Through reading and studying The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte, I’m learning that happiness, joy, and contentment come from feeling how you want to feel more often than not. How do you want to feel in life? What are you doing everyday to help you feel that way more? Or perhaps, constantly?
Here’s Danielle:
I’ve been asking myself these questions every day and using them to guide the decisions that I make in life. I actually even turned down an offer to teach a class because it didn’t make me feel good. My heart just wasn’t aligned with the content or scheduling of the class. It was an evening class that met from 6-9 Mondays and Wednesdays. And it was a new developmental English class that I’ve never taught which means it’s a new prep and lots of work. I’m working on creating the space in my life to feel the way I want to feel and do the things I want to do. One thing I’ve learned this semester is that I value my evenings with my family. It’s the only time I get to see Dustin and the boys, and the stress of teaching a new class just wouldn’t be worth it. Plus, it’s kind of sad to say this, but one shift at the restaurant equals the same pay as teaching that class for a week…
Does the idea of teaching that class make me feel the way I want to feel? No. It fills me with dread and discontentment.
The idea of having those evenings free, on the other hand, fills me with creative energy. What could I do during that time that helps me feel the way I want to feel? Go to a yoga class. Snuggle my boys. Write. Get crafty. Play music.
This is one of those times where it feels good to say no. My time is valuable, and I need to make sure I’m spending it doing the things I love doing. And I’m not anxious about the financial or professional effect of this decision. I’ll creatively bring in the income that will be missed by turning down this class, and my dean has already expressed her gratitude for having me on the teaching team. Even if I end up not teaching for them next semester, I know we’ll remain on good terms, allowing for future teaching possibilities.
The key to manifestation (bringing what you desire into your life) is gratitude, and true gratitude comes from a deep knowing that you are always divinely cared for. You can always have what you desire.
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.” – Romans 8:28
Since we know that our thoughts and feelings create our reality (positive leads to positive, negative leads to negative), the more we consciously take the time to feel how we want to feel, the more we will attract things into our life that make us feel that way. That’s why it’s so important that when you express gratitude for something, you are feeling that gratitude and whatever emotions (joy, love, etc.) that arise from that gratitude. You can’t say “Thank you” while feeling angry and then expect to manifest good things into your life. That’s just not how it works.
I just started reading a new book by Janet Connor called The Lotus and the Lily – Access the Wisdom of Buddha and Jesus to Nourish Your Beautiful, Abundant Life. In it she discusses two quotes by Jesus and Buddha that basically express the same message.
“When conditions are sufficient there is manifestation.” – The Buddha
“When we pursue a right relationship with the Universal One and allow this relationship to realign our lives, we produce a condition of receptivity in which anything we need to help us complete our purpose in life will be supplied by the universe.” – Jesus
We have to create the conditions in life that will allow these manifestations to occur. In order for our dreams to become a reality, we have to prepare our lives for them. We have to be ready to receive all the good life has to offer us. If we don’t allow the space, there’s no room for the good.
Free up your space to allow more time for the things you love. If something isn’t making you feel how you want to feel, then think about what needs to be changed so that it does. Do you need to remove yourself from a situation that’s bringing you down? Do you need to take action and start doing all those things you say you’re going to do? What needs to change?
How do you want to feel in life?
I want to feel –
Secure.
Free.
Creative.
Influential.
Like this concept? Consider joining my Desire Map Bookclub. If you’re local (Asheville area), we’ll meet Tuesdays at 7 (location TBA) starting Jan. 7. Not local? This bookclub will be web-based as well with a Facebook group, weekly blog posts, and discussion prompts, so you can get involved no matter where you live!
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
