From Cece: Lighting Fixture.

Several months ago, the overhead lighting fixture in our bedroom stopped working. My husband said he'd try to fix it, but he might need to order a part. The last time he replaced the part it took weeks for it to come. He thought the whole fixture should be replaced, which would be costly and time consuming. Not being sure, we put off making the decision of whether to fix or replace. Yesterday, I said that I wanted the light to be working by this Thursday, Thanksgiving. Last night at 2:30 AM, the light fixture suddenly went on by itself--pop!--and woke us both up. We were too tired to discuss what had just happened, so, after my husband got up and turned it off, we went back to sleep. The fixture must have tripped the electrical circuit when it went on, because this morning we noticed that all the displays on the electric clocks were flashing. We happily reset the clocks--and appreciated that the light is back, Thanksgiving is coming, and we are loved.

From Arita: Personal Shopper

I love my coffee maker and its setting for "extra flavor" that drips the water slowly for a richer brew. For some time I've had this idea of taking that perfect coffee off its warming plate and putting it in a thermal carafe. I investigated them online, and looked in routine places where I was shopping for other things, and didn't see any. No biggie - I had "put in my order" and knew that it would show up like it always does.

Yesterday I noticed a restaurant supply store one block from my house. There I saw three different kinds - a tubular pitcher that resembles a regular thermos, a bulbous server like I have seen in diners, and the pump kind I've seen at self-service stations. They each had their benefits, and ranged in price from $28 to $90. Nice. Hmmm, which one?

I got back in my car and immediately felt drawn to the Salvation Army within that same block (around the corner from my house). There they were - all three of them!!! They were in different spots on the shelves, but I gathered them up and took a picture of my choices for you to see. I bought the white one and the pump one - $6.50 total.

And there was another little treat waiting for me. I like making cheesecake in a spring-form pan, and when I looked for mine after this last move I realized it had somehow found a new home other than mine. So, I made a layer cake that day instead. Yesterday I saw a springform pan all shiny and possibly unused for $3.

That was easy!

From Arita: Mother of the Bride

I flew in a huge plane home from Philadelphia - sitting there relishing the fresh memories of my daughter's wedding. There were three seats on each side of the aisle and being a SWA flight, it was completely full. Guess what? Both the other women sitting with me were also MOB's - one also coming from her daughter's wedding Virginia (like mine) and the other going to her daughter's wedding in LA. The dates were consecutive weekends. What are the odds of that?

From Arita: WOW

Last week I was in the kitchen getting my first cup of coffee and I smiled to hear a familiar staccato sound on the floor above me – little shoes on hardwood floor. Ellie was awake and exploring. I headed for the stairs where I heard them stop as she proclaimed her latest favorite word, “WOW!”

Ellie doesn’t use a lot of words yet. She has discovered and rehearsed her “No” until I am certain that she knows exactly what it means and how well it works. And there have been times when she was distraught (or not) and I swear it sounded like she was saying “Why oh why oh why?” It’s hard not laughing at this one.

If I were a person of few words, what would the world hear from me the most? What word would they associate with me? What would be my most-used, default reaction in a one-word contribution to my world and my personal interactions? Today I choose my favorite word.

WOW!

Arita Trahan is the author of “The Santa Story Revisited – How to Give Your Children a Santa They Will Never Outgrow”

From Kim D: Play Tickets

my husband and i wanted to see a play on sunday.
we didn't have tickets and hoped that they would have them at the box office right before the show.
so we drove down to the mark taper and went to the box office, the lady said they are sold out for the evening.
without any attachment or disappointment, we walked away from the theatre when a nice young man, an usher, stopped us and told us
that some people left tickets because they couldn't make it to the show. he showed us where they were placed, which was
under a sign in front the the theater. amazed, we happily grabbed the tickets and thanked the kind man and went inside.
we were ushered into orchestra seats, the perfect good seats. the tickets were selling for $75 each and we got in for free! haha.
and the play was very good. this continues...during intermission we went down to the garage to the car to pay, we were parked
in a vip spot because we were rushing to make it to the play, when we got there no one was around. a brief moment later a nice man
who worked there came by and said, "don't worry about it, next time!"
we were ready to pay the $10 for the best parking spot in the garage, and yet he told us not to pay! free again! pretty amazing! but normal. ;)

so after all the money we saved, we bought an expensive bottle of champagne with dinner and celebrated!!

From Arita: Flat tire.

Mark and I went out on our bikes when he got home last night. As the sun gets low enough to cast a shadow across the road, and the temperature feels like it might be a little to cool for my sleeveless top, we set out. We appreciate that we can ride to the end of the block, cross into the Park & Ride, and then get on the bike path that takes us all the way around Balboa Park and back home. We pass the most amazing people – rolling, strolling, riding, gliding, playing – all different ages. These are my park peeps. No one is in a hurry and we meander around each other on the path, each in our own world and overlapping here and there. I notice that the temperature is perfect, so my body temp must have risen.

We were surprised to notice that the inclines here and there along the path didn’t seem challenging at all. We must have become stronger without noticing. We are conscious of how sweet it all is. We talk along the way about our separate days and what we are seeing. We pass playgrounds and wildlife sanctuaries and lake and river and golf course and other paths, and pets and athletes and kites and remote-control airplanes and strollers and picnics being packed up. The mountains stand quiet and blue in the distance. It’s calming. It’s easy.

Then, just as we’re rounding the last bend of the park across from the Japanese Gardens, Mark heard his front tire – flap, flap, flap. “Whoops, I think I’ve got a flat.” I slowed and looked at it – about half inflated. I said, “I don’t think it will hurt the rim to keep riding a while as it is. And if we need to walk our bikes home, that’s okay too.” He agreed. We picked up our speed just a little bit to cover some more ground while there was still some air in the tire, and then let our attention stray to the delights around us. Maybe five minutes later we were approaching the Park & Ride when Mark said, “Look at my tire!” He had forgotten about it and then realized that he wasn’t having to pump any harder than usual. It was full again.

I just came in from the garage, checking his tire so I could report accurately this morning. It’s still fully inflated. You can take the story from here.

From Cara: Magical Missing $50 Bill

On August 31st, I lost a $50 bill. You see, I was laid off my corporate job a few months ago and on this particular day I forgot to look at my vibrational reality. I knew that I needed to go grocery shopping and so I dipped into– what appeared to be – my dwindling stash of cash. All I saw was money going out, out, out and no money coming in and for a few moments I just stood there in a state of panic. Nevertheless, I reached in and hesitantly grabbed a $50 bill. My wallet was in my car, so my plan was to walk by my car on the way to the laundry room and place the cash inside my wallet so that I didn’t forget it when I went to the store.



So with a great big load of laundry in my arms and my $50 bill and car keys tucked into my bottom hand I started outside towards the laundry room. And dang-it-all, I passed by my car without even thinking to stop. Now I was too far, almost at the laundry room, so I decided to put the money in the car on the way back to my apartment. I remember setting the money down on the dryer and placing my keys on top so it wouldn’t blow away AND so I wouldn’t forget it LOL. So after the laundry was in the wash I walked straight back to my apartment. FORGOT to stop by my car. I went back to transfer the laundry into the dryer and then absentmindedly walked back to my apartment again. Retarded but true. After my clothes were dry I realized that the money was missing. CRAP! I looked in and around my car, in and around the laundry room and even shook my clothes when they came out of the dryer, hoping that a $50 bill would fall out. No such luck.



Right away I realized the money vanished because of my poverty consciousness. If I look at money disappearing and say “it’s disappearing!” then guess what, Einstein? It’s going to disappear!



So I started talking myself downstream and telling myself how prosperous I was, how sure I was that money was going to start flowing in to me again and I began to look at my vibrational reality, and remember that I was financially secure. I think I made the mental turn-around within about 10 seconds or so, so I was happy with that!



Then I started thinking “wouldn’t it be nice if” … I got my money back?! Then I played that scenario out in my head. How would it happen? Well, it was probably found by one of the tenants in my building. Then a pessimistic voice inside my head said “Right! Someone is really going to return money. Yeah, that’s likely!” but I continued on with my scenario. One way the finder could find the owner is to drop a note inside each tenant’s mail slot. Wouldn’t that be nice? But the note would have to be vague and say “I found something” because naturally if you say “I found $50” everyone is going to claim it. I was sure of only one thing. A man found it. That much I knew. In any case, I dismissed the whole idea. I made an effort to put it out of my mind completely because I knew that right now the topic of money was a slippery slope for me and nothing is more important than that I stay happy.



I reluctantly grabbed another $50 bill and drove to the grocery store. When I returned, I decided to go for a bike ride to the beach! It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and I had been wanting to go for a ride all morning but for some reason I kept putting it off. Suddenly though, I knew it was the perfect time and I raced out back to get my bike. I should mention that by this point I had deliberately been singing and carefully selecting happy thoughts and I was ELATED to be living in Venice and going to the beach! Definitely in the Vortex. I wheeled my bike out front and rode it a few yards before I saw this sign. It was staked in the ground right next to where my car had been parked in the morning. It said “I found ‘something’ here. If you lost ‘something’ here, call me at 310-555-5555. Tuesday, 10:30am.” I stopped, grinned, pulled my cell phone out and dialed the number. As I thought, it was a man. He told me where he lived and I rode straight to his house and had the money in my pocket within 5 minutes!



With any manifestation, the icing on the cake for me is getting to find out, and then revel in, how Law of Attraction orchestrates everything. It’s so exhilarating to know that LOA is ALWAYS at work and that my vibration was pure enough (meaning no resistance) that this guy was so strongly inspired to 1) find the owner of the money; 2) walk all the way home and create a double sided sign that specifically said “I found SOMETHING here”; 3) find 2 skewers and carefully tape them against both sides of the sign; 4) walk all the way back to my place and stake the sign into the ground; 5) walk all the way home again; 6) offer to drive over to my place and deliver the money to me (I rode to his house instead); 7) do all this with a great big smile on his face!



I LOVE that I got my money back !!! I can’t wait to collect all the other $50 bills in my vortex !!!

From Arita: New Tenant

A couple of weeks ago I found out that my tenants of two years were moving from my house in Nashville to Seattle. It is the phenomenal success of their new business that is relocating them, I am happy for them. Ahhh - time to get new tenants! I thought it, worried briefly about not having that income and then checked the market. Wow! It made sense for me to increase the rent by $200. That felt good. Then I forgot to do anything else about it.

Several days after I got back to LA I thought about the house again. I thought it would be fun to look over old photos for a refreshed posting on Craigslist. I had a great time putting together the photos, falling back in love with the place, realizing that having it as an optional home is such an expansive menu for me, and then writing the perfect description. Because Craigslist is being especially cautious about this sort of listing and making sure everyone is legit, it took a while longer to finish the process than I expected, but I didn't feel any urgency about the approaching end of the month or anything. I felt oddly and fully relaxed. How could there not be some one perfect person out there that would love my house as much as I do? I just knew there was.

Within seconds of its posting, I received an email from a young man asking "Is it still available?" He had been looking for a place for some time and liked it a lot. It was a little convoluted getting the current tenants and a friend and his manager all on the same page to see the house, and before it even happened, the young man called me back and said that he knew he wanted it, and what could he do to make that happen. He saw the ad at exactly the moment that I posted it. He said he had been looking for some time. My posting was at exactly the right time!

As it turns out, he is moving from Charlottesville, Va where my daughter is getting married 10/10/10, and where I have spent some time these past few months in preparation. I am a huge fan of his music (he is the lead singer for Parachute). The price was never even mentioned. His credit is flawless. His means are unlimited (like it is for all of us - and perhaps somewhat more apparent for him), and his move in date is flexible.

I didn't even have a chance to buy a "for sale" sign.
That was easy!

From Patricia: Comforter

I don't use a "creation box," but I've always kept various files filled with ideas for creative endeavors. One of my files is called "home decorating." In it, I place pictures of beautiful household items that I love and ultimately intend to purchase. I get these pictures from a variety of sources, including magazines.
A couple of weeks ago, while browsing through a "woman's" magazine, I read a story about actress Jane Seymour and the beautiful household items that her company sells.
One photo showed Jane sitting on a bed adorned with a gorgeous blue comforter. It's exactly the kind of comforter---bed spread that I've been wanting for a long time. Although Jane's blue comforter costs over $500, I tore the picture out of the magazine and happily placed it in my home decorating file.
Last week at the Salvation Army thrift store, I encountered the beautiful blue comforter that I saw in the magazine---and intended to buy. It was in perfect condition, the exact color I wanted, and it only cost $7.99.
I bought it, washed it and it's now on my bed, bringing a joyful and lovely blue glow to my bedroom. And it's very comfortable, too!

From Kim D: Skipping

This video is a Surprise and Delight Moment IN PROGRESS!!

http://vimeo.com/13989215

From Arita: Drawers.

I love closets and drawers and nooks and crannies and all places for putting things away. Judging from this photo her mom took, my grandgal, Ellie, loves them, too. I'm in Philadelphia right now getting Ellie's new home ready for her and her family, painting and cleaning and just having a lot of fun.

The house is already home to Ellie's aunt and soon-to-be uncle. And there are two housemates. And Grandpa Trahan is coming tonight to enjoy the chaos that always precedes order.

This makes for quite a busy house, and a challenging situation when it comes to finding places for everyone to sleep. Ellie's beds won't even get here until a week after they do!

I've been sleeping on the futon in the studio, a favorite place in the heart of the house. The dog, Keiya, frequently joins me there at night. What the room doesn't have is a chest of drawers, and since I am staying for four weeks, I wished out loud for an improved idea over my three suitcases for storage.

My daughters came up with a new plan today that would put Grandpa in the studio and me in the parlor on the sofa. I love the idea. Then a got even happier. It seems that the entertainment center has big drawers that are normally used to store winter snuggies and throws. They are now mine for organizing my clothes! Hooray.

No desire is too casual or too insignificant for the forces of the universe to conspire in my behalf!

From: Kim J via Tony. Izzy the lizard.

Our dear Kim arrived home and walked into the elevator in her garage. When sheturned around, she looked down and saw a little lizard, whom we shall call "Izzy" looking up at her. He had an urgency in his eyes, as if he wanted something. She got off the elevator to see what he wanted.

She spoke to him vibrationally, and got the feeling he wanted to be taken out of the garage. She was not a match to picking him up with her bare hands. She happened to have her shoes off and in her hand, so she communicated that if he wanted help, he would have to get into her shoe. She put the opening of her shoe down on the ground and the Izzy climbed in!

She got into the elevator and Izzy stayed put. She took him to her back yard where he would be able to have a nice comfortable place to live.

As she put her shoe down, she communicated that she wanted his photo. He stepped out and stayed right there until she got his picture, then he turned and walked to the tree line!

Above is the actual picture Kim took of Izzy.

From Norma: Taking a different route.

Whenever Inner Being gives me the data to know that I’m in tune with the Universe, I am so appreciative. That happened tonight when I watched the local TV news and saw the story about a dangerous and crazy high-speed car chase on the 5 North just about the time that I would have gotten onto it. The operative word, of course, is “would,” since Inner Being had a different route in mind and steered me clear of danger.

After our monthly “In the Vortex” Meet-Up dinners, I almost always take the 5 North to go home. But this time, as I was starting the car, for some strange reason, I had the thought that I should go through Hollywood. Then I had another thought—“Oh, the 5 will be easier and faster.” But that was quickly followed with, “Gee, it will be fun to go through Hollywood.”

Later, watching the TV news, I saw a report on a car weaving through the traffic on the 5 North at high speeds, followed by the cops, just when I would have been on it had I taken my normal route home.

That makes me think about all of the magnificent times that Source has my back when I just follow a hunch, even though I usually never know why. It’s fun to get the feedback from the Universe from time to time and it’s also fun to know that life’s directions often unfold magically without my conscious awareness.

Yay for the Universe and Inner Being!

From Arita: The Right Time

When I was all caught up in the happy move into our present house, I was unpacking, placing and arranging things from the previous rental, things from our home in Nashville and things from my dad's place that he had just given me. I love moving, and I was getting to play with all my favorite things in a new favorite space. I was in my bliss.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, I unpacked a wall clock that had the batteries taped to the back. I pulled off the batteries and popped them in. I looked at my cell phone for the time and turned the clock around to adjust it. The clock was already precisely accurate to the minute.

I suppose it was the right time for me to rendezvous with that clock.
Shivers.

From Arita: Flat tire

Mark and I went out on our bikes when he got home last night. As the sun gets low enough to cast a shadow across the road, and the temperature feels like it might be a little to cool for my sleeveless top, we set out. We appreciate that we can ride to the end of the block, cross into the Park & Ride, and then get on the bike path that takes us all the way around Balboa Park and back home. We pass the most amazing people - rolling, strolling, riding, gliding, playing - all different ages. These are my park peeps. No one is in a hurry and we meander around each other on the path, each in our own world and overlapping here and there. I notice that the temperature is perfect, so my body temp must have risen.

We were surprised to notice that the inclines here and there along the path didn't seem challenging at all. We must have become stronger without noticing. We are conscious of how sweet it all is. We talk along the way about our separate days and what we are seeing. We pass playgrounds and wildlife sanctuaries and lake and river and golf course and other paths, and pets and athletes and kites and remote-control airplanes and strollers and picnics being packed up. The mountains stand quiet and blue in the distance. It's calming. It's easy.

Then, just as we're rounding the last bend of the park across from the Japanese Gardens, Mark heard his front tire - flap, flap, flap. "Whoops, I think I've got a flat." I slowed and looked at it - about half inflated. I said, "I don't think it will hurt the rim to keep riding a while as it is. And if we need to walk our bikes home, that's okay too." He agreed. We picked up our speed just a little bit to cover some more ground while there was still some air in the tire, and then let our attention stray to the delights around us. Maybe five minutes later we were approaching the Park & Ride when Mark said, "Look at my tire!" He had forgotten about it and then realized that he wasn't having to pump any harder than usual. It was full again.

I just came in from the garage, checking his tire so I could report accurately this morning. It's still fully inflated. You can take the story from here.

From Arita: Rich in Time

Last night Mark got home late and was super tired. He started telling me that earlier in the day he felt like quitting because he was over-booked with clients (all the moms and their kids want Mark to be their SLP). He was upset. Eleven hour days had stopped being unusual. I was delighted to note that when he said that he wanted to quit, the first thing to cross my mind was "ahh - the adventure continues!" I wasn't at all concerned. We talked.

We talked about all the ways that this job works for Mark - the people, the heart of the company, the affection that they always show for him, the location, the kids. By this morning, Mark could see that he could have more time, less work. It was all possible. He was going to talk to his boss, Karen, about a more efficient scheduling.

When he got to work, before he could talk to Karen, Karen talked to him. "You are working too hard. You have too many clients. We're going to have to fix this." Mark was finished work by 4:pm today. He is getting off on Friday at 1:pm.

Universal Manager rocks!

From Merlyn: My Little Lost Cell Phone

July 18 2010

In that split second, when I first realized that my new red cell phone must have fallen out of the beach bag, into the sand, my vision of the long expanse of Virginia Beach—filled with tourists on a summer Sunday, and which had recently seemed so delightful— seemed like an image of hell.

My tight schedule of imminent deadlines flashed before my eyes, and I hollered to my friend, Darlene, “Sh*t, I’m just gonna have to kill myself!”

She rolled her eyes. It was enough to remind me. Get centered, breathe. Go up the scale. Relax so I can feel my guidance system. I know this stuff, I can do this. What happens is a result of my attitude, not my outer circumstances. I’m in control of the outcome.

Suddenly I felt better, hopeful, and then I moved into knowing, that somehow I’d find my phone. I’m happy to say that this little journey, which might have taken many minutes, or even hours, years ago, could now be measured in seconds.

And Darlene, who was clearly less stressed than I was, did the obvious, practical, action journey: she called my phone.

No answer.

Right. I'd turned off the ringer because the battery was low.

My guidance was to go directly to the beach, immediately, back to where we had been sitting.

So we started walking, and on the way we bumped into just one person, a local fellow that Darlene recognized, carrying his huge bodyboard. He said that the waves were perfect, so he’d gone back home to get his board. He looked at us, gals in streetwear, walking with determination, no beach gear in sight, and asked what we were up to. We told him we were on a search and rescue mission to recover my phone.

He smiled and asked, “Is it a red one?”

(What are the chances?)

“Oh my God!” we both exclaimed simultaneously! “Do you have it?”

“No,” he said, “but I know who does. When I was walking back to get my board, I passed a woman on the beach who was talking on a cell. I overheard her say she was leaving a message to the last person dialed that she had found a red phone in the sand.”

(What are the chances?)

By this time we were on the wooden walkway that leads into the beach, and I asked if he could point her out – “over there, those two gals sitting with the green tent,” he gestured, as he headed for the waves.

And they were quite surprised when I marched up to say, “I understand you may have found my lost cell phone …”

We all laughed, as I told them the story of the synchronicities, and said I wished I had something to offer them in appreciation … and they responded ..”Oh no, we don’t need anything – someday you’ll find someone’s phone and return the favor to them”, smiling, “that’s how it works, you know!”

And even though they had found my phone where I had dropped it, halfway up the beach, these gals were sitting in the exact same spot that Darlene and I had been in, an hour earlier. So even if we hadn’t bumped into the bodyboard guy, that spot is the only place that I would have gone to look.

What are the chances?

Inside the Vortex, they are 1 out of 1.

(Aside, to Arita- I am having such a good time!)

From Arita: All good news

I went shopping for a black skirt and found two.
I not only discovered how to put a weather forecast widget on the A+A website, but also created a countdown widget.
Midpoint Distributors are contracting with us to represent the Santa book.
We have enough peppers from the garden for Mark to make his favorite Italian saute for dinner tonight.
My skinny jeans fit.
I have a new library book to start reading.
I did this funny dance at the bank door with a guy who was trying to hold the door for me, but I ended up holding it for him and we laughed at each other.
The mortgage rate for the refinance went down to 4%
What a ride.
This is the happiest moment of my life, and you are all smack in the middle of it with me.
and then the most expensive flight we scheduled for this year became free with airmiles!!!

From Arita: Police Car

Yesterday in the carpool lane 405 just north of Santa Monica Bl, traffic stops completely and I run into the back of a cop. Yes. You read that right. So, I follow her over to the shoulder and I'm feeling oddly fine, even a little silly. Even my heart is nice and steady. Soon my little Prius is surrounded by three police cars with all their flashing lights. All the drama. All the celebration. Fireworks and balloons would have been nice too.

There was NO damage to either vehicle! And I have photos to prove it. I'm invincible. I knew it!

From Arita: Cash Flow

I have not been accustomed to having someone else clean my house. I am about to be. After considering it as a loving gift to myself for some months, it occurred to me what a gift it would be to both Mark and me, especially when I have been out of town for a while. I could be coming home to a clean house. Imagining that experience thrilled me. I began to look around for the perfect person.

My neighbor across the street became the source for both Juan and his team of guys who work in the yard, and Betty, who begins next Tuesday morning at 8:am.
I didn't know what to expect with the price, and easily agreed to what she quoted. I like her. We talked about several things, none of them having to do with cleaning. Yep, I know she is the one for me.

As soon as I said goodbye to her and sat down at my computer, I saw that a former student needs me next Tuesday for a private lesson. The money he will pay me is exactly what I will be paying to Betty. And it's on the same day. The flow going out opened up the flow coming in. Yeehaw! Feel the rush!

Now where else can I tickle some money along its energetic flow?

Go ahead. Get excited!
Arita

From Tony: Synchronicity

So I was planning to invite my friend Jeff to an event. I was preparing to send him an e-mail, when my friend Julie called. While I was on the phone with Julie, Jeff called and left a message that he thought I had called him. I had NOT called him.

I called Jeff and in passing mentioned the event and he said he would love to go!

For me, this was an AMAZING synchronicity resulting from a cell phone call that was never actually made.

From Arita: Barrettes

I went to pull the comforter up on the bed this morning and noticed that last night Mark threw the extra bed pillows onto my dresser prior to going to bed. We haven’t any protocol as to where to put these pillows so that they are both safe from pet hair and out of our way. As I retrieved them for the bed, I saw that when he put them there he had knocked down an antique vase that I keep on display there. It had belonged to my grandmother.

Damn it! I could feel the anger rise like heat inside me along with a liturgy of past evidence of his carelessness.

I picked it up slowly, fearing a chip in the thin rose glass. And as I brought it upright I heard a jingle like little glass pieces fallen inside it. But . . . no . . . it was a couple of favorite silver hair barrettes I had been missing . . . now found. The vase was fine. My emotions settled and I took a deep breath.

Even though he had already gone to work, I could imagine Mark singing the song he saves for such moments “ I ammmmmmmmmmmm an innocent ma-aa-annnnn! (Billy Joel) His dramatic high notes make me laugh. And as soon as he gets me smiling, he follows with his announcer voice, “C-A, Arita! Crisis averted!” He’s okay, my guy. A little careless sometimes, but – who cares.

What was I thinking when I put my barrettes in there? We are a good match, Mark and I.

From Tara: Business Card

What are the chances that the owner of a new fitness resort, set to open in September, would be hiking on a trail in Malibu and find my business card? I am a Trail Guide, I love being a Trail Guide and I have been looking for more opportunities to lead hikes! SYNCHRONICITY!!!

The owner of the new resort called me and said, “I was just getting ready to place an ad to look for people and I couldn’t ignore the fact that your card jumped out of the dirt at me on the trail”. I am thankful and thrilled that she pays attention to synchronicity.

I’ve been putting myself “out there” lately–really going for it and asking for what I want. I’ve gotten clear on what it is I want and what fills me with passion and fulfillment.

For the last couple of years, I’ve been wanting to get more hikes added to my weekly schedule. Currently, I take residents from a drug & alcohol treatment center on hikes. I absolutely love it, it is my passion–my bliss! So, of course, I want to do more of it and have an effect on more people.

How crazy is it that the owner of a new fitness resort who will be needing people to lead hikes, train clients, teach yoga, meditation, and health classes, found my card while hiking OUT ON THE TRAIL! I can only laugh at the power of desire and placing orders with the Universe. I’ve heard it said before, the Universe does have a sense of humor!

From Arita: Good Times!

When Mark and I took a road trip to Ojai, he said it in the car. "I am having such a good time!" I heard him and knew something amazing had just happened. Mark had made a declaration, and the very making of it had magnified its truthfulness. His good time got bigger. His face grew brighter and his breaths got deeper and he settled into the seat and the day with such satisfaction. I felt giddy with delight.

So I tried it later. "I am having such a good time." And I watched Mark. In addition to all the good things I felt in saying it, I saw him receive the news in two ways. It calmed him as though he had been relieved of any responsibility of making sure I was having a good time. And he also took credit for my having a good time because it happened while I was with him. Talk about a win win win situation!!! What a surprising discovery.

I have never said anything that had a more pleasurable impact on my world. I think I'll say it now, even though I am alone. "I am having such a good time!" Hell YES this works so well. Shivers! - nitric oxide for sure!

From Kim D: Synchronicities

after last wednesday, when i told you guys that one job i expected fell through, i received 4 job offers! made some money working,
and made some fun connections with people at work. i also effortlessly received a sum of money that paid off some of our bills (whew!)
then while i was working and driving, out of the blue, i received two inspired stories for my films or short stories.
a couple days ago, i also received inspired ideas for my work schedule! i'm so excited about my work schedule!
it feels so good and so right and so good for me, this way of working makes total sense to me, and i'm excited about it.
and then a couple days ago, i had the in the vortex impulse to call my
father in law and invite him to visit us! and he is! he bought a plane ticket as soon as he got off the phone.
we're all so excited! we always have fun as a family.
next week, the three of us will be going on a fabulous wine-tasting trip to santa barbara, we're also gonna cook some great meals,
and go on a fun trip to visit my family in San Francisco and friends in Santa Cruz! yay! (obviously had that original job remained i couldn't have done all this)
i'm so happy with all the results. it's amazing! i love it when supposedly "bad" things happen,
because amazing good things happen right after!

From Tony: Parking

I was just about to put money in the parking machine at Rose and Main in Samo.

A man was walking to his car which was parked just outside of the metered parking lot.

He called to me and said, "Park here, it's free, pull your car around and I will wait here".

He waited and I parked with a heart full of appreciation!

From Bill: My Vortex Brainstorm

Over the past two months I've been consciously committed to getting in and getting back in and staying in my Vortex. And I very much appreciate the feedback and support I get from Tony and my Wed nite Abe group friends. I've come to believe, that for me, this is the way to go. Sometimes it's easier to be in the Vortex than other times, and a couple of days ago I awoke fretting more than I have been. So, I sat down, and treated myself to a Vortex Brainstorm:

Be in the Vortex
Stay in the Vortex
OK to stay in the Vortex
Better to stay in the Vortex
I'm getting paid for being in the Vortex ( thanks Yaki )
I like myself when I'm in the Vortex
Others like me when I'm in the Vortex
I'm kinder when I'm in the Vortex
I'm more approachable when I'm in the Vortex
Everything seems easier when I'm in the Vortex
I'm less afraid when I'm in the Vortex
I'm bolder when I'm in the Vortex
I'm more trusting when I'm in the Vortex
I'm not stuck in my past when I'm in the Vortex
I'm more relaxed when I'm in the Vortex
I'm less anxious when I'm in the Vortex
I don't sell myself out when I'm in the Vortex
I feel healthier when I'm in the Vortex
I feel less urgency when I'm in the Vortex
My expectations are greater when I'm in the Vortex
I think about things differently when I'm in the Vortex
- the best part is that I don't think think think too much when I'm in the Vortex

From Richard: Money

Was skateboarding home from whole foods and found $100 bill on the street yesterday.

From Yaki: Birds

Birds, Birds, Birds

When I moved into my new place I was really delighted when I realized I could hear the birds playing near my window every morning. I've really been enjoying this wonderful thing to appreciate. My attention to this newly awakened interest has brought me so much joy. I started to appreciate the magnificent colors of the birds.

Beautiful birds seem to be zigging and zagging to make their way into my experience. While attending the Vortex meetup in LA the room was covered in framed photographs of birds, beautiful birds. There was even a book on birds just beneath my natural eye gaze on the coffee table. So much to appreciate.

Shortly after my time in L.A I returned home to start my summer school class. The class is on campus in a building I've never been in previously. Can you guess what happens next?

The walls and hallways are completely filled with a huge variety of wonderful, beautiful, delightful birds.

From Yaki: Lilies for Laura

I was house sitting for my professors of communication courses at Humboldt State University on Mother’s day weekend this year. I was thrilled to do it. The first day of house sitting I noticed the flowers on Laura’s desk where dying so I visualized replacing them with new fresh one’s she could come home to.

Her home is very close to downtown Eureka where so many of my favorite coffee shops and galleries are. I really milked the opportunity of being in a home close to all the things I enjoy doing. I walked around town and impulsively stopped at my friend Naj’s shop in town. Just at the moment I showed up he rushes up to me handing me a coupon given by the city. The coupon was for a free bouquet of flowers donated to the city from a local farm for Mother’s day.

I was delighted to see the almost instant (2 day) manifestation of seeing new flowers on my teacher’s desk and then aligning with the cooperative components that matched my vibrational reality. It was so enjoyable to milk the experience of aligning with flowers that matched perfectly with the colors of the room. These lilies were so beautiful I was certain Laura would be so happy. That thought magnified the joy I was feeling.

A truly amazing S&D moment.

From Tony: Happy Kids

I was sitting on my favorite bench at Mar Vista Park, in front of the flowers you see in the photo.

As I was meditating, a group of kids came for an award ceremony. To my delight, I heard the coach say, it's appreciation time. Then he said, "yay Billy" then everyone yelled back, "yay Billy" followed by happy clapping and cheers. This was repeated many times with different names!

Appreciation and Yay are two of my favorite words!!!

I was so delighted that I was meditating, in my favorite park, on a gorgeous day, in front of beautiful flowers, on my favorite bench, listening to outrageously happy kids yelling yay and laughing and clapping while appreciating each other.

From Yaki: Artwork

While visiting with my friend Nathan a few days ago he suggested I bring in some of my Art work to hang in the coffee shop. The timing was wonderful just 2 days before Saturday's Art's Alive. My work is hanging in the conference room where I host the meet up group for the Vortex. Imagine I am in the Vortex group looking at my Art hang on the walls. Man I am feeling so delighted to have cooperative components all around.

Photo is of
Nathan (friend/shop owner) and my art in the background
Vortex Group and my art work

From Tony: Lola

I was walking and stopped to sit on a rock near the Truckee river when a beautiful golden retriever came to visit me.

A few moments later I heard a woman calling, "Lola".

I used to call my "universal manager" Gustafson, then, I changed it to Lola, since it reminder me of LOA and Big Mama.

So, having this sweet Lola come and visit with me was a surprise and delight moment!

From Tony: Sandwich

I am in Tahoe on a walk, and get an urge to walk down a side street.

Way down the road is a tiny natural food market. Only a tiny sign not visible from where I was walking.

I venture in, and am delighted to find one sandwich left. I scoop it up and sit outside and devour it. It was pure nirvana. I thanked the owner with remnants of his delicious creation dangling from my chin!

From Tony: Coffee machine

So, I am having a lovely drive to Lake Tahoe from LA. I pull over at a remote rest stop to meditate and stretch. I enjoy a good meditation and open my eyes to the rising sun.

I think to myself, the only thing that would make this experience complete would be a nice cup of coffee...

As I am walking back from the loo, I get the impulse to walk back a different way, and see a coffee vending machine!!!!!!! It is off by itself not anywhere near the other machines. This is remarkable because:

1. I have NEVER seen a coffee machine at a rest stop.

2. I absolutely ADORE the taste of vending machine coffee, it tastes better to me than any other kind, except airplane coffee!

I get into the car and savor the moment.

From Arita: Parking Lot Magic

I thought the parking space was terrific for my little Prius, right there in a little spot of shade close to the store. My kind of parking lot magic! Yes.

But when I finished my shopping, I found that a large SUV had parked on the left at an angle, making it a bit of a squeeze. And on the other side, I was just one vehicle from a steady stream of traffic turning and passing.

I unloaded my cart, got into the car and rolled down the windows for a breath of cooler air. As I looked to my right, I saw a silly grin aimed right at me. The driver had just climbed into his SUV. He lit a cigarette and offered to let me back out first with a gentlemanly gesture. Then, considering the situation from his higher advantage, he gently suggested that I might have more wiggle room if he pulled out first instead. Just after he did, another driver in a big-ass truck came barreling around the corner. He rocked to a halt, backed up to stop traffic and proceeded to help me by signaling how much room I had. Other shoppers with carts stopped and waited. It didn't take long . . . but it seemed to take a village.

As I left, there were waves and smiles all around. Moving out of the lot and onto the street, I had the idea that perhaps it would be better to park somewhere else next time - - - and quickly regained my senses. Ha! Why would I want to miss out on all that happy attention, all those solutions, all that generosity and joy?

I delight in my tight spots. Why, there's a surprising world of sweetness in there. It's my new favorite parking lot magic!

From Kim D: Why popo is a stinker

a couple nights ago at around 1 am my husband and i were exhausted from the day. we got in bed and was ready to fall asleep,
when suddenly there was a loud buzzing sound at the window next to our bed. it was a cranefly buzzing about above us. of course
neither of us wanted to get up, and since i'm afraid to kill anything, he's in charge of killing pesky things but this time he said
he's too tired to get up to do it. the buzzing was getting loud, it was becoming comedy. then he said jokingly to Popo our cat, why don't you do something useful?
and at that magical moment, Popo walks in from the doorway jumps on our bed and onto the window sill, with fiery paws, and an acrobatic dance
she catches the cranefly (buzzing sound stops hurray) and she eats it!

silence is golden, we laughed at the instant solution to a problem. cool. slept great after that!
this is only one aspect we love so much about Popo, she has a great personality, very laid back and yet she can get fiercely fiery when she wants to.

From Tony: Sweet Pea

This is my dear friend of 12 years, Sweet Pea. He is a dapper chap, always perfectly groomed with ever feather in place! He loves crackers and sits with me while I do my e-mail. He IS a Surprise and Delight Moment!

From Yaki: Mangosteen

Recently, the Humboldt Vortex group has engaged in an active group scripting process where we tell the story the way we want it for the larger community. It’s super fun. Our community is full of fruit trees, community gardens, aligned politicians, and so much more. While in our meetup Denis mentioned something about a biofeedback clinic in our community that was really helping people go downstream and release resistance.

About 20 minutes after our meet up my friend Susan and I walked to the water to admire the seals. They were so beautiful looking and sounding. We wanted to get closer so we got in the car and drove under the bride to get to the docks that were on the other side of where we were.

As soon as we made it to other side we both had a laugh, realizing that we “instantly manifested” ourselves to the other side of the water closer to the seals. We were really spinning. We had a grand time checking out the fisherman, seals, and boats. Just before we left I stopped in to ask the security of the docks a question. That question lead into a conversation where we learned more about Jimmy.

He pulls out a business card and asks us if we have ever heard of biofeedback? Susan and I immediately look at each other recognizing that the topic of biofeedback was activated just hours ago. {S&D} The card had a picture of a Mangosteen on it. I’ve never heard of this fruit and so we began talking about the fruit for a while.

The next day a few of the members of the Humboldt Vortex group gathered to watch the Abraham ‘Telling a New Story’ dvd at Erin’s house. Erin has the most amazing house in Trinidad overlooking the water. We couldn’t help but spin in appreciation to be there.

As I am leaving I notice Erin handed two canned goods to Susan. Erin without knowing about the conversation we had with Jimmy gives Susan two cans she is wanting to get rid of which happen to be mangosteen. It was a powerful chain of attraction.

We held the space for Denise’s vision of biofeedback, we run into Jimmy who tells us of his work in biofeedback, he hands us a card with the image of a mangosteen which I never even heard of. Then the next day Erin gives away two cans of Mangosteen to Susan who then gives one to me.

Lightly activating something in my vibration with no resistance brought more of it immediately into my experience. The law of attraction is amazing….

From Arita: Stepping Out

Yesterday I went to a callback for a commercial. The wardrobe rule for this kind of event is to wear exactly the same outfit that was worn to the first audition. The folks who are casting want to see “that woman in the blue shirt”, or so we’ve been told. There are actors who keep a journal of what they wear to auditions for this very reason.

This was easy for me, because it was already one of my new favorite outfits: skinny dark gray pants, collared blue shirt with the sleeves rolled to 3/4, blue/silver earrings and my thrift store delight – embroidered dark blue leather heels from Spain. All comfortable, all fun. So, I pressed the shirt and went to the closet for my heels when I saw my pink Crocs with the red cross-straps. They spoke to me. I thought, “Well, I’ll probably be standing behind that table like I was in the first audition, so it doesn’t really matter.” I even changed my earrings to the little pink and blue ones.

There were three of us grouped for the callback, and I was impressed with the looks and talent of my colleagues. They were easy to love – smart, funny, and beautiful. We went in and did our pantomimed routine at the table (cooking together). The producer asked about our cooking skills in real life. Once again I was impressed by my fellow actors. Then he asked if we had any special physical talents. One was a yoga instructor/master and the other was an X-game cyclist on the weekends. “I – uh – I - uh – hike?” hmmmm. Then I was surprised to hear myself say “I can dance like Ellen.” “What?” “I can dance like Ellen Degeneres.” “Can you show us what that looks like.”

I stepped out from behind the table, and without hesitation broke into a kind of funky chicken/walk-like-an-Egyptian romp of joyful delight that was a huge hit! I was amazed at how much happy music was right there in my head. Where did it all come from? I hadn’t seen Ellen do her dance in years (love it and her – but I’m not a daytime television person).

For someone who lived the first major portion of her life being shy, I am so glad to know the freedom to play with strangers now. And I have a new skill-set for my resume. I really can dance like Ellen.

Maybe it was just the shoes.

From Yaki: Mistaken Reality Moment

A few nights ago I was scripting plans for a new club I hope to start on my college campus. I only provided details that felt good and easy for me to imagine. I scripted: interested club members, community support, media interest in our successful methods of uplifting the community. As a result of this magnificent club I’ve scripted I was awarded scholarships. Scholarships I imagined myself using in many joyful ways. I didn’t write much but the things I scripted really lit me up.

The next morning I paid a visit to my facebook page and noticed my Communication Department Page posted a video of the award ceremony for the department. My interest in this video leads me to the FB page where I saw my name listed next to the DON KARSHNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP. I was really surprised to learn of this award. I spoke to my advisor the day before and he never mentioned a word. The news was really “out of nowhere”. I do a little research to see how much and why they offer the scholarship.

I am having a blast feeling abundant. I call my advisor Jay to get details. Jay realizes he made an error when he posted the facebook update of award recipients. I was not actually the winner of this scholarship it was a friend Kristina. Jay is so embarrassed he begins to explains when writing the facebook post was CERTAIN I was in fact the recipient. His belief that I was the recipient didn’t end with the posting of my name. He even remembered speaking to me about winning the day before.

We did in fact meet the day before but we had not discussed this award. I couldn’t help but laugh almost to literal tears. I was playing jump rope with my Vortex, In and Out. Within a few moments I remembered that I scripted this scholarship from within my Vortex and the evidence was rushing into my experience.

Seeing my name listed as the recipient of the scholarship was the universes way of giving me a dairy cow and a bucket for milking. I laughed and I am still laughing. Vibrational reality can be just as good as the manifested physical reality and eventually the two become one in the same.

From Arita: A clean start

I woke up this morning to a sink full of dirty dishes – the plastic and pots and random pieces that don’t go in the dishwasher. They had gathered and multiplied until I couldn’t get in to fill up the coffee reservoir. Obviously it was time to wash some dishes. (BTW – this is a task that my husband typically does. He likes it. When he doesn’t, well . . . then I do it.)
One of the results of this kind of accumulation is that stains can sit and set undetected under the dirty dishes. I have an old white porcelain sink, and the sight of that newly emptied sink was a little distressing. My first reaction was that I was missed having the old Comet or Ajax that I used years ago. It would have been a quick fix, even though my hands and sinuses are not fond of the bleach. Alas, even after all those intentional choices to surround myself with a more eco-friendly environment, I could still long for a chemical “magic pill”.
Then I got inspired. I reached under the sink for the bottle of hydrogen peroxide and sprayed the sink. I then put a squirt of dishwashing liquid from Trader Joe’s on my sponge/scrubber and had fun. It has tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract, which makes it anti-fungal, antiviral and antibacterial. The pot marks and gunk around the drain, as well as the stains from emptied coffee cups, all vanished. I didn’t even have to use the soda for a scrub. Sweet.
Then I realized that my laundry whites have been as white as ever since I started adding oxygen cleaner and soda to soften the hard Los Angeles water (I even put some soda in the dishwasher). I make sure it dissolves thoroughly in a separate container before adding it to the pre-wash soak.
Why – I’m doing really well without the caustic chemical sprays and powders. And my hands are happy. And my sinuses are too! Wow – my sinuses have been healthy and happy for a long time. I’m making some really cool strides in this adventure and it’s lots of fun.

From Yaki: Happy Mug

7 months ago I was at a coffee shop, my favorite coffee shop Has Beans in Eureka. A man came in with an amazing ceramic mug that was in the shape of a crow. I absolutely loved the concept of having a mug take the shape of something such as an animal. I imagined the animal I would like having.

I went to my mama’s house for break and she bought me a coffee cup that’s handle was in the shape of an elephant trunk. The trunk merges into the cup, which is painted like an elephant. I loved this mug I imagined how cool it would be to take my cup with me to the coffee shop.

I left the mug at my mom’s and forgot all about it. I loved the cup but already I was refining my preferences for the right coffee mug. I wanted something FUN, HANDMADE, and unique. I wasn’t going to look for it b/c it’s easier to just imagine it then do something about it. LOL

Today, I made a spontaneous visit to my school adviser. He had good news for me, that good news leads me to the Clubs Office’s on campus. As I am walking back from the office I pass a table of ceramics, made by Humboldt State students. My interest is peaked so I stop by. I walk up and POW the first thing I see is this face looking back at me, the face was the mug.

In one unexpected surprise and delight moment I found something WAY BETTER than I originally envisioned and it satisfied all of my preferences. It’s fun, handmade, and literally one of kind.

Every time I look at this silly face I laugh out loud and rejoice in the fairness of law of attraction. This mug rocks.

From Yaki: Vocal Delights

My universal manager continues to meet ALL my expectations, delighting me with the evidence of universal laws in action. My creation box feels so magical that I make it a point to visit so I can bask in all that’s on its way. I was milking and appreciating when I came across an image of a woman singing. Her expression is one of relief and joy. The image was so easy to appreciate I immediately placed it in my Vortex journal.

Within THREE hours of putting this image in my Vortex/Appreciation journal I received an email from Cindee Grace inviting me to check out her website and letting me know of her interest in the Humboldt Vortex Group. I go to the website and to my surprise and delight, Cindee is a Voice instructor who writes songs and teaches many instruments including voice.

This matching and aligning of vibration is so exciting. My desires are coalescing in many cases instantly. I am starting to spend more and more time living in my vibrational reality. It’s so fun to live in a place where anything you want is already there waiting for you.

From Andrea: Driftwood

I am on an e-mail list that sends out all kinds of entertainment industry stuff (from back in the day when I worked in feature film Visual Effects.) Anyway, one of the announcements I get a lot is that "Dennis Quaid and the Sharks" is playing somewhere in town. When I used to get those particular e-mail announcements, I would roll my eyes, and wonder what the heck Dennis Quaid was doing being in a band, when he is an actor??? But then, suddenly, as soon as I entered the Next Top Author competition, I saw those announcements in a completely new light - as driftwood!

Now, every time I see those particular announcements, I see it as a message from the Universe that says:
"Keep going!"
"Keep putting yourself out there"
"Keep doing what you love just because you love doing it!"
"Don't worry about who likes it and who doesn't - the Universe is a BIG BIG place!"
"Keep doing what gives you joy"
"Keep going, you are on the right track!"
"YOU CAN DO IT!"

If Dennis Quaid can become a rock star, then I can become a successfully published and nationally recognized Law of Attraction author!! ...And, I just got another one of those e-mail announcements today, on the last day of the first round of the book competition, at exactly the same time that I got that great e-mail from Julie saying 364 people had clicked on her Twitter link to vote for me! Kizmit. Better yet, alignment! Ahhhhhh.

From Rich: Out of gas.

Literally. This is a surprise and delight moment.
Driving south on Centinela by the Santa Monica Airport and my car starts acting funny sputtering.
I look over and I've run out of gas. Haven't really been paying attention or gotten used to the new gauge in my new car.
So I'm kind of at the top of a hill, and at the bottom of the hill is a gas station.
I coasted down the hill.
The Gas station is in the south east corner, so I had to make a left to get into the gas station and the car coasted into the middle of the intersection ready to turn and then cause of traffic I had to brake.
So I'm blocking the intersection and it bugged some people, but some rather then just get annoyed opened their windows to inquire, and smiling I said ran out of gas, which the humor given that the gas station was right there wasn't lost on anybody willing to find out, and it lightened their annoyance of me in the middle of an intersection.
After one go through of the light someone pulled over and came out to help me push it into the gas station. It was so easy I was laughing the entire time I was pumping the gas.

From Kim D.: My lovable furball stinker!!

From Arita: Look at Me!

Early this morning I was hiking a trail new to me - Placerita Canyon - with a new friend. Her husband hooked us up when he saw on FaceBook that I hiked. LOL
We are just finishing a deliciously cool 5+ mile hike to a waterfall and back when this Western Tanager surprised me. I'm, busy chattering away, not looking for anything, just having a swell time, when HELLO he swooped right in front of me and up into the tree ahead. He caught my eye and stopped my in my tracks with his brilliant yellow and red plumage. My two favorite colors! What a SHOW. What a SHOW OFF!
--
Go ahead. Get excited!
Arita

From Yaki: Super 77 Multipurpose Adhesive

The Vortex is hands down the place to be. I am sitting around visiting with my friend Renee. She’s working on her sister’s wedding invitations, playing around with some ideas, having a good time, and hanging out in her Vortex. I am excited to watch her creative process; I am inspired to new ideas of future projects. I am learning from a professional graphic designer and teacher. I really enjoy watching her work. It is a real treat.

Renee realizes she needs an adhesive spray to complete the project. In the moment she was writing it down on her shopping list I was thinking of a can of Purple spray adhesive I had in the trunk of my car.

I brought out the glue from the bag, that I impulsively placed in the car the night before. Super 77 Multipurpose Adhesive

To her great surprise and delight the purple spray was exactly what she needed. The moment she went to write it down on her to buy list, it manifested. Amazing Vortex moment.

From Arita: Bobcat

Mark and I went for a hike Saturday morning at Franklin Canyon. I picked some trails off the road around the lake because I am always ready to see wildlife. As I walked in front of Mark on the narrow trail, I coached him on walking quietly. We played with various made-up signals that I could give him as he followed me. We were having fun.

We got part way up the main climb and I felt like turning back. "No reason - it's just the right time," I said. Mark wanted to walk back on the road. Even though there are occasional cars, it is still a gorgeous walk. I said "Well, if any wild animals want to visit me, they'll just have to come down to the road."

We chatted and walked along side by side - careless of the noises we were making. I like that word "care-less". Then Mark saw him first! "Is that a dog?" he asked as our friend darted ahead of us on the road. "No - it's a cat. Oh my god! It's a bobcat!" The bobcat stopped in the road and turned and looked at us. He had come this far and seemed unsure as to where to go next. He took a moment and then turned in the road and doubled back into the bog on the side. He had obviously accomplished his mission. He came to see us!

A guy coming onto the road from a path near the bog saw him and was startled. He said something about "dangerous". I had not felt any concern about safety. I had just felt special!
We stopped at the ranger station to report our visit and the ranger was amazed, both at the sighting and at the location.
Fun times!

From Arita: Two Weeks

My wonderful architect daughter, Alexa, loves all things sustainable.
She applied to work at only one firm in Philadlephia the Spring of her
graduating year, and was given a job there even before she graduated.
SMP is a small, tight-knit, open room firm (around 12). A few months
ago she was laid off. She stayed happy. She said she had so many
friends who had not even found work after school, and many others who
had lost theirs, that she had been curious what it felt like. “Now I
know.” She appreciated the free time to plan for her wedding.

Within a week she was loaned out to a large 200 person firm, on an
hourly basis, and ended up with lots of overtime and good money. One
of the partners heard her suggestions at meetings and took her under
his wing. However – the work itself was not inspiring to Alexa. It
felt boring. She was unhappy and this big company was old school,
non-sustainable, cubicle work. She felt surrounded by misery.

Yesterday she told me she had lost her will to live. She wanted to
give her two-week notice. I said – “Go for it”. I reminded that
everything is temporary, and that since her first job at 16, she has
always been able to get work. She is a money-making magnet. And I
started talking about how much good attention she had received through
her new boss – getting to have authority over people who had been
there much longer, how she was bold enough to ignore the “rules” about
telephones and emails while those around her felt robbed of their
freedom. I told her that since every moment was just another part of
her good, that it made sense to me that she enjoys a turn at being the
odd child in an old-man industry who shook things up a bit. I told her
that she carried joy with her. I suggested a list of positive aspects
in order to milk the situation of all its good before she left.

She called me this morning to tell me that as she walked out the door
to work this morning she told her fiancé about her list of positive
aspects. She intention was to ONLY appreciate her situation. When she
got to work, she received a call from SMP asking her if she would come
back. They had more work and they wanted her back on the Children’s
Zoo project. They were ready to give Ballinger “two-weeks notice” if
that was alright with her.

What a happy surprise! To just barely begin to appreciate things as
they are and the Universe give notice. Her boss at Ballinger
apologized that they hadn’t given her work that was more engaging. He
said that it “hurt” for her to leave, and that if she ever wanted a
job, it was hers. I know that this contact was only one part of the
wonderFUL and delightFUL dance of success that is my Alexa!

From Yaki: Oodles of Men

I love the Universe. This Friday I met with my local Vortex group where we spend our time scripting, appreciating, and staying in the Vortex. Erin from the group told us of a mural she made of handsome men. She’d clip pictures of hunky men and then post them to this mural (board). The idea of good-looking men really sucked us deeper into our Vortex and we all played off the energy of many hunky men. We talked about all the half nude men we’d hire to wait on us at this magical party that I am hosting. We visualized and milked all the details of what these men would look like. Within MINUTES two unusually hunky men walked by the window of the coffee house conference room. We were lifted and delighted because we knew we were responsible for drawing these hotties to the coffee house. When we concluded the meet up we walked out of the conference room into the main coffee house and were delighted to see all the patrons were handsome men. ALL day long I saw hunky men who gave me yet another thing to appreciate. Talk about seeing the world with new eyes. We lightly activated the vibration of handsome men and within minutes the evidence was abundantly manifesting before our eyes. YAY for hunky men……

From Kim: The power of art

My husband is a rock musician but is affiliated with this world renown Jazz
musician who played with his quintet last night in the Valley. This man
is in his early 70's and has devoted his life and talents to his music for over 50 years
in Europe and the US, so it was quite an honor to meet him after the show.
for me it was almost an instant recognition and mutual appreciation.
But what really surprised and delighted me was when he was soloing on stage
there was an unexpected moment where i literally felt tears welling up, my heart lightening up and warming up,
an exhilarating energy pulsing through me as i was feeling the music; this incredible man's incredible musicianship.
it was delicious and beautiful to behold. it reminded me of the power of art, and that what i do, what my husband
is doing, is just so damn right.

From Arita: Windows

This bush is blooming next to my driveway, and when I get into the car
to leave it is right there on my left. Sometimes the way the colors
change from bud to blast are so surprising - so utterly delightful -
that I can't go anywhere for a while. It feels like I'm already there.
I sit and look at them.

I remember placing my order for that moment. I said "I want a yard
that has delightful views from every window". I didn't know that the
universe would include my car window!

From Tony: The Umbrella Caper!

Today I met Chris for lunch and we got to try and share our new huge umbrella. He being short and me taller, in addition to the wind blowing sideways made it impossible for us to stay under it at the same time. It was HYSTERICAL!!! We were laughing so hard that we got absolutely soaked from head to toe. What unexpected FUN!

From Christina: Realization

Amazing joyfilled gut realization this morning!!! Was driving on Ocean and really felt the AWESOME feeling of utter peace and bliss as I am a soul living in the momet with no past regrets, hurts... blah,blah,blah.....or future worries, concerns....blah, blah,blah...how liberating to be in the pureness of the moment....my soul is soaring.....................................................................................................

From Tony: My friend Murry

I have a daily re-occurring Surprise and Delight Moment!

There is a glorious palm tree that I can see when I look out of my bedroom and living room windows. His name is Murry. I have watched him grow tall, he towers above the entire neighborhood. He has the most beautiful straight and majestic trunk. His fronds are luxurious and shimmer and waive in the breeze. He exudes joy and vitality.

Every morning and evening, I waive to him and he waives back. Sometimes I sit in a chair and look at him, it fills me with such joy! When I go for a walk, I stop and touch him. When I am walking home and first see him, I greet him and speak to him.

He reminds me that All Is Well, he makes my heart sing!

From Kim: Breakthrough

I've recently had a breakthrough with my acting career.
I just got offered to be managed. I'm partnered up with a personal manager who believes in me and my work,
my vision, and future, we work very well together. we are going to have such a blast being
partners in this journey. It's a fun game for us. It's so exhilarating to have someone i love and trust to bounce
ideas off of, to grow with, and so refreshing because it feels like progress, the next logical step.
I'm thrilled by the path that we are on and all that's coming, and to
share my life's work with someone who truly gets it, one who also sees the greater picture.
I'm so appreciative of this partnership, it's a true gem, and it happened so easily so effortlessly
and felt so exciting. i feel like many doors are opening.
this is a wonderful, mutually beneficial partnership
for a long happy successful career ahead!
yahoooo! blissing out.

From Tony: A huge shift!

I had a very powerful moment on my walk today! I was walking very happily along, and I heard someone walk past me. It was then that I realized that I was looking up at the trees most of the way.

This is a major shift for me! My balance has be steadily improving, but this is a large shift. For the past five years I had to keep my head looking straight ahead or I would loose balance and get a close up view of the sidewalk. I could move my head from side to side a bit, but looking up and walking at the same time was not possible.

What a delightful and profound S & D moment to find myself with my head in the trees! I remember that I was so touched at how beautiful they were, no two the same. I had such a desire too see the trees, that I forgot my "limitation".

The rest of my walk home I spent enjoying the trees!!!

From Yaki: Creation Box

All is perfect in the world from within the Vortex. Today I traveled to an amazingly exotic place; my creation box. Last year I started the Abraham calendar where I learned of Abraham’s creation box. A box where I could put any representation of desires I have, newspaper clippings, awesome post cards, ads from catalogs, letters to source, etc.

I prepared my environment; turning on some Abe, kicking my shoes off, I peeled the top off and dived into deliberate creations past. I was instantly delighted to see Thailand, China, wondrous gardens, redwood tress, cool electronics, powerful crystals, moving boxes, kayakers, massages and so many other magically delicious things. One by one I was swept by waves of delight as I realized that these are all things have ALREADY manifested.

I placed these images in my box because they felt good, I let go of wanting to know what actions steps I needed to make them happen and to my amazing delight I realized they just came to me without ANY action steps.

Drawing forth the crystals was a very fun experience that lights me up every time I think of it. My mother and I went to Quartzite, to buy colorful beads, because combing color is fun. At the end of the day we returned to our car and I had an impulse to go into a shop that seemed to be closing up. I am so happy I did, the vibration of the room was electric. In every corner of my eye I could see the most amazing and colorful stones.

I spotted what felt like a family of quartz and knew I wanted them to come home with me. I set a price in my mind of what I’d be willing to pay for it and found someone who could give me the price.

The price was so good I swear it was free. I ended up with so many amazing crystals and all for less than what I wanted to spend on the first one. I love getting what I want the way I want it. And so today I found the image of a table full of crystals I placed in my box previous to my lining up with it.

Every item I placed in my box came to me in a way that was delicious, enjoyable, and easy. Can’t wait to add more to my box…..

From Arita: Three things

"Tell me three things." When Mark and I have climbed into bed, he is usually the first to say it. It is a device of his creation. So, when he asks I begin by relating an event or moment in the day that I appreciate. It can be a brief description or a longer tale (no rules) and it ends with "and that's my #1". Then it is Mark's turn. Sometimes the event was one that the other witnessed, now seen from the other's point of view. Even when it is not, by the time we have both said "and that's my #3," each is now a part of the others happiest moments. And the last thoughts of the day are of good times now shared. Sometimes we can't stop with just three. Ending the day with appreciation. A perfect way to ease into dream time.

From Kim D: A Cat

yesterday my husband and i impulsively came up with the idea of having a cat.
we thought it would be so wonderful to have one. then i went on craigslist
for fun and saw a picture of this one calico cat and instantly fell in love with it.
the owner brought her to us today and we confirmed it was truly love at first sight.
she has such a great personality and cuter than anything in the world.
we are so thrilled to have a new buddy in our home!
we will pick her up when we get back from NY. the previous owner is so happy
that we are adopting her that she even offered to pay for all her food and expenses!
and giving us all the cat setup amenities!
we are thrilled to leave for our trip tomorrow and thrilled to come back from our trip!
can't wait to play with our new buddy when we get back next week!! ha!
it just feels like a continuous flow of eager joyous fun things to look forward to!

From Chris: Root beer

I was enjoying my day at work, when all of a sudden, I remembered that Tony had bought some root beer for me and that it was in the trunk.

I started to smile from ear to ear as I thought of drinking it. When I walked past a colleague on my way to the parking lot, she said, "you sure seem happy" ...and I was!

From Tony: A "Whale" of a time.

I was sitting with my dear friends Torsten and Ariana in the sand by the ocean in Santa Monica, having one of our fabulous conversations, whilst looking for dolphins in the water.

We saw a life guard boat and several surfers in a semi circle looking at something in the water, just then a 60 ft. gray whale breached the water!! It was a profoundly joyful moment! Torsten leaped up and was jumping up and down with delight!

We spoke to one of the surfers, who was near the pod of three whales. He said that in 40 years of surfing on this beach, he never experienced a whale breaching that close to shore. He said the whale lifted its head out of the water, and he could see the huge eyes looking all around, at all of us.

It was a truly exquisite Surprise and Delight Moment!

From Arita: FOUND - one wallet.

Mark was going to visit a music store yesterday afternoon when he couldn't find his wallet.

We thought we had become smarter than this problem which used to occur frequently because the bulk of the wallet was uncomfortable to sit on. It would frequently find its way into a different pocket or even onto his lap while Mark was driving. Los Angeles has wonderfully kind people living here. Mark has been called more than once by someone who has found his wallet and wanted to return it. It was always full of money and credit cards every time it found its way home. So, I cleverly gave Mark a business-card holder of mine that is soft leather and small. In it he put only a couple of bills, his DL and maybe two credit cards. It was so comfortable in his back pocket that he even "lost" it a couple of times because he didn't feel it there! LOL!

Well, yesterday we began the search. We checked every pair of pants he had worn, shirt pocket and chair, the nasty places around the cushions of the sofa (gotta vacuum that out!), my car, his car and even called the coffee shop, spiritual center and grocery we had visited last. Mark wasn't sure whether he had only the credit card in his pocket during those purchases or the wallet, since those occasionally become detached as well. Ahhhh. We did all we could think of and finally Mark set off to go shopping with his Tennessee license and had fun.

I called Mark while he was shopping to apologize for having been unpleasant earlier, since I felt that my icky energy had contributed to the chaos that followed. We got sweet again. I remembered that success in anything is not about the "right method" or even the "right choice" but about being happy.

Later we went to watch a movie and there was his wallet (which we had forgotten about) lying on the sofa in the middle of the seat cushion. Jaco has been lying on it earlier when we made our search! Sweet Surprise! I love my life.