This is the year for deep alignment and truth.  As we ascend the ladder of evolution, truth reveals the powerful, light filled beings we are.  E&J’s cash experiment has inspired many.  Here is one story.

“The longing …

As I remove myself from my habits I notice how some bring me joy, others don’t, some actually bring misery in the form of anxiety and restlessness. Fortunately there are not too many of those, yet they gnaw at me like a mouse chewing, chewing and never able to quite bite into it.

E&J’s 2010 life exercise of finding a better way inspired me to open up about one particular habit that I will kick in the “derriere” and do so publicly. Why in public? Because it seems that I need a witness, for I have tried and failed. So, enough of introductions.

I like to shop, I like to look for bargains, and I like how it makes me feel, this has created debt. It doesn’t matter if it is small or big debt, it’s spending money that I don’t have, and this brings anxiety, not to mention worry of how I will pay for it, crazy behavior. The cherry of this pie is that I like to use a handbag that I’ve had for nine years, and there are very few clothes that I actually wear, so most of what I buy I give away. Conclusion, I have a longing, I am looking for an experience, it is not about what I buy. What I have noticed is that when I really need a pair of shoes or a sweater, I usually find them and at a great price, for that need is aligned with the rest of me, the rest of life (it sounds crazy, but I have lived this).

So, I decided that in 2010 I will not go shopping once, that’s right, not one single time. I have everything that I need for all kinds of weather. I do need a pair of short boots, which I will look for today (I have a 30% discount coupon that is good till today), and my hiking boots have a hole. Those will be the two items that I will purchase for myself this year, and every month I will make my debt smaller, until it is payed off.

I will keep you posted on how I deal with this dragon of many heads.”

Do you have an experiment? Do you want to share? Send me an e-mail and I will post it.

I am listening …

When we take stock of our lives and face the truth, magical things can happen, things like feeling alive, aligned and connected. Following is the experience of one couple who said enough is enough, they want to live life differently and they are starting now.  They are calling this year “The Cash Experiment”.  The note below is self-explanatory. I will give you updates as I receive them.  Good luck E&J! I am cheering for your success!

“It is a new year and my husband and I did the scariest thing that either one of us has ever done…we cut up our credit cards…all of them.  How did we get to this point?  What is this point?  It is the point where you realize how desperate you are.  It is the point where you realize in an instant that you want to make each other the priority of your life and not all that other stuff.  It is the point where you realize that you can only afford your life barely.  I love my husband and he loves me.  In order for this to work we have to do this together.  We have to hold each other tight.

We have been a fan of radio host Dave Ramsay for a long time.  We thought we were smarter.  We thought that if we looked at percentage rates and income ratios that we could handle the debt.  What we realized was that we had crutches, credit cards, saving graces.  We realized that we had no idea how much we were spending or how much we could contribute to debt. 

So, this is the challenge.  We have decided how much we can spend for food and extras.  This will be allocated in cash at the beginning of the month.  There is NO OTHER SPENDING.  My hope is that this continues to bring us closer as husband and wife.  The other hope is that life will become easier.   Our lives are crazy.   I can only hope to share a portion of the craziness and happiness through these thoughts.  As we share our thoughts I will share more about our lives.

Those who are discouraged and scared…it’s ok.  I am there, too.  I am there.  I am there.  I will…we will succeed!”

What do you need to take stock of?

I am listening …

Once excellent service has been provided, the single biggest reason for losing a customer is lack of follow up. 

I hear it all the time as a realtor… “he never called back”, “she said she was going to do such and such and did not”, “I asked for information but never got it”, “I mentioned liking this area but the realtor did not pick up on it”, “the realtor that sold us the house two years ago never kept in touch so that is why we called you–got your name from a flier we received”, etc. 

Think about the business or service you offer.  Where can you tighten your follow up with current clients and your total customer base?  What would be the most effective method — e-mail, phone call, mailing? 

I am listening …

How is your list for Working Soulfully in 2010 coming along?

Reminder:  it does not have to be long, it does not have to be sophisticated, and it does not have to please anyone.  

I am listening …

An artist friend of mine is a famous painter.  He is in search of the perfect painting, it’s an obsession.  While striving and reaching for perfection he has painted many beautiful paintings which have sold for lots of money.  He is still after perfection.  This is one way to live.

What would happen if we knew there was no such thing as perfection out there in the distant future.  If we knew that perfection was in each step we walk, each painting we paint, each photograph we take, each wave we surf, each class we teach, each time we sit to meditate.  Would we not pay more attention? Wouldn’t the energy of our lives brim over with meaning at each moment?

Can you relate?

I am listening …

There is nothing like having the right tool or process to increase one’s effectiveness in areas where things are not running so smoothly.

For example, inspiration for my blog entries comes to me in the strangest of places, when I am meditating, walking, washing dishes, etc. I usually stop what I am doing and run to the computer or get paper and pencil before I lose the thought.  It is cumbersome.  I progressed to carrying a small digital recorder.  However, I found that when I translated my thoughts into spoken words, something was lost. 

Got me thinking. How could I capture the inspiration in its purest form and in the most efficient way?  Aha!  I needed a small keyboard with a basic word function that could go with me anywhere.  This was my solution.

What areas of your life capture excess energy and time?  What could you do to be more efficient?

I am listening …

Lately I have found myself with more on my plate than I know what to do with, not unlike many of you, I am sure. Not a bad thing because I have lots of work.

In his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective people, Stephen Covey’s 3rd rule is to put first things first.  So here is what I did with it.

Waking up I put first things first, for me it is to practice meditation. I put first things first when I start working. I put first things first when I am home, etc.  There is no right or wrong about what goes first.  The only rule is to put those things first that matter most. Only you can decide what that is in each area of your life. 

Think about it.  If we practice this day in day out, our lives will be overfilled with quality since much of our time will be spent with what matters most in each area of our lives.

Give it a test drive.

What did you notice?

I am listening …

I talked with my daughter this morning and asked her: “what is your affirmation for the day?”  She said: “stay focused”.  Then she asked me: “what is yours?”  I said: “get organized”.  We laughed.  It is a fun way to support each other.

Stating our intention for the day helps our thoughts, actions and will power align to fulfill the desired outcome. 

What if your affirmation for today? 

I am listening …

Some time ago I participated in a training program that introduced me to the concept of speaking when being moved-to-speak.  It means listening to my inner guidance when communicating and saying only what needs to be said.   

Yesterday I had an e-mails exchange with a friend about a topic of common interest. At one point I was aware that we were complete.  Then, I did the unthinkable – I kept going and sent an e-mail of afterthoughts.  I realized I had given more information than what was needed or wanted. I had overshot. The odds for a successful outcome in an exchange are much greater when I pay attention to the moved-to-speak guidance inside me. 

What about you?

I am listening …