world of lack and limitation, and there is simply not enough good to go around.

What? Well, that how it appears when you watch the way some hummingbirds behave. “There is not enough! This is mine!” That seems to be the general idea that some of these tiny birds are expressing. Sound familiar? Know any human beings with that kind of mindset?

Obviously, friends, the lesson here is not that the universe is limited in its ability to amply supply everyone’s needs. The lesson here is quite the opposite.

I believe we live in an infinitely abundant universe—a universe that is continually responding to everyone’s needs through an unlimited number of channels. We block our experience of that abundant flow, however, whenever we remain too narrowly focused on the channels of abundance that we are already familiar with . . . such as our employers, our benefactors, or the government. The fact is, the universe is infinitely inventive in coming up with ways to prosper us.

I once read about a man who bit into a clam in a Florida restaurant and discovered a purple pearl worth $25,000. Not only are purple pearls extremely rare, but it is also very unusual to find a pearl in a clam instead of an oyster. And clams are not even something that this gentleman typically orders!

And then there was the time I needed an additional $2,500 to pay some unexpected bills. One day, my car was slightly damaged in a shower of cement fragments that fell off an office building that I was parked next to. The damage was very minor—just a few nicks and dings here and there. But because the damage was spread across several panels of the car, the cost of repairs was much more than one would expect. The owner of the building, though, was happy to write me a check for that expense . . . a check that I used to pay my bills instead of repair the car. It was a check for exactly $2,500.

Like I said, the universe is infinitely inventive in coming up with ways to prosper us. Our challenge is to remain open and receptive to any and all channels of prosperity—even the most unlikely ones. And that means we must be open and receptive to following divine guidance even when we don’t understand where it is leading us.

It’s important, too, to keep in mind that a channel of prosperity is not the same thing as the source of our prosperity. The ultimate origin of our abundance is that Infinite and Eternal Field of Supply that lies behind every channel. When we start to think of any one channel as being our source, there is always an underlying fear that this source may one day go away. And that fear interferes with our ability to stay attuned to the divine flow, and do what we are being divinely directed to do in the moment.

Through our faith in an unending source of supply, may we overcome our fear, so we can more readily hear that still, small voice that is suggesting our next right step . . . a step that may be as simple as “order the clams,” or “park here.” And—with all due respect to certain hummingbirds—may our mindset continually be this one: “There is more than enough for everyone! So let’s all share!”

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Whose Boat Are You Rowing?

2010-11-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

November 7, 2010

Dear Friends,

When it comes to living life in the divine flow, it pays to remember that you rarely get anywhere in life completely on your own. Reaching your chosen destinations in life usually requires the assistance and cooperation of others. You need their help to get down the stream, and they need your help.

Do you ever get the feeling, though, that you are spending way too much time rowing someone else’s boat? Does it seem like you are always abandoning your own boat in order to help someone else navigate life’s waters? Like everything else in life, there is a balance that must be reached when it comes to offering help, as well as accepting help.

I remember a gentleman who told me about a day when he was really “in the flow.” He told me how every single step that needed to be taken, was taken for him by an “Earth Angel.” He said he really didn’t have to do anything to accomplish his goals for the day. His every desire was fulfilled effortlessly!

As I delved deeper into this man’s story, however, I discovered that his “angels” were simply friends and family members who were taking on responsibilities that were actually—as far as I could tell—his to take. He simply wasn’t rowing his own boat, so others stepped in and rowed it for him. They were taking up the slack caused by his lack of action.

Friends, there will be plenty of times in life when another person genuinely needs your help. In fact, you may be in his or her life specifically for that very reason. But if you feel burdened by a request for help—if you feel obligated or resentful—that “heavy” sensation may be an indication that your assistance would actually be doing this person a disservice. Sometimes, the best help you can give others is to simply show them how to help themselves, and leave it up to them to take that action . . . or not.

Remember that when you are being divinely guided to help another person, there will generally be a feeling of “rightness” about it—a feeling of peace and ease. Those are the kind of feelings you experience whenever helping another person is your next right step . . . your divinely directed step.

Whether you are being asked for help, or you need someone to help you, take some time to get quiet, go within, and contact your inner wisdom, so you can more accurately discern what is truly yours to do . . . or not do.

May each and every one of us row our boats responsibly—that is, may we take full responsibility for rowing our own boats, while also maintaining the ability to respond to another’s cry for help when it is truly needed.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Transformation

2010-10-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

October 31, 2010

Dear Friends,

Many people believe that Halloween is a night when the line between the physical world and the world of spirit is exceptionally thin. With that in mind, I want to share a story with you that is not only appropriate for this time of the year, it is also inspiring.

When Carol and I lived in Dallas, Texas, we spent a fair amount of time visiting and caring for Carol’s mother, Ethel M. Marsden. Ethel lived in a nearby nursing home, and after years of declining health, Ethel finally made her transition to the next plane of existence. She was laid to rest in her long-time home of St. Louis, Missouri.

A few months later, as a thank-you gift for my support and assistance during that difficult period, Carol bought me a beautiful painting of a dragonfly. Dragonflies were not particularly significant to either Carol or me. But the painting was created by our favorite artist, and he had used our favorite colors—purple and blue—so naturally, we were attracted to it.

Immediately after purchasing that painting, we discovered that in many circles, the dragonfly is considered to be a symbol of transformation. We also found out that certain Native American tribes believe that dragonflies carry the souls of the departed.

We had no idea how significant that information would become!

You see, both Carol and I were present at the time of her mother’s transition, and Carol, in particular, was having a very hard time letting go of that final, painful image of her mother’s withered and lifeless form.

One day, Carol felt divinely guided to visit the gravesite of a loved one buried right there in Dallas . . . far from Ethel’s final resting place in St. Louis.

As Carol stood at the grave, a fluttering motion caught her eye. It was a couple of dragonflies hovering around a headstone a number of rows away. A few minutes later, those two dragonflies had been joined by ten more. And later still, dozens had gathered at this single spot in the cemetery.

Carol was just about to leave—and was, in fact, in her car—when she noticed that even more dragonflies had now converged at this one place on the grounds.

Carol sensed that something very important was happening, and she felt compelled to get out of her car and walk over to that headstone. And when she did, guess what name was etched in the granite? Ethel M.

That’s right. Out of hundreds and hundreds of graves in this huge, metropolitan cemetery, Carol and had been drawn by a group of dragonflies to the one headstone that bore her mother’s name.

Immediately, Carol understood the message. Her mother was no longer sick and withered . . . she was transformed! As Spirit, Ethel was now dazzlingly beautiful and flying free! And Carol was now free, too—free of that disturbing, lifeless image that had been haunting her thoughts for so long.

Were those dragonflies actually Carol’s mother trying to communicate with her? Was Ethel letting Carol know that—as Spirit—she still existed, and that she was once again happy and whole? That’s for you to decide.

What I do know is this: We live in a miraculous universe, and we are intimately connected to everything in it—both the seen and the unseen.

When you are open and receptive to divine guidance, and when you follow that guidance—no matter what form it comes in—you will always receive what you need . . . even if all you need is a simple healing from a troublesome thought.

Here’s to Carol for following her guidance, and reconfirming for us all that we are, indeed, eternal beings . . . and that life never ends . . . it merely transforms.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Consant Surrender and The Divine Flow

2010-10-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

October 24, 2010

Dear Friends,

Without going into the details—because, frankly, the story is just too long and complicated—suffice it to say that I have experienced some very unexpected “bends in the stream” lately. They were the kind of unwanted circumstances that would test anyone’s ability to accept what is, and remain positive. At first, I was a bit upset. But with each surprising turn of events, I found myself growing more and more peaceful and relaxed, instead of more and more agitated. I was able to quickly recover my sense of being “in the flow,” and regain that comforting feeling of being divinely directed. No matter how crazy things got, I was able to remain calm, and focus only on discerning my next right step . . . and the one after that . . . and the one after that.

The reason why I was able to do that is relatively simple. It is simply easier to be in the flow when things really get out of hand, than it is when things are just slightly unmanageable. It is when things are obviously out of control that we more readily relinquish the idea that we can control what is going on . . . and we tend to surrender.

It is in that state of surrender that we become genuinely open to whatever is required of us in that moment. We stop resisting what is, and we stop trying to force things to go the way we “think” they should go. Instead, we desire only to know the next right step that will be in the best interests of all. And it is in that state of genuine receptivity that we begin hear and heed the still, small voice of spirit that is always there to guide us forward.

The real challenge—which is what I am building up to here—is giving up personal control when the situation does seem controllable. You see, living life in the divine flow requires you to constantly stay in “surrender mode”—no matter how easy it would be for you to manipulate a situation to your liking.

That doesn’t mean that you never take any action. It just means that before you take any action, you get quiet, go within, and try to get in touch with the wisdom of your spirit. You might be inspired to take some kind of action that you have never taken before. Or, you may be guided to refrain from taking any action at that particular moment. The goal is just to avoid jumping to conclusions and acting hastily.

Remember that living life in the divine flow is about being willing to seek divine guidance in every situation—even the situations that look like you can easily and instantly handle them “on your own.” That kind of mindfulness will require a conscious effort on your part, true . . . and it may require a fair amount of humility, too . . . but believe me, the outcome will be well worth it.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Human Experience, Part 2

2010-10-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

October 17, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I reminded you that you are a spiritual being having a human experience. I encouraged you to embrace the human experience by appreciating the beauty and the joy that come from being in the body and in the world.

That doesn’t mean, however, that you are in this physical plane of existence to ignore your spiritual essence—quite the opposite. It means that you are here to live life knowing that, at the core of your being, you are a divine spirit. And when you are in touch with that divine inner essence, your human experience is greatly enhanced.

That is why I recommend a daily practice of meditation. Meditation not only helps you contact the divine spirit within, it helps you stay in contact with that inner essence throughout the day, dramatically improving your experience of daily life.

Here are eight ways that the human experience is enhanced when you stay in touch with your spiritual nature:

1. You are healthier. Many health issues are either caused by, or aggravated by, stress. And for the most part, stress comes from fearful thoughts. When you are in touch with your all-knowing, indestructible spirit, fearful thoughts are greatly diminished, or completely removed.

2. You are more creative. True creativity comes from the divine creator within. When you are in touch with that divine creator, you automatically become more insightful and more inspired.

3. You are more intuitive. When you are in touch with your spirit, you can sense divine direction much more easily. And your next right step becomes much clearer.

4. You are more responsive. Instead of hastily judging and rashly reacting to something unexpected in life, you calmly respond from the wisdom within. You know what is best to do, when to do it, or if you should do anything at all.

5. You are more present. Your spirit is always in the now moment. When you are in touch with your spirit, you are less likely to be lost in thought—that is, reflecting on the past or projecting into the future. That means you are better able to notice the miracles that are happening all around you, right here, right now.

6. You are more patient. Being in the eternal now, your spirit never feels bound by time. And being all-knowing, your spirit sees countless ways for you to move successfully through life. When you are in touch with your spirit, possibilities seem unlimited, and time stands still. The result is infinite patience.

7. You are more peaceful. As an indestructible, eternal being, your spirit knows nothing of fear, and is always at peace. When you are in touch with that eternal, indestructible essence, you, too, will be at peace—no matter what is disturbing others.

8. You are more loving. Your spirit is love itself—divine love, unconditional love. When you are in touch with your spirit, you can’t help but be more compassionate, understanding, accepting, and forgiving.

Here’s to enjoying the human experience, my friends. It’s an experience that is healthier, happier, and more fulfilling whenever it is lived from the inside out—by going within, getting in touch with the divine spirit that resides there, and allowing that inner divinity to express itself.

Steven

P.S. If you would like to learn a simple meditation technique, click here.

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Human Experience

2010-10-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

October 10, 2010

Dear Friends,

There is a saying you probably know that goes like this:

“You are not a human being having an occasional spiritual experience.
You are a spiritual being having a temporary human experience.”

The fact that the true you is a being of spirit—an individual expression of the One Divine Spirit—comes as a great revelation to many. In fact, some people get so excited by that understanding, they seek to experience their divine spiritual essence as much as possible.

These people go to every event they can find that promises them some kind of transcendent spiritual experience—an experience that leaves the body and the mind behind, and immerses them in a state of pure beingness; or an experience that offers them some other kind of mystical sensation.

There is nothing wrong with having experiences like that. And there is certainly nothing wrong with getting in touch with the true nature of your being. In fact, to live life in the divine flow, it is important for you to stay in close conscious contact with the divine spirit that is your essence. That’s why I recommend a daily practice of meditation.

However, it seems to me that spending an inordinate amount of time pursuing spiritual “experiences” may be missing the point of life. A life spent that way would be better expressed by a saying like this:

“You are not a human being having an occasional spiritual experience.
“You are a human being having frequent spiritual experiences!”

But that is not how the saying goes. It goes, “You are a spiritual being having a temporary human experience.” That means that you are not in this world to escape the human experience through the endless pursuit of spiritual ecstasies. You are in this world to have the human experience . . . but to have that experience from the standpoint of knowing that you are—at your core—a divine spirit.

As a divine spirit, you are in this world to have the human experience of creating—of choosing what you want to have, do, or be in life, and using your divine powers of manifestation to bring that about.

As a divine spirit, you are in this world to have the human experience of loving—of expressing your divine love through all of its earthly forms, such as compassion, understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness.

As a divine spirit, you are in this world to have the human experience of the physical body—to enjoy breathing, laughing, feeling the sun on your skin, and eating a big bowl of ice cream . . . something you can’t do as pure spirit.

And, as a divine spirit, you are in this world to have the human experience of the physical earth—to appreciate the wind, the water, blue skies, purple mountains, and endless fields of flowers.

In short, as a spiritual being, you are here to have the human experience of being alive and in the world, and enjoying everything this earthly plane of existence has to offer—both the sweet and the bittersweet.

Friends, by all means, seek those peak, transcendent spiritual experiences. Have them. And cherish them. But don’t forget to appreciate the beauty and the joy that also arise from the human experience. After all, isn’t that what you came here for?

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Identifying Intuition

2010-10-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

October 3, 2010

Dear Friends,

In essence, living life in the divine flow is about one main thing: recognizing and following divine guidance. Although you can receive divine guidance through signs and synchronicities, and through the wisdom of other people, the most valuable and consistent guidance you receive is from your own intuition—from the Divine Spirit within you that is speaking to you.

Intuitive guidance can take many forms, such as a thought that unexpectedly pops into your head; a still, small voice that you seem to “hear;” a physical sensation that you suddenly notice; or a simple feeling of “rightness” about a decision that you are considering making.

The big question is, how do you distinguish intuitive guidance from other thoughts or sensations? How do you know if that still, small voice you are hearing is the voice of your Divine Spirit, or the voice of your self-serving ego?

As you may have guessed, there’s no hard and fast rule for decisively determining whether a thought or a feeling is of divine origin. However, if you are in doubt, it does help to ask yourself this one simple question: Does the guidance I am sensing fit the nature of my Spirit?”

To help you answer that question, here are four different aspects of your Spirit’s nature, with a description of how those aspects affect the guidance that you receive:

1. Your Spirit is one with all.

In Spirit, there is no place where you end and someone else begins. In Spirit, we are all part of One Universal Whole. That means that you will never receive intuitive guidance that obviously harms or diminishes another person, because that person is—in Spirit—just another part of “you.” Intuitive guidance is always in the best interests of everyone.

2. Your Spirit is all-knowing.

Being intimately connected to the Omniscient Mind of the Divine, your Spirit is aware of an almost infinite number of ways for you to successfully move forward in life. That means that you will never receive intuitive guidance that seems to demand that you do one thing in particular because that’s your “only option.” Your Spirit will simply suggest the course of action that happens to be the most beneficial one for you to take at that particular moment in time. And if that course of action is never taken, or it ceases to be the most beneficial direction for you, your Spirit will then simply make a new suggestion. Intuitive guidance may be persistent, but it is never insistent.

3. Your Spirit is always positive.

The energy of your Spirit is a positive energy. That means that your Spirit will generally express itself in a positive way, suggesting a positive action step for you to take. Rather than saying “Don’t do this,” intuitive guidance is more likely to say, “Do this.”

4. Your Spirit is indestructible and eternal.

Your Spirit cannot be injured, or cease to exist. That means that your Spirit knows nothing of fear. It knows only the peace that comes from being one with All-That-Is, and the joy that comes from the human experience—of just being alive and in the world. Generally then, intuitive guidance will feel peaceful, or joyful. If you are in immediate physical danger, yes, you may receive intuitive guidance that feels extremely urgent or powerful, such as “Get off the road now.” And you might react apprehensively to such a strong suggestion. But the guidance itself will not be infused with fear, because it will not be coming from a place of fear.

Like I said, there’s no single, definitive way to identify intuitive guidance. But if that guidance is peaceful, positive, persistent, and in the best interests of all, that’s a good indication that you are receiving divine direction. May those four qualities enhance your ability to tell when your Spirit is speaking to you. And may you be willing to make the decision, or take the step, that your Spirit is suggesting.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Roundabout Way

2010-09-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

September 26, 2010

Dear Friends,

These days, when someone new to Sedona asks me how to get to Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock (two of our most popular red rock formations), I sometimes jokingly reply, “The best way to get there is in a very roundabout manner.”

So where’s “the joke” in that, you ask? Well, you see, here in Sedona the Arizona Department of Transportation just completed a huge road improvement project. As part of that project, all of the major intersections between Sedona and The Village of Oak Creek were turned into “roundabouts”—traffic circles similar to the ones that are common in Europe.

These circular intersections enable drivers who want to turn left, or who just want to cross the road, to do so without having to wait for a green light, or wait on traffic to clear in both directions. Instead, everyone who enters the intersection simply veers to the right, and then moves around the circle in a counter-clockwise direction until they reach the road they want to be on.

When everyone is paying attention, everyone gets where they are going in a seamlessly flowing fashion . . . even though it is a “roundabout way” of doing it.

The point I am getting to is this (and you probably saw this coming): When you live life in the divine flow, the best way to reach your destinations in life—the safest way, and the way with fewer obstacles—is often a “roundabout way.”

Your desired destination may be to the “left,” so to speak, but the flow may guide you temporarily to the “right,” preventing you from running into something undesirable, or helping you avoid a block that you are not aware of.

I’ll never forget the Sunday when a youth group attended one of my talks, and one young lady proclaimed, “I get it! Our church is only a few hundred feet from the highway, and it is tempting to just want to head straight for it when you see it. But if you did that, your car would wind up nose-down in a drainage ditch! The best way to get to our church is to pass it by, take the next exit, cross over the bridge, and then come back down the access road. It’s the long way, but it’s the most beneficial way!”

And so it is in life. Your job is just to decide where it is you want to go. It is the job of the divine flow to figure out the best way to get there—which is always a way that is not only beneficial for you, but is beneficial for all involved, as well.

Here’s to living life in the divine flow, and remembering that the “roundabouts” you frequently encounter in life are there for your highest good, and for the highest good of everyone. May you be present enough to recognize these divine detours when you encounter them. And may you be patient enough and positive enough to happily move in any direction that you are being divinely guided to move in.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Faith, Experience, and The Divine Flow

2010-09-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

September 19, 2010

Dear Friends,

The very first time I decided to solve a problem by consciously putting my “faith” in the divine flow, I experienced a minor, but immediate miracle. Later that same week, I tried it again. And again, the challenge I was facing worked out miraculously. And when I consciously relied on the flow to help me with another issue a few days later, once again everything fell into place marvelously.

I’m not sure, however, if “faith” is the most accurate word to use in describing my approach to those early experiences. Why? Because the first few times I turned my problem over to a “Higher Power,” I honestly didn’t think it would work. At the time, I was skeptical about the whole “let go and let God” thing. But I could also see how my usual way of handling challenges—through control, manipulation, force, and persuasion—wasn’t working very well. So, even though I was extremely doubtful that any kind of positive outcome would occur without my direct, personal involvement, I decided to “give God a shot,” so to speak.

Twenty four years later I have countless stories about how the divine flow has repeatedly and consistently responded to my wants and needs. So, at this point, you would think that I would be a person of great “faith,” right? Well, sort of.

I actually rarely use the word “faith,” because to some people that word means believing in something without any concrete reason to do so. But I have plenty of concrete reasons to believe in the flow. My life experiences have proven to me over and over again that there is, indeed, a Higher Power in this world that is continually guiding me toward the effortless fulfillment of my heart’s desires. So today, when I consciously rely on the flow to help me accomplish a specific goal or solve a particular problem, is that an example of having faith . . . or is it just a reasonable expectation based on more than two decades of repeatedly experiencing the miraculous?

The answer is both. Acting on faith results in miraculous experiences. And those experiences, in turn, strengthen faith. Both faith and experience work hand-in-hand to make it that much easier for you to put your trust in something other than yourself.

Here’s to putting your faith in the divine flow, and discovering through experience that there is, indeed, a Divine Intelligence in this world that is continually working on your behalf to bring about your highest good, and the highest good for all.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Forgiving is For Giving

2010-09-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

September 12, 2010

Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago I wrote a three-part series on forgiveness. I decided that those messages would make a good topic for one of the talks I now present every Sunday morning here in Sedona.

As I prepared for that talk, I ended up adding three more reasons why it is beneficial to forgive. Plus, I was inspired to present those reasons using the same wordplay that occurred to me while I was composing the final message in my original three-part series: Forgiving is for giving. That is, it’s for giving yourself five different gifts.

This week I want to share all five of those gifts with you, to deepen your understanding of the many wonderful benefits of forgiveness.

Gift #1. Forgiving is for giving yourself the freedom to be happy again.

As long as you bear a grudge against someone you will be unhappy—feeling frustrated, bitter, or angry. You will be suffering, while the person you resent might not even be aware that you resent him or her . . . or care! When you forgive, you stop giving that person power over how you feel. You break that negative emotional tie, and free yourself to be happy again.

Gift #2. Forgiving is for giving yourself the ability to be attuned to divine wisdom.

When you harbor resentments, you are in ego—that judgmental state of mind that not only causes you to feel separate from others, but also causes you to feel separate from any kind of Higher Power. When you forgive, you reconnect with that Higher Power—returning to a state of mind that is once again open and receptive to divine insights, inspiration, and intuitive direction.

Gift #3. Forgiving is for giving yourself valuable insights about yourself.

Sometimes the person whom you need to forgive is actually “mirroring” a behavioral trait that you may have, but don’t want to consciously admit. If you are willing to “look in that mirror,” you may see something within yourself that needs healing. For instance, you may discover a long-neglected emotional wound that has been causing you to behave in unproductive ways. But now that it’s revealed, you have the opportunity to heal that wound through a little self-love . . . as well as the opportunity to see that person who is your “mirror image” in a more compassionate light.

Gift #4. Forgiving is for giving yourself the ability to enjoy the peace that exists in the here and now moment.

Whatever it is that is causing you to feel resentful, happened in the past, right? Perhaps it was only yesterday, but it still happened in the past. By harboring those negative feelings, you are keeping the past alive. Generally, the now moment is pretty peaceful. But you rob yourself of that peace by dwelling on something that is not actually happening in the here and now. If you want to be able to enjoy the peace of the present, let go of the past through forgiveness.

Gift #5. Forgiving is for giving yourself the power to create a different future.

The future is formed in the present, through the thoughts and feelings that you are having right this minute. If you have dragged the past into the present through unforgiveness, then it is highly likely that you will create a future that is just like the past. If you want a different future, forgive what happened in the past—let go of it—and open yourself up to the infinite possibilities that exist when your mind is free of all prior influences.

There you have it, my friends: Five gifts of forgiveness. Why not give yourself every one of those gifts today?

Steven

P.S. I have another gift for you. It is a set of affirmation statements that you can use to help you forgive others, and help you forgive yourself, as well. To download my Love and Forgiveness Affirmations, just click here. (This is a PDF file, which most computers can easily open.)

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Ego's Will To Survive

2010-09-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

September 5, 2010

Dear Friends,

After 24 years of consciously focusing on living life in the divine flow, I have experienced countless major and minor miracles in my life. Day after day, month after month, the divine flow consistently responds to my needs and desires in remarkably miraculous ways—constantly verifying my belief that we do, indeed, live in an intelligent universe that is continually offering us its celestial assistance.

So why is it that no matter how much I experience the divine flow in my life, turning to that flow for assistance is not something that I always do instantly and automatically?

Why is it that so many of us—including me—can experience miracle after miracle, year after year, and still quickly revert to that old feeling that we are on our own when it comes to achieving a dream, or contending with a challenge?

Why is it that we don’t continually sense that we are an inseparable part of a greater Unifying Whole—a Universal Spirit that is always offering each and every one of us its divine support?

One answer to those questions is found in the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, who writes about the development of our ego-identities, and how those identities—or “I-dentities,” as I like to put it—are essentially based on a sense of separation from others, and from God.

Tolle explains how part of us—the ego—convinces us that we will literally cease to exist if we ever allow ourselves to experience a sense of “Spiritual Oneness” for any great length of time. So we let the ego vigorously assert itself at every opportunity, tenaciously clinging to that sense of “I” in order to survive.

Based on that, it’s no surprise then, that our initial reaction to any need or issue that arises in life is often, “I have to solve this,” or “It’s all up to me to achieve this.”

Here’s the good news, though: As the years go by, my experience has been that the time I spend needlessly feeling that “it’s up to me and me alone” to accomplish my goals or solve my problems, grows less and less and less.

Year after year, I find it easier and easier to immediately remember that I am part of a Universal Whole that is continually guiding me toward my highest good. Day by day, I am able to “let go” more quickly, and I am able to “let God” more readily.

And I am certain, friends, that if you continue to practice living life in the divine flow, then you, too, will experience the same thing. You, too, will find the ego gradually losing its ability to dominate your life. And you, too, will experience a greater and greater ongoing sense of divine connectedness, enjoying the peace and ease that comes from that feeling of spiritual union.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Insight, Inspiration & The Divine Flow

2010-08-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

August 29, 2010

Dear Friends,

Although there are many ways that you receive Divine Guidance in life, your most valuable and consistent source of Divine Guidance is your own intuition. Your intuition is your inner Spirit speaking to you. Your Spirit not only knows what you want, but it also knows what you need—including the need to grow in understanding or compassion, or the need to heal an emotional wound that may be limiting your life. And your Spirit is continually attempting to help you fulfill those wants and needs by “telling” you what your next right step is.

You may experience intuitive guidance as a thought that suddenly pops into your mind, or as a simple feeling of “rightness” about a course of action that you are considering taking. You may even have a vivid dream that clarifies a situation that has been troubling you. There are many forms that intuitive guidance takes. And when you identify the main way that your Spirit speaks to you, it will be much easier for you to make intuition the primary component in your decision making process.

Intuitive guidance, however, is not the only gift that your Spirit has for you. Your Spirit can also bless you with a divine insight—a deep and accurate understanding of something that can radically improve your life. Or, through what is commonly called divine inspiration, your Spirit may offer you an extremely creative approach to solving a problem or completing a project.

When you are truly open and receptive to Divine Guidance, then intuition, insight, and inspiration are your constant companions. And sometimes, they work hand-in-hand—especially when it involves a mission that your Spirit may have specifically come into this life to accomplish.

For instance, many years ago, through a series of divine insights, I came to believe that we do, indeed, live in a beneficent universe—a universe that is continually working on our behalf to help us fulfill our heart’s desires in the most beneficial way possible. I soon became convinced that it was my mission in life to teach people how to recognize and cooperate with this “divine flow.” I was then divinely inspired to present those principles using the metaphorical song, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” And after that, I was not only intuitively guided to write a book based on that song, but I was also miraculously directed to a publisher, and then offered a series of remarkable speaking opportunities that helped my work become popular.

Insight. Inspiration. Intuition. Without these three, life can be more of a struggle than it has to be. So make sure that you remain receptive to all three forms of celestial assistance by making meditation and prayerful contemplation a daily part of your life. Spend some time every morning by going within, and getting in touch with the divine wisdom of your all-knowing Spirit. You have nothing to lose . . . and a great deal to gain.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Who's Charting Your Course?

2010-08-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

August 22, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I was looking for something to watch on television, and I came across a program about researchers who were investigating the sinking of the Titanic. They weren’t trying to discover why the Titanic sank—that’s known. Instead, they were trying to find out why the Titanic broke in half as it sank.

The researchers expected to find flaws in the design of the Titanic, or some mistakes in its construction. As it turned out, however, they found little to suggest that there was anything wrong with the integrity of the ship. So the investigation was inconclusive.

What was confirmed during this program was something that the evidence has long suggested . . . that before the Titanic ran into an iceberg, the captain of the ship made a decision that proved to be disastrous for his passengers and crew.

Hearing that, I was reminded of something that came up when I was writing the first chapter of my book. To stay with the boating metaphor, I described the body as “the physical vessel itself.” But I just couldn’t bring myself to refer to the mind as “the captain” of that vessel. I settled for “the brains of the boat,” instead.

Why? Because for many people the word “captain” evokes an image of a wise decision-maker in a crisp, white suit—a figure entirely worthy of our complete and total trust. But is the mind really that trustworthy?

In the case of the Titanic, it seems that the captain was greatly influenced by someone else on board during that fateful trip . . . Mr. Bruce Ismay. Ismay was the chairman of the White Star Shipping Line—the Line that had the Titanic built, and touted it as both the biggest and the fastest vessel on the seas.

When the Titanic received news that icebergs were drifting toward their latitude, it appears that Ismay convinced the captain to speed up to avoid the approaching icebergs, rather than slow down or change course altogether. The reason? So the Titanic would arrive in New York in record-setting time, living up to its highly publicized reputation for speed.

Do you see the parallel here? Just like the captain of a ship, your mind does have the final responsibility for deciding where you want to go, and how you want to get there. But sometimes your mind can be influenced by the “Bruce Ismay” that resides within your consciousness—that is, your self-serving ego.

Disconnected from the One True Spirit that unites us all, your ego will encourage you to make decisions that may benefit you in the short run, but are not in everyone’s best interest in the long run.

Don’t let your ego—which can be just as fearful as it can be grandiose—chart your course for you! That could be a Titanic mistake! Always make sure that your mind remains open enough to receive divine direction. It’s the kind of direction that comes through intuitive nudges, divine signs and synchronicities, and the wisdom of others. And it’s the kind of direction that you can always trust to be in your best interest, as well as the best interests of all.

Instead of listening to your ego’s advice, spend some time in prayer and meditation, and seek the Guidance Of the Divine (G.O.D.). That way, you will not only reach your chosen destination safely and effortlessly, but all involved will benefit from the journey.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Middle Way and The Divine Flow

2010-08-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

August 15, 2010

Dear Friends,

One of my favorite movies—and especially Carol’s—is “Little Buddha.” Although two stories are depicted concurrently in this film, the basic tale is about Prince Siddhartha of India, and how he became the Buddha.

In a pivotal scene, Siddhartha witnesses a man teaching a boy to play a stringed instrument. The man tells the boy, “If the strings are too loose, they won’t play. If they are too tight, they will break.”

It is at this moment in the movie that Siddhartha discovers the wisdom of “The Middle Way,” an enlightened way of life that avoids extremes in favor of moderation.

This is not unlike the wisdom of “rowing with the flow.”

If you have no goals or dreams in life, you are too “loose.” You are just aimlessly drifting. And living life in the divine flow is not about drifting. It’s about actively participating in the manifestation of what brings you joy. It’s about consciously choosing a destination and rowing towards it.

If you do have a destination in mind—a desire that you’d like to fulfill—but you are pursuing that goal relentlessly, always pushing, driving, and forcing your way forward, then you are too “tight.” And one day you may break.

Rowing with the flow is “the middle way.” You choose your destination, and you row towards it, but you row gently—pausing between each and every stroke of your oars to discern the next right step that you feel you are being divinely guided to take.

You don’t force things to go the way you think they should go, or try to control and manipulate outcomes. Instead, you remain flexible enough to continually adjust to the course of the current . . . willing to move in a direction that is different from what you expected . . . and even willing to arrive at a destination that is different from the one you originally set out for.

So, friends, what will it be? Do you want to drift through life listening only to the music created by the well-tuned instruments of other people? Or do you want to create some music of your own? If it’s the latter, just make sure that your strings are not too loose, or too tight. Remember to follow “the middle way”—attuning yourself to the divine flow. Do that, and the music you make will be especially harmonious.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Forgiveness and The Divine Flow, Part 3

2010-08-06T08:02:00.000-07:00

August 8, 2010

Dear Friends,

This week’s message concludes my three-part series on forgiveness, and how the act of forgiving enhances your ability to be open and receptive to the guidance of the divine—to the kind of guidance that can help you fulfill your heart’s desires with effortless ease.

But consider this: Even if a forgiving attitude did not increase your ability to be divinely guided, you would still be well advised to maintain that kind of compassionate mindset. Why? Because forgiveness directly affects your ability to enjoy life and be happy!

I will never forget the moment I first came to understand the relationship between forgiveness and happiness. Many years ago there was someone in my life whom I deeply resented. One evening, I was sitting in my car feeling absolutely miserable because of the perceived offense this man had committed against me.

All of a sudden, I recognized that—on a certain level—I actually believed that I was punishing that person by bearing a grudge against him. And yet, the truth was, he probably had no idea how much I resented him. And if he did know, he probably didn’t care!

There I was, sitting in my car feeling angry and upset, while that man was walking down a street somewhere whistling a happy tune! That’s when it dawned on me that I needed to forgive that person for my sake . . . not his! I finally understood that forgiving is primarily for giving myself the freedom to be happy again!

There is a great old saying that sums up this idea perfectly:

“Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison
and expecting the other person to die.”

That’s exactly what I had been doing up to that point—trying to make someone else suffer by doing something that was only hurting me!

Friends, I invite you to get honest with yourself . . . really honest. Are you refusing to forgive someone in your life because part of you believes that you are punishing that person with your resentment? And perhaps more importantly, how is that working for you? Are you, in fact, the one who is actually suffering because of that negative emotional tie?

Perhaps it is time for you to stop giving that person power over your emotions. Perhaps it is time for you to forgive that person, and allow yourself to be happy again.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Forgiveness and The Divine Flow, Part 2

2010-07-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

August 1, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about the important role that forgiveness plays when it comes to living life in the divine flow. The general idea was that unforgiveness is an indication that you are in ego—a judgmental state of mind that limits your ability to be in the flow, because the ego is not open to divine direction.

I went on to suggest that you practice forgiveness by looking beyond a person’s outward behavior to see the innocent spirit that lives at the core of his or her being—that divine spirit that comprises his or her Authentic Self.

But what if you are still feeling extremely hurt or exceptionally angry over a perceived offense? What if you are willing to forgive, but willingness alone just doesn’t seem to be enough to get you over your emotional hurdle? Well, here is a technique I find helpful in instances like that:

Whenever I feel extremely judgmental towards someone, I imagine something that might have happened to that person as a child that would explain his or her behavior. Could that child have been abandoned, neglected, or ignored? Could that child have been given adult responsibilities too early in life? Could that child have been physically abused?

I then see the person that I need to forgive as still that child . . . still using the same coping mechanism that may have once served to protect him or her from an intolerable circumstance . . . or still behaving in a way in which he or she was conditioned to behave.

Whenever I do that, I immediately feel compassion for that individual, and forgiving him or her becomes much, much easier.

That doesn’t mean, however, that I condone that person’s behavior. And it doesn’t mean that I am going to tolerate that behavior any longer, either. I see nothing wrong with holding someone accountable for his or her actions, establishing boundaries to protect myself, and taking steps to shield others from being harmed, as well.

The difference is, I no longer condemn that person for their perceived shortcomings. Instead, through eyes of forgiveness, I look upon that individual as a wounded soul who wants nothing more than to be healed of that wound through my compassion and understanding.

Try it. You will be surprised at how quickly some situations transform when people sense that you are no longer attacking them with your judgments. And, of course, you will be amazed at how your forgiving attitude puts you right back in the flow . . . once again open-minded enough to receive and perceive G.O.D.—the Guidance Of the Divine.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Forgiveness and The Divine Flow

2010-07-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

July 25, 2010

Dear Friends,

I often write about the power of love, and how just a little bit of loving kindness dramatically enhances your ability to live life in the divine flow and fulfill your heart’s desires effortlessly. But love has many aspects. And one of the most important of those aspects is forgiveness.

Just as it is with loving kindness, practicing forgiveness becomes its own reward—healing you, freeing you, and restoring your sense of well-being. But it also has a very practical side benefit . . . that of improving your ability to move easily down the stream in the direction of your dreams.

The reason why is simple, really. As I frequently mention, living life in the divine flow is about being open and receptive to the guidance you are continually receiving from that creative, intelligent, all-pervading energy that is commonly called God . . . an energy that you are intimately connected to, whether you are consciously aware of it or not.

When you are unforgiving—that is, when you are blaming or resenting someone in your life—you are judging that person. And that creates a problem. Because the part of you that judges is your ego. And your ego is the part of you that is never open to divine direction.

Your ego is the part of you that literally "edges God out" . . . hence, E.G.O. When you are in ego, your mind is closed. And thus, you are no longer receptive to the helpful insights, inspiration, and intuitive guidance that come from the divine spirit within you. Instead, you must make choices based on information that comes solely from the material world around you—information that is always extremely limited and highly biased.

If you want to live life in the divine flow you must constantly practice forgiveness. Instead of blaming, seek understanding. Instead of shaming, have compassion. Take the time to look beyond a person's outward behavior to see the innocent spirit that lives at the core of his or her being. Remember that everyone is doing the best they can with the various limitations they have, and the emotional wounds they bear.

When you forgive, you will not only be opening yourself up to G.O.D.—the Guidance Of the Divine—but you may find yourself opening up to the very person who can help lead you to your highest good.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Life's Divine Cairns

2010-07-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

July 18, 2010

Dear Friends,

This weekend I am conducting another Divine Flow Retreat here in Sedona. The very first activity I offer in these retreats is a guided meditation on a Red Rock formation called Bell Rock. Many people believe that Bell Rock has amazing healing and energizing properties, and it is one of the most popular places in the area.

If you have spent any time in Sedona yourself, you probably know that it is not extraordinarily difficult to reach the higher parts of Bell Rock. However, without knowing the best way to ascend, you can easily run into a dozen dead ends, and repeatedly encounter crevices that cannot be crossed.

To make it easier for hikers to reach the higher vistas, the National Forest Service has placed piles of rocks called “cairns” to guide the way. When you travel from cairn to cairn, you are able to climb up Bell Rock in the most efficient and unobstructed way possible.

And so it is with the divine flow in your life.

When you follow your intuition, when you are open to the intuitive guidance of others, and when you pay attention to the divine signs that are all around you, you will find yourself being directed toward the fulfillment of your heart’s desires in a virtually effortless and obstruction-free manner.

That doesn’t mean that your path will always be direct—a straight line from where you are to where you want to be. Nor does it mean that your journey will always be swift. It is common to experience lots of twists and turns along the way, and reaching your chosen destination can take longer than you expected. But if you remain patient, and take one divinely guided step at a time—focusing only on the step that is right in front of you—your journey will still feel like a flow . . . a flow that is helping you get to your highest good in the most beneficial way possible.

Here’s to following life’s divine “cairns.” Here’s to noticing and heeding the divine markers that have been placed along the way to help you accomplish your goals without undue struggle or strain . . . and to help you reach even the loftiest of your dreams with effortless ease.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

It's About The Journey

2010-07-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

June 11, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about the freedom you have to choose your destinations in life, and the freedom you have to pursue those goals and dreams by choosing to follow divine guidance . . . or not.

Naturally, if you continually ignore divine guidance, you are probably going to encounter more challenges along the way than you ordinarily would under consistent divine direction. However—that said—not every single challenge in your life is the consequence of making an unguided or misguided choice.

As I mentioned two weeks ago, some challenges you encounter in life are merely bends in the stream, and they will quickly transform into blessings if you cooperate with what is happening. Other challenges—as I mentioned in my message on April 18th—give you a much-needed chance to heal an emotional wound, or eliminate a limiting thought, so you can move down the stream toward your dreams more freely. In hindsight, those kinds of challenges can easily be seen as the divine flow at work in your life.

But what about the really major challenges that occur in life? What about the kind of unwanted circumstances that seem to come out of the blue, and severely test your ability to maintain any kind of positive outlook on life? What possible blessing can there be in the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one, or the diagnosis of a serious disease?

Even though most of my work is focused on the goals and dreams we have in life, and how best to reach them, in the end, life—as the saying goes—is not about the destination . . . it’s about the journey. And that journey is not about getting somewhere. It’s about being something.

Said more accurately, the journey of life is about the kind of person that you become during the journey. Or, more accurately still, it’s about remembering during the journey who you truly are—and always have been—at the core of your being . . . which is nothing less than an individual expression of Divine Love itself.

In my personal experience, nothing has given me the opportunity to get in touch with the Truth of my Being more than a major challenge has. Understandably, it is difficult to readily see an extremely unwelcome challenge as a “blessing.” However, when that challenge leads to a renewed appreciation for the sacredness of life, or when it helps you know first-hand what unconditional love and compassion truly feels like . . . well, you can’t help but feel blessed by the experience.

Remember that pursuing your goals and dreams in life is something that you will always be motivated to do, because it is in your nature as a divine creator to do so. But never lose sight of the fact that when all is said and done, the only thing that is truly important in life’s journey is how you have spiritually matured along the way—how you have grown in wisdom, deepened your faith, increased your gratitude, and expanded your ability to be the love that you are in every situation. And if you do successfully reach some or all of the destinations that you originally set out for in life . . . well, that’s even better!

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Freedom and The Divine Flow

2010-07-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

July 4, 2010

Dear Friends,

Sunday, July 4th is Independence Day, the day that we in the United States celebrate our right as a people to create our own futures and pursue our own dreams . . . free from oppressive and dictatorial rule.

But let us remember, too, that when it comes to our relationship with that Divine Intelligence that is commonly called God, every day is Independence Day . . . and should be recognized and celebrated as such.

Each and every day, you have the freedom to choose what you want to have in life, what you want to do in life, and what you want to be in life. And you have the freedom to pursue those goals in any way that you see fit.

That doesn’t mean that accomplishing those goals is totally up to you—and you alone. Quite the contrary. You are continually receiving divine assistance. You are constantly being divinely guided and supported in fulfilling your heart’s desires in the most beneficial way possible. But you will never be forced to do anything that you don't choose to do.

You always have the freedom—the independence—to follow divine guidance . . . or not. You can choose to row with the divine flow, and reach your chosen destinations with effortless ease. Or, you can choose to take a more arduous route, and row against the flow by ignoring or resisting divine direction. It's up to you.

The wonderful thing about your freedom of choice is this: Every choice you make in life—whether it is guided or unguided, divinely inspired or ego-driven—gives you an opportunity to learn from your experience, grow in wisdom and compassion, and ultimately discover more about your own divinely loving and creative nature.

But again, it's your choice. You can choose to learn and grow from the experiences you create . . . or not.

Here's to the joy that comes from creating our lives and living our lives by choice. May we always be grateful for the freedom we have to do that.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Minor Miracles, Continued

2010-06-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

June 27, 2010

Dear Friends,

Two weeks ago I wrote about the minor miracles that occur quite frequently in life—the kind of synchronistic events and happy coincidences that may seem relatively insignificant, but lead to the fulfillment of a heart’s desire, nonetheless.

I feel that I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t remind you of the following point: Although miracles are usually associated with circumstances that are obviously to your benefit, an undesirable encounter or a challenging situation can also be a divine gift in your life.

I can’t tell you the number of times that an unexpected “problem” has popped up in my life, which led me to a very valuable learning lesson—a lesson that helped me deal with a similar, but more serious problem just a short time later.

One time, for example, I experienced an issue with my computer that was fairly minor, but still extremely frustrating. It took me quite a while to figure out what was going wrong, and why. But I finally did, and I was able to successfully fix the problem.

I thought that was the end of my computer troubles. But the very next week I ran into another problem . . . only this time the problem was much more complicated, and it was much more important for me to correct the issue immediately.

Well, thanks to what I learned the week before, guess what? I was able to fix the problem both quickly and easily. It felt as though the divine flow had purposely prepared me for what was to come, and had equipped me to handle the upcoming issue much more effectively.

Like so many other times in my life, what I had initially judged to be “bad,” quickly transformed itself into a blessing—a blessing that I could never have foreseen based on my original assessment of the situation.

What I have learned from countless experiences like these, is that unwanted circumstances are often “miracles in the making,” and it is my job to allow the miracle to unfold by cooperating with what is happening, rather than resisting it—by seeking only my next right step, and the one after that, and the one after that.

One of the keys to living life in the divine flow and experiencing its miracles more freely and more frequently, is to embrace every challenge that occurs in life as if it were a blessing about to bloom—a divine opportunity for you to benefit in some way. You will find that when you actively look for the gift in every situation, the divine flow has an uncanny way of making certain that you find it.

So, the next time a situation arises in your life that elicits some kind of discomfort or displeasure, make sure that you remain genuinely open to the possibility of experiencing something miraculous . . . even if the miracle is just a timely lesson learned.

Remember to always be grateful for all of life’s miracles—both major and minor . . . including the ones that show up in your life as blessings in disguise.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Fatherhood and The Divine Flow

2010-06-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

June 20, 1010

Dear Friends,

Many of the churches where I present my talks and workshops refer to the divine power at work in this world as “Father-Mother-God.” The reason is apparent. It is a simple reminder that this higher power that many of us call God, not only has a nature that we associate with fatherhood, but it also has characteristics that we associate with motherhood . . . such as nurturing.

I’ve never had an issue with the notion of God as Mother. But I’ll be perfectly honest with you. For much of my life I was very uncomfortable with the concept of God as Father.

You see, I used to harbor a lot of resentments towards my own father, and whenever I heard the word “Father” used in reference to God, I would cringe a little.

Then one day I had a revelation—one so simple, I was astounded that it didn’t occur to me sooner. I remembered that I was a father. And what, as a father, did I feel towards my children? Nothing but unconditional love. And what, as a father, did I want for my children? Nothing but for them to be happy and fulfilled . . . and I would gladly do anything in my power to help them live abundant and joyful lives.

For the very first time, I could finally relate to the idea of God as Father . . . as a loving, generous, powerful presence in my life that was continually providing for my needs, and continually guiding me towards the fulfillment of my heart’s desires.

At that moment, I not only changed the way I felt about God as Father, but I began to feel differently about my own father, as well. I began to look beyond his human shortcomings to see the divinely loving spirit within him. And I am happy to say that today I can truly appreciate many things about my father that I ignored or took for granted in the past. In fact, at this point I feel I have moved beyond appreciation . . . to love.

Here’s to all the men who have been “fathers” in our lives—who have provided for our well-being, and guided us in effective ways of providing for ourselves . . . just like the divine flow guides and provides.

Here’s to our earthly fathers . . . and here’s to our heavenly one, as well.

Happy Father’s Day!

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

Minor Miracles and The Divine Flow

2010-06-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

June 13, 2010

Dear Friends,

If my work is somewhat new to you (and to a number of you, it is), you may not be familiar with my definition for the divine flow, which is:

“The divine flow is an underlying current that is continually guiding you toward the effortless fulfillment of your heart’s desires.”

You might assume from the phrase, “your heart’s desires,” that I am talking about major goals that you want to accomplish in life, or desires that are exceptionally grand and glorious. And you would be right about that. But you would only be partially right. Because the desires of your heart can also be desires that appear to be relatively insignificant—desires that seem to be fairly minor in the overall scheme of things.

What you have to remember is that your “heart” is your “spirit,” and your spirit has desires both big and small—all of which, when fulfilled, serve to help you live a life that is more joyful and rewarding. And the divine flow works just as diligently to guide you to the effortless fulfillment of those seemingly small desires, as it does to help you fulfill the ones that seem large by comparison.

Here’s an example:

Here in Sedona, Carol and I subscribe to the local paper, the Red Rock News. Although we always read the headlines on the front page, we rarely do anything more than check out the entertainment section, or look through the classifieds for an interesting estate sale.

Last week, though, I felt an unusual urge to grab a cold drink, go out on the patio, and sit down to read the entire paper—something I had never, ever, done before.

Well, I didn’t have to read very far to discover why I had been mysteriously compelled to open the paper. Because there on Page 2 was an obituary for a dear friend of ours—a woman that Carol and I had not seen in quite some time.

Her name was Nanette, and for many years she was the head innkeeper at our favorite Bed & Breakfast Inn, The Briar Patch. Before we moved to Sedona, Carol and I stayed at The Briar Patch so often, we formed a lasting friendship with Nanette. She was, in fact, one of the very first guests we invited to our home when we became Sedona residents.

Had I not followed my divine intuition to read the paper that day, I would have missed the obituary, and Carol and I would probably have missed the opportunity to attend Nanette’s memorial service. As it turned out, though, Carol and I were able to attend the service, and pay fitting tribute to a woman who meant quite a lot to us.

So, was that an example of being divinely guided toward the accomplishment of a major goal in life, or toward the realization of a lifelong dream? Of course not. But it was the fulfillment of a heart’s desire, nonetheless. In fact, Carol and I would have been heartbroken to have missed the opportunity to join Nanette’s other friends and family in a celebration of her life.

Here’s to living life in the divine flow, my friends . . . and here’s to recognizing, appreciating, and celebrating all the flow’s minor miracles that make such a major difference in our daily lives.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

A Journey to the Center of the Earth

2010-06-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

June 6, 2010

Dear Friends,

This week I have a question for you: What’s at the center of the Earth? If you give that question a little thought, you will realize that there is more than one answer.

From a strictly physical standpoint, the answer could be that there is a core of solid iron at the center of the Earth, which is surrounded by an outer core of iron that’s molten.

From a purely spiritual viewpoint, the answer could be “God”—especially if God is understood to be an all-pervading intelligent energy that exists within and throughout everything in the universe.

But neither of those answers is the one that I was looking for. I was actually talking about the word, “Earth,” and what is found at the center of that particular word.

Have you ever noticed that right smack dab in the middle of EARTH is ART? For me, that’s significant, because it helps remind me that our journey here on Earth is meant to be a creative experience.

Like I mentioned recently, we are innately creative beings. As individual expressions of what many call “The Great Creator,” we are, in fact, nothing less than Divine Creators in our own right. And Earth is the canvas upon which we express ourselves.

Earth is where we—as spiritual beings—have the opportunity to take ideas that originate in spirit, and go about the process of giving those ideas physical form. And when we go about that creative process thoughtfully—with the conscious intention to bring more beauty, harmony, love, joy, and understanding into the world—we are doing more than just manifesting something materially, we are producing works of art . . . sacred art, no less.

Whether we are writing books or building homes, painting landscapes or engineering bridges, composing songs or inventing businesses, carving sculptures or raising families, nothing satisfies our souls more than bringing something new and beautiful into the world that wasn’t there before.

To quote a short poem I wrote way back in 1977:

Art for art’s sake.
Art for the heart’s sake.
For God’s sake, art.

Here’s to the divine artist within you, me, and all of us.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com

The Constant Possibility of Good

2010-05-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

May 30, 2010

Dear Friends,

Many of you are probably familiar with this line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet: "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." Said another way, nothing in and of itself is inherently good or bad. We are the ones who assign meaning to things and label them as good, bad, or indifferent.

Well, if that’s true—and I do believe it is—then what kind of attitude should we take about the different kind of circumstances that we experience in life?

In some circles, the answer to that question is illustrated by the following 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. The following day, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg. Once again, the neighbors offered their sympathy, saying "How awful." "Maybe," answered the farmer one more time. The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son of the farmer had a broken leg, they passed him by. The neighbors once again congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “What good fortune,” they said. The farmer replied yet again, “Maybe.”

I appreciate this story for one particular reason. It illustrates the fact that we rarely, if ever, know enough to be able to accurately judge any circumstance as either good or bad. However, I wonder if there isn’t a more positive way to respond to what we encounter in life.

I realize that the farmer’s response was objective and non-resistant. And that certainly elicits a feeling of peace, which is wonderful. But to me, the farmer’s “maybe so, maybe not” attitude is somewhat flat and lifeless—limiting the possibility of feeling anything beyond peace . . . such as joy. And I, for one, believe that our spirits are in this world—and in these bodies—to experience happiness and joy, as well as peace.

If something happens that I think is good (even though I know it is just a subjective judgment on my part), I want to be able to experience all the good feelings that come along with that. And when things don’t seem to be going very well, I still want to experience good feelings! So how do I do that?

I simply look at every situation that “appears” to be bad, and see it as a stepping stone to my highest good. And that’s not just wishful thinking on my part. Similar to the circumstances described in the fable, it has been my experience time and time again that the possibility for good exists within every situation . . . and the divine flow is continually working on my behalf—and everyone’s behalf—to manifest that good.

If you want a more positive and uplifting way to respond to life’s circumstances—a way that promotes feelings of happiness and joy, gratitude and thanksgiving—then I invite you to approach life differently than the farmer did in the version of the fable that you just read. I invite you to consider the example set by the farmer in my own alternate version of this story:

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. "I believe there can be good in this," the farmer replied. A few days later the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "Yes, it is good," replied the old man. The following day, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg. Once again, the neighbors offered their sympathy, saying, "How awful.” And once again, the farmer answered, “I believe there can be good in this.” The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son of the farmer had a broken leg, they passed him by. The neighbors once again congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “What good fortune,” they said. And one more time the farmer replied, "Yes, it is good. Very good indeed!”

So, my friends, the choice is yours. You can achieve peace by assigning little or no meaning to what occurs in life. Or, you can open yourself up to something more by seeing everything as good, or good in potential.

I, for one, choose to thoroughly enjoy all the “good” things that happen in life. And more than that, I choose to appreciate the constant possibility of good in everything else.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com