We're Moving!

Just finishing up a few tweaks on the new Law of Attraction blog site before I officially announce the transition, but wanted to let you know we're moving to: Good Vibe Blog (http://goodvibeblog.com/).

The posts and most of the comments moved as well, so it's the same content with just a new look. Come take a look see and let me know what you think!

Be sure to sign up for email notification on the new site to read new posts when they're timely. And please bookmark the new site so you can find your way back easily! There's a bookmark link at the very bottom. :)

I also want to say thanks to everyone for all your amazing support while I've grown this law of attraction blog. I'm really fond of the work we're doing here, and I know it's not just on my part! Thanks for being a part of this community and helping me to enjoy what I love most - sharing a passion for mastering deliberate creation!

Namaste -

Please, (Don't) Contain Yourself!

"Whatever happened to a little humility?"

That was my boyfriend's disappointed comment when one of the football players on his team did something good (maybe it was a touchdown, I don't really know) that inspired him to a little dance right there on the field.

I always thought those little dances the big guys do were kind of cute. I get a kick out of seeing someone be so proud of and happy with themselves. (My ex says he'd dance, too, if he made that much money.)

But now that I was seeing it through my boyfriend's eyes, it wasn't as entertaining.

I thought, "He's right. Whatever happened to humility? Look at these guys, so full of themselves. It's distasteful."

And I felt myself slip a notch or two.

"What's WRONG with this world?" I continued this line of thought. No one has any loyalty or sportsmanship. (Which I know from hearing my sweetie complain about how players move and are traded from team to team or city to city, and how as soon as a guy gets a big contract he stops playing with his heart now that he's got his payday and doesn't have to work so hard any more.)

Yeah, this place really isn't what it used to be.

After all, I myself had just commented that this football thing is like modern gladiators. They put a bunch of guys out there to pound the pieces out of each other, and we fill an entire stadium (not to mention Sunday afternoons all over the country) to watch it happen. We glorify the players (who abuse drugs, women, and dogs in their leisure time) and have an entire culture built around this "sport."

And these guys can't even be humble. What's WRONG with them?

But something didn't jive with those thoughts. My "feel good" was starting to get scrambled.

I thought of how Russ shakes his head at me with a half smile when I say, "Who couldn't like ME? I'm the easiest person on the planet to like!" He has a hard time hearing someone toot their own horn. (Even though I was just being factual.)

And I thought of the affirmation I picked up from my Marine Corps dad that's front and center on my desk: "I'm the best there is."

Well, yeah, where IS the humility? Certainly not at my house.

My vibe was definitely sinking now. This path of thinking definitely didn't suit me. That encroaching "feel bad" was my Inner Being saying "wrong way, Jeannette."

So I started looking around - for new thoughts.

Is it wrong to think highly of yourself? Is it wrong to aspire to be the best? Is it wrong to acknowledge your successes with a big parade? I honestly considered it.

ha! (There it is again -my feel good coming back!)

Of course it's not wrong to toot our own horns! That sounds like a fabulous time, doesn't it? In fact, that's one of the best parts of those games: their little enjoyment of themselves in the end zones! It's so cute!

Truth be told, I'd like to see Russ do a little dance when he's happy. I would like to see my own little trademark happy dance, too.

I've written before about how one of my favorite clients does a happy dance in the parking lot when she gets her favorite parking spot. Just the thought of her dancing out in the lot makes me smile.

At a live theater production I attended the other day, the emcee on stage made a joke about someone in the audience and he was so proud of himself he did a little dance in his own "end zone" right there on stage. It made me laugh even more than his joke did!

I'm not arguing that cocky is attractive. Confidence sure is! But there's a middle ground that is fun to hang out in.

Now that I think of it, this is partly where the game of golf could improve. You know when the guy makes a great shot and he's so ... well, HUMBLE about it ... it's kind of a letdown. The crowd's going wild, but he just reaches down and pulls out his golf ball like it's just another day, just another shot. We're lucky to get a wave or half smile of acknowledgement from him.

Come ON.

Why not be proud of ourselves? Let's toot our horns and dance for whatever reasons inspire us! Let's stop downplaying ourselves and embrace our big beautiful beings, enjoying who we are and letting everyone else do the same.

Because let's face it ... we're the best there is!

And that thought feels good to me. So it's a keeper. ;)

Six Habits to Transform Your Year

A clean slate once again! What a perfect time to put the past behind us and embrace our full potential as creative directors of our lives.

To help create a year you'll love, consider the following tips and techniques to transform your 2008. Choose one you haven't mastered yet and enjoy!

1. Breathe

Letting oxygen in to fill the lungs is not only good for physical health, but for your emotional and spiritual health as well. We feel better and think better when our cells are fully oxygenated. Some say it's because oxygen strengthens our connection to source energy.

Next time you don't know what to do or feel overwhelmed with challenging emotions, take a couple of deep breaths and let the peace (and solutions) in, while releasing the stress. Oxygen is both invigorating and cleansing.

2. Feel

Since our feelings dictate what we attract, it's important to be aware of and manage them. Many of us have learned to ignore or deny our feelings for various reasons. Being disconnected to our feelings is to be disconnected to our creative power. Ancient spiritual traditions, as well as leading edge science, tells us our feelings dictate what manifests in our lives. Getting clear on what we're feeling and learning to choose them deliberately allows us to be deliberate manifestors.

Learn to let yourself feel your feelings. Notice where in your body the feeling sensations reside. Imagine going to the core of the essence of that energy - the very center of it - and then just be present to it. Sit with it and let yourself feel what's there until it dissipates.
This simple but profound practice frees us from negative behaviors many engage in (overeating, overworking, and other addictive behaviors) to keep from feeling.

3. Be Still

Embrace the habit of slowing down. Becoming present to the current moment creates space for magic to happen. When our lives are crammed full of "reality" and our knee jerk reactions to it, we have neither the discipline nor the capability of directing our attention where it best serves us.

Beginning a meditation practice can be as easy as Elizabeth Gilbert's (author of "Eat, Pray, Love") mentor taught her: simply sit and smile for a few minutes each day. You'll notice a difference when you do.

There are a variety of ways to explore internal peace and quiet. However you approach the practice, the journey is well rewarded.

4. Focus

Want to really blow the socks off your new year? Cultivate a focus on what's working in your life and what's truly important to you. Get used to looking at what's going your way, things to appreciate, and reasons to be thankful. Since we get what we think about, as we direct our attention on what we want and enjoy (instead of worrying about what we don't want or what went wrong before), we allow our deepest desires to manifest.

Although it takes a little practice, the energy invested in this pursuit pays off handsomely. In the very least, as Meister Eckhart said, "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'thank you,' that would suffice."

5. Let Go

There comes a time we're called to release old patterns, friendships, lifestyles, thoughts, etc. When that time comes, honor it. New things and experiences can't enter our lives while we've got a death grip on the old. Learn to trust your intuition and doubt your fear, and let go of what no longer serves you.

Also, one of the most powerful ways to transform your year is to release your attachment to outcome. What we really want isn't so much a particular outcome anyway. Rather, what we really want is how we think that outcome will make us feel. You can, in fact, choose that feeling now, before anything else happens.

6. Have Fun

We Americans are particularly driven by ambition and the push to succeed, often at the expense of enjoying the journey. Let's not forget the bigger picture. Suffering doesn't serve anyone.

Sometimes we think it's wrong to enjoy life when so many others aren't, or when there is so much work to correct our "faltering" world. The truth is that suffering doesn't serve anyone - not you, not others, and certainly not the cause we feel so passionate about. We're offering our best service when we feel good.

Know that when you "push against" something, you strengthen it. That in itself is reason enough to relinquish suffering. There's nothing to prove and no hoops to jump through in order to be worthy of reward. So relax and relish!

Finally, you know more than you think you do. Remember to trust yourself and lighten up to savor the journey. Enjoy your new year as if it were impossible to go wrong, because indeed, it is. Happy 2008!

It's Happening

Something I used to be incredibly self-conscious about is that my right eyebrow and eyelashes are dark while my left eyebrow and eyelashes are blond. I've had them dyed since I was 13 years old.

(This is why I have virtually no pictures of myself - it's easy to spot the difference in photos for some reason.)

For most of my life, I went to one person to have my lashes & brows dyed. Every month for an hour and a half I would sit in my aesthetician's salon chair while she applied dye to make my lashes & brows appear normal.

Sometimes I wondered what would I do if it weren't for her. No one does as good a job as she does. No one gets the match quite right; no one else cares as much as she does. No one else makes me feel as beautiful.

And then she went to Europe for the summer. Which was potentially devastating, as I'd relied heavily on her to feel good about myself.

But then I met Renae. Who did an even better job than my original girl! I never dreamed it possible to improve on the service I was already receiving, but there it was. Even better than before! I wouldn't have thought it possible! But it was undeniable. Even better than before. How lucky am I?!

And now Renae has injured her shoulder and isn't working.

Instead of being devastated, this time I know there is another good surprise in store for me.

This is what I'm thinking of as I reflect on 2007 and look forward to 2008. This last year was amazing in so many ways, that I wouldn't think it possible to improve on. If I didn't already know better, that is. It really CAN get better! In fact, it DOES! That's how it works.

Three years ago when I was dating online every guy I met was even better than the last. It was surreal!! I don't think I stopped smiling the entire summer! I tell people all the time that I had so much fun that summer I'm sure it was illegal.

So I know it can get better than it already is - even when it's already fabulous. I also know that as I reflect on how wonderful it is, it can't HELP but get better. That's how the system works.

Life is already SO good, what more could I ask in this upcoming year? 2007 treated me very well ... I can't imagine what more to look forward to in 2008. But then I remember Renae.

And I remember life just keeps getting better.

Better and better.

Are you ready? Are you ready for it to get even better than it has been?

Because it's coming.

Actually, it's happening already. In every moment, it's getting better. Can you feel it?

It's happening now.

Here's to 2007, and 2008, and all the wonderful years ahead and behind us. Aren't we the lucky ones?!

See how your year was wonderful, and you're automatically a guaranteed shoe-in for another one. Namaste, my friends.

Got What You Wanted?

Okay, let's check in. Who got what they wanted for Christmas?

Were you pleased to see just what you wanted under the tree? Or do you even know what you wanted? Did you expect to get it? Did your loved ones have to guess, and did they guess right? Or did you not have anything in particular in mind?

It seems to me how we do Christmas could be symbolic of how we do life.

I was reflecting on how easily kids say what they want. They're not shy about telling us what they want; they make lists well in advance, and they get excited about the process. They also seem to be fairly successful at getting what they want. (I've never seen such ridiculous gift-giving to little people! They have more stuff than I do!)

But what do we adults do? "Ohhh, you don't have to get me anything." "Anything you pick will be fine, I'm sure." "Let's keep it to a minimum this year."

I want to learn to be as particular as my 11 year old friend, Alyson. She's covering all her bases, making sure everyone knows exactly what she wants, down to the color, flavor, size and model number. Anyone who has any vested interest in her gets a copy of her list. In that way, she takes responsibility for her own happiness and sets herself up for big success Christmas morning.

Are we as clear about what we want? Do we make it known to others? Do we expect good things, or are we just glad to get through it, harboring vaguely formed desires that leave us feeling inexplicably dissatisfied when they're unmet?

Although Christmas is over, it's never too late for us to get what we want. Year end is a great time to get more clear about our true desires, and to set ourselves up for success in experiencing them.

How does that work? Let's look to Alyson as an example:

1. She knows what she wants. Nothing wishy-washy from this girl like, "oh, you don't need to get me anything." In fact, you don't even have to ask her. She'll tell you! And she's paid attention all year long as to what would thrill and delight her. She knows how to ask big, and isn't afraid to do so. Gotta admire that.

2. She communicates those desires, and asks anyone who might be able to deliver to do so. She even goes through ads to find the best deals and makes sure the adult shoppers in her life know how easy it is to satisfy her. If she sees someone with one of her items, she'll ask where they got it and pass the info along.

3. She expects to get what she wants. She knows the people in her life love her and want to please her, and she does her chores and follows instructions so she knows the good stuff is coming. It's a given, in Alyson's mind, that she will enjoy her Christmas morning.

4. Best of all, when something isn't quite right, she doesn't throw a fit. She's grateful for what she gets, and that's what makes her such a pleasure to give to.

Some folks might think it's better to be unassuming and undemanding. I have been one of those folks on occasion. But I see Alyson's sense in asking big, being clear, having high expectations, and enjoying.

Who's ready to ask big in 2008? This is our year coming up, if you didn't already know. If ever there was a time to flex our asking and expecting muscle, this is it. Let your Alysons show you how its done if you don't already have this one mastered. : )

Thank you, Alysons of the world, for showing us how to let it be even better than we're used to expecting.

Big Duh Moment

Well, you gotta love coaches.

I just hung up with mine who gave me immediate homework of lying down. "Go lie down," she said.

Knowing full well I wouldn't be good at it, she told me to let my boyfriend get cable in my house (he's gonna love that), and also get TIVO.

(I'll lie down after I write this post. I'm pretty sure.)

My coach recommended watching "Intervention" on Lifetime. And decorating shows at night, where the biggest problems people encounter is that the tile doesn't fit quite right.

All right, I never had a coach insist that I watch tv. (And somewhat purposeless tv at that.) In fact, several friends and colleagues are a little righteous in saying they not only don't watch tv, but they don't even OWN one.

And now I have not only permission, but INSTRUCTION, to watch it guilt free. (I think I love her.)

She also told me to stop reading for growth, and start reading for pure fun and pleasure. Whatever entertains my brain. Not something to "work" at, master, or create more to-do lists with.

All this because I somehow didn't make the connection for myself in the ezine I just sent out (Eliminate the Middle Man).

I had told Martha about Lindsey the massage therapist who told me I was fueled by adrenalin and insulin and that my gallbladder was shot. I thought the adrenalin and insulin observation might be right. And then reading Martha's description of adrenal burnout on page 221 in "4 Day Win" was confirmation that my gas tank is approaching empty.

She asked what I do that contributes to burnout. I gave a typical daily example of how I roll out of bed, go straight to the office, turn on the computer, let dogs out while it boots up, then open emails to see what's happened during the night. After I get out of the shower (before I'm even dressed), I pop back in to check email and see what happened during the 15 minutes I was away. I sometimes don't even eat breakfast until 1. The UPS guy knows all my pajamas, because sometimes I skip the shower part.

"Yep, you're addicted," she said.

She asked what I was hoping to find in those emails I obsessively check. "What's the best thing that could happen there?" It took me a few minutes to articulate, but it was something along the lines of some really good news that would allow me to relax a little and take a break.

So Martha told me to eliminate the middle man. (And no, she doesn't read my ezine. Is this the Universe talking loud and clear or what?)

She told me take a break now. "Go lie down."

Eliminate the middle man? You mean the middle-man good news that allows me to bask in success for a moment so I can relax? You mean just relax now?

The thought brought tears to my eyes. Relax now? Watch tv? Read for fun?

I think I've died and gone to heaven.

And because my COACH is telling me this, I will do it. My ex-boyfriend, current boyfriend, girlfriend, neighbor, even dogs - no one else could get me to relax on that couch. But I'll listen to my coach.

You gotta love coaches, and the "big duh" moments they inspire.

All right, I'm off to lie down for a bit. :)

Eliminating the Middle Man

I sent this out in yesterday's "Get What You Want" ezine. Because it's related to a post I'm writing now, I thought it would be helpful to include it on the blog:

What do you want and why do you want it?

Take a moment to reflect on those two questions. What do you want, and why do you want it? Write both answers down if you've got pen & paper handy.

My work with clients has taught me that we much more easily know the answer to the first question than the second. But it's worth getting clear on, because author and coach Michael Neill says it's not the first thing we really want, it's the second.

What do you want and why do you want it?

Some might say "I want to find the perfect house because it will give me more peace." Or maybe, "I want to drop a couple pounds because I want to feel good about how I look." Or perhaps, "I want to reduce my work and increase my income because that will allow me to enjoy life more."

(Can you tell what's on my mind these days? Those are my personal favorites.)

I have to agree with Michael; no matter what it is we say we want, what we're really after is how we think that thing or experience or person is going to make us feel.

So what do you say we drop the middle man, huh? Let's go direct!

When we identify the real target we're much more likely to succeed. I mean, how many times have you (or someone you know) got the thing you thought you wanted, but afterwards felt let down or unfulfilled? Like, we drop ten pounds but once we get there, we just think we need to drop five more before we're satisfied? Or we get the relationship we said we wanted, but after the newness wears off we still feel empty inside? Or we achieve our career success, but instead of being thrilled we're just worn out?

That's because we were shooting for the first thing (what we want) when we really wanted the second (why we want it - i.e. the feeling we think it will give us).

Many of you have heard me talk about how in the corporate world I wanted to pay off my mortgage so I'd feel free to quit my miserable job. For three years I made triple house payments until I got that thing down to zero.

How did it feel making that last payment? Relief? Celebration? I wish. Actually, I felt nothing. Nada. Flat. Empty. It was surreal how I didn't feel anything at all. No freedom, no enjoyment, no accomplishment.

What was wrong with me? In hindsight, I realize what I really wanted was "freedom" and yet that wasn't the vibration I'd practiced at all. All my vibe knew was "slaving away" making triple payments. I didn't know at the time that I couldn't get anything other than what I was feeling - which was more like "trapped & lifeless" than "free & easy."

But I know better now. And I'm not falling for it again.

So my formal list of what I want this upcoming year looks more like this: love my life, love my body, love my animals, love my world, love my people.

Now don't get me wrong ... I have specific ideas about what that might look like. I imagine it will involve being more toned and fit, living with my boyfriend, and managing my workload better. But the reason I want those things is because I think that will allow me to love my life even more than I already do. For me, it boils down to "loving my life." That's my accurate target.

And I know enough about how this deliberate creation stuff works to know that the way to get there is to vibrate that now. Love my life now. That's my entire to-do list for the new year. As I feel that love for life now, not only do I get what I really truly want - but my life also gets even easier to love.

You gotta love how this system is set up, huh?!

Recommended Stocking Stuffers

If you're cutting Santa some slack this year and shopping for your own holiday treats, here are a few things I suspect you'll enjoy:

Zoe Routh picked the brains of ten of the best LOA coaches and made the total package available for less than $100. This is one of my favorite LOA products I've ever seen, and not just because I'm in it. Zoe's the real deal. She delivers profoundly, and also packs in oodles of delicious extras that will get your new year off to a nice start.

Check it out for yourself and note that the price goes up next Thursday. So if you're picking it up, do so before December 20th!

If you haven't already caught on to Jen Blackert's Fearless Millionaire teleseries, there are still two free days to take advantage of. She let me check out her new Seven Dragons book and I have to say, it reminded me why I am so drawn to this girl. She knows her stuff, and compiled a unique, insightful fun-to-read personal development book. Good job, Jen!

Other books I enjoyed this past year are:

The Intention Experiment for amping up left-brainers' belief about LOA.

How We Choose to Be Happy for nine steps to a good time.

4 Hour Work Week for blasting through old patterns of "business as usual."

Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer - I'm so in love with Gregg!

Emotional Options - Mandy's on to something here. It's short, sweet & powerful.

The Alchemist - what can I say? I just discovered it!

Eat, Pray, Love - thank you, Iyabo, for making me read this!

Notes from the Universe - Mike is my all time hero. My wish is that everyone has a copy of this for managing funky days.

For you business owners and coaches, I highly recommend Michael's Book Yourself Solid, Milana's Coaching Millions and of course, the business owner's bible for getting clients: Attracting Perfect Customers. (That and a pray rain journal is how I built a full coaching practice in three months.)

And if you just need a cheap laugh right now, check out 2 Hot Girls in the Shower on the Secret. Thanks, David. Who else could have sent me this?

Looking for good music? It doesn't get much more rewarding than Mark Romero's instrumental guitar. It's more than just good music. It is literally (scientifically proven, and I can vouch for it based on personal experience) vibe-raising. Mark's got a gift, no doubt about it.

Maybe custom made jewelry that serves as an LOA reminder is up your alley this season. The bracelet Barb made for me that reminds me to "Relax & Enjoy" is virtually the only jewelry I regularly wear. Still loving it, Barb!

What am I asking for this Christmas? Donations. I asked family and friends to put their money to work (toward a cause they deem worthy) in better ways than just buying more stuff, even if it is stuff for me. I like buying my own stuff, anyway - and ever since I watched Earthlings (purposely I'm not giving you the link to watch it online), I'm thinking if we invest where our passion is with the end result we want in mind, surely that's a step in the right direction.

If anyone has other ideas, I am open to hearing them! Namaste, friends.

PS - this just in: http://www.thenowwatch.com/ Pretty cool gift idea, especially in light of Eckhart's dog interview I posted earlier today!