Life is a matter of focus. What you focus on grows, whether you like it or not. I say whether you like it or not intentionally, because sometimes we focus on things we don’t want, and guess what we get even more of? You got it, yuck. I re-learned this first hand again this morning.
Launching InspireMeToday.com is truly like stepping off a ledge. I know this project is important to me and when people find the site, it will be important to them as well. However, during the in between time when the cash is flowing out rather than in, life can be scary. Just this morning I had an experience that was yet another time to trust and let go of fear.
I was talking with a friend who was embarking on a special event today. When she was a young girl, her grandfather used to take her out and have her hand out $100 bills to 10 strangers. Then they would get together and talk about the impact on her and on the recipients. He wanted to teach her about giving and receiving and also about charity. He also wanted her to know that she had a bigger purpose here on this planet and inspire her to be a success so that she would always have the ability to give to others. So, my friend, in honor of her grandfather teaching that little girl, went to the bank and got 10 crisp $100 bills and was heading out to hand them out to random people this morning. At the very moment that she was sharing this story with me I got an email from my bank that I’d overdrawn my business account and needed to transfer $1000 into the account. I haven’t ever bounced a check before! I had such a mixed batch of emotions flood through my body. Part of it was envious of her position of being able to hand out the cash, part was fear for when the flow was going to start coming in, part was fear of lack. None of them were good feelings that brought happiness into my life. I also felt badly and even disappointed with myself that I could take such a generous gesture of giving by my friend and make it about me, rather than celebrating the joy she was experiencing. Now I was disappointed in myself in additional to being fearful. Not a good combination and definitely not what I wanted in my life. Our call ended quickly because I was scheduled for an interview with one of our Inspirational Luminaries. I went to the call not feeling like me. But fortunately that ended very soon.
The interview was incredible for several reasons. In our conversation the Luminary kept talking about experiences that she’s had and I kept hearing- look where she’s focusing her energies… no wonder she’s getting that result. After the third example of this I pointed out to her that in each of the prior stories she discussed, her focus made all of the difference. Interestingly enough, she didn’t see it at first. She complimented me on being astute in picking up on that, when I felt like it was beating me over the head and had to be obvious to everyone listening. I think the lesson was there for me and for no one else. What was I focusing on in that very moment? What had I focused on for the last half hour and was it bringing me joy?
We talked more and she shared her philosophy about focusing on love and coming from a place of love, rather than fear, which is a principal that I live my life by… unless I get stuck in the scary place and forget this. This morning, I was in that dark, stuck place, just because of a silly email from my bank.
Instead of focusing on lack and frustration I had to change the focus and I started with gratitude for the things in my life that are truly amazing. And you know what? With the tiny exception of temporary finances, EVERYTHING in my life is perfect! My relationship with my husband, my children and extended family, close friendships, living my dream in the mountains of Colorado, healthy parents and family, personal health and fitness, an adorable puppy, the alertness of my mind and the depth of my spirit, very fulfilling creative endeavors- knowing that we are making a difference on the planet, finding rewarding ways to give back, and on and on… life seriously rocks!
And then it hit me. We all have things in our lives to be profoundly grateful for, and it seems they’re all different things. My friend who was handing out the money has incredible abundance financially, but she’s looking to create and grow an incredible relationship. I have that amazing marriage but not the extra cash. Not right now. It’s all a trade off and we’re all learning in different ways. Would I trade my relationship for millions? Not on your life. Never. For I know that the abundance financially is already there, even if I can’t yet see it, just like my friend wouldn’t trade her life for mine. Her relationship is already there too, perfect in every way, even if she can’t yet see it. We all have our paths and we all get to learn our lessons in different ways, and in that alone, there is beauty.
And peace. Peace in knowing that everything will turn out fine. Everything already IS perfect, even if I can’t yet see it. I wondered if in our conversations I’ve said anything that hit my friend the same way as her $1000 story hit me this morning. I think sometimes we have such an impact on one another without ever realizing it. She won’t know the impact she had until I share it with her.
I’m going to call my friend back today for two reasons. One, to thank her for the generous, amazing light she is to this world, and two, to apologize. My being stuck in a fearful place diminished my sharing her joy at the beautiful gesture of her giving today. I also want to applaud and acknowledge her gift to the world. For I know that as we give we receive more abundantly. When we hold onto things we build a dam in the flow of life. She’s inspired me today to give, even when it seems I don’t have anything extra to give. But surely there is one that needs it even more than I do. I will find them today and I will give, freely and joyfully, knowing that to withhold is to withhold the blessings and the bounty of the Universe.
I’m in such a better place right now than I was two hours ago. And you know what? Once again, it’s inspiration that made the difference. Every time I expose myself to learning something new from someone else, my world expands in ways that I couldn’t predict. On the call this morning the Inspirational Luminary asked me why I started InspireMeToday.com. I shared my story of how inspiration changed my life. I shared the story of meeting Jesse in Iraq and wanting to provide inspiration to him too. The more I talked about it, the more animated I became, and the more excited I got for why I’m doing what I’m doing. I love to share inspiration with others! And once again, I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to make a difference in whatever way I can.
I’m now going to go enjoy my day knowing without a doubt that I am being held in the light and guided by a force much bigger than I am. I will share abundance, joy and smiles. I will make a difference in someone’s day, as my friend and this special Inspirational Luminary have made in mine. I will pass it on, with gratitude and hope that it will just keep on bouncing around the Universe touching as many lives as possible. Hmm, you know that site that lets you track where your dollar bill has been? Wouldn’t it be cool to track where your gratitude or smiles go when they leave you? How you touch another life and in turn, they touch another, and another? Makes you wonder how far it will go and how big it will grow… but it’s a pretty cool vision…
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