A different approach to manifesting

I was inspired today by something I was sent by a friend to write my feelings on manifestation. So many of the articles written on manifesting seem to have the same premise, and it's much like "The Secret." Although I believe "The Secret" can be of value to those just crossing over to a new way of thinking, I have something to offer as an alternative for those who have already been good positive thinkers who have had faith in their ideas and projects.

I have found after many experiences during the past year that the kind of manifesting found in "The Secret" and other similar views doesn't feel good to me. Personally, I have learned that the more I relax into something I desire and take each day and each opportunity as it comes rather than: consiously focusing on manifesting it, pretending I already have it, or making pacts with people on the ethereal plane to get it, the easier and better manifesting is for me. I have always been a good manifestor in my life but in the past it has always been from working hard for something after putting all my energy towards it. Putting lots of positive energy towards an idea still works for me, but I found that working hard at it on the physical plane does not anymore. When I figured that out, I then tried working hard for it on the ethereal plane, and that didn't work either. What I found over time and struggle is that if I quit struggling and quit asking for what I think I want, and instead just followed what felt right towards (or away sometimes)from a desire I had, more would be brought to me than I ever asked for.

I've always been an optimistic person who had no trouble believing in what I wanted to do though. I do see, however, how for those in the general population who may have self esteem issues or the inability to really believe in the possibility of their ideas coming to fruition, "The Secret" and that type of manifesting could be beneficial.

But for me, my new way of manifesting is to do what my heart wants, and if it doesn't work right away, wait quietly in the wings still holding faith-- but waiting until the universe provides the next opportunity for forward motion. I have been given things I never even thought of desiring this way. Things that were better than I even expected! The less I ask and desire and the more I listen and receive what is meant for me, the better it all ends up being for my highest good.

There are some times that because we have a limited field of vision in our human bodies, we may not see what would be even better for us than what we desire, or that maybe our desires are coming from ego rather than what's really best for us. I've often wondered how to distinguish the two--Which desires are coming from our ego and which are really best for us? I guess the best way I've found is just to be quiet and be observant. If you desire something that seems to keep hitting roadblocks, then either it is coming from ego and is not ultimately good for you-- or it's not the best thing for you right now and you may have to wait until it is. Either way, your heart, higher self, and spirit guides will guide you to what is best for you if you stay quiet and pay very close attention to EVERYTHING that happens to you. Follow all opportunities that are presented and feel good to you, but also realize that sometimes it may not be best to pursue some of these opportunities all the way. Sometimes paths we are led down are not meant to be followed to completion, only to show us something we may not have seen before. In this way we are given more pieces to the puzzle and can continue on our path either in the same direction, or in another direction with more knowledge of the situation.

This blog was written as a response to an article I was sent about manifestation, "Secret" -style. I found out that when I went to reply about my feelings on the article, the floodgates opened and this blog was born. It seems to me that this very situation further illustrates my ideas. By allowing myself to notice that the gift to me in receiving the article was not that I had to resonate with it, but that it inspired me to spill out everything I know about another way of manifesting. The type of manifesting which doesn't seem to be talked about very much. The mere act of the article being sent to me allowed the floodgates to open and for me to document my feelings on it.

So indeed, the universe (through my friend) has brought me yet another gift--but if I were to have seen it only for what it was and not the reaction it induced--I would have missed the true gift in what was better for my highest good and continual growth.

A perfect example of the universe bringing me something that was truly good for me, that I would never have thought of desiring!