Rain-Frolic w/ Dog and Appreciating Others' Differences

1. I was in such a damn good mood all day. Woke up early and took yoga class, had breakfast with my two of my bestest guy-friends Tom and Clay, then worked at a job I love all day (my web design/social media/graphic design/promotions business). Such a good mood that not even the rain could put a damper on it. I'd just gotten home from an errand--picking up party supplies for the Indoor Beach Party I'm throwing this Saturday--and had to walk through the rain from my parking lot to get to my place. It was 6pm, but still warm enough that the rain felt delightful on my skin, and I had such a strong urge to play in the rain! I've always loved playing in the rain from the time I was little and have many wonderful memories of it. I cannot resist a good rain frolic!

I set my stuff down inside and quickly changed into boardshorts and a bikini top. As I turned to rush back out into the rain, I noticed my little Jack Russell Terrier giving me that look that says, "hey, I want to be included on this adventure!" So I told her she could come along if she wanted. This is the dog who normally hates putting her paws on soggy grass... so I was surprised when she eagerly followed me through the backyard and out into the street. Together we loped, ran and skipped all around the block and through people's yards, through puddles and over curbside rivers, simply exuberant over the random rain-frolic. I thought to myself, how cool is Leah-Dog that she just runs right along with me, off-leash with little verbal direction, through the rain, at AGE 13? My dog is an inspiring example of youthfulness at any age :)

That's us skating together.

2. It's good to know who you are and where you stand, right? Yes, I think so, but often in the past, I would come across people who had very different viewpoints than me that I didn't agree with and simply tune them out of my perception. Now when I come across someone who is radically different from me, I really listen to what they have to say. I try to imagine the linking rationales I would need to have in my own brain to hold the same opinions as this differing individual. As long as their viewpoint is not extremely negative or damaging, I listen and am now enjoying the chance to broaden my perspective in ways I wouldn't have thought possible. Even if I don't agree with someone's viewpoint, contemplating it can cause some other epiphany to rumble to the surface in my brain.

On more of a micro level, this applies to my close friends as well. Instead of wishing people close to me shared my same viewpoints on things that are important to me, I am learning to appreciate their profound differences. I say profound because, I think I always appreciated differences so long as they didn't directly challenge beliefs that were important to me. Now I am beginning to appreciate even the powerful differences. Why this change? I really cannot say. I think it is just a culmination of learning and growth over the last 29 years. I can take pleasure in imagining the fervor that my friends have for their beliefs, and feel happy that we are NOT all the same, because that is how we learn from one another. Plus, at the end of the day, you can always choose to "take what you like and leave what you don't." :)

Taking Advice

Thought for the day:

Someone once told me, "never take advice from someone whose outcomes in life you don't like." I always thought this was brilliant advice, and almost always follow it.

The one exception: sometimes a person can be good at instructing on something they are not actually successful at in real life. But I find this to be the exception, not the rule. I guess if something really resonates with you, the source is not necessarily important...

The main thing I've learned is that while it is good to remain humble and teachable, sometimes I have to trust my own opinion and wisdom over anyone else's--even if it differs from the wisest advise of my best advisor. Sometimes I alone know the best answer for me :)

Easy Intending

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am an avid student of the Law of Attraction principles.

A few days ago, I remember there was some expense of something I wanted to have, and it was $100. I didn't want this thing to cost me $100. But instead of thinking what I didn't want, I thought to myself... "I'm going to INTEND to receive an extra $100 so I can pay for this."

I didn't really think much of it after that. Today, I received $100 from an unexpected source. $110, actually.

The funny thing is, now I can't remember what this thing I wanted that cost $100 was!

From my studying and use of the Law of Attraction principles, I think this story exemplifies something I've learned about my personal manifestation power:

It seems to work best when I am easy about something and not super attached to the outcome. When I have an easy sense about this thing I want, not one ounce of worry as to whether or not I will get it.

Everything about the Law of Attraction I've read says that you should expect and think about the desired outcome as if it's already yours. When I am able to do that without also considering the possibility of NOT having it, it works for me. But often expecting the thing and thinking about it as mine causes some part of my brain to consider the flip-side of NOT having it, and this negative thought means I do not manifest it.

So, if I just release this thing wanted and go about my days not putting too much concern towards it, it seems to come right to me, easily.

That, and the "ask once" idea (you only need to ask once if your request is made in utter faith that the universe will deliver it)... that applies to this story and to past successes with manifestation through positive intention.

favorite things from today (2)

1. A woman walks into a yoga studio. She explains to the teacher (me) that she had previously survived a very bad car accident and was "all jacked up"--to include a fused ankle, shattered clavicle, and numerous traumas to the spine. I said the often-used but very true, "hey, you're in the right place." She told me, "I won't be able to do a lot of the postures correctly, but don't get me wrong, I am SO GRATEFUL. Very few people survive the kind of accident I had." Right away I was struck by her sincere "attitude of gratitude," and I assured her that "trying theright way" would be of tremendous benefit regardless of whether or not she could do perfect postures.

She proceeded to do a wonderful job in yoga class and had a smile on her face as soon as she got into the first posture and could do it well. I can't be 100% sure what was going through her head, but it looked like utter joy that her body "still worked" and could do a beautiful yoga pose on her very first try.

Every time she did a posture well or I helped her with a modification that made it so she could do postures she didn't think she would be able to do, I could just feel the happiness radiating from her. Her good friend, who is a regular student of ours, was magical to watch with her. While she clearly had a very connected energy to her fragile friend during class, she did not interfere in her process or "mother" her. Every time her friend could do a posture she didn't think she could do, she would look so genuinely happy for her. It was one of the sweetest, most sincere friend-moments I've ever seen.

What a wonderful thing to be witness to. I love my job.

2. Almost exactly a year ago, I was in a situation with someone I care about in which he reacted in a way that displeased me, because I didn't understand his perspective. Now it is very ironic

how the tables have turned. I am in the exact same position he was in a year ago. Today, I contemplated this, and found myself completely understanding what he must have been going through, and why he reacted the way he did. It is an incredible sense of understanding and COMPASSION. I feel so much compassion for this person now that I am in his shoes. Compassion is a wonderful thing to feel.