***A New Beginning

And now let us welcome the New Year full of things that have never been-Rainer Marie Rilke

Every New Year we make resolutions, telling ourselves this year will be different. Studies have shown that just forty percent of resolutions are successful after six months. Wanting change is not enough. Not knowing ourselves at a deep level is a major impediment to the change we need to make, if we are to have more of what we want manifesting in our lives. Without knowing we stay unaware and keep repeating negative experiences.

A journal has life changing potential. Journaling is a major tool in the manifestation process. Those who commit to writing a journal are more successful in achieving what they desire in life. When journaling it is important to write without censorship, leaving behind the critic, the overachiever and the perfectionist. It is impossible to write in a journal without uncovering more about your deeper longings and core issues. Here are a few journaling suggestions that may assist in your manifestation process.

1. Getting Started: Write without censorship! No need to edit, be concerned about crossing the t’s or your spelling. Write whatever comes to your mind. If you get stuck keep writing; write through it, around it or over it. It need not make sense; it can be free association or even brainstorming. It may be surprising what comes up in such moments. This exercise dismantles the ego’s thinking that it has to “make sense”, be a “certain way”, and be “right” or “perfect.” Perfectionism does not belong. Once you loosen up and the words start flowing; you become more creative, with the knowledge there is no wrong way. If something comes to mind, seemingly unrealistic or far-fetched, put it on paper!

2. Visualization: Everything in our life begins with an idea, a dream, and a vision. The consistent production of desired results must be in accordance with the Law of Manifestation. Understand that unless you create a clear, distinct and definite picture you do not have the foundation for that which you desire to show up. Nothing can be produced in the physical, mental or feeling world without a picture. Every one of our thoughts has a picture within it.

When molding bread out of a piece of dough, unless there is a clear mental picture of the final loaf, it will not become the desired shape. If your picture is hazy and indefinite you will not have the desired outcome because there was not enough determination, attention, and feeling included in the initial visualization. Include in your journal specifics about the shape, the color and the texture, until the picture becomes vivid. Picture yourself admiring the end result, and write about the successful outcome.

Seeing, feeling and knowing what you want makes it more attainable. Feel your sense of determination and write about it, as if it is already completed. This is not a dreamy, wishful, hoping exercise; but, a proactive involvement that will train your unconscious to believe you can have the fulfillment you desire. Visualization is a major key to your success.

3. Intention: This stage comes after you know and can visualize your wants. Journaling provides structure, which helps put the visualization into concrete form, as a preparation for action. Writing those intentions bridges your inner and outer world; thus, creating that cohesive energy which propels itself towards manifestation.

4. Commitment: “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy…The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistances, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way”. (W.H. Murray, Himalayan Expedition 1956)
Once there is commitment, one step is never just one step, it has much more power than you realize. Do not overlook the small victories. Remember to write them down and be grateful, as they are, incrementally, the stepping-stones along the path to your success.

5. Resistance: Journaling may illuminate some of the real reasons you hold back. Write down the fears that prevent you from receiving the desired outcome. There are usually many layers of fear that must be uncovered before one gets to the core. Do not fool yourself, journaling’s most powerful results often occur after you have given yourself permission to go deeper. What you find can be painful and negative; however, it is the underbelly of golden opportunities. Avoidance and denial do not help. Working through your fears promotes self-acceptance, the starting place for freedom, joy and the manifestation of dreams.

6. Receiving: There is a significant difference between wishing for and being ready to receive something. As you journal about your willingness to receive, it might be a good time to review your intentions and commitment. Do you feel worthy of your desires, or are you hesitant? Are you beyond dreaming, hoping and wishing? If you feel unworthy of an abundant life, progression beyond your present level is improbable. Journaling your life story offers clarity, about limitations, beliefs, and early injunctions that may be impeding your progress.

7. Childhood: Many people experience childhood traumas, which impact their adult lives. The scope of such an impact on your life must be acknowledged. If there is depression, anxiety, or other significant suffering, journaling helps to uncover the extent of your attempts to resolve such problems. If you think and feel they are insurmountable, seek professional help. The resolution of those deeper issues significantly influences the positive manifestation you can expect to experience throughout life.

“…if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
Henry David Thoreau "Walden”