LEARNING CURVE

Comparing life to a university is a popular metaphor, or analogy, that I have heard a lot.  I like it because it does illustrate the cyclical process of this life.  The constant need to incorporate new experiences and to master repetitive ones.

But I don't like it because "learning lessons" also implies taking tests, and then possibly failing those tests. 

There is no standardized grading system for this life.  This way of thinking can feed a pattern of punishment and guilt.  Failing the test, and having to repeat the "lesson".

Going to the same class, over and over again.  Putting a dunce cap on your head, and a big red F on your permanent record.

(To take the metaphor even further- you can change schools and still end up in the same class.  Perhaps in having the same relationship problems with the different partners, or chronic illnesses, etc.)

We are all unique and come to experience this world in deeply personal and subjective ways.  There is no such thing as a "test" or "failure".  Every moment is a success.  Whether the moment is painful or joyous, you are living it.

Experience every moment of your life fully, and appreciate it all equally.  With unpleasant experiences, learn what you don't like and how to identify it, so that you can avoid unpleasantness in the future.

But most of all, don't be hard on yourself.  Accept yourself and your life fully and unconditionally. Look at your own learning curve, and if the lesson seems exceptionally difficult or harsh, give yourself an A+.

Take some deep breaths and make some space to really work it through to a better condition for the future. Or to "pass" the class.

(I took algebra 3x before I could get a C passing grade.  And my homework took me a long time everyday. I had to really make time for it. )

However you view your life, whether as lessons or moments, I hope you will view it joyfully.  Not as a harsh lesson to be learned, with a ruler across the palm if you don't pass the "test".

What is an easy A to some is almost incomprehensible to others.  We are searching for the experiences that bring us the greatest satisfaction and joy.

Keep your learning curves flexible!
 
dreamgardencreators@gmail.com

Feel free to drop me a line and let me know how you are doing in reaching your goals, and if there is anything I can do to help!

WINNING THE LOTTERY JACKPOT

I invite you to try an experiment I did.  The Dream Garden is a direct result of this experiment.

What if you really won the Lottery jackpot?  I decided to test drive this cherished fantasy when I was reading two books on building prosperity Creating Money: Keys to Abundance and,  Money and the Law of Attraction.**

I was curious about two things: What would I really do, if given that much money all at once?  Would I still write? (Yes, definitely. More.) Would I still want to do the Dream Garden? (Yes, and expand it.)

I'd thought about all of these things before, and even fantasized in great detail how to build up the Dream Garden and make it into a successful franchise business and network.  I have thought about it so much that I do not need to wait for a lottery jackpot.  I know the steps for building it.  And I have worked out how to do it on a smaller scale.  The lottery fantasy  helps me to envision the larger scale and long-term development.  

Two, what were the nuts and bolts of handling so much money?  How much would it affect my day to day life?

Now, this part I had not really thought about in such detail.

I made a fake lottery check for 50 million dollars and spread sheet to track my spending.

But first, where to deposit a check of this sort? My local savings and loan will not be able to handle this money. I cannot walk in off the street to a financial adviser with a cubicle in Wells Fargo or Bank of America.

Remember every investment will require monitoring.  Do you know anyone you trust enough to handle that amount of money? Where to invest it? And how.  Fees become larger the larger the sums.  Stocks purchased in small amounts are not always profitable on a larger scale.

And real estate, I dream of houses around the world, but they have taxes, and upkeep, and will need  staff. Different countries have different requirements for foreign purchases.  Your character is examined, background, etc.

After planning several trips to different countries for vacation and house hunting, I realised I had used up very little money, but almost a year of my time.  I have books to write, clients with goals to nurture, and a business to build.

My whole life could be quickly consumed by the management and spending of money.

And while the money would enable my mother to receive more and better care, it would not free her from her maladies.  Money would not solve all of my problems, or the problems of my loved ones.

I still buy lottery tickets. One of my cherished dreams is to be the first psychic to openly win the lottery (with numbers I have picked).  But I also realise now that the larger the sum, the more likely I am going to need to bind it up in trust and escrow accounts until I assimilate the many plans I have for it in my day to day life.

This experiment helped to me to discern exactly what I was really dreaming about when I dreamt about winning the lottery: Financial Security.  I wanted to never feel like there wasn't enough, or that I would never have to do work I didn't like to support myself.

Having a lot of money  is not a guarantee of Financial Security. In fact,  just protecting it from theft requires a lot of work.

 I wanted to feel secure in my future prosperity.  Winning the lottery may or may not do that. 

I still buy lottery tickets, but now I know I  can handle money.  I feel prepared for financial success in a way that I never had before I did this experiment.  And I know what I really want the money to do for me, and I don't need to actually win to begin.

Money is a way to measure and share human energy.  (My Own Natural Energy Yield says John Randolph Price.)  If money disappeared, human energy would not.  There would still be food, shelter, healthcare.  We would just have to find another way to distribute and share our labour and the results of our labour.

Believing there is a place for my work and what I have to offer, and that there is enough for everyone brings me a much greater sense of financial serenity (and security!) than the lottery fantasy.

You might have different results, but I invite you to try it.  Do the "What If" meditation to start.  Then, sit at your desk or wherever you pay bills, and make a mock check and spreadsheet.  Look at home listings, and get property taxes estimates.  Plug in those numbers along with debts and gifts, vacation expenses.  Be as detailed as possible.

I would love to hear what you learned, either in the comments or via email: dreamgardencreators@gmail.com

** Both of these books and the Randolph Price Abundance Book have a lot of great exercises for creating prosperity and money through New Age principles.  However, even  if you are more pragmatic, perhaps a Suze Orman follower, I think this experiment is still very worthwhile. 

HOW WOULD IT FEEL IF....?

One great exercise for identifying how to create more of the things you want in your life, is to ask "how would it feel if I -----?"

 (Ex: "weighed a certain amount" "had that Tuscan summer home" "had the marriage of my dreams" "made a mortgage banker's bonus as my salary?")

Really take a few moments to relax your body.  Sit in a chair with your back supported and your feet on the floor.  Turn off your phone and close the door.  Turn off the tv or music.

Sit and focus on your breathing until your body feels relaxed.  Spend a moment consciously relaxing each part of your body, starting with your feet, and then moving up legs, thighs, hips, torso, arms, shoulders, neck, head... ahhhh.

Just stay like that for a moment... But don't fall asleep!

When you are relaxed and breathing in and out in slow measured breaths, let your mind reach for that cherished dream or vision.

That perfect body, career, relationship, song, poem, pitch, touchdown, etc. Whatever it is, imagine it as vividly as you can for a minute or two.

Let go of any feelings of discontentment or frustration or anger as soon as they come up and go back to breathing.  When you feel negative, you have begun focusing on not having it, or not having enough of it in your life.

The purpose of this exercise is to"practice" what it will be like to be the new and improved you.

Don't resist your vision with "reality", or doubt, or dissatisfaction.  It may not be manifesting fully in your life just yet, so allow it to manifest fully in your mind.

This is really the first step in creating your dream.

Try to hold it in your mind for at least a minute.

That's enough for now.

Take a few deep breaths and open your eyes.   Isn't it nice to be so relaxed, and open to the good things growing inside of you?

Cultivate your Garden!
dreamgardencreators@gmail.com

"Like all dreamers, I mistook disenchantment for truth."  -- Jean- Paul Sartre

WELCOME CREATORS!

Inside of you is the seed of a dream, waiting to be planted and nurtured.  Perhaps it is a new career, a long-cherished business that you want to start, a hobby that you want to take to the next level, or maybe you feel that your life needs a new direction.

Perhaps you have been busy raising a family or running a business and feel that your life has gotten stuck in a "rut", or that you have lost sight of yourself over the years.

Here at the Dream Garden it is our desire to help as many people as possible nurture a more authentic and fulfilling life. 

Using our own program based partly on groups like Weight Watchers, and partly on the book Wishcraft by Barbara Sher, we can help you identify the path to your goal, and keep you on track during your journey.

You will receive one on one counseling, the time and organizational tools you need to integrate your new life or new goal into your existing responsibilities, and unfailing enthusiasm and support as you pursue your dreams.

Welcome Dreamers!
dreamgardencreators@gmail.com

"Help thy brothers boat, and lo! Thine own has reached the shore." --Hindu Proverb