I've got a bit stuck on this one for the first time in the course. I haven't been able to find the right action to come out of the clear mental image that I have. I've tried to just stay with the image and allow it to become clearer and more intense and that does seem to help but it seems to be taking a long time, four days of just trying to imagine something.

I'm still struggling to know what action to take, whether to do something that is directly related to the image that is unlikely to bring in any money or to go in a more practical direction and try to earn money in other ways to move closer to being able to afford the things I want to have.

If I go with my inclination to follow the image directly then I feel that maybe I'm daydreaming and not really bringing it into reality. If I think about being more practical I think I might lose sight of where I want to get to.

Then I had a thought that maybe it doesn't actually matter what the action is at all. If it is done with the faith and purpose that it is taking me closer to the image that I have then it could be anything even if it doesn't have any obvious connection to anything else.

Or am I getting off track and making it too complicated? Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks
Paul

Hi Paul

Sounds like you know what to do.
(Then I had a thought that maybe it doesn't actually matter what the action is at all. If it is done with the faith and purpose that it is taking me closer to the image that I have then it could be anything even if it doesn't have any obvious connection to anything else.)

Some times we want to drive the process instead just relax and have fun with it, the important part is being clear on what you want and feeling good about it.

Rohan

I noticed myself getting a little stressed at the idea of action. Especially since before discovering the SOGR I had tried really hard to "work" my way to success. That attitude left me stressed to the point of illness, exhausted and terrified. I never want to go back to THAT again.

Up to now in my practice of the SOGR I have been focusing on relaxing, ease, gratitude, happiness, joy, and receiving. Those lessons were all enjoyable for me and I really feel that life is better when we let it be fun and easy.

Here come LL20-22 -- the ones on action.

The word action triggered in me a tension associated with hard work, stress, and fear. I got the same reaction when contemplating procrastination. In fact all the passages about shipwreck, failure, and mistakes triggered feelings of anxiety.

I know these feelings are not necessary because Rebecca is constantly telling us to let it be fun and easy and that success does not have to involve what we usually think of as hard work.

So I let go of some of my resistance and really listened to what Rebecca was saying about action.

LL20 -- on receiving was a welcome relief. That's EASY. I can do that.

But then when I did LL21 -- the one about acting in the certain way, my answers indicated that I was already doing everything right -- at least most of the time. But that felt like I might be missing something.

When I got to LL22 -- the one about taking action toward my CMI, I got a little scared again. I think I'm not ready yet to jump into action of that type. I think perhaps my faith isn't quite strong enough. I'm afraid of slipping back into the task oriented mindset and relying on competitive work to create my success.

I'm going to continue to listen to these 3 life labs over again, and contemplate the idea of action until the anxiety drains away and I can see it for the joyous receiving process that it is.

How would I behave if this part were fun and easy? How would I behave if I knew I could not fail? How would I behave if I knew that no matter what action I take or don't take, that nothing is irretrievable and there are no mistakes? What would I do if I knew that the next action I take will determine the next gift I receive?

Even though I still have a little anxiety about action, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.....

Love and blessings,
Rachel

I'm back after tapping in the shower. (Thanks to Dawn for that idea.)

I've decided to do this:

I'll make a list of some of the things I've been thinking it might be good to do. I'll ask myself two questions about each task.

1) What if I knew I would REALLY ENJOY doing this?
2) What if I ALLOWED someone else to do this?

Whichever question gives me the BEST feeling is the correct course for me right now.

Cool! I can't wait to try it!

Love and blessings,
Rachel

3) What if I never did this?
4) What if I sit right here in the happy feelings of my CMI and don't even THINK about action until a "feel-good" action shows up?

quote:

LL20 -- on receiving was a welcome relief. That's EASY. I can do that.

Hi Rachel,

I thought the same as you when I did this one but I'm beginning to think that it was deceptively easy. I can receive things and accept them and be grateful for them and that's not a problem. But there are still lots of things I would like to have that I'm not receiving.

So I'm beginning to think that there are limits to my willingness to receive things. I had a thought earlier today going back to childhood and how most of us are told that we can only have what we want if we are good or we do as we are told.

I think I still believed this applied to me up til now. I also knew that I wasn't doing as I was told because the rest of the world was telling me to work hard and do what everyone else is doing. Therefore I would not receive what I wanted from God or my parents or whoever still gets to make these decisions in my head. That made it difficult to take action towards anything that would take me in the direction of receiving the things I want.

I think that this unconscious belief is one of the things that has been holding me back a lot and maybe there are still other unconscious beliefs to let go of before I can really receive easily.

I've also been trying to do only actions towards my clear mental image that are fun and not work. My answer was what would really be more fun than to walk in the woods, enjoy the sunshine and eat ice cream which is what I did. Now I have to work out how to get rich doing that.

Thanks
Paul

Love it, Leslie!

That's what I've BEEN doing. Only now I'm going to try taking it a bit further and maybe do some physical actions, too. But only if I FEEL like it, right?

Love and blessings,
Rachel

quote:

Originally posted by PG student:

So I'm beginning to think that there are limits to my willingness to receive things. I had a thought earlier today going back to childhood and how most of us are told that we can only have what we want if we are good or we do as we are told.

I think that this unconscious belief is one of the things that has been holding me back a lot and maybe there are still other unconscious beliefs to let go of before I can really receive easily.

Paul,

If our outer life is a manifestation of our inner beliefs, then my inner beliefs are good, but not stellar. I certainly can let go of even more limiting beliefs, take the brakes off and accept all that is on its way.

In LL22 Rebecca says that action overcomes fear. That could be a clue here. I'm going to explore some more and see what happens.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Love and blessings,
Rachel

quote:

Originally posted by Rachel:

I'll make a list of some of the things I've been thinking it might be good to do. I'll ask myself two questions about each task.

1) What if I knew I would REALLY ENJOY doing this?
2) What if I ALLOWED someone else to do this?

Whichever question gives me the BEST feeling is the correct course for me right now.

So, I sat down to make this list. I discovered that I had already started it a couple of days ago. I broke down the broad categories into specific tasks -- and get this....

By the time I finished writing the 6th item on the list, I had an overwhelming urge to just DO that task. I spent the next 1/2 hour writing some content for my new website -- a totally fun and easy activity.

AND, while I was occupied in that, a student that I hadn't seen for several months dropped by to say he was going to come back and take some more lessons soon! Isn't that cool?

I LOVE SOGR!!!!

Love and blessings,
Rachel

quote:

Originally posted by Rachel:
and get this....

By the time I finished writing the 6th item on the list, I had an overwhelming urge to just DO that task. I spent the next 1/2 hour writing some content for my new website -- a totally fun and easy activity.

AND, while I was occupied in that, a student that I hadn't seen for several months dropped by to say he was going to come back and take some more lessons soon! Isn't that cool?

I LOVE SOGR!!!!

Love and blessings,
Rachel

NOW You're talkin'!

(And it's JUST what I needed to hear!)

quote:

Originally posted by Rachel:
I'm back after tapping in the shower. (Thanks to Dawn for that idea.)


Rachel

Good thing I was skimming, cause I'm not reading LL22. No problem. The shower is the only place EVERYONE will leave me alone.

quote:

Originally posted by PG student:
I've also been trying to do only actions towards my clear mental image that are fun and not work. My answer was what would really be more fun than to walk in the woods, enjoy the sunshine and eat ice cream which is what I did. Now I have to work out how to get rich doing that.

Paul,

Just a thought, in case it’s helpful.

For me, though I LOVE being by myself, and walks in nature, enjoying sunshine, etc., there are a few things that I look back on with GREAT fondness, and a couple had to do with a few times when I delighted and influenced people in a good way. Another way sitting quietly with a woman I loved, just thoroughly enjoying each others companionship. Another was I get very passionate talking about a couple subjects.

And, I can see how these experiences could have something to do with how I might create the money and lifestyle I want.

So, maybe try looking into your past and see what experiences are the most meaningful to you, and how they might form the basis of the life you want.

And remember, nothing is set in stone; you can always change your mind.

Phil

So I'm still sitting on LL22.

I found a Tony Robbins technique of breathing while walking, tapping and doing incantations (enchanting?) It got me energized, exercised and excited to start some projects I've had in the back of my mind.

Even though I LOVE the relaxed nothing-like-work approach I've been practicing so far, I have discovered that I really enjoy being active. I'm still watching to make sure I'm taking actions that are fun and easy. I don't do anything that feels like a "should" or a struggle.

But sitting around relaxing and building my faith and gratitude no longer feels like a full time job. I spent almost a year resting, clearing out blockages and practicing happiness. Now, I'm finally ready to DO some stuff!

Love and blessings,
Rachel

quote:

But sitting around relaxing and building my faith and gratitude no longer feels like a full time job. I spent almost a year resting, clearing out blockages and practicing happiness. Now, I'm finally ready to DO some stuff!

That's cool.

AND when I talk about relaxing into all of this, I'm talking about an ATTITUDE, not about just "sitting around." I find it's entirely possible -- and actually pretty much habitual for me now -- to be in a relaxed frame of mind and extremely enthusiastic at the same time -- while engaged in inspired action.

You know what? I think I'd call that state CERTAINTY.

I have found that most of the stuff that I want to be or do requires action, and action becomes easy when I have strength and endurance. Stuff like climbing mountains, skiing, snorkeling or scuba diving, pulling myself onto a dingy; that kind of stuff.

quote:

I have found that most of the stuff that I want to be or do requires action

Yeah, Tom! To me, action is a big part of the manifestation. Thought is the creative part. Action really is where so much of the FUN is. It's so satisfying!

I take LOTS of action. I love taking action. Still waiting for hoped for results.

I took a FUN action last night. I auditioned for a show!

I used to do a lot of theatre, but since getting into the dance business, music and theatre have been what I watched my husband and kids do. My husband almost talked me into auditioning for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" the last time it was produced in this town. He thought the part of Potiphar's Wife would be perfect for me because she's only in one scene -- small time commitment for rehearsals. Also, the character is a featured dancer. Seemed like a no-brainer. Still, at that time I didn't feel that I could be away from the studio during our busiest time.

Here we are a couple of years later and the theatre down the street is doing the same show. Again, my husband is encouraging me to audition for the role of Potiphar's wife.

The situation isn't that much different now. BUT, my attitude is MUCH different. The idea of finally auditioning for something felt a lot better than the idea of watching someone else do the part and knowing that I didn't even TRY. So, after a 13 year break from singing, I opened my mouth and sang the piece I used when I was 16 years old. I think it sounded fine. My husband said I did well and the producers were complimentary.

I won't be surprised if they don't use me because my schedule really is pretty hairy. But just the process of auditioning was an exhilarating experience! Yay for inspired action!

Love and blessings,
Rachel

quote:

So, maybe try looking into your past and see what experiences are the most meaningful to you, and how they might form the basis of the life you want.

Hi Phil

thanks for your advice. I've been pondering this for some time. Several years in fact. About 18 months ago I worked out that most of the things I wanted to have in my life were things I wanted to have done rather than things I wanted to be doing.

So I've spent the last 18 months thinking about this and I think your post helped me to see that the things I want to do might actually be fun to do rather than tasks to be accomplished so that I get a good grade at the end of my life.

Thanks
Paul

quote:

Originally posted by PG student:
I think your post helped me to see that the things I want to do might actually be fun to do rather than tasks to be accomplished so that I get a good grade at the end of my life.

Hi Paul,

It’s interesting to me, that you put it the way you did. Is the idea behind it that God will be grading us at the end of our lives? If so, I know I’ve also heard that idea. But then, it begs the question: What would be God’s criteria for whatever grade S/He gives?

Another take I’ve heard is that WE will be grading our SELVES. I’ve heard that at the end of our lives we will be wondering: Did I really live? Did my existence have any meaning? I think many of us ponder this question, from time to time, at various stages of our lives, and not just near the end.

Another way I’ve heard this talked about is around the idea of pleasing others. It’s the idea that we’re here to live for others, so in ‘grading’ ourselves we would be asking ourselves, “Did I do a good job of pleasing others?” I think I’ve heard Oprah say that this is an idea that she had to overcome, suggesting that we’re not here to please others, per se, though others may be pleased by us or what we do. (For example, Kobe Bryant’s moves on a basketball court are pleasing to us, but that’s not his primary motivation for what he does. But the same could be said for just about anyone’s activities, e.g., mothers, soldiers, priests, scientists, etc.)

It seems to me, these concepts and questions revolve around another one: Are we (each of us) here for any reason? Is there a reason for us existing? I have my answer to this, and I’d like to share it.

I believe we exist to experience enjoyment, wonder, awe, delight, love, peace, curiosity, and almost anything else that causes us some wanted feeling. Now, let me explain why I believe this.

I imagine you’ve asked yourself the question: What’s the meaning of life? Here’s something I think that is self-revealing, suggesting the answer to this question. It’s another related question. WHEN does anyone ask this ‘meaning of life’ question?

It seems to me, we ask the, “What’s the meaning of life?” question when we’re NOT happy, at peace, or experiencing some other desired feeling. So, if that’s when we ask it, it seems to me, the answer is encrypted in the experience. In other words, we only wonder about the meaning of life when we’re not experience it.

In other words, when we’re experiencing joy, happiness, peace, love, or some other wanted feeling, in those moments we do NOT wonder about the meaning of life,… because we are LIVING it.

Now, also interesting to me is, we also don’t ask the meaning of life question, when we’re in some scary situation, even a self-inflicted scary situation. (An example of a consciously self-inflicted scary situation might be going to see a scary movie, bungie jumping, or peering over the edge of a cliff, etc.)

So, maybe the meaning of life is simply to experience ANY emotion we want to experience. Maybe that’s why some people will be risk takers, even though they have all their material needs met, e.g., Richard Branson risking his life attempting to set a balloon flight record, after he’d become a billionaire.

Or, there’s the example of Oprah, not exactly risk taking, but putting in a lot of time, thought, money and energy into creating a girls’ school in South Africa. Why? Because she wanted to help the girls of course. But why? Isn’t it because she got, or hoped to get, a very good feeling from doing so?

It’s been said that, we want whatever we want, NOT really for the thing itself (the relationship, the money, the status, prestige, respect, the circumstance, etc.) but for how we hope to FEEL on having the thing. So, it seems, the ‘meaning of life’ is even hidden in whatever moves us to desire.

Just some thoughts. Hope they help.

Phil