What Are You Allowing Yourself to See?
There are things right in front of you every day that you don't see.
To prove my point, let's go with the car example.
Have you ever experienced purchasing a new car?
You do the research and you decide on a certain make and model. Then, all of a sudden, that make and model is around you everywhere on the road!
Did more people suddenly decide to buy that make and model of the car? No, not really.
Your perspective just changed and you opened your eyes to seeing in a different way.
The same holds true with the abundance of blessings in our lives.
How you look at the world makes a world of difference in the results you get.
Ideas for How to Put the New Car Effect Into Action
1. Thank and Bless those that “like”, “RT”, “+1” etc.
One of my “secret” gratitude practices for the last year is to say a prayer of thanks for those that express connection with me through social media. I've been doing this for about a year and love it. Every time someone likes, comments, shares, +1s etc., I look at their picture and say a prayer of thanks and blessing for that person in my life.
It is really easy to begin to ignore a simple click of the “like” button, but I bet that if you try this practice out for a while, you'll become more aware of the different people in your circle.
2. Clearly Identify Your Ideal Clients or JV Partners
This is one activity that I do with almost all of my private clients. When you are crystal clear about who is in your tribe/community it is amazing how you start recognizing them. When you recognize them, you can be more conscious of engaging them. Not sure how to do that? Let's talk.
3. Pick Something Simple and Count it for a Week
Think of something simple in your life that makes you smile. For example, when I see things that sparkle when hit by light, I smile. So, as I go on my morning walk with my dog, I might count the things that sparkle: the sun glistening off the lake, dew on the grass, the crystal in my neighbor's wind-chime, etc. Maybe for you it is a certain color or animal or song on the radio. How many times can you count simple smiles in your week?
My Challenge to You
When you open yourself to seeing abundance in your every day life, you also open yourself to possibility. You'll start seeing new ways to interact with your tribe/community.
Every day for the next week look for the abundance and blessings that you have in your life every day.
Do you already do this in your regular habits? What have you found?
Until we talk again,
Live Fully — Love Openly — Laugh Often — Leverage Your Brilliance — Connect Authentically — Get Your Message Out — Serve with Impact — Prosper Everyday
Janeane Davis says
I like your idea that things are a matter of vision, how we choose to look at a situation make all the difference.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Janeane – Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts. Yes, our views on the situation do make a difference.
Tai Goodwin says
Stephanie, I pray for each of my clients and the request that come through my stream on Facebook. It’s such a quiet simple unselfish way to sow into other people’s lives and practice your faith.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Wonderful practice Tai. Thank you for sharing!
Debra Jason says
I do this regularly by either writing in my journal what I’m grateful for or thinking about it (sometimes first thing in the morning, other times last thing at night – or sometimes, both!). When I see other golden retrievers, I’m always grateful for my beautiful Ike (who passed onto the spirit world a year & a half ago). And, when on a walk the other day, I noticed the beautiful colors in the trees and was grateful. Thanks for the reminder to notice even the little things! 🙂
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Debra – Thank you for sharing what works for you! Those are great practices. Glad that seeing other goldens can give you a smile remembering Ike. The other day, my husband and I were taking a walk and one tree in particular really stuck out to me. Walking up to it, you saw a brilliant vibrant red. As we walked under it, I looked up and saw only a bright yellow. 2 different colors all organized. (grin)
Andrea Feinberg says
This is a new habit I’ve recently developed and I’m focusing on the simplest, generally invisible things. For example: every morning when I awake and enjoy the cozy warmth of my shared space I express thanks for that sensation. When I turn on the tap and get hot or cold water as I please, I express thanks for that. The more I see what I have that contributes to my life – cuddly cats, happy plants, music I enjoy, art that pleases me, beauty all around, people to hug – the better each day is!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Yum Andrea! That sounds wonderful.
Kriscarcas says
Great ideas on how to focus. This is a helpful post for us people who sometimes lose our way.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Kriscarcas – I find that even if you have not lost your way, it is a good practice to get into. The more you practice seeing the various things in front of you, the more opportunity you see.
Tanya Smith says
Great post, Stephanie. I’m getting better & better at the first one, but I absolutely-positively-HAVE TO work on #3 more. My kids are great at seeing what has somehow become invisible to me – like how a cloud changes into a cuddly bear, or a flower takes on a unique color. I’m working on enjoying simpler things more & more.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Thank you so much Tanya. What a wonderful thing that you have your kids to coach you! I have a client that started focusing on that one about a year ago. She challenged herself to find something every time her car stopped. She would report back laughing at what she found almost every time. One time she even found gratitude in the STOP sign itself. 🙂
Brenda Adams says
Great comment Tanya – I have a 2 year old and I don’t want lose sight of all the amazing things that she sees in her world.
Danielle says
Focus is so important. Thank you for highlighting the different ways it serves us and the world.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Danielle – Thank you for visiting. You are most welcome. I hope you can put these ideas (or some from the other people commenting) into practice.
Christine says
Love this blog. I do recognize the little “gifts” that are sent my way everyday…water sparkling in the sun, a beautiful sunset, a pretty birdsong, the way the clouds form in the sky…but now I will “count” them and bring them more into my awareness. I like the expression of gratitude toward your social media friends, I want to incorporate that too! #2 is more of a conundrum, but I see what you mean and will start trying that too!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
So glad that you get inspired action ideas from reading my posts Christine. #2 might be a conundrum because there is more work to do on defining your ideal client/jv partners. Get really super specific. The more specific you get, the more clear it will become.
Kimberly Eldredge says
Stephanie THANK YOU so much for this. I read the whole thing, but seriously, I could have stopped after #1. Yep, just #1 — it’s fantastic. I spent nearly the whole day yesterday cultivating my Facebook connections with leads, potential leads, and potential partners. I’m going back right now to send them all gratitude, blessings, and love. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Kimberly – WONDERFUL! I have found that #1 is such a joy for me. I’m glad you will be incorporating it into your practices too.
Martia Nelson says
I LOVE your idea to stop for a moment to say a prayer of thanks for people who connect with us through social media. I’m going to start doing that right now!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Martia – Woohoo! Glad to hear that! It is such a wonderful practice. I find that my heart grows more and more as I do it.
Brenda Adams says
“When you are crystal clear about who is in your tribe/community it is amazing how you start recognizing them.” This is soooo true! Yet another reason to be clear on who your tribe is.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Yes mam! I find that a number of the clients that come to me are not as clear as they could be. It is really important work.