Law of Attraction Tip: Are You Flowing Downstream or Upstream?
Published on 5 Aug 2007 at 9:42 am.
13 Comments.
Filed under Attraction, Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies.
Have you ever had one of those days where everything just seemed to fall into place easily? It might have been a singular experience within the day or it felt like it was the entire day. If you have (and noticed it) you probably found yourself wishing that every day had that same ease to the things you felt and did.
What is different about those days?
In May, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop called “The Art of Allowing” facilitated by Esther and Jerry Hicks (Abraham-Hicks). They’re well known in the spiritual community for their teachings on The Law of Attraction.
They introduced the idea of attracting what we want in life as going with the flow. When we are going with the flow, we are moving downstream. Have you ever gone rafting or tubing? Imagine what it would be like to paddle or float against the current. It is the flow of water that determines how fast or how slowly we arrive at our destination. Our emotions affect the intensity of the flow. (This is my interpretation).
Do you complain when things show up that you don’t like and want?
For example:
Can you recall an experience you expected (or hoped) would go a certain way and you found things going in a different direction; perhaps one you weren’t prepared for? What did you do? Did you try to redirect what was happening to go the way you wanted? Were your successful or did you create more stress and emotional turmoil for yourself? Or.. did you let go, staying curious and resilient so that you could be open to new possibilities?
In the end, how did things turn out?
You might not realize how much energy you are using to struggle against something that is happening or has already happened. Your reaction does not change the outcome that has already happened. It is what it is. Your attitude and emotions affect how you deal with what is. Embrace the moment (flow downstream) or wrestle with it (upstream).
As a child I had a little toy I’ll call a Chinese puzzle. I’m not recalling the actual name. It looked like a cigar and was woven out of a straw-like material that was flexible. The inside was hollow. It had openings at either end and you put both index fingers into each opening. If you pulled, the openings tightened on your fingers and you couldn’t remove them. It was only when you relaxed your fingers that you could slide them out.
How might your life be different if you felt a greater acceptance of each momentary experience rather than struggling against it?
Imagine how much energy and good feelings you could generate to attract what you want.
Look, we’re all human and not always at our best. So many things can get in the way of being able to embrace whatever happens in life with a positive attitude.
Every experience, wanted or unwanted, has value to your personal development and business success. We need contrast (conflict, challenges) to grow, appreciate and feel happy. If EVERYTHING was always simple and easy without any conflict, changes or challenges, what would life be like? For me, it would be BORING!
Next time you find yourself struggling against the moment ask yourself:
1. How does this person or situation challenge me? (To grow as a person, to improve your business….?).
2. What can I learn from this experience that will improve the quality of my life?
3. What can I appreciate about this situation? What are the gifts? In other words, find the value to you from the experience. A friend of mine says that when she feels highly reactive to something (and can recognize her reaction) that the person or situation is really working for her - challenging her to look more deeply inside at her beliefs and behaviors. She sees that situation as serving her to grow as a person, which is one of her core values. She can then choose to continue to react (upstream) or integrate what she has discovered into feeling better (downstream).
I have a note on my computer and refrigerator to remind me that I am the Source of my attitudes, feelings AND my experiences. I can reach for a better thought so that I can embrace each moment (be ok with what is) and move forward to what I desire, or not…..
If you are feeling unhappy with your life, you’ve most likely been going upstream.
Ready to change direction?
If you liked this post, leave me a comment. 
Lyman Reed on 18 Aug 2007 at 9:51 pm: 1
Good stuff, Lorraine!
It’s amazing to me that as rational beings we need the reminder that, as you said, we can’t change the past. Life goes so much smoother when we stop trying.
lorraine on 18 Aug 2007 at 9:58 pm: 2
So true Lyman
When we get caught up in the details and dramas we create in our minds, we disconnect from our spirit. The metaphor I think of is being awake when we are conscious creators of what we want (upstream) and falling asleep at the wheel and careening out of control (downstream). Watch out for that tree! Here’s to staying awake. :D
The Personal Development Carnival - August 26, 2007 - from Creating a Better Life on 26 Aug 2007 at 2:15 am: 3
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Jef - The Law of Attraction Statergy Expert on 2 Dec 2007 at 9:43 pm: 7
I wrote this a while back: http://www.the8weekchallenge.com/?p=46 and though you might be interested.
Regards
Jeff
lorraine on 3 Dec 2007 at 8:47 am: 8
Thanks for the comment Jef
I left you one too. Nice post!
Cheers,
Lorraine
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Jan Bak on 11 Jun 2008 at 2:45 am: 11
Powerful post as always. Just wanna ask something Lorraine, it’s about law of attraction, my question is how long should I think, desire, aspire before all that I have thought become into reality? Or does law of attraction real? Isn’t this only a result of perseverance and there is no really law of attraction?
lorraine on 11 Jun 2008 at 8:40 am: 12
Hi Jan
I see the Law of Attraction in action every day. Our outside reality is a reflection of our feelings, thoughts and beliefs. Many people think that to attract all they desire they have to just focus on that, visualize etc. If you have conflicting beliefs operating on a concious or subconscious level, what you desire will be stalled or neutralized by your emotions and beliefs. In otherwards, you will be misaligned with your desires. Additionally, being activately participating in creating your desires is essential.
Many people are feeling frustrated by with their lives and looked at the buss on the Law of Attraction as the ” magic bullet” and it isn’t. The program I created with my partner Anita Pathik -Law shows people how to create miracles in their life by aligning with their soul destiny and desires. Take a look if you like: http://www.powerofmyway.com/havingitall.html
Have a great day Jan
lorraine on 12 Jun 2008 at 10:55 pm: 13
oops Jan
Your reply accidentally got caught in spam and I mised catching it when I hit the delete button.
I quickly saw your thank you and nothing else. You’re very welcome. If there was something else you wished me to respond to, please come back and leave me another comment.
Warmly,
Lorraine