Einstein said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”

Curiosity of the spirit, the mystical, the secrets of existence leads to deeper wisdom, radical beauty, profound mysteries and simple yet universal truths. If one is full of their own opinions, ideas, thoughts, and perceptions, there is room for nothing else.

“Know thyself” was at the center of Plato’s training of Socrates. Plato made it clear that the adage was a long standing insight that when employed, possessed the power to penetrate the inner world which has proven to be the most challenging of all spheres.

Understanding human nature and how one ticks allows the individual to step outside of themself and into higher consciousness. How are we to know anything outside of ourselves if we do not who we are?

How is one to know himself if he does not understand and relate to who and what he is? How is one able to stop placing blame outside of themself or projecting onto others that which he refuses to see in himself?

Through the ages, prophets, masters of religion and spiritual wisdom have provided a plethora of knowledge for the seeker of truth. The Enneagram is a body of work that allows a student to understand their personality, the weaknesses and strengths and how to develop their understanding of specific behaviors.

It is a typology that provides solutions of problem and unwanted behaviors. It is a path to self-knowledge, a diagram to our true essence. The spiritual Enneagram is an in depth system that helps you to learn more about your psycho/spiritual self.

The approach to the mysteries of world of spirit is one of inquiry and awe. Though the epiphany of Spirit dwelling in every part of life and nature is clearly evident, it is overlooked and missed by mass humanity.

The Enneagram can be simply explained as a study of personalities identified in 9 types. However, looking at the origins, which date back to Sufi mystic mathematicians, it is understood as a map to the core of self, the true one real identity and reveals the false self.

The Sufi’s handed down the wisdom orally to true seekers to prevent its wisdom being used by the power hungry. Those not learning it’s precepts for peace and spirit but manipulation through power over others were barred.

These personality types include a look at patterns of behavior and perception. A person may find that they fit into each personality in small ways but each person has a dominant personality type.

1. The Perfectionist
2. The Giver
3. The Performer
4. The Tragic Romantic
5. The Observer
6. The Loyal Skeptic
7. The Epicure
8. The Protector
9. The Mediator

These personality types fit into specific centers.

1. Instinctive Center
2. Thinking Center
3. Feeling Center

The word Enneagram derives from the Greek words Ennea meaning nine and gram interpreted as written or drawn. The thousands year old symbol shows how the nine personalities intersect and which types are closely related.

It isn’t limited to identifying your personality, it is a wealth of information and wisdom that may also help to improve social relationships and delve into the highest nature, our divinity.

Its origins also date back to the 4th century in Evagrius Ponticus a Christian mystic’s writings, but its modern presentation can be attributed to George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff and later Oscar Ichazo and Claudio Naranjo.

Gurdjieff and his student, P. D. Ouspensky, discussed and taught the Enneagram as a system for understanding cosmological processes. However, they did not teach about the types.

Ichazo applied it to the human psyche and made his self development program available to the public when he established the Arica School in Chile 1968. The Arica School employs a contemporary method incorporating from biology and physics.

Chilean psychologist Claudio Naranjo brought these teachings to Western psychology. In Chile, Naranjo had developed a program capturing approaches from meditation and Gestalt therapy. After his migration to America it was Ichazo that continued his teachings.

He often visited his son who was still living in Chile and on one of those visits he met Ichazo. Though there were differences in opinion and strategy he studied with Ichazo and further developed the personality theories.

In collaboration with the Jesuit Robert Ochs, S.J. and Helen Palmer they brought the spiritual Enneagram to Christian communities creating a bigger audience and interpretation.

Later becoming an author of several books such as The Healing Journey and The One Quest Naranjo can be said to have merged Eastern disciplines with Western psychology.

The personality development system has been used in various fields from business, how to relate to colleagues for the highest good, to the arts and even medicine.

The Enneagram’s system has proven to reach all corners of the earth in both use and distinction despite diverse cultures, interpretations, and lack of scientific basis due to the myriad factions of interpretations. In spite of the criticism, the Enneagram stands as a valuable tool for a seeker of self-development and higher states of being and enlightenment.

It is a doorway in understanding the fundamental flaw behind behaviors that do not serve our highest good. We receive greater insight into how we hurt the ones we love the most and why we judge the ones we find it hard to love.

The Enneagram presents the different levels of consciousness and corresponding their behaviors and provides direct solutions for problems related to spiritual growth in character, essence, virtue and personality.

And she’s asked me to make sure that I convey her appreciation and gratitude for everyone who rallied around her in an all out effort to make it happen!

But there’s far more to this story though than a little lady winning a contest and that’s what I’m going to reveal to you today in this blog post.

So take a few moments to fully absorb what a child taught us all about manifesting our dreams as you note and EMBRACE the sequence of events that I’m about to reveal and how they apply to your own dreams…

I know in my heart it was no mere coincidence that the very same week I released my long awaited product – Milestone Mapping Mastery – my very own daughter became one of my greatest testimonials to the power of this formula I teach. But the timing of this all was no more in MY control than the course of events are in YOUR control when setting your own intentions and manifesting your own dreams.

You see, one of the fundamental principles I teach is that when you set an intention, you should not focus on the path or steps along the way – that is the role of the universe and why I say… “Let The Universe Take The Wheel.” And this whole concert and contest rang true to that very notion…

Setting a goal and taking inspired action – but not becoming fixated on the “path” along the way…

In fact, truth be told – we were originally scheduled to be at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA during the exact time of the concert in Tucson, AZ when we found out about it. So when Marina told me that the date of the concert was April 19th, at that exact moment, we had “non-changeable” hotel reservations that well… I got changed!

The only way to make the concert was to move the dates of the Disney trip – the “fixed” and “firm” dates, that is!

But hey – NOTHING is ever set in stone, and you don’t know unless you try – so off I went to call the hotel and plead my case as to why I needed to change the un-changeable. It took talking to 2 supervisors before I got it done, but the reservations got changed – mission accomplished!

Now, it’s important to note at that time, there was no contest. This was simply a concert Cody was putting on at the Pima County Fair in Tucson, so meeting Cody was not on the radar at this moment in time and space… or was it?

One might easily ask at this point who’s radar, right? Ours, mine, Marina’s… or the Universe!

You see, throughout the entire winter, Cody has been performing on the east coast, doing his own shows and selling Meet & Greet packages for $99 at nearly every stop. Not practical when we’re parked in the motorhome on the West Coast for sure.

Then, all of a sudden, when the east coast tour was over, he announced that he’d be opening for another band this summer – which meant a mere 15 minute performance or so instead of a full concert.

Appreciative of even that small sighting, Marina was thrilled when we bought tickets to the venue in Utah in July – but not so thrilled when it was announced that because of the notoriety of the main band playing at the Utah concert,  the Meet & Greets for that concert were, yes… $350 EACH! (With no guarantee that Cody would even be included in the M & G.)

Now, I’m all for making dreams come true – but $350 x 3 (me, Marina and Morgan) was not happening! And the girls were fine with it, because they know the value of a dollar and would never consider asking mom to shell out over a grand for such a thing. Good girls they are!

But when we found out about Utah, I made this EXACT comment to Marina:

“I have a vision of seeing you standing next to Cody honey. I don’t know where or when, but have faith that it will happen and trust that the Universe will arrange events to make your dream come true! I’ve seen in it my minds eye already – so consider it a done deal.”

Naysayers and critics might call this ‘building false hope,’ and I admit, it’s a pretty strong leap of faith to be so sure of something and ingrain this belief system in your own children, but I am reasonably sure that most reading this here today understand the pure power in this approach to life.

And for those reading this that know us personally, it also begins to answer the question as to “why” and “how” so many of these magical things in life come our way seamlessly.

So fast forward to this past week and there we were at Disney. The “plan” was to enjoy our 6 days in the park leisurely riding rides and indulging in all the awesome magic and then head back to Quartzsite (200 mi), pick up Greg and head on to Tucson (another 200 mi) the day before the concert.

Then it happened…

Standing in line for Space Mountain, checking Facebook on her iPhone, Marina screamed… “They are doing a contest to meet Cody in person!”

And I have to admit my initial reaction was how on earth were we going to engage in a contest in the middle of our trip?

… Especially when the prior contests up to that point for other fair related giveaways had revolved around doing draw pictures, creating projects and being the first to respond to trivia questions with the right answers. None of which were conducive to being in the middle of an amusement park – with one possible exception…

The fair organizer went on to say that this contest involved creating a video telling the world why you are the biggest Cody fan and the best video and one with the most Facebook “likes” would get to see their idol.

So without missing a beat, Marina saw this challenge as being a perfect fit for laying the stage to plead her case as to why SHE was the biggest Cody fan. She was already at the “happiest place on earth,” so why not engage the happiest guests on earth and the Disney Cast Members at her disposal to make her dream come true!

And so for the rest of the night, she walked up to total strangers and asked them to allow us to video them shouting “Vote for Marina to Meet Cody Simpson!” (You can still view the video here if you haven’t seen it yet)

Now I have to also add here that this gregarious behavior is not part of Marina’s normal repertoire – if you know our daughters, you know full well that it’s Morgan who loves the limelight and not Marina – who prefers to be the methodical engineer in the background. But for one night, she put that aside and reached outside of her comfort zone, because, yes – it WAS that important to her!

Including the taping of her own admonishment in front the the Disney castle where she actually shouted, “I’m at the Happiest Place on Earth and Meeting Cody Simpson would make me the Happiest Girl on Earth.” Truly, that was a difficult level of expression for her, and I watched her dig deep down and muster the nerve to make it so.

So the video was born, submitted and the wait began…

Getting FB likes became the next milestone and it seemed to be going according to plan as she was 300 likes ahead of her nearest competition thanks to the rallying support of all our friends and online family – then it happened…

The snipping began amongst the other teenagers in the contest who started leaving nasty comments on her wall and in private messages, and “likes” were suddenly being purchased instead of earned, and it started to look like her dream was slipping away…

And I got to sit by and watch how this turn of events was to be handled by a child, far older than her years as it is often revealed.

Near tears, sitting near the lagoon half an hour from the Fantasmic performance, Marina turned to me as my heart was aching for her and said:

“Mommy, I am NOT going to cheat just to win and I won’t be like those other girls and even reply to the mean things they are saying. I don’t know how, but I still think I am going to win and I’m just going to focus on all the nice comments that my true friends are leaving. Let’s just enjoy our last show here and trust that it will happen.”

And with that proclamation, the fine folks at Disney shot off the opening fireworks for the Fantasmic show, and my mini manifestor turned to watch the show – proclaiming afterward, that just like Mickey in the show, the underdog prevailed because “good” always wins over “bad.”

Whoa – the teacher being taught by the student, indeed!

And the rest as they say is history… we wrapped up our trip that night, said our goodbyes to the Mouse and returned to the hotel to pack up and leave in the morning. And it was not until during our 4 hour drive home that the contest winners would be announced, so there was still a long trip ahead…

From the moment we pulled out of the parking lot, and for the next 3 hours, Marina was running neck in neck with the likes on her video to the girl who was buying hers, but that didn’t stop Marina from reaching out to person after person on her friends list asking them to rally support in the final hours – and support she got indeed!

As the minutes ticked down to the noon deadline, she was 20 likes behind (we’re talking 700 some likes, mind you!), but then 12:00pm struck and she was still 2nd in “likes.”

Battling semi’s on the freeway in one side of my brain and being attentive to my daughter – who for all intents and purposes saw her dream slipping away – I have to admit that “trusting the Universe,” was becoming a little more challenging as each mile passed before us.

But there were 2 winners to be announced – Most Likes AND Best Video – and Marina held firm that she would see her name on the Facebook post when the 1pm contest winners were announced.

I just kept driving and yes, praying…

She on the other hand proceeded to scroll through and read out loud the over 200 comments that people had left her under the video and focus on the joy and gratitude she felt for the energy and expressions of love that the comments meant to her. At one point even saying, “no matter what happens, THESE COMMENTS make me the true winner!”

And winner she was indeed…

As the final bell tolled – the post was made and Marina was the winner of the Best Video and she’d be meeting Cody in a little over 24 hours!

Dreams do come true – it can happen to you!

Now, my original intention here was to draw out from the above a “conclusion” listing all of the finer points of this example of manifesting at its finest. But instead, I am sending out a challenge to all readers of this post to tell me what poignant message this case study meant to YOU!

So please leave a comment and I will interject my own philosophies in the comments as well, as we explore together the same fundamental teachings in my own Milestone Mapping Mastery as I show the world the formula for manifesting the life of your dreams.

I want to hear each of you extract the underpinnings of what we’ve all learned here (mom included) because in my mind that is truly the way you will learn and gain the greatest take aways from all of what we’ve just witnessed first hand.

It’s your turn now – what did you learn by watching a child manifest her own dreams and how will it help you in going forward and reaching yours?

Please join in the magic and leave your answer below:

The body and mind are connected through glands and the brain.  Hormones and chemicals are created by the glands, which then affect thoughts and emotions.

The mind and spirit are connected by the interrelation of thoughts and actions. They in turn encourage a healthy or ill spirit depending upon the quality of the thoughts that proceed to create like actions and habits.

It is important to recognize that thoughts are reactions to the programming and belief structures set up in early childhood.

Many people believe they are thinking when in actuality this process is simply a reaction to the programming established in our subconscious mind.

Sins of the father being passed down defines false programming handed down.  Though parents, family, friends, peers, colleagues, teacher’s, government, religion, may have good intentions, the authorities in our lives programmed the false structures in the subconscious that block us from our superpowers.

Those beliefs that we once held as true are replaced by the urgings of our soul, our highest good. The understanding of the power of the mind and the workings of the subconscious allows insights into why people behave and react in the ways they do.

The quality of the environment we lived in our formative years dictates our reactions and behaviors.  This premise is of great import in understanding the frivolity of judging another. We are simply creatures of our childhood programming.

The Dry Bones song is a metaphor for how body mind and spirit relate to each other.  “…The toe bone is connected to the foot bone and the foot bone is connected to the ankle bone, the ankle bone connected to the leg bone… without those connections there is no walking.

It is the basis of the Pythagorean Theory:  if a=b and b=c, then a=c.  Theorists today understand that there is no comprehensive wellness program unless body, mind and spirit are addressed.

When the seeker lifts their consciousness, a change and alteration occurs.  The body moves from a dense state to a more refined condition following the level of soul growth.  What are the physiological markers noticed?  The following are some of the changes that one may expect when there is a growth in consciousness:

We come into this world with the task to develop our senses.  Sensory Integration is the study of how the sensory system is the foundation of early learning skills.  As we develop our souls and spirit, the sensory system needs to be tamed taking on a different responsibility.

The evolving soul encounters the opening of the sixth sense attuning us to the subtle energies.  The senses become more sensitive expanding their abilities.  This gateway into the finer energies demands greater responsibility to comprehend the inherent authority over anything in one’s field.  To understand this protects one from fear or victimhood.

One may see different colors or sparks of light, matrices of light, when closing eyes, in meditation or otherwise.  One’s eyesight may become better or worsen, along with buzzing, whirring, white noise that come and go.  Hearing may become more acute picking up words and conversations farther away.

Eating habits may change and weight gain and loss have been experienced.  Some people pick up chemicals, pesticides, saltiness, and sugar in foods and are much more sensitive to processed and fast food.

There may be aches and pains in the joints, back, headaches where old patterns holding false beliefs from childhood are knotted or crystallized.

There may be back, neck, limb discomfort, soreness and pain.  Any area that is holding false concepts that weigh down with false patterns, programming and beliefs need to go. A seeker may feel disruptions as old patterns no longer serving us are released.

Many feel more tired and even get sick, others deal with diseases, skin changes, awakening at 3:00 in the morning, changing sleep patterns, lifestyle, friendships, career, our passions, altering relationship with family have been noted.

Things that were once our mainstay, opinions, declarations, values, principles, beliefs that we once could not live without are dissipated and dispelled.  Fear, anxiety, sudden feelings of emotions and issues arise.  It is important to acknowledge what is in front of us, as it needs to be dealt with, cleansed and healed.

There are other physiological symptoms that are natural when the soul and spirit become the focus in one’s life.  They are to be expected and this knowing helps us move beyond the crisis, anxiety or fear into assisting our bodies in dealing with the developing rise in our consciousness.

The lift and evolution of consciousness nudges body, mind and spirit to become healthier and balanced, releasing and removing all that no longer works for us.  Body, mind and spirit work together for our highest good.  The body is connected to the mind and the mind is connected to the spirit… as dem bones chorus rings, “that’s the word of the Lord.”

Why don’t we give our mind positive bursts of input? We can easily, but all too often when absorbed in the rigors of daily life – we simply don’t.

A common solution is found in affirmations – defined as the assertion that something exists or is true. That being said, positive affirmations are basically when we assert that something positive about ourselves or anything else is true. This activity in turn, yields positive results as our inner world reflects our outer world.

But, many of us have a hard time feeding ourselves positive affirmations.

And for those who can, we sometimes can run into a “blockage” from our conscious mind. Our conscious mind sometimes tends to question our beliefs to the point that we can become discouraged.

The sub-conscious mind accepts commands without questioning them. So it is imperative that you feed it positive affirmations. Well, imagine if you could feed your sub-conscious positive affirmations while performing your daily activities on your computer?

Well, that’s exactly what Dino and the folks at MindZoom had in mind when they launched their revolutionary software. Through the affirmation-delivering engine and the silent subliminal messaging center, that is exactly what the MindZoom software can and will do for you:

CLICK HERE to Learn More about this amazing software!

The Affirmation Delivering Engine conveys thousands of positive commands at speeds that bypass your conscious mind and sends them directly to your sub-conscious, SAFELY AND DISCRETELY.

The Silent Subliminal Messaging System translates text affirmations into to speech that are then delivered through a High Frequency envelope, which reach the brain but are not heard by the human ear.

This software comes complete with a manual and is packed with special options such as ways to add, change or delete your affirmations, select the display position, change your font preferences as well as change your message frequency and display
time.

This incredible software can and will enhance your life by allowing you to:

- Remove bad habits
- Learn Faster
- Improve Your Memory
- Overcome Fear
- Improve Your Social Skills
- Overcome Obstacles That Prevent You From Progressing Forward
- Understand Your Feelings
- Multiply Your Business Achievements
- Raise the Level of Your Overall Success

We all know what an excellent instrument the Internet can be. Where else can you reach millions of people from different walks of life within seconds,simultaneously?

Studies indicate that the average person spends at least 30% of their time in front of a computer. Imagine if every time you were on your computer, whether it is working, writing emails or surfing the net, you could enhance your personal development.

If you truly wish to expand the “platform” which raises your level of personal development, head over to the MindZoom website and download this amazing software today:

GET YOUR MINDZOOM SOFTWARE HERE

In less than 2 minutes, you can have a full installation on your PC and be on your way enhancing your life through positive affirmations.

“Mommy, all I want for my birthday is to go to my happy place!”

Now, I have to admit that as well as I know my exuberant daughter who is perpetually carefree and happy, I truly had no idea that she even had a “happy place” let alone where that might be.

And with our full-time RVing life style, our children are some of the most well traveled kids on the planet, so I was quite curious as to what venue would qualify. So I took the plunge and replied…

“Ok, sweetie, that sounds very special to you, so where is your “happy place”?

The answer was an eye opener:

“I want to go sled riding like we did when we were babies… being on the top of a hill with all the snow is my happy place!”

To fully appreciate the look on MY face, understand that we were having this conversation in the middle of the Arizona desert in 70 degree “winter” weather and I was about 3 feet from a cactus (and about 250 miles from the closest snow belt!)

Furthermore, I remember that sled riding experience she was referring to – it took us an hour to bundle her up from head to toe and about 15 minutes for her to come running back inside the house for hot chocolate. This child definitely wouldn’t be mistaken for a snow bunny – and yet, that 15 minutes had a lasting impact and meant something very special to her – so who was I to challenge that memory?

In fact, I am of the firm belief to uphold and support our children’s innocence of youth and if it was her happy place that she wanted, it was her happy place she’d get!

So off we went this past weekend to Flagstff, AZ where all three of us “kids” played in the snow, built a snowman, made snow angels… and yes, went sled riding down the biggest snow covered hill we’d seen in ages. It truly was a happy day and Morgan’s wish came true – she returned to her happy place!

As a child, you’re sure to have harbored dreams, ambitions and desires that you later gave up on slowly, mainly because of your shifting priorities and the race to establish an adult life. But during this journey, you may have missed out on the smaller things in your life – seemingly trivial everyday instances that can brighten up your day and perk it up with a bit of fun…

Your own “Happy Place!”

So it was with some extreme irony that in the midst of our snow day frolicking, my dear friend Abhi fulfilled a lifelong ambition and launched a site called Revelri – an online “happy place” for the kid in all of us.

Revelri pulls out all the stops to bring back these instances into your life, to show you their importance and how contentment and fun in such small doses can have a giant impact in your life.

Instead of turning to medicines to cope with everyday pressure, have you ever tried blowing bubbles as an adult and relived your childhood days?

Has it ever occurred to you to buy a box of toffees for your coworkers, which is an act that can not only bring you together but also add a smile to their faces?

And when was the last time you read to your children at night, or cooked up fairy tales or adventures for them to infinitely enjoy?

These simple tasks are what Revelri mainly focuses on, in an effort to make the lives of its users better.

A Treasure Trove of Small Delights

The actions that are given out everyday are personalized – so when you sign up with Revelri and and answer a few questions in your personal profile, the actions that you get will only revolve around what you can do.

Positivity in life is an essential ingredient, and there are very few websites that actively help in introducing an element of such positivity into people’s daily lives. Sure, there are self help portals that show people how to make their life better, but Revelri does this with a twist.

There are no philosophical quotes or wordy lines of advice in Revelri – there are just actions, simple, everyday actions, the kind that people can take up on a daily basis and try to carry out.

Actions designed to return you to your “happy place.”

Morgan got back in touch with hers, now it’s time for you to return to yours:

Checkout Revelri free here today:

http://stephaniemulac.com/suggests/positivity

It’s a story of hope, perseverance and success as told through the eyes of someone who has “made it,” (as society often terms it) but will never forget where I came from. Today life is grand – a wonderful loving husband, 2 amazing beautiful children and a full-time RVing lifestyle that suits our every desire and more.

40 years ago, however, as a child who was the victim of bullying (a label that didn’t even exist way back then) life wasn’t always so rosy…

But deep inside, as I endured harassment from my classmates, my mother instilled a belief system that enabled me to prevail through many of life’s challenges.  And I owe a debt of gratitude to my now departed mother who effectively managed to have a deep, lasting impact on my mindset — allowing me to somehow always put things in the proper perspective — then and now.

As editor of my high school newspaper, it was a tradition to leave a “statement,” as a graduating Senior. Below I have reprinted my outgoing ‘letter from the editor’ that has stood the test of time and is every bit as relevant today as it was when it was written from my heart at the age of 17 – through the eyes of a girl who was ready to face the world…

From 1982, “Comet Gazer” Newspaper – Immaculate Conception High School

Farewell Letter From The Editor:

First off, I could not summarize my high school life without giving due credit to the teachers at I.C.H.S. that have had such an influence on it. Through many a moan and groan I have survived Social Studies Skill I (my first real awakening!), the fateful English III term paper and “Podboy’s Class” which I feared was a dreaded disease which started in one’s junior year and didn’t end until graduation. Instead I found it to be one of the most informative and gratifying classes I was “forced” to take in those two years. (I can say that now without being labeled a “brown noser,” “apple polisher,” etc.)

 

Where I once saw assignments designed to keep me awake nights, and buried forever in books, I now see logical plans and formats for learning. I guess what I’m trying to say is THANK YOU to all of the teachers who gave me the opportunity to gain as well as grumble through four very educational years.

 

Secondly, I want to thank all of my classmates who over the years have taught me the lessons I’ve learned. Valuable lessons that no teacher could teach and cannot be found in any textbook. They are about life, about people, about finding oneself and over the last four years due to the “efforts” of many, I have found myself.

 

“The memories of yesterday will last a lifetime…” To those who were part of the “good memories,” you will always hold a special place in my heart. And, to those responsible for the “bad memories” I owe you a debt of gratitude. Those who thought they were hurting me with their harsh words and actions were actually molding me into what I am.

 

The many painful hours that I went through were well spent, perhaps the best spent hours of my entire life. Because of you, I have grown and matured into a stronger person capable of accepting myself, as well as others, for what I am rather than what you wanted me to be.

 

I no longer look at life beyond the walls of I.C.H.S. through rose-colored glasses; I know what to expect and I have been more than prepared to face it. If it turns out to be better than I expect, and I am fortunate enough to encounter experiences more pleasant than those of the past, all the better, for I will then come to appreciate them even more.

 

As the final school bell rings, and I close my locker upon four years of my life I will get into my car and drive away for the last time. From the experiences both good and bad that have shaped my life, I will smile as I drive away and (as if just between God and I) silently whisper: “It was hard getter here, but I’m stronger just because it wasn’t easy!”

Fast forwarding to today, when I receive accolades about being accessible, down to earth, and the antithesis of a “guru,” I smile inside, because I know exactly what people are picking up on and why they are moved by who I am and what I do.

I know in my heart that as many other children in this world are facing the same challenges as I once did that they too are becoming stronger and developing a survival mindset that will serve them well as they go on to achieve untold success in their own lives.

Sometimes it only takes knowing that there is life beyond those “four walls,” and seeing where life took someone else who stood where they are standing today to give hope to someone in need.

My hope is that if this story touches one life, it will make all the difference in the world.

Please feel free to reprint this article or pass it on to someone who needs to read it. And do leave a comment if you feel moved to share your own personal story or message of hope.

To Your Infinite Evolution!
Stephanie (Lucas) Mulac

After asking several people words they associate with Feng Shui, replies included energy, placement of objects, decorating,  mirrors, chimes, placement of doors, etc. Many perceive Feng Shui as a theory versus an exact science.

Feng Shui is an ancient practice that dates back over 3,500 years to Neolithic China and is literally defined as wind-water.  The life force, energy better known as Chi in the East, is carried by wind scattering it everywhere until chi meets water or other matter.

Throughout time Feng Shui principles were employed in the placement of spiritually connected structures such as tombs, churches, graves, birthing area in correlation to nearby bodies of water, the stars and use of a compass.

There is great significance between chi and it’s relationship with the environment.  The age of a structure, it’s position, construction material, placement on the land, vegetation and quality of the soil are studied.

The practice expanded into all environmental designs including forests, homes, city planning, buildings, gardens, structures of commerce, roads, railroads, palaces and other palatial structures.

Feng Shui’s mission is to create balance and harmony in the environment ensuring that chi flows freely allowing a positive result for the inhabitants well being.  It is understood that the condition of one’s dwelling and property reflect the standing and circumstances of the inhabitants life.

Congealed chi contains the highest degree of vitality and therefore conducts the greatest flow of life.  Feng shui experts take advantage of these life-giving properties by discovering the location with a magnetic compass.  The magnetic compass is an updated version of the liuren or shi, the oldest instrument used in the Feng Shui custom.

The shi instrument is a lacquered board with two sides marked with astronomical values.  These instruments have been discovered in tombs excavated from 278-209 B.C.  The primary function is to detect the origin of congealed chi in order to provide knowledgeable placement value.

The magnetic compass is almost identical to its predecessor, the shi.  Professor Max Knoll conferred in his lecture of 1951 that chi’s origin is solar radiation.  Space weather controls and affects the local geomagnetically induced currents.

Geomancy’s literal translation is “foresight by the earth”.  The discipline gives honor to the conditions of earth and chi flow to determine how it interrelates to our health, balance and harmony.  The ancient Greek took the term from the Arabic antecedent meaning “the science of the sand.”

The magnetic compass’ task is to follow the consequential   change in the quality of chi rising and falling according to the alteration of space weather.  The quality of chi and the level of it’s flow in a specific area is diagnosed and analyzed with a magnetic compass.

There are many schools, form and studies of Feng Shui as would be expected with a divination method of antiquity.  The following chronological trajectory was established from archeological sites and recorded history, though much was destroyed in recent times:

Xinhshi Pai is a form method of analyzing the environment and imaging forms sans compass.

LiqiPai employs the compass  and includes the San Yuan Method which includes time and space methods, flying stars of time and directions, “Secret Decree” or 64 gua relationships.

San He Method uses the compass and includes: Accessing the Dragon, Eight Mansions, Water Methods and Local Embrace.  Other methods are:

Four Pillars of Destiny – hemerology

Eight Characters – time and date of birth

Major and Minor Wandering Stars – Constellations

Five Phases – relationship to wuxing.

Black Tantric Buddhist Sect – westernized methods without classical teachings.

The BTB Method is the modern method highlighting the affects of clutter and prominence of affirmations and intentions regarding change in the individual’s life.

Feng Shui is a complex system of antiquity requiring more than one post to scratch the surface of understanding.   Expect a comprehensive series forthcoming!

The story goes that Lucifer was the angel of light and lost his place of honor.  He became the great accuser.  Lucifer accused mankind which is said to be the gravest offense of the Light.

The essence of the word compassion indicates not only awareness, being full in heart, yet also includes action, stemming from the word passion.  Thus the heart is filled with passion for the highest good of another.

The following story is a poignant offering demonstrating the differences between compassion and judgment, action and passivity, honor and indifference, soulfulness and apathy.

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle.  It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, ‘Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?

He must really be a nerd.’

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him… They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him… He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes .

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, ‘Those guys are jerks.’ They really should get lives.  He looked at me and said, ‘Hey thanks!’

There was a big smile on his face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.  As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.

He said he had gone to private school before; I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.  We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.  I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends .

He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.  I stopped him and said, ‘Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! ‘He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.

When we were seniors we began to think about college.

Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.

He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.  Kyle was valedictorian of our class.  I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation.  I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak .

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.  He looked great.  He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.  He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.  Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.  So, I smacked him on the back and said, ‘Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!’  He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled…. ‘ Thanks,’ he said

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began … ‘Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach…but mostly your friends….  I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.’

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met.  He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.  He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. ‘ ‘ ‘   ‘    ‘Thankfully, I was saved.  My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.’ I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.  Not until that moment did I realize it’s depth.  Never underestimate the power of your actions.  With one small gesture you can change a person’s life.

For better or for worse.  God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.

Look for God in others.

There is no beginning or end, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. Live the beliefs of your heart, it’s called be-living them, the ultimate definition and action of what it means to believe.

In fact, I would put forth that embracing this quote will actually thwart you from successfully achieving your coveted end results.

Now, in some ways we are simply being playful with semantics as we embark upon the debate of goals vs. dreams, but to delve a bit further into the realm of the universal laws, we rapidly see that the process of setting goals undermines the very intent of their acquisition.

To set a goal, in and of itself, is to illuminate the “lack thereof.”

So to say your “goal” is to drive a fancy sports car is in effect focusing on the lack of that tangible object in your life. And to further set your sights on daily activities that will bring about the acquisition of that fancy car is to continue to focus incessantly on that which you do not currently possess.

In contrast, to “dream” of that fancy sports car in effect puts you in the driver’s seat (pun definitely intended) as you feel the wind in your hair riding the highway of life – embracing the feelings and emotions you associate with being the owner of that prized possession. Feels totally different, doesn’t it?

And in your “dreams,” as you feel the cool leather seats envelop your body, wrap your hands around the powerful steering wheel and shift into high gear, your reverie does not include pulling off to the side of the road to check off your ‘to do’ list for the day, does it? To the contrary, you are in the zone, at one with your dream – reveling in the moment.

But the astute reader could wisely challenge me at this juncture and raise the notion that sitting around “dreaming” all day about being in that sports car isn’t going to make it magically appear in the driveway, now, is it?

Well… yes, and no – and here’s where the rubber meets the road! (Yes, another shameless pun.)

An Introduction to Milestone Mapping

As an Intuitive Life Coach, as well as in my own personal life, I am a huge proponent of staying focused, organized and mapping out plans for milestones that we seek to accomplish. But at the same time, once we set our sights on a target – I am equally in favor of letting the universe take the wheel. But make no mistake, this is not a prescription for passivity – to the contrary, it’s all about action – inspired action in fact.

The technique that I have found to be most successful in accomplishing results is something I call Milestone Mapping. And it came about as a result of my need to stay organized, yet at the same time, my utter disdain for flowcharts and linear ‘to do’ lists.

We’ve all seen flowcharts that start at the top with a topic or a “goal” and then branch out ad nauseam into a million (or so it seems) infinite legs of action items, steps or yes/no scenarios. But the very nature of a flow chart is a downward path – and metaphysically speaking, spiraling downward is direct contrast to the nature of the universe. Likewise, a ‘to do’ list follows that same symbolic, linear descending direction.

Next came Mind Maps – credited to Tony Buzan in 1996 as a means of note taking and brainstorming. In Buzan’s model, this technique encourages a non-linear approach to learning or mapping out a projects and enhances creativity as a means of sorting out a complicated idea. But a Mind Map, or spider map as it is also often termed, focuses on what exists – so it never quite fit the bill for projections into the future. And that’s where Milestone Mapping comes in.

Similar to a Mind Map, Milestone Mapping begins in the center with a topic, concept, or “goal,” if we may use that term loosely now based upon our understanding of its inadequacies. But that’s where the similarities end.

When creating your own Milestone Map, you will illustrate your coveted “prize” in the center of your diagram – you can do this with words, illustrations, a colorful picture if you are so inclined, or even chicken scratch will do – there is no right or wrong way to begin as it is representative of your internal being, without formal constraints to impede your progress.

Consider this first step as “setting your intention” with the universe – and as you put pen to paper, embrace the feelings that are associated with already having attained the milestone you are seeking.

Next, draw 3-5 lines emanating out from the center of your intention (spider legs if you will). These lines will be labeled with your “perceived” initial milestones that will be required to bring about the successful realization of your intention. These milestones can be tangible or physical stages or they can represent emotional and mental accomplishments – and likely, it will be a combination of both.

After you have completed this step… STOP!

Yes, that’s right – for this moment in time and space, you simply stop.

And the reason is, if you haven’t already guessed, is that unlike a Mind Map (which fills up the page with that which exists) you are going to be logging events as they happen, in real time.

You see, this is both the beauty and effectiveness of Milestone Mapping – you are the creator of your own reality as you proceed along the fabulous journey of identifying an intention and embracing the realization of the delicious steps along the way as you head toward the pinnacle of your intention. But unlike other techniques, you are not pre-determining the path you will take – that is up to your higher force and how you interact with the universal laws at work along the way.

So as you proceed in filling up this beautiful blank page, you will be logging the milestones as they become apparent to you and each time you add to the white space, you will practice the art of allowing and embrace receiving the gifts that the universe sends your way.

Even if there is a perceived “detour,” you will be able to visually identify how it ties into the bigger picture and accept its existence as part of the journey, instead of meeting it with resistance as you may have previously had the tendency to do.

Each time you reach a particular milestone related to your central “dream/goal/prize” (we can now see that it really doesn’t so much matter what you call it) you will return to your diagram and record its existence.

But more than simply recording it – you will also allow yourself to be engulfed with feelings of warmth and appreciation that you are one step closer to the realization of your target – thus allowing events to unfold as they are meant to.

Now however, you have removed the significance and urgency of the time line – thus reducing the resistance that often thwarts progress and leaves people feeling uncertain about the entire “ask, believe and receive” process.

So congratulations! You have now discovered the powerful, secret key to the art of remaining “in the moment,” and appreciating the experiences you have along the way by acknowledging and showing gratitude as it happens. And through embracing this technique, you are no longer endeavoring to pre-determine “how” you will arrive – you are simply at ease in learning to enjoy the journey along the way!

“Wait? You say, wait!” my indignant reply. “Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?

By faith, I have asked, and am claiming your Word. My future and all to which I can relate hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT?

I’m needing a ‘yes’, go-ahead and sign, or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign. And Lord, You promised that if we believe we need but to ask, and we shall receive.

Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry: I’m weary of asking! I need a reply! Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate, As my Master repied once again, ”You must wait.”

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taught and grumbling to God, ”So, I’m waiting… for what?” He seemed, then, to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine,

And he tenderly said, ”I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun. I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be. You would have what you want–But, you wouldn’t know Me.

You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint; You’d not know the power that I give to the faint;? You’d not learn to see through the clouds of despair; You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there;

You’d not know the joy of resting in Me? When darkness and silence were all you could see. You’d never experience that fullness of love, As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove.

You’d know that I give and I save… (for a start),  But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart. The glow of My comfort late into the night, The faith that I give when you walk without sight,

The depth that’s beyond getting just what you asked Of the infinte God, who makes what you have LAST. You’d never know, should your pain quickly flee, What it means that “My grace is sufficient for Thee.”

Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true, But, Oh, the Loss! If I lost what I’m doing in you! So, be silent, My Child, and in time you will see That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me. And though oft’ My answers seem terribly late, My most precious answer is still, “WAIT.”

                                                                            By Anonymous