If the current thought of modern science is correct, and every atom that is in my body today came into existence from the Big Bang, then I am one big cosmic star system, with pieces of Pluto and Pilates mixed in with bone and blood. It’s an incredible concept when you think about it.

One lone hydrogen atom, miniscule and magnificent that is residing in my body today had other lives, other missions, other jobs. What an incredible journey it must have taken until it landed in me. Was it once floating in the rings of Saturn? Was it part of a Triceratops’ eggshell? How about in spittle coming from a Neanderthal’s lips? Did it come to Earth in the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs? Was it in the green glop on the bottom of a thermal pool in Iceland, surviving a billion years of ice?

I can feel it sometimes – this rogue atom itching just beneath my skin, making itself known. I envision him looking a bit like James Dean, a cigarette dangling from a half smile. There’s a restlessness in its movements as it cruises through my veins. Anxious for the next experience, never satisfied with its progress, always looking for something more.

I’d like to think that it’s been with me a long time, entering my body through the icy taste from a half-pint of milk we got mid-afternoon in grade school. That was about the time I noticed there was something more to me – something unexplainable happening on the inside. Too young to form the question and with no one to ask even if I could, this hydrogen atom became a tour guide, holding the light, helping me remember my cosmic connection. Before it came, I thought I was just Janey and nothing more.

I almost lost this tiny entity a few times. A rusty nail attached to a board gouged through my little foot when I ran out into the back orchard unattended. The atom hung back from the gush of blood, and instead became part of the healing crust forming over the deep wound. Years later it flowed in a tear down my cheek when a close friend was killed in a car wreck on a lonely Wyoming road. Luckily it reabsorbed through my skin from my wet pillow, making it back to familiar ground and the world it knew.

Nothing has daunted its irrepressible spirit, of which I’m grateful. Not even the radiation treatments for breast cancer. It dodged the killing rays, and instead, attached itself to healthy cells. It thrived and kept reminding me that I would too, eventually.

Like an old married couple, we’ve been together a long time, and now I’m wondering what will happen to it when this body, its universe, is just a pile of ash dug deep into a garden, becoming food for flowers and worms. It will grow bored, I know, living in such a dark place and will struggle to reach a perch drenched in sunlight.

And then one day, an inquisitive traveler won’t be able to resist smelling an exquisite bloom on a deep green bush. A small smudge of pollen on his skin is all it will take for my little friend to swan dive through a pore.

Once inside, my James Dean atom will straddle a white blood cell like a Harley. With a half smile and its cap pulled down to shade the secret of the universe, it’ll barrel down the artery highway with joy and abandon, heading toward the ankle or the heart, the destination unimportant.

The new body will never know what hit him, but he’ll soon find out.

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

One year, looking to expand our experiences by performing, we took Holland American Cruise Lines up on their offer to travel the US and Canada promoting their Alaska cruises and tours.

It was a six-month run, and when we finished singing and telling thousands of people of how great Alaska was and encouraging them to go, a free cruise to anywhere in the world waited – one for Tupelo and one for myself.

Daydreaming of where to go was one of the best parts. We finally settled on one through the Mediterranean and the other around northern Europe with ten days in between to explore Italy.

Our “free cruise” wasn’t exactly free because we footed the airline ticket expense to Europe and we expanded our trip to include ten days in England and ten in Spain.

(Well, we’re going all that way …) It was a risky commitment because we were on “stand by” for both cruises with no confirmation until just before boarding. I envisioned our stateroom being over the bilge, under the dance floor, and next to the engines. But this didn’t deter my excitement. Neither one of us had ever cruised before. Still, I wished for the good luck of having a window, just a small one. I wasn’t asking for much.

My friend, Jojo said, “Well you know, Janey, don’t ask, don’t get.”

So I asked, and sure enough, on our first cruise around the Mediterranean, we had a window…but barely. The tiny porthole looked out over the deck where everyone and their mother walked or stood at the railing taking in the passing scenery. If I didn’t see a parade going by our window, it was a wall of rear ends. But, I was grateful for the window. After all, this is all I asked for, right?

Ten days later, we were booked on a cruise to northern Europe. With Jojo whispering in my ear I was bolder this time in requesting a veranda suite. We checked in, and there on our pass it read: Veranda. YES! I asked. We received. We were thrilled.

I’ve never forgotten Jojo’s advice, and I’ve put it to the test many times. I don’t assume that my wishes are known because people aren’t mind readers. Now I know to ask. What can it hurt? And sure enough, more often than not, I’m given what I asked for.

The same holds true when asking the universe for what we want. If we don’t ask, chances are, we don’t get. If we want more love, or joy, or money, or contentment in our lives, we must first feel what it will be like when we do have these things. And then we say, “Yes, universe, please bring me more of this.” How about better health? Ask. A better way to make money? Ask. It’s like we are writing our desires on paper and handing it over saying, “This is what I want.” The universe needs to have a clear idea of what we want before it can bring forth what we desire.

Flashback to working for Holland America: Our tour began in the fall, so I envisioned being sent to the Northeast in time to see the autumn colors. It was Jojo, again, who encouraged me to ask the tour coordinator to arrange it. I wrote an email asking if it were possible to “go to the NE.” She wrote back, “I’ll see what I can do.”

A month later, she calls to say, “I’m sorry to tell you this, but I’m having a hard time scheduling good routing through Nebraska for you.” Nebraska? “Yes. You specifically requested to go to NE in the fall – Nebraska.” I laughed. “I meant the Northeast – not Nebraska!” Luckily, this misunderstanding was cleared up in time so that yes, we got to go to the Northeast in time to see the spectacular fall colors.

So let this be the lesson learned: We not only have to be bold and ask for what we want, we also have to be very clear in what we want. This goes for every day interactions, as well as in asking the universe for assistance. Being vague doesn’t cut it in either realm.

The next time the opportunity arises, hear Jojo’s encouraging and magic words: “Don’t ask. Don’t get.”

Then, ask for what you want. Be prepared to stand back and be amazed at how well it all works out in your favor.

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

Sometimes it takes a life-threatening situation to challenge what
we really think about our life. When the hourglass tips, our
reflection stares back at us from the glass, daring us to look
closer at questions we’ve been asking our entire life. We may no
longer have the luxury of time.

When I was given a frightening diagnosis, my world crumbled and
exploded at the same time. I retreated as best I could into the
shelter of my inner knowing, reminding me that everything is
exactly how it should be and that everything would be alright. But
I also reached out and grabbed the lifeline thrown from Tupelo and
my loving family and friends. The love I gave myself and the love I
received helped to keep me on top of the tsunami (most of the time).

One big question danced on the sidelines almost every day, waving
its arms to get my attention. Was I really not afraid to die like
I’ve said so many times before? In all honesty, I knew I wasn’t
afraid to die because I’ve never been in a stare down contest with
that possibility before. Then I was tested on how I really felt.

And I believe I passed. To my great relief, I found out that I
really wasn’t afraid to die. (This was just one of the many
blessings I received from this experience.) And I’m also happy to
report that I’m all better now – healthy and celebrating being
alive!

I encourage you to not be afraid to ask yourself the deep
questions about your life. Then listen for the answers. And when
tough encounters with this physical experience come along, love
yourself through it.

Recently, I came across a poem I wrote in the midst of the dance
with the hourglass. I’m offering it now in the hope you may feel
the same when the time comes.

When I fall
let me fall like a
waterfall

tumbling wild
spinning free

not landing like a dead leaf
to sink
to the bottom of
a deep pool

but rising up
indigo mist
tickling the belly of heaven

Yes,
when I fall
I will fall
like a waterfall

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

I belong to a small and intimate writers group in Story, Wyoming,
called Storytellers. Here’s a piece I wrote when the assignment for
the week was, “It came in a small box.” This is a bit different
from the usual writing Tupelo and I send to you, but here it is
with the hope you might notice what areas of your life are boxing
you in so you can do something about it if you choose to.

A Small Box

When I slipped out into the world, I must have been confused at
first, thinking I was a mermaid instead of human because I held
onto the fluid in my lungs and refused to take in the alien air. So
when I was presented to my parents, I came in a small box, an
incubator. No bows, no ribbons, just tubes and glass and a
paralyzing fear their newborn might not come home with them. They
worried over the incubator, like the egg we watched in third grade
until the hairless creature finally pecked its way out.

When I convinced the doctors I had given up on being a mermaid and
hatched into a squalling baby that had the lung power to peg the
volume to 11, my parents handled me carefully, gratefully, and
placed me in a metal box – my grandpa’s 1949 Buick. Arriving 45
minutes later in the small town of Story, I was cribbed into the
top drawer of a boxy dresser. This was nested into a bigger wooden
box, my grandparent’s cabin.

As I grew my world expanded into more complex boxes. School, a box
full of play and pretend was fun at first, but then made bearable
by my cliquish box of friends.

For years, in a box-shaped swimming pool, I tried in vain to
return to my mermaid heart.

I rebelled from the suffocating box of my first serious
relationship and escaped in a streamlined box to Europe.

There I found my voice box, surprising me when it turned on its
singing voice, so I stepped up on a box-like stage, changing my
life for good and for the good from that moment on.

As I grow older I fight to keep my mind from becoming a closed box
of limited beliefs and narrow ideas. My heart strains to keep my
world open and not closed off in a constricted box of my own making.

My first two weeks on earth might have been spent in a small box,
but ever since, I’ve been doing my best to live outside the box the
best I know how.

No one wants to fail, but let’s face it, we all do. Trying things
beyond our current abilities gives us perhaps a 50/50 chance of
success. Failure is an indispensable ingredient in this stew called
“Being Human.” Along with heaping amounts of other essential
ingredients, it helps life remain delicious.

Few things turn out perfectly the first time around, and the
sooner we learn this the better off we’ll be. As Tupelo has said to
me many times (as if I need to be reminded), “You don’t have to get
it perfect – just get it going.”

I have a very talented friend who is often stymied into immobility
by thinking that whatever new thing she wants to try will not come
off like she envisions it, so why bother? This in turn frustrates
her, which fortunately spurs her into action. Once she gets over
the major huddle of expecting perfection, she forges ahead,
enjoying and surprising herself in the process.

Why do we sabotage ourselves into thinking we have to do it
perfectly the first time, or not at all? I’m a good one to talk.
When I try something new, I want to be great at it – right from the
git-go. No learning curve. No embarrassing outcomes. If it doesn’t
come easily, I have zero patience with myself. I drop it. Learning
to play the fiddle is a perfect example.

There have been exceptions to this self defeating behavior, of
course. Learning to do glasswork is one. During the mid-70’s while
living in Alaska, I started at zero and taught myself. My first
lumpy creations where destined for the dumpster before the lead
solder even had a chance to cool. But I loved the process. I loved
the medium.

I kept at it until I could create something I felt was
worthy of signing my name to it. After all these years, creating in
glass is still one of my major joys in life. Perfection is still
something I’m striving for, but I definitely don’t regret forging
through those hideous beginning projects or cutting my fingers to
get to where I am now.

But like I said, I usually want it to turn out great the first
time – and fast.

Tupelo, on the other hand, is a grand example of not letting the
deception of perfection get the upper hand. In those early years of
learning to play music together we rehearsed a lot, learning enough
tunes to get us through a night’s gig. It was during that time that
I found out he is living proof of what he believes: “You don’t have
to get it perfect – just get it going.”

There we would be – up on stage – things going along great – and
he would surprise me by starting a tune we barely knew. Neither one
of us knew the chords, or all the lyrics, or the arrangement. The
song was barely formed and far from stage ready. It didn’t matter.
He would charge on, acting as if he knew what he was doing. He’d
look over at me and laugh at the panic on my face.

“Come on, Janey, let’s try it,” he’d say.

“But we don’t know this song!” I’d gasp, seeing the audience’s
faces turned toward me.

“Who cares? We’ll find out how much we do know, won’t we?”

And away we’d go. Did we play it perfectly? Far from it. Was it
fun? You bet. Did I learn a good lesson? Unnervingly, yes. (I’m
still not used to it after all these years even though he still
does the same thing to me.)

So the next time you’re thinking of trying something new, but that
insidious, self-defeating thought of having to do it perfectly
worms its way between you and what you want to try, stop that
thought from getting a foothold on your self esteem. Get on with
it.

Remember: “You don’t have to get it perfect, just get it going.”
I’ll try to do the same.

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

(1) A journal – Record the journey, keep up with your self evolution
and push open new doors through your writing.

(2) A sense of wonder, awe, and Gratitude – Throwing our arms wide
each morning, saying “Thank you” is all we need to say. The more
gratitude flows out, the more blessings flow in. We become stunned
by the beauty of life.

(3) Tolerance – I’m not talking about a mere acceptance of other’s
beliefs here. Tolerance, in the traditional sense usually means,
“You can believe what you want to, but you’re still wrong.”� The
tolerance on this list has a healthy dose of respect, flexibility,
and compassion, as well.

(4) Patience – Especially, patience with ourselves.

(5) A keen ear to hear our inner voice – This is our inner guidance
system, our internal compass. Listen, feel, and head where it tells
you to go even if your mind thinks it’s in the wrong direction.

(6) Develop confidence to go it alone. Be bold and not manipulated
by popular vote. We should never be afraid to question, observe,
and make up our own mind. Perseverance is a good way to put it.

(7) The ability to pay attention to our emotions and hear what they
are telling us. Emotions are like buckets, bringing our innermost
selves up from the deep well of soul. Immense wisdom hides behind
tears and joy.

(8) A permission slip to be able to roam the halls of spirituality
unimpeded. It gives us�� �permission to exercise our free will,
permission to ask questions, to doubt, to reassess, to believe, to
wonder, to absorb, to bliss out, to change our mind.

(9) A “Get out of Hell Free” card – Personally, I don’t believe we
need one, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

(10) A sense of humor – Our spiritual path may become challenging
and absurd at times. It’s advantageous to comprehend the humor of
the universe, and to fully understand the reason we are here: It’s
to experience the joy of the journey.

(Article and Photo by Janey Wing Kenyon)

Do you know what a waking dream is? My interpretation is this: It is a spiritual ah-ha moment that comes when it is manifested in a symbolic way on the physical plane. Sometimes ironic, at times comical, it’s a game I often play. By example, remember when I wrote to you about the rose bush I planted in my garden representing my closest girlfriends? This is a waking dream. I am reminded of what rare beauties my friends are when each rose blooms. Since waking dreams are often times very personal, it’s difficult to give examples.

But I had one this morning I think you may be able to relate to.

We are fortunate to live in the country – on a gentle slope where the mountains meet the prairie. We have quite a bit of wildlife that shares this land with us. White tailed deer, eagles, owls, ducks, skunks, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, bear, a one-time sighting of a puma, turkeys, and one wild house cat named Pooder.

In the fall, the turkeys, which have raised their young across the creek, begin to gather into large groups. The turkey parades get longer and longer until when the snow begins to fall, over 60 congregate in our yard.

This morning, as I looked out at the beautiful fall colors slowly turning to gold along the creek running through our back yard, there was movement in the underbrush. Here came a long line of turkeys, looking for a way to cross the creek.

There is an irrigation gate behind our house that sends water to the ranchers down below in the flatlands. It is encased in gray concrete walls, which sounds like an eyesore, but in actuality, makes a picturesque waterfall, enhancing the creek’s beauty. One wall starts high on the bank and slopes to the creek, leaving about 12 feet of open water between the other retainer wall.

The leader tom thought this would be a perfect, even though incomplete, bridge across the creek. He began to waddle himself down the slippery concrete. When he got to the end of slab and the edge of the cascading water, he effortlessly flew to the far bank. The others began to line up behind him to do the same. They followed his example, making it to the other side with little trouble.

The turkeys followed each other closely, one right behind the other. It was precision take-offs and landings about every 3 seconds. They lined up like a carnival shooting arcade with at least eight on the sloping concrete. All went well until a young one’s turn came and got to the edge of the water.

He was surprised by the open water at his feet, and it sent him into a panic. His body language said, “What the hell–?” He turned to go back, but there were too many other turkeys at his heels. He caused a panic all the way up the line. They all turned to back up, but it was too late.

His only way out was to fly across the stream, and the turkeys behind him made sure he did. The peer pressure was immense. The panicked flight to the other side was ungraceful and comical. He almost made it to the grassy bank. He landed on the moss covered rocks peeking out of the icy creek. Sloshing, cursing and stumbling, he finally made it to the other side while the others flew over his head.

Besides the purely, comical National Geographic moment I had at the young turkey’s expense, this was also a waking dream.

How many times have we been pushed against our will to do something we didn’t want to do? For example: We took a less-desirable job instead of waiting for the right one. We followed through with marriage plans to the wrong person. We were coerced to volunteer when we wanted to spend valuable time with our family. We couldn’t say no to uninvited company. You get the idea.

When we are forced (by ourselves or by others) to be or to do something that is not in alignment with who we truly are, we flounder and flop and usually make an uncoordinated mess of things. Our heart’s not in it, so how can the outcome be the best it can be? It can’t.

As I mentioned, I make a game out of waking dreams. They show up when I am searching for an answer and looking for a higher meaning.

Waking dreams are snapshots of spiritual lessons we need to hear at that moment. If you open your senses to see what comes, you may be surprised and delighted. After all, until this morning, who would have thought turkeys could be gurus?

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

Recently, Tupelo and I went to a music festival. I was especially keen on seeing a band again who had the most fabulous fiddle player. She danced and gyrated across the stage to wild Celtic and progressive bluegrass beats. The music, the dance, her body and the fiddle became one. She was amazing.

Since I’ve been thinking of learning the fiddle, I knew she would be the inspiration I needed to finally pick the dang thing up and start screeching the bow across the strings. I couldn’t wait to see her again.

But when the band took the stage (we were sitting right down in front), she didn’t look the same. Blonde hair, not black– no biggie, hairstyles and color change. A few pounds more — okay – it happens to the best of us. She dressed the same, but I couldn’t make this woman look like the fiddle player I’d been eagerly waiting to see.

When she began to play, the notes were fast and furious, and in excellent tune. But no jumping. No dancing. Was she just having a bad day? No. As the set played out, it was obvious this was not the same woman.

I was so disappointed, and had a hard time enjoying the band’s show.

Later that night, a legend in bluegrass took the stage. We had seen him two years before at a bluegrass festival in the Tetons. His backup band then was two extraordinary women. It was harmonies from heaven, and the best bass player next to Edgar Meyer.

Imagine my disappointment this time when he stepped on stage with four guys. Four well-known guys, to be sure, but definitely not who I was expecting. And it was nowhere near the show we had seen before.

Later, when asked how the festival was, I heard myself whine about my two biggest disappointments. I bemoaned the fact that what I had paid good money to see, wasn’t there at all.

I hate people who do that, don’t you? Yet, here I was one of them. My preconceived notions almost ruined the festival for me. If I had gone with the intention of enjoying myself, no matter what, then guess what? I would have loved every minute.

I would have noticed what a fantastic fiddler the blonde was – definitely an inspiration to learn the instrument myself. I would have been thrilled seeing well-known elders of the bluegrass scene join in harmony with the icon of the ‘70s.

Whining of what I thought should have been, is not who I truly am. I’m not a whiner. I think of myself as one who accepts circumstances, no matter what. I’m not willing to have experiences diminished because of small mindedness. But here I was doing it. When I caught myself, I was appalled.

I’m grateful that I at least made it that far – to notice. But that’s not enough, is it? Next — I had to realize why this was so out of line with my true self. Third, I vowed to do better. From now on, I will curtail the urge to form preconceived notions because I want to glean the good out of my life’s experiences.

Wish me luck.

(Article and photo by Janey Wing Kenyon)

I need to know how . . . at least I think I do. It must be programming — long established, deeply anchored patterns of thought in my brain’s left hemisphere. The logical, systematic part of me insists upon knowing the step-by-step details of exactly how a thing is to be done.

Understandable, I guess. After all, that’s what school was all about — methodology and left-brain thinking. The attributes and benefits offered by the right-brain were mostly ignored. This was probably due to a large-scale lack of understanding.

The intuitive, touchy-feely right-brain approach to life is a new realization. As more people (and more educators) grow to understand it, I’m hoping our kids will eventually receive a more balanced, holistic education. (For a fascinating and inspiring look at how all this right-brain / left-brain stuff works, check out a previous article and the linked video: “Inspiration from a Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor.”)

According to my current understanding, the right brain interfaces with the world through inner guidance, hunches and feelings, with the help of coincidences and serendipities. All that sounds like an adventurous approach to life, but I must admit it’s not exactly the scientific world view pounded into my head by the educational system.

“Coincidences are a true paradox… on the one hand they seem to be the source of our greatest irrationalities–seeing causal connections when science tells us they aren’t there. On the other hand, some of our greatest feats of scientific discovery depend on coincidences.” – Josh Tenenbaum

The current educational system was designed and implemented by wealthy industrialists whose motivation was to train their labor force to keep the wheels of industry (and their profits) healthy. We were trained to be effective employees — well-greased cogs in the wheel. As a result, much was omitted from our education.

An example of a significant piece of the puzzle glossed over in school is the Law of Attraction. When I think back over my life, I realize how much I’ve benefited from learning about the Law of Attraction. I look around and see the results of my partial grasp of this powerful principle. (For details, see previous article: “The Law of Attraction.)

In a nutshell, the Law of Attraction says to focus clearly on WHAT we want to manifest into our lives and trust the infinite wisdom and inexhaustible resourses of the universe to work out HOW. Even after a few decades of being aware of this powerful principle, my WHAT is still accompanied by thoughts of HOW. They still come as a seemingly inseparable pair . . .

Peanut Butter and . . . . . . Jelly.
Abbott and . . . . . . Costello.
Pride and . . . . . . Prejudice.
What and . . . How.

I’d like to believe I’m getting better at it, even though I recognize I’ve got a ways to go. Hopefully, the realization that I could do it better is the first step to making it so.

In the past, when I was freshly brainwashed by the system, my thinking went something like this: “I want that . . . but since I can’t see any possible way to get it, it would be easier to just give up and pretend I don’t really want it. So, never mind about that thing I thought I wanted. I’ll try to only want things that I can understand the HOW.”

These days, I endeavor to approach it a little differently. Whenever I think, “I want that” . . . I’ll honestly admit that I don’t presently understand HOW it could be possible, but I choose to suspend disbelief.

Deliberately Suspend Disbelief

That seems to be a key point to this whole Law of Attraction approach to making dreams come true. Instead of pretending you really don’t want something when you know you do, allow the desire to remain. Don’t judge it. Don’t label it grandiose or improbable or impossible. Just acknowledge it and let it be. Declare a peaceful co-existence with it.

It’s not necessary for you to immediately know anything whatsoever about the HOW every time you desire a new WHAT.

You don’t even have to work at convincing yourself that you believe in all this right-brained, new-age woo-woo.

All you have to do is refrain from disbelief.

Be Neutral.

Your commitment to neutrality gives the Law of Attraction the benefit of the doubt. You honestly acknowledge what you want (instead of pretending you don’t) and you gently let it be. This approach gives YOU the benefit of the doubt too, because you’re not working against yourself.

Because of our predominant left-brained training, most of us try to manifest our desires in a very awkward manner. We typically work against ourselves in two important ways . . .

1) Whenever a new desire surfaces, if we don’t immediately see the HOW, we turn our back on the desire and pretend we really don’t want it. That’s bullshit and our inner self knows it.

2) If the HOW is not apparent, we believe the desire is simply not possible. This quick-to-adopt “belief” is not based on fact — it’s simply an uninformed opinion. It springs from a narrow, suffocating, self-defeating attitude.

This premature “belief” that something is impossible makes it so. Once again, if you are absorbed in the left-brain approach, you’re working against yourself. If you can’t count on yourself to be in your own corner, then who can you count on? Why would you do that to yourself?

Fortunately, quality resources are becoming available where we can learn how to approach our desires (and our lives) with a more balanced, holistic style. We can still benefit from the important left-brain mechanics we learned in school, but we can add the powerful right-brain skills now being taught as the The Law of Attraction and The Secret. (In fact, Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield and Michael Beckwith of “The Secret” fame have joined forces to teach these powerful skills. See their SGR website. Impressive!)

Realizing our education was rather one-sided is only half the battle. Next, we’ve got to do something about it. It’s important to be proactive and learn these life-enhancing skills deliberately. A recent experience brought this point home . . .

A couple of good friends recently told us they were going to England for a whirlwind tour of some of the sacred sites including GlastonburyTor and Stonehenge. Their friend is going too and she just happens to be a retired professor of language, archaeology, anthropology and. . . quote . . . “the world’s foremost expert on ancient mystery schools.” Our friend also mentioned (in so many words) that her intuition tells her we are to accompany them and provide an important song.

This friend has always been very inspiring. She never worries about HOW. She just listens to her intuition (closely) and lives her life accordingly. It’s a rare skill and one worthy of emulating.

In the old days, I would have said, “Yeah right . . . $3000 for the plane tickets, another grand for hotels and ground transportation, and blah, blah, blah . . .” My knee-jerk, left-brain response would have choked off the potential before it ever had a chance to bloom.

Fortunately, this time I remembered to approach it like this . . . “Hell yeah, of course we’d like to go. I have no idea HOW, but this sounds like a trip of a lifetime.”

I chose NOT to believe it was an impossible fantasy. I chose to shift into neutral and hang out with the desire and enjoy how good it feels to think about it.

A few days later, a new song was born called, “The Quiet Waits Forever.” Immediately I knew this is the song our friend alluded to. When she heard it, shed knew it too. It came easy and quick, so it seemed only natural to keep an open mind and be on high alert for coincidences.

“Coincidences are spiritual puns.” – G.K. Chesterton

Long story short — the trip was made possible in a way that we never would have anticipated. A new friend heard us talking about the unusual circumstances, and was moved to offer an amazing gift. She offered her frequent flier miles to cover our plane fare because she has “lots and lots and lots.” (Thank you Francie!)

Coincidence? Serendipity? Law of Attraction? Dumb Luck? I don’t know what to call it, but I do recognize that it would never have happened with my old left-brain approach. It’s easy to guess what would have happened if I would have immediately written it off as an impossible pipe-dream because the HOW was not apparent with the WHAT. With that attitude, nothing could happen — no coincidence, no serendipity . . . nothing. That closed-minded approach is self-defeating. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“We could call it a coincidence, if that would be better for you,
But the way that it all fell into place was more than I could do.

Is that a glimmer of recognition, fleeting in our eyes,
A random act of happenstance, or a miracle in disguise.

I’m counting on a miracle, expecting a surprise,
Insight right between the eyes, or a miracle in disguise”
- from the song, “Miracle in Disguise” by Tupelo Kenyon

Instead, we just savored the idea of a wonderful journey, and lo and behold, the universe worked out the details and handed it to us. We didn’t even have to profess a belief in the woo-woo. All we did was chose not to dis-believe.

Little by little, I’m learning. Try it, and see what magic shows up in your life . . .

* Recognize what you want.

* Don’t deny you want it just because you don’t see HOW.

* Release disbelief in the possibility.

* Imagine what it feels like to manifest the desire (now, in present tense).

* Enjoy the process, and quit pretending you know more about the details of HOW than the entire universe. (For all you know, the universe may be conspiring on your behalf behind the scenes to bring you everything you desire and allow.)

Another important realization:

Even if all this new-age, right-brain woo-woo turns out to be poppycock, so what?

It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what others think. Your thoughts and your feelings matter. What matters is living a satisfying, adventurous, love-filled life.

Your life. Your way.

Whatever it takes and whatever you call it, regardless of the belief system you adopt, your quality of life is the bottom line.

So allow your desires to see the light of day. Work with them and not against them. (See previous article: “The Dilemma of Desire.”)

Celebrate life with a sense of awe and wonder. It’s good to be alive. What a grand adventure!

While reading, did you choose to hear the relaxing instrumental music linked at the beginning of this article? To learn more about it, click here.

Listen FREE to the songs below . . . chosen to enhance the ideas in this article.

Miracle in Disguise Synchronicity is such a positive and hopeful idea, it begs the question, "Why not actively look for it and even expect it, as long as it feels good?" http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor11 Don’t Tell Me No Just don’t do it. It’s better that way . . . for both of us! http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor3 Time of Our Lives Time is so fleeting, so elusive, it’s good to remember the importance and power of living right now. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor7 Take the Plunge Their advice is "for your own good", but the last thing you need to hear is their worst-case scenario. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor11 No, Yes! Examines the folly of continually holding conflicting thoughts at the same time. Yes I can. No I can’t. I want that. But do I really deserve it? Around and around it goes. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor10 Traveler Hearing about another’s experiences can be inspiring, but to really know for sure what it’s like, there’s nothing like personal experience. "Go, so you will know." http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor4 Just One Step Just begin. If you will just get underway, the project itself gains momentum and carries you along to its completion. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor12 Celebrate Life Create your own personal celebration of life by your choices, rather than allowing life to be something that merely happens to you, or around you. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor2 Songs by Tupelo
	Manifestation Fill-In-the-Blank Formula Here’s a simple technique you can adapt to your own style. First, I’ll give you the formula as I currently use it. Next, I’ll discuss each word so you’ll see how it has evolved into its present state. Then, I’ll add some supporting information to provide you with a ready-to-go affirmation for your own experimentation. This manifestation technique is built around one simple sentence . . . The Law of Attraction With anything as important as the law of attraction, it’s a good idea to hear it described many times from many different angles. This article looks at it from several viewpoints as well as revealing how to get the understanding of the law of attraction from the prime source. Many links are provided including links to streaming mp3 songs that incorporate the principles of attraction in the lyrics. Celebrate life with an ever-clearer grasp of how the law of attraction determines your life experience. The Dilemma of Desire What is desire? Where does it come from? Why do we have it? Does it serve us in a positive way, or does it distract us and keep us perpetually in discontent? This article sheds some light on these important questions so that each of us can find our own answers. Goal Setting or Let Go and Let God There are two approaches people use to manifest their desires. Some set goals. Others surrender and presume the universe is conspiring to deliver to them their every desire without strain, in its own way and in its own time. Which way is better? Can these two methods be used together? Balancing Desire with Contentment It’s a fine line we walk between wanting more and feeling satisfied with what we have. Desire is unavoidable – it comes with the territory. So, the trick is to find the balance. There’s a middle ground to be found where deep feelings of contentment and satisfaction are spiced with the delicious excitement of something more on the horizon. How to Live the Life of Your Dreams Through Intuition Intuition feels good. That should be enough of a clue it’s something that can be trusted. But, our culture has done a thorough job of instilling doubt about the wisdom of following our instincts. Instead, we are taught to think things through and be logical. These mental tools are important, but they were never intended to be used instead of intuition. They work better when used in conjunction with intuition. If we are open to it, we get nudges and insights to move us in the direction of our greatest joys, our most valuable contributions, and our most satisfying life. Those quiet whispers and gentle taps on the shoulder are examples of inner guidance in action – intuition. How to Accelerate Manifestation Whenever a new desire or grand plan is born within us, the tendency is to share it with others. Every time we talk about it, the energy of the dream seems to deflate a little more, until it becomes merely a topic of idle chatter. Why is that? How can we add to the excitement and urgency of our dreams instead, and speed up their manifestation? Inspiration from a Stroke of Insight from Jill Bolte Taylor You’ve heard about the "right brain" and the "left brain," right? The left brain is all about logic and sequential thinking and the right brain is all about the abstract flow of consciousness and how it relates to "the big picture." Have you ever heard a description about watching from a peaceful, detached viewpoint as the cognitive brain functions slowly quit functioning? Have you ever heard anyone talk about what it feels like when the inner chatter finally quits and all that’s left is awareness? On this video, you will. Articles by Tupelo

Silence is a rare commodity these days — especially in the west. Around the clock, cars, trucks, airplanes, cell phones and all kinds of machinery disrupt the silence.

We have to deliberately seek and preserve opportunities for total quiet. It’s a worthwhile pursuit . . . otherwise we might forget the powerful, regenerative benefits of peace and quiet.

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature–trees, flowers, grass–grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence…we need silence to be able to touch souls.” – Mother Teresa (1910-97)

Most people are “tellers.” They’ve got stuff they need to tell you. Often, it’s not so much they have something to say as they have to say something. It’s cultural conditioning. As a race, we’re out of touch with our silent center, so we compensate with an endless string of words.

Of course, language skills are important. Our development as a species was a direct result of our ability to cooperate, which was made possible by our ability to verbally communicate. Our relationship with words is neither good nor bad — it has just become out of balance.

The superficial use of words contributes to our alienation from one another. The words we use are often like masks . . . they shield us from who we really are. Especially when we are out of touch with who we really are, we use words — and lots of them — to compensate.

“Some people talk because they think sound is more manageable than silence.” – Margaret Halsey

When you re-enter the silence, you lessen the dependency for continual yak-yak-yak sessions. Comfortable with the silence, you’re no longer driven to get attention from those around you, and you let down your guard . . . take off your mask.

When you’re once again connected with the silence, it’s easier to connect with people in meaningful ways. When you’re coming from the place of stillness and the power of silence, you can connect with people at a place beyond your personal story and beyond their personal story. Instead, you can feel the connection at a deeper level where you are already connected . . . at a place where you have much in common . . . that inner place of quiet, stillness and peace.

“To communicate through silence is a link between the thoughts of man.” – Marcel Marceau (b. 1923) – French mime artist

Mums the Word

As a spiritual exercise, have you ever declared a day a word-free zone? The idea is to go all day without muttering a single word. Of course, it’s much easier if you are around people who understand what you’re doing. If you’re around just a few people, that’s even better . . . especially at first. After you get the hang of it, you will become comfortable even in crowds. But let’s face it, from the everyday perspective of the average person, a word-fast is just plain weird.

“I have always thought it would be a blessing if each person could be blind and deaf for a few days during his early adult life. Darkness would make him appreciate sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.” – Helen Keller (1880-1968)

I experimented with this silent treatment often, especially in my twenties. I enjoyed an advantage of living in the Alaskan wilderness, so there was nobody around to comment on how weird it was. I’ve done it a few other times when I’m around people, and although it’s not as easy, it’s still a fascinating experience.

If you are silent with a friend or spouse, it’s interesting to experience how your communication doesn’t suffer. In fact, it feels like deeper, more meaningful communication can be accomplished without words getting in the way.

“Silence makes the real conversation between friends. Not the saying, but the never needing to say is what counts.” – Margaret Lee Rumbeck

Beyond Words

Taking a sabbatical from words is the fast track to learning the subtle intricacies of facial expressions, body language, gestures, tones of voice, and the hidden meanings often obscured by words. When your thinking process is all about words, your mind functions at a certain level. It is capable of so much more. When you agree to make words off limits, even for awhile, you’ll find your mind settling into deeper, more peaceful levels where you feel a closer contact with everyone and everything around you.

“True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.” – Sir William Penn (1621-70)

During my speechless days, I would carry a paper and pen with me for those rare occasions when a word or two seemed absolutely necessary. But it was rarely needed because other, more direct ways of communication soon came to the rescue when required.

“Don’t talk unless you can improve the silence.” – Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986)

When you are silent, it’s easier for others to be silent. You both get the feeling it’s okay to be true to yourself without masks, games, or any kind of coercion involved. Without words, it’s easier to connect at a more fundamental level where nobody needs anything from anyone else.

“Silence is as full of potential wisdom and wit as the unhewn marble of a great sculpture.” – Aldous Leonard Huxley (1894-1963)

First, Listen Quietly

Being in touch with silence is about listening. It’s a rare person who actually listens from their deep connection with the silence. Many of the people I’ve met seem to listen only long enough to determine whether or not the ideas match their own opinion. As soon as there is anything less than a perfect match, the listening is pre-empted by busy mental activity.

Quickly, a rebuttal must be composed to voice as soon as there’s a break in the conversation. And, we all know people who can’t be bothered to wait for a break in the conversation. Their opinion and their words and their story is so important, they interrupt to inject it with great urgency. . . repeatedly!

Did you ever feel like saying this? “Pardon me for continuing to speak while you were interrupting.”

Whenever I catch myself interrupting, it feels good to know that I am aware of it, at least occasionally. That’s the first step to allowing a little more silence and a little less ego into the conversation.

“I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers.” – Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)

The ego-based, one-upmanship style of “communication” is superficial compared to the profound contact made by people comfortable with sharing the silence. Silence is more than an absence of words. Much more. It’s a characteristic of the great nothingness from which we all came and to which we return.

“Silence is deep as Eternity; speech is shallow as Time.” – Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

The Great Stillness

By “nothingness,” I don’t mean “empty.” It’s a state beyond things, beyond words, and beyond all attributes of physical reality. When you connect with this great stillness, it’s easier to connect with others in a profound way, beyond the limitations of ambiguous methods of communication . . . like words.

“Silence is the language God speaks, and everything else is a bad translation.” — Thomas Keating

Silence can be the answer to many kinds of problems. Many “problems” are nothing more than mental constructs. They are word play, repeated and multiplied by the intensity of emotion attached to them. Silence is beyond all this. It is beyond the realm of words. Re-connecting with the great peace of total silence helps provide perspective for all aspects of life.

“To make the right choices in life, you have to get in touch with your soul. To do this, you need to experience solitude, which most people are afraid of, because in the silence you hear the truth and know the solutions.” – Deepak K. Chopra (b. 1946)

There’s a time and a place for everything under the sun . . . a time for frivolous chatter, a time for the precision teamwork made possible by articulate verbalization, a time for deep philosophical discourse, a time for the release of humor with jokes, puns, and silly word-play, and a time for deep silence.

“Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.” – Plutarch (AD 46?-120?)

When our dependency on words is tempered by our sessions of silence, the idea of conversation takes on a new dimension. In a word . . . profound.

While reading, did you choose to hear the relaxing instrumental music linked at the beginning of this article? To learn more about it, click here.

Listen FREE to the song samples below . . . chosen to enhance the ideas in this article.

Blue Water Water and the sea are such perfect metaphors for the larger reality we are all immersed in. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor6 Where Only Freedom Flies To be together and feel free at the same time is the essence of a relationship of mutual personal growth. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor13 Ten Purdy Word Song The style and mood of the song matches the flow of the words themselves, painting a colorful word picture that is easy on the ears. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescAnth.html#Anchor14 Take My Hand Companionship and the sharing of love is the thing, whether it lasts a moment or a lifetime. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescAnth.html#Anchor19 Low Maintenance Relationship Life seems to be all about relationships . . . to our friends, families, lovers, and to our creator. There’s always room for improvement. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor7 Songs by Tupelo
Good Listener Secrets – Listen with Your Heart When someone is talking to you, do you hear with your ears, monitor with your mind, or listen with your heart? Invest a few minutes thinking about the importance of listening well – a deliberate conscious act – and watch your relationships grow to a new level of closeness and understanding. How to Keep Your Word This article is a poignant reminder of the power of your word. Celebrate life by honoring your word . . . and therefore the people with whom you interact. Meaningful Spiritual Relationships – Namaste Matters Behind the faces, beyond the reach of social conditioning, deeper than individual egos, we are identical. We are presence, consciousness, pure knowingness – the awareness of “I am.” We are life itself. Celebrate life with this insight on how to take your personal relationships to a whole new level. Articles by Tupelo