I’m sure that you, like me, were raised on some form of a family motto: My family’s version was simple, straightforward, and difficult to argue with: Work hard, save your money. This righteous path, the motto goes, will lead to success - financial and otherwise. And truth be told, my self-made grandfather loomed large as testament to this motto. And seeing as how he was my hero already, I was a quick and willing devotee, and for decades applied the family motto as well as I knew how - at least the work hard part. Saving money was another thing, but for now let’s focus on the hard work.
Our culture values exhaustion, and many among us wear our fatigue like a badge of honor. Couple this inherent tendency with my own very high energy level (think: Energizer Bunny…keep going and going…), and I was primed out “outwork” anyone around. Arrive early, stay late, study extra, whatever. If hard work was the key, that was something I could (and would) control. And then succeed!
What I know now that I didn’t know then was the importance of tuning-in: that twofold process of first quieting my mind through daily meditation, followed by a conscious lean towards pleasant-feeling thoughts. This type of daily tuning is nearly all that’s required to set my day off on the right foot, which often becomes its own type of positive momentum, leading from one new and joyful moment to the next. And when I’m in this “allowing” mode instead of my “hard work” mode, sometimes the things on my to-do list happen magically. Yesterday was a perfect example.
I woke up, meditated, and tuned in on purpose - in this case by journalizing in focused ways that helped me tune into the feeling of my prosperity. When I was done with this minutes-long exercise, I felt great. I was buzzing a bit. Then I compiled the day’s two-do list, which included “Book a Show.” But then, instead of working to book my show, I instead went about my joyful and fairly open day. I ate, I took the dog for a hike, I basked in the beauty of the wildlife, etc. And before I could set about the “work” of booking a show, I received an email from a music contact, asking if I wanted to come perform at any of these available dates. And without lifting a finger - by simply replying to an email - I booked not one but three shows over the coming months. Just like that.
My life these last few years has countless examples of this - the universe yielding to me in surprising and delightful ways exactly what it is I’d been asking for. All I had to do was tune in - get in my happy place first before the conditions themselves really solidify - and let the rest unfold.
There are countless unseen forces, coincidences and magical happenings waiting right around the corner to assist you. The only question is - are you tuned in enough to let them in? Or are you like me for so many years - working too hard to notice the perfection?