Inner purpose

I just did my Week 9 class of the Eckhart Tolle/Oprah class on A New Earth since I was out on Monday night and missed it live. This is the chapter with what must be my favorite quote of the book because it speaks to me so:

When you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open up in your life. It means fear is no longer a dominant factor in what you do and no longer prevents you from taking action to initiate change.

Also, something Eckhart said in the webinar was very powerful:

The mind can do many wonderful things when it no longer controls you.

Amen and amen.

Quotable Cameron

I am writing my butt off over here. Entrenched in all things Julia Cameron. And so, a favorite quote from The Artist's Way that feels particularly apt this week:

Leap and the net will appear.

Full circle?

How's this for Universal Flow? I interviewed Julia Cameron tonight. I had a bit of a motor mouth thing happening. I mean, her work has changed my life and I continue to use her tools in my life coaching and, well, there we were talking about all of it.

This is going to be a very special column. Stay tuned.

Up a notch

The other day at the gym I had to raise the weights on the leg extension and leg curl machines for the first time in a LONG time. I wasn't feeling challenged enough and wanted to feel the burn.

Today I had to increase the speed on the treadmill for the first time in a while because I wasn't working up a sweat.

You've gotta love the metaphor.

Another place

Some truth. Lately I haven't been as forthcoming in this blog as I might be, likely because I feel like something is happening that is large and mystical and it's hard to explain without sounding all woo-woo.

But honestly, it doesn't feel woo-woo. It feels real and very natural. A few months ago, maybe February, I stopped making lists each week to determine what tasks I would do each day. I feared nothing would get done, but I paid attention to my gut anyway because this was a strong urge. As it turns out, this has opened up my days, my eyes, my consciousness, my life.

I am working harder than ever, joyfully and enthusiastically, but it feels like there's been a shift. I am better able to see what comes up in the moment and address it. I am somehow more open. I am detached from results way more than ever, which is so liberating. I am more tolerant and patient. I feel like I've cleared away fog.

In the midst of this, no coincidence I'm sure, I have been reading and studying A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and learning to be. There are two weeks left of the web class with him and Oprah and I am excited that I have stayed with it and started to pay considerable attention to stillness.

I just today began reading Steering by Starlight by Martha Beck and it appears that once again The Universe has aligned things perfectly. I feel awakened and ready to go through the three stages she presents in the book -- dissolving, dreaming, daring.

In fact, I'm pretty sure I've already begun.

I'm listening ...

I feel like The Universe is talking to me these days. Like, giving me marching orders. Every day it's something.

I think this is always happening. I'm just listening better.

Gorgeous

Lots of activity at the Hoboken waterfront this evening. I sat at the outermost portion of Pier A Park, music pulsing in my ears, and just took it all in -- the water, the helicopters, the boats, the joggers, the strollers. With each passing moment I felt like I relaxed into it a little bit more.

It was a perfect comedown from a busy few days.

Color me Zen

I am filled with gratitude at my ability to, more than ever before, take a deep breath or two and move past anger or annoyance.

It is so worth the peace.

Inhabiting the Now

I thoroughly enjoyed week 8 of the webinar on A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and Oprah. One of my favorite moments tonight was when Oprah talked about how when a decision is not coming from a place of ego, it gives you peace and you don't have to ask "15 people" if you're doing the right thing.

How much does that resonate? A big amen.

Also, Eckhart talked about being aware of each thing you're doing and your surroundings and just being fully present so the everyday isn't mundane or a means to an end. I really felt this at the gym today. I used to be working on one machine while obsessing that someone else was going to get on the machine I wanted next. Not productive, obviously. It's so much better to feel each rep and enjoy the movement and power.

This is quality of life.

Choice

As I prepare each week for the Monday web class in A New Earth, I reread the appropriate chapter so it's fresh. I also go back through what I've highlighted in prior chapters to bring it all to the forefront again. Here's the passage that jumped out at me this time around:

If peace is really what you want, then you will choose peace.

Yes.

Sweeping view

Went with an in-the-moment urge to check out some real estate today. Was walking along the Hoboken waterfront with a friend when I saw a sign for an open house. It was an 11th-floor, two-bedroom, two-bath stunner. Marble counter tops. Wall-to-wall windows. Did I mention, wall-to-wall windows?

Now if only I had that cool million lying around ...

In the stars

Really, I'm not the astrology queen, but who can resist a weekend horoscope like this, courtesy of Astro Abby:

Your creative and romantic sides seem to feed off of each other this weekend. Friday gets things off to a tantalizing start. Everything, even a mundane task, feels slightly sexual and entertaining. You get a mild buzz from ordinary people, events and things because you’re embracing life with both arms – no more holding others at arm’s length. It’s amazing how quickly you can access your creative muse and whomever you choose by allowing yourself to be a bit vulnerable. And get this: Nothing horrific happens, even when you let your guard down. In fact, things are pretty fabulous all weekend! Count on Saturday being a banner day for those of you in love or lust, as well as the artists, musicians and dancers among you. You feel more alive and willing to take a risk that will undoubtedly pay off in a dozen tempting ways. Why fight it - especially when there’s so much to gain? Sunday’s Full Moon makes you the one that everyone fights over. Everyone wants your attention, companionship and participation. You won’t be able to quietly fade into the woodwork. Others will insist that you come away with them or at the very least, listen to their ideas. It’s so much easier and rewarding to just say yes.

Bring it.

The like-minded

I got a new life coaching client today. Another highly creative, energetic person who wants help focusing her efforts and maximizing her time. She's a delight. I just love these sorts.

The Law of Attraction is hooking me up yet again.

Star gazing

I bought Martha Beck's new book today -- Steering by Starlight. She was captivating at the conference in Asheville last week and a few of us decided to read this and discuss it like a book club.

I'm excited about it and can't wait to dive in.

In a dash

My favorite part of The New Earth web class tonight was author Eckhart Tolle's comment about gravestones: there is a birth year, a dash, and then a year of death. Your whole life is essentially in that dash.

I will never look at a cemetery the same way again.

Staying on course

Watched the recorded webcast of A New Earth today. I had missed Chapter 6, Breaking Free, because I was away at a conference last Monday night.

I was particularly struck by the synchroncity of the questions posed by participants in the class. A woman from Dublin expressed much of what I've been feeling. In essence, how do we reconcile our awareness with other people in our lives who are not in that place? It's an ongoing challenge.

The book and course continue to inspire me.

Poised

Ever since going to Asheville last weekend, I have felt that something is rumbling beneath the surface in my professional life. Something big and bold.

Bring it.

I can hardly wait.

Golden rules

Love The Big Idea. Tonight Bobby and Jamie Deen are talking about what it's like to charm your way to millions. This is not rocket science -- choose nice over nasty, thank your employees every day, do good work.

So basic. A good reminder.

Heed this

A friend confided she was experiencing a rough patch with her partner of nearly two years. After she explained the issue, I asked, "Can you love her through it?"

Two days later, this friend said that question really spoke to her and that things were better.

Nice.

Now I must remember to take that advice myself when life gets thorny.

Adorn me

I bought a beautiful turquoise ring in downtown Asheville today. There is something about buying jewelry in cool cities that jazzes me. This one feels particularly spiritual, kind of like the sterling silver band I bought on a pueblo in Taos in 2001.

Treasures all.

Huffing and puffing

I found out this evening there is something very calming about packing a suitcase.

I'm off to a coaching conference in Asheville, N.C., in the morning and I was determined to not overpack and not underpack, but pack just right (haha). In my world, this can be stressful because, of course, I make it that way. Every possible scenario needs to be covered, right? A stroll in town. Our many classroom/workshop settings. Lunch in the mountains. Dinner out. Pampering at the spa.

I took a deep breath and started treating it like a fun puzzle. This is, after all, a great getaway and I feel blessed to be going. Once I could see the framework, the fill-ins were simple.

I'm ready. I'm happy. The suitcase is packed just right.

Julia

A whole lot of Julia Cameron in my life today.

My Game Plan column on FOXBusiness.com was about my recent artist date in New York:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/lifestyle-money/travel-lifestyle/article/revisiting-sights-smells-memories-past_545644_22.html

Over dinner with a friend, she told me she's reading Cameron's book, The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size. Then I came home to an email from another friend asking if I want to go see Cameron speak at the end of the month.

I'm paying attention.

Style 'n chat

Love conversing with my hairstylist, a dynamic, hip 60-something Puerto Rican and a certain kindred spirit. We talked Eckhart Tolle, Est, politics, ethnicity.

And I emerged with fabulous hair.

Nice way to spend an afternoon.

All set

Was just wondering what book I might pluck off my shelf to bring to Asheville, N.C. next week when, lo and behold, I got my mail and there was a book from a dear friend in there. She sent me Paulo Coelho's The Devil and Miss Prym -- woohoo! The book jacket says it's "a novel of temptation."

Sounds perfect for the mountains.

Hiccup

My brother knows I'm doing the web seminar with author Eckhart Tolle and Oprah on A New Earth, so he figures I might be interested in a piece written by a gentleman named Frank Pastore:

http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/FrankPastore/2008/03/31/questions_that_bother_oprah_and_todays_new_age_thinkers

At first I thought my head might explode, but then I noticed the article was on a page where Clarence Thomas' book is "recommended reading." Yikes. (Not a very 'enlightened' potshot, I know).

But I digress. Many of us have an evolving spirituality that includes openness. Mr. Pastore apparently does not. Welcome to America, sir. Land of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and, yes, sometimes freedom to espouse unfounded bullshit.

God bless America.