(or: ‘The Power To Light Up’ – Part 1)
These words are from Martha Graham, an American modern dancer and choreographer who lived between 1894 and 1991. Her influence on dance has been compared with the influence Picasso had on modern visual arts, Stravinsky on music, and Frank Lloyd Wright on architecture.
She quietly mentioned them to fellow dancer Agnes de Mille, after Agnes had confessed to her that she had a burning desire to be excellent, but no faith that she actually could be.
Martha’s words beautifully capture the nature of the creative power we all possess, in the form of the ‘life force’ that’s trying to come out in a unique expression that only you can facilitate.
It’s this ‘vitality’ that we can define as the inner flame of our true passion.
The Flame of Passion
Passion in this context is the fuel that drives us forward in life: the passion to experience, to create value, to invent, to build something that has a life of its own, to connect (with) other people, to do something remarkable with our lives – whatever it is that’s important to us.
And whenever we speak of wanting to “create the life of our dreams” (<– or in contemporary popularized jargon “attract and manifest our desires”), we’re really looking for the experience of being aligned with this fundamental ‘ecstasy’ that’s constantly seeking expression and expansion through us.
Once we manage to establish that kind of congruence, this ‘energy’ gets focused in a kind of creative power that can never be equaled by any endeavor that lacks that kind of alignment, and incites an unmatched drive and ability to create the kind of life experience we dream about making reality.
When we do align like that, we have no need for fancy motivational tricks to ignite our inspiration and/or retain a ‘positive outlook.’ While such methods can contribute to increasing its intensity, this inner fire is a humungous and inexhaustible resource of energy, unequaled by anything.
It can fuel the realization of any genuine intent we have, and allows us to do anything we really want to do with unparalleled vigor.
It electrifies our ability to easily move through all of the inevitable external obstacles we’ll find on the journey of making our dreams reality (<– which each come with their own set of internal obstacles to overcome).
Or otherwise it’ll dissolve any of our supposed ‘inner blocks’ and/or self-inhibiting patterns by simply making them fade to the background of its captivating and overwhelming liveliness.
It’s this power that we unleash when we truly ‘Crack Our Eggs’ and that – in the words of the Queen song – “makes a supersonic (wo)man of you.” (<– See the video at the end of this article.)
So Where Is It?
We all have this flame burning within us, without exception.
While for some of us it might have become so dim that we don’t even recognize it anymore, we’ve all experienced its dashing intensity at some point in our lives, only usually just for very short, fleeting moments.
Nevertheless, we all remember those moments, because they bring such awesome clarity, insatiable desire, lightness of heart, and inexhaustible vitality.
Precisely because of a total lack of alignment with this ‘exuberance,’ for most people their process of ‘creating the life of their dreams’ and ‘actualizing their desires’ comes to a halt before it even really gets the chance to take off and build momentum.
Such inner ‘miscalibration’ can have various causes:
- We may seek to manifest externally imposed symbols that are collectively decreed to be the essentials of ‘success,’ although on a core level we ourselves don’t agree with and/or genuinely care about them (<– as explained in this article).
- We find ourselves unable to decide on anything and scatter our focus all over the place.
- We really have no idea about what we really want, usually due to a collection of subconscious patterns and automatic mechanisms that blind, keep and/or distract us from focusing on our genuine aspirations.
In any case, we’re unable to align ourselves to our ‘inner fire,’ much less to fully invest ourselves in its creative expression, whichever form that may take for us.
But if we ever want to experience the true nature of the creative power and fulfillment we’re really seeking, we must (re)discover and fuel this flame.
So How Do We (Re-) Discover It?
When we’ve been implicitly suppressing and/or out of touch with our flame for so long, finding it (back) can seem a little tricky.
As a little analogy, consider this:
Years ago when I was still in high school, I remember that some friends of mine used to bring books with them that contained collections of autostereograms.
An autostereogram is a type of illustration that’s designed to create the visual illusion of a three-dimensional scene from a two-dimensional image, where the suggestion of depth is created from the different perspective that each eye has of a three-dimensional scene.
At first sight, the image usually appears as a flat, abstract collage of colors. However, it has another, three-dimensional picture ‘underneath’ it that we’re unable to readily see through our normal ways of looking.
To perceive that ‘deeper’ image, we’re supposed to hold the book at a certain distance from our face, and then pull it slowly away without adjusting the focus of our eyes – kind of like looking through the picture. Then at one point in that trajectory, the three-dimensional image will suddenly show up.
Below is an example of an autostereogram, where the above part of the image is the abstract collage displayed in the book, and the part underneath it is the three-dimensional image that’s supposed to appear upon the right way of looking at (or perhaps rather through) it:
Now I have to admit:
Personally, I could never do it, except for some occasional instances of success. I’d keep putting a lot of effort into finding the image behind the colored mishmash. But no matter how hard I tried, it never worked. It could drive me nuts!
But then at one point, for no reason whatsoever that I can remember, I picked up one of those books, opened it to one of the pictures, and without trying it all, there it was! The three-dimensional picture behind it just popped up in front of my eyes.
And yet, I still didn’t know how exactly I did it. So even after that experience of ‘success,’ I couldn’t reproduce the ability on a consistent basis.
At first I thought the trick was to sneak up on the book as if I wasn’t interested. But that didn’t turn out to work dependably…
Putting my eyes out of focus didn’t work either…
Very occasionally it just came to me. But usually it didn’t.
Now to be really honest with you:
I can’t say I consistently and diligently practiced it… With other stuff on my mind, it was just never that important to me.
And that’s the issue right there!
You see, in that particular sense, the inner flame of our passion is kind of similar to the deeper three-dimensional image in those autostereograms:
- You can’t always see it.
- But nevertheless, every now and then it makes itself apparent.
Sometimes it’ll come to you, and when it does, it’s usually at the most unexpected or inconvenient moment and in the strangest, most unpredictable ways:
- You could be standing on the corner about to walk across the street…
- You could be exercising…
- You could be turning in your sleep, dreaming…
- You could be polishing your paperclip collection…
- You could be in the shower, packing a suitcase, visiting a concert or theater show, engaging in ‘number two,’ cleaning out your closet…
- Etc.
It’ll always be fleeting and unpredictable, unless you make it truly important to you!
If you really want to tap into its powers and experience its invigorating infusion of energy, inspiration, motivation and elation… then you must make it really, really important to you!
In fact, you must make it so important that you’ll do anything to see it for what it is.
It’s being deeply and genuinely interested in discovering it that’ll ultimately give you the power to see it.
That’s the main thing.
And to further point you in the right direction, here’s a practical way to start looking…
Your Next Course of Action
The flame of your passion is and has always been there. It doesn’t need to be ignited, only to be found and recognized.
Next, for a flame to keep burning brightly, it needs fuel. The more fuel you feed it, the brighter and more intensely it blazes.
This gives us two angles as a starting point for firing her up:
1. Feed your flame more fuel.
The fuel for our inner flame to burn is the genuine attention we give to it. When we ignore it, it fades and may even appear to die out. But when we give it a channel through which it can be expressed (even just slightly), it begins to light up and intensify. And this channel can take any form you feel drawn towards.
Contrary to what we’re sometimes led to believe, we’re not actually born to be a doctor, lawyer, road sweeper, charity worker, mother/father, garbage man, school teacher, or whatever.
So it’s not always a specific job or activity that we need to find (although it can be). All we need is a conduit that works for us and gives us the opportunity to ‘siphon’ the energy into the material world.
To elicit some initial indications and directions for suitable options, ask yourself:
- What are your strengths?
- What do you excel in?
- What are your unique talents?
- What can you do better than most others?
- What are your passions?
- What are your hobbies?
- What makes your heart sing?
- What can you do for hours, that makes you lose track of time and fills you with energy and joy?
Pay particular attention to the first hunches that come to mind. Don’t censor the process with thoughts like “I can’t make any money with that” or “people will think I’m crazy.” That’s just your ‘egg’ imposing its constricting influence on you.
For some people, answers, insight and inspiration strike in like a lightning bolt and with immediate, unmistakable clarity.
For others, finding back their flame may be more like a journey of (re-) discovery, where they might have to start with one thing, after which the next part of it will reveal itself… and then when they follow through on that, its next aspect will come into focus… and so on.
If so, just stay at it, because your flame will become apparent if you remain seriously and genuinely interested in its nature. In that regard, the second angle for our starting course of action will greatly contribute to the effect of this exercise as well:
2. Stop cutting off your flame’s fuel supply.
As mentioned before, the flame of our passion may have grown very dim over time upon its subjection to the immensely inhibiting forces of our ‘egg,’ with all its subconscious patterns and mechanisms that are pulled over our eyes to blind and distract us from the nature and rapture of our inner fire.
Taking such inhibiting factors out of the equation can go a long way in helping a dimmed- down flame reveal itself and burn brighter again, as if we suddenly eliminate a sizable fuel drain that had been substantially cutting off its supply of energy.
This part of the process, however, is a whole topic in and of itself, and something we go into in other articles.
So begin by implementing the suggestions provided so far.
Then in the next article, you’ll learn a technique that’ll allow you to see the self-inhibiting patterns of your ‘egg’ for what they really are, instantly step out of them, and put yourself in a position of power and understanding from where you can dissolve them and increase your ability to discover, reveal and unleash the flame of your passion. (<– Or if you can’t wait, learn to ‘Crack Your Egg’ now!)
And when you really do and allow it to burn in its inherent blazing glory – both lightened and lighted up, nothing will be able to stop you on your path of making your dreams reality.
It’s your light. Let it shine.
Thanks Henk, I’m home today thinking about what to do. After reading this article and the one on success, the answer was easy. Just stay home and work on my art ( my hearts passion ) spend some time outside in nature and just be with me and my pets.
Many thanks
Very insightful. Based on a financial yardstick, you definitely nailed me, and probably 90% of humanity. I will use your tips to break thru my stuckness.
You are a gift to humanity.
Paul
Thank you
is optimistic.
Thank’s Henk. This artcile is just what I need in this moment
Thank you, thank you, thank you <3
Thank you so much Henk. The article is impressive
I agree with you about focusing on ones passions and strengths. I also embrace whatever
feelings I have, whether they be anxiety, anger or anything else. If I understand you
correctly, you are basically suggesting one to be self actualized and follow ones
intuition. In a local newspaper article, they talked about “happiness” but instead, I think
they should focus on the the types of suggestions that you made, recognizing ones own
strengths, passions and intuitions.
Thank you for a meaningful and thought provoking article.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.. BRILLIANT!
I am genuinely thankful for this great article!
And so I wrote” Our passion is the fuel that gets us to our destination! avoid driving on empty, fill up often!
By: Jack Lenchiner
Henk, You are brilliant, Love in action!!
Thank you. I always read your articles at the perfect time.
A recent immense journey in the Near Death Experience parallels and upholds this article above. There is literally nothing that can’t be accomplished when you align to this that both you, and I, call the Flame. To say the least, it is one’s power source. To say the most, it is the presence of God.
Read the new release book, “Being the Phoenix”. Dennis Arbour
Henk, I am thankful to you for the way you express everything you write because it’s always understandable and not couched in religious or spiritual phraseology. I’m grateful for this article which confirms that it’s not necessary to “do” but rather to “be,” and if we simply relinquish our tension and preconceptions, what we are will quite simply shine through us in all that we do. Bless you. Love you.
Thank you Henk!!
You have shared a wealth of insight, once again…thank you sincerely.
I want to comment on the energy your article has brought forth, from the interaction
of the replies received, such beautiful energy radiates I can feel it.
Amazing interaction from people who do not know each other,
but surely originate from ONE SOURCE.
To Usha, you did what you did, when you did.
And to boot it all you were successful, how many can say that.
That was meant for you to do at the time you did.
I would be thankful for all the good experience you encountered.
NOW…take this moment, be in it, and do what your heart desires.
Start in THIS MOMENT and go forward…lots of luck and light!
An excellent post.
Thanks!
Hola Henk.
I Totally agree contigo. The flame of life is the passion that we put into every work we undertake.
Congratulations and success to all forum members.
joaco
Once again Henk you have shared such a beautiful, no nonsense, and inspirational piece of wisdom. And the song…brilliant! Mr. Mercury is smiling. Now there was a man who lived with his “flame” leading the way. Well done my friend.
Excellent Service Henk! Thanks !
Prevent getting Extinguished by the Inside
And soon You will be Distinguished in the Outside !!
Again, Henk…your article just answered a question that has been going on in my mind…the funny thing is that I knew that such question would only be answered by a guy with a such a high level of understanding like you, Henk…and I have been waiting for ur next article…the question was about the importance of how I am trying to live my life…since, and based on the material of crack your egg program, I knew that this doubt is just one of the egg filtering attributes….yet, I felt I needed a more focused and news prospective on how to tackle this…well, my dear mentor ( yes, I consider you my mentor), this article did…in fact, I felt the blaze of that inner flame already….
Thank you, Sir
Henk — I cannot thank you enough, I’m telling you — This time, the *light* went on. No, not the ordinary light bulb; but one of those Xenon lights you can see from two states away—(grins). Needless to say, your no-bull honesty and very high levels of understanding clears away all the silly mysticism and fluff that confounds and confuses, and ultimately obscures the essential truth we all want.
Love this stuff, more please.
Hi Henk
I am 73, 74 next month but I do not think I am anywhere near finished realising my passion. I am in my 4th career now, I do not know if there will be a fifth but I will be ready if that is to be. I started in the UK Royal Air Force after leaving school at 18. After 8 years I had a hunch I needed to go to Uni so at 26 I started a course leading to a Batchelors degree in Electronics as a science, mainly quantum physics. Leaving Uni I went to work for the Marconi Radar Company as a Personnel Officer. After 22 years I left the large financial institution of which I was Personnel Director and ran my own consultancy business concentrating on the alignment of strategy and leadership style and aligned HR policies. Then inspiration struck again in the form of my current wife and I went to the McTimoney Chiropractic college for four years. About five years ago on another hunch, my wife, who is a much more experienced practitioner than I, and I went on a Koren Specific Technique seminar in Phoenix, Arizona and that opened up new avenues to work and a new passion for my work. I am now looking for the next direction my life is going to take for there will surely be new inspiration and turns in the journey ahead.
Thank you for todays article. I shall use your suggestions to re-focus on my inner flame.,
Hi Henk, Great stuff–great music by Queen–this is so perfect for all who are empowering ourselves to LIVE our lives to the full , change patterns and crack the old eggs big-time- your great messages are wonderfully helpful–will post on the site–as Queen say–DON’T STOP US!!! With love and keep on burning brightly–
Henk, my brother, your own flame is well lit and strong. You know I’m 67 and it’s harder for those of us who have so much ‘experience’ to get in the way. Over this past year, I didn’t even recognize myself it got so bad for me. Then I realized, ‘what the hell, if nothing else, I’m still here.’ It doesn’t matter if I do nothing as long as the channel is open, but the flame will become no brighter until I give it more oxygen. Oxygen, being the keeper of the flame,
for without it , it will surely die. To Usha, ideas will come, ask the questions and they will come to you in sleep, in wakefulness, in daydreams, even out of the blinding sun or the quiet of the moon. I, too, felt as if my successfulness was over, but I started to write my autobiography, just to get things straight and to find myself again, to know who I am. I will get it somehow though it is not the most important thing, it helped me find one thing I wanted to do. Maybe it will do the same for you. Real advice…Never let go of Henk, never let him get away from you. He can make you think!!!!
Thank you Henk for the sense you bring to our lives! It’s easy to forget the most fundamental basis from we should all be living. It’s nice also to be reminded just how great ‘Queen’ are!!
Your article captured my attention immediately in the simple mentioning of “the flame”.
Understanding that others will read this message, I speak about this “flame” as a reality that indwells all of us. I have met and seen it, within. It is the unquenchable light at the very center of us. It is the presence of God in us all. It is our root of existence and “why” we are.
I am a near death experience, or death and return experience person. In that, and of the journey beyond, I saw this as a reality of my center, as well as that which is in all of us. It waits in us to be expressed, and there is no border or restriction to situation or age or place or circumstance. I was stricken with grave illness, paralysis, then triple pneumonia and died. I was taken on a journey and shown many things.I saw “the Flame” within and know it is unquenchable, eternal, as is the Phoenix.
I was bidden to return because my “work” was not completed. I was walked out of the lands of death by an angel dressed in light come to guide me back. My body was so far gone that they did not bother to resuscitate me. Yet I was poured back into this 3D horizontal and came alive. I awoke as a grinning fool at peace with himself and the creation.
I think that one should remember that”no path is wrong” and not compare oneself to another, but “work” on oneself. We are as snowflakes, everyone unique and different, and should we need to be “melted down” and reformed into something more perfect, then THAT divine will shall be done of you. In becoming a better person, you better the world by adding ONE person that is better. Be what God shall make you and LET HIM, as that is the definition of divine grace. In returning I was “gifted” with miracles, recovered not only from death and lethal illness, but also from a permanent paralysis that defies modern science. In returning and in a short period of less than a month, I WALKED out of the hospital to my awaiting car.
This is the territory of miracles and the blessings and actions of our inner light, “the Flame”, the presence of God. So look no further, HE is right there with you.
Mine is a fully documented case of miracles and the power of belief. And if you were I, you would do the same as me: Tell the world.
That resulted in a book written last year that is now out on the market that is named “Being the Phoenix”, about the short three months that all of this happened in. I wrote this in truth for others to see the unstoppable power of “the Flame”. Amazon.com, balboapress.com, Barnes and Noble, all carry this book now.
I have spoken to the “International Association of Near Death Studies” and intend to present myself before their convention this spring.
And I shall tell you this: To “crack your egg”, so to speak and as a metaphor, is a lot simpler than it seems and is the reason of your being here. That Flame is your true self on the highest of scales. Do not let the world, circumstance, conditioning and programming, peer group or social structure stop you from listening to your heart about this.
It is the greatest treasure you will ever find. Dennis Arbour
Wow! I am very intrigued! Thank you for sharing your story!
What a wonderfully inspirational Post, Dennis! 🙂
Nice shot!
I think that when you do not keep trying, the magic happens.
the answers are always there, but one can not see it because of the “inner noise” from our own mind. I think the ideas in the book “El poder del ahora-Eckhart Tolle” are very interesting, he thinks that the people spend a lot of time wasting time remembering the past or thinking about the future, so they never live the present.
Hey Henk,
Again you have shown above the crowd insight into who and what we all should/would/could become —another song along those line—we are all prisoners wrapped in chains and we do not even know we have the key!!!! Yes, processed and molded correctly by all the attributes of growing up–wiser is what we all want to attain—but then again very few get that until later in life–so this makes a difference to break bonds of strife that we all have included in our lives. For this is all we know to be factual—because as you have stated—what we “know” was at one point in time the “unknown” to us—let us all use this as a “WAKE UP” call and really live our lives the way GOD meant us to live—-let us “light” those “lights” within us all to burn brighter than ever and lead a live as we all were meant to live it—-showing our children that they are to “lights” in this world as well. Namaste, MarkSD
Having gone through the text& followed quite diligently responses of a few intellectuals,it requires a specific response.:With the 81 st Xas just gratefully cherished,(I) have begun to regret:what have (I)I achieved ?HUMAN RELATIONS HAVE TREMENDOUS IMPACTS ON OUR PERSONALITY-DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS CO-EXISTENCE ! We might have struggled through out life for peaceful ,, ,co-existence,harmony & perpetual LIVELY environments-But is it really feasible? Quite a few responses have expressed similar views& those need appreciations.Your endeavours have been path-finding milestones-We have to be alert -No malice ! NO REGRETS ! NO FLAME EXTINGUISHER?
acknowleging these thoughts we have to be precisely analytical in approach-perhaps you have adjudged human mind-aperfect evaluation with love& affection.
sham sunderazad
Thank you Hank for much appreciated, like always, article.
I thought that I do have a “big” heart full of love for all people and things around me… The missing part, most of my life, was that I didn’t look at myself with eyes and heart plenty of love. Maybe it’s not too late. I already started to change that, even if will take a while …to accept myself, my situations, to feel love for myself first, and manifest.
God bless you.
What wonderfully refreshing and honest insight this article was. I could feel myself relax as you stated what I had suspicioned but wouldn’t voice. I can most easily attract what I am…a deeper expression and release of myself will produce NATURALLY what I keep wanting the manufactured law of attraction to produce. Flow honestly with your talents and passions and you will have all you really want.
First of all, Sherry, I want to thank you for posting your story on the site. You made me feel better. I understand how you feel. I’m 30, and I’ve spent my teenage years and my twenties trying to figure out the answers to the questions posed in this article. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted by the time I earned my degree and set out on a job search that eventually sent me back to school because I couldn’t find work. In the process, I found a new passion that I do feel serves other people. However, I just finished college for the second time, and now I’m in limbo again while I look for a job. When I was a teenager, I told myself that by the time I was 30, I’d be all set in life- that I would know exactly what I wanted and would feel totally fulfilled. Now I’m 30, and I’m starting over again. As a result, I’ve been very frustrated. Reading your comment, Sherry, made me feel so much better- It reminded me that we always keep growing and changing. The answers to those questions take a lifetime to find! Thank you, Henk, for posting this article!
Its good to see people conversing in such a lively way. this forum has indeed given me insight into a new way of thinking(?) i thought was alone with many questions of this nature. now am not afraid to ask the universe, since we are many we shall surely get an answer.
Love & Embrace True Self ~ Do what you Love & you will Love what you do ~ Turn That Heart Light on & Shine back into All, & don’t take yourself so seriously ~ Laughter is great Medicine & lessons the power of fear Making room for Love, Inner Peace & Blessings, The Rythm of Life ~ Feel it ~ Namaste~*
Thanks for the great article! I totally agree that to achieve happiness you must follow your true purpose (or ‘love’!), because that’s who you are.
Love is not something to look for ” extrnally ” its within all of us. Conjure up the emotion of love and hold it whilst you focus on what your hearts desire is that you wish to manifest.As we and everything else in the universe is connected expand your love to all and feel the emotion of it.
Henk,
An excellent post. Certainly got people involved. Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Jack Griffin
Usha-I’m 61 and don’t feel it’s too late. Remember-Grandma Moses, famous painter, didn’t start painting until in her 70s! She lived to 101 years old. If she thought it was too late, she would have wasted the last 30 years and we would never have the pleasure of her paintings.
I have changed for the better so much in the last few years, it’s wonderful. Yes, I wish it happened in my 30s or 40s, but the important thing is THAT IT HAPPENED!
If your are fortunate enough to realize your passion, GO FOR IT! Just DO IT.
Too many live the lives they think they’re SUPPOSED to live, but it’s not the life they want.
This life may (or may not) be a dress rehearsal. How do you want your play to end?
Best to you.
What a wonderful group, so willing to share your deepest desires and love! My passion and work is to help co-create a more safe, sane, and peaceful world in any way that I’m able.
I write and illustrate picture books, write songs, conduct seminars and speak on the subject of peace at every level from personal peace to world peace. Since “peace” might mean different things to people, I’ve tried to come up with what might be a universal definition. I think it is the climate in which creative cooperation flourishes and grows. Starting with mutual respect and trust, we can learn so much from each other, no matter what seems to be “differences” in color, race, culture, religion, etc.. And underlying peace is unconditional love! I think our “love” must be unconditional, don’t you? Thank you for the chance to communicate with you. Peace, Love, Joy, and best wishes to all.
Frank Swift
Thanks for all of the amazing energy! You can FEEL it as you read the posts AND there is great LOVE here too!
I continue to be amazed at how all of this egg-cracking works. I have opened myself up to “possibilities” and started doing things I thought I would never do… I say there is no good or bad, there is only contrast…and in that contrast you can receive amazing clarity.
I have been on this awakened journey for around 4 years now ( I am 47 physical years) in this time I realized I have to be on my journey alone and yet I cannot be on this journey alone…we need each other to create and co create in this world, even if it is “just” a conversation!
We live in an amazing world at an amazing time of great shifting!! REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!
Espavo!
anna
My dear, beloved coach Henk . I always enjoy reading your articles:every
time your great sense of humor makes me burst into laughter. Even although I KNOW
MANY THINGS, AND I FEEL COMPLETELY LIBERATED FROM ALL NEGATIVE PARADIGMS, you still grab my attention. You hit it right on the nose again! I suffered
everything you pointed out except the fact that the wealth I desire is not only for me but
also my sons, my friends and many charity organizations. I was born very generous.
My mom used to go crazy because I gave away what she bought for me. I easily give money, gold trinkets, clothes, etc… Now I don’t care what other people expect of me,
and have no curiosity to find out what others do as I know it is none of my business!
But remember I am no spring chicken! I feel great compassion for younger people as
they are suffering what I have suffered. It takes great will power, determination and
persistency to overcome all the acquired negativity from family, friends, society, etc…
Bad habits are very difficult to change and it takes years to eventually gain some sanity
in this elusive, virtual world! Thank you for such a wonderful article!
Hi there,
Thanks for sending me this article. I have responded above. I agree with every word you say because I have experienced a lot of it in my life. It has made me see where my thoughts were sabotaging me in certain areas of my life and I am now going to put these wrongs to right. It is an amazing experience reading and getting the revelations as I read as well as feeling the universe is guiding me with the perception that I have. Universal love is truly the most beautiful state of being anyone can ever ask for. I now thank the Universe for it’s faithfulness. I remember Jesus saying in the bible, “This is why I speak to them by the use of illustrations, because, looking, they look in vain, and hearing, they hear in vain, neither do they get the sense of it.” Matt: 13:13
I think that even though I am not rich or famous I can still say I have had and am having a very successful life because I have experienced inner peace which is something I wanted most in my life. something that i have to work at maintaining but it’s a daily goal that is achievable. It’s like the words to a song i once came across in my younger days – “I love life, I want to live, I love life!” I know that after reading this I will become even more successful.
Kind of like Joseph Campbell’s “Follow your bliss.” I took his advice. It was simple enough. Bliss was much more than happiness or enjoyment. It was “love” I guess, Creative Process, Everything and Nothing. It was hours spent in the “Zone”. It has and continues to show me the path to ‘self-realization’. It does not matter whether or not I get there. I will or I will die trying. It is my life’s purpose. I have found that I have many conditioned energy patterns, still held in my body which can be strong enough to overide the skills to manifestation but I’m cleaning that up and it seems the older I get, the more I realize that I have gotten everything I wanted. The forms were some times quite different than I expected and I have had to expand my limits to my perception and awareness but in essence, I have received it all. Expnading the limits of my perception and awareness is what I think the Spirit wanted me to achieve. Getting what I wanted was just a trick , encouraging me to let go and open up.
This is the way I have always wanted to live and love.
Lately I have been thinking of the family I grew up in and felt very grateful that I grew up in a rich family but not a wealthy family. As I reflect on my childhood I realise that my family were very rich because they had all that money cannot buy like the love that is mentioned above. We had no material wealth to boast about but we made the most of what little we had and our biggest asset were each other. It is this love that has helped me to be forever grateful for the stormy phases in my life just as much as the fine weather phases of my life. It has helped me to see every happening in my life as a blessing for each experience has taught me to grow closer and closer to maturity. Loving oneself bring with it contentment and a peace that surpasses understanding. The biggest blessing for me was experiencing a life in a spiritual paradise – something I had for a while but now no longer have. When you love yourself, you are at peace with yourself and in so doing you love others and are at peace with them because you don’t mind how they are and have no desire to change or mold them to meet your needs. Thank you for all your wisdom. I always look forward to what Hank has to say. 🙂
At the start of this year I reflected on my entire life – my years of work, success and love – followed by my millions being virtually stolen from me by a young man who I trusted and was trying to help get started in business. Since then I have missed my material comforts and made very few genuine friends and only been happy when I was employed in work for a short while. And so, when I turned 80 last February I decided to regain my happiness. I started out making a few expensive mistakes buying internet “promises” of a fortune, but am now doing an intensive course on Internet Marketing and shall get where I want to be by my own efforts. “Crack Your Egg”-articles by Henk are so true and are my regular shots of energy to keep going. Thank you.
(Do not lack self-love) Than you sooo much !!
LOVE CREATES. YOU CREATE WHAT YOU LOVE.
Henk, thank you for a wonderful blog post. You are so right – acceptance is the key to manifesting what we want. Acceptance of self and acceptance of others. Many people like to use the word “love” but for me, acceptance is stronger and works better when I’m thinking of people I don’t like. If I can admit that I truly accept them, as they are, faults and all, then that acceptance clears my energy.
I’ll check your blog often – this was fun, reading your blog and all the comments.
I wish you both every success in your endeavors.
It is just amazing and something extraordinary
It is refreshing to see some spirituality being put back into the Law of Attraction. I think sometimes we become confused about what it mean to express and Be who we truly are, live our passion, and try to help others. We think it means we have to achieve something grand, rescue the world or become an icon. So we put these expectations on ourselves and stress out. I know because I have done it and still can have that tendency.
But I discovered that often, when I have helped others the most, I didn’t even realize it. I have been fortunate in that a few people have approached me later to tell me how much I helped them, and guess what – it was when I was just being and expressing who I was – not when I was trying to be wonderful and important.
Because when are each unique (while being part of the whole), we each can touch people in a way that no one each can do, but only if we are truly expressing and experiencing our authentic core essence, and that in itself is an ongoing journey. The more consciously aware we become, the more defenses and fears we overcome, the more we will express our true spirit through our physical existence, without distortions. And the more opportunities, people and situations we will attract that can benefit from our unique perspective.
I would love to have the security of knowing, (I am 56), that I will no longer have to work and sacrifice in order to pay the mortgage and my medical expenses, (I have some progressive chronic health issues). But money and power and importance has never made anyone have the joy, peace, and fulfillment which they seek. They just have more ways to distract themselves from that empty gnawing inside. I have no clue how composing music and drawing with benefit others, but it is a passion, And I believe that their must be a reason for that passion and talent. It is a gift that need not be wasted or taken for granted. I also love reading and learning. But not many people are interested in having conversations about science, physics, oceanography, astrophysics,nature and it’s creatures. At least my family thinks its terribly boring.
I used to work as a counselor until my health deteriorated. I knew that I was helping people then and I knew I had a gift for motivating them – the words came through me, rather than from me. Since I also like to write, a book may be another possible way for me to benefit others since, in addition to professional experience, also have personal experience in overcoming a self created hell on earth (such as IV drug addiction, eating disorder, rape, abusive relationships, suicide of my only sibling, homelessness, to name a few.) However, so far I seem to lack any natural talent for internet marketing to even get my articles read , which is a prerequisite for them to be beneficial. But then again, may be I need to just write the book first and see what happens.
Anyway, before I write a book here, my point is this: When I believed that in order to live my passion or make a difference, I had to be successful in business, I had to make a name and gain respect for myself in my field, and I certainly had to achieve financial abundance, I became stressed, I pursued internet business ventures which I hated doing, and I had no time or energy left to nurture my passions and talents. Plus I was so stressed that my patience with listening to my children’s frequent issues with friends, school clicks, etc. , and my guidance and examples about things like, why it is self defeating to do or say something negative to someone just because they did or said it to you, was feeling like an imposition rather than a privilege and an opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
Now I take the time to pursue my passions and focus my awareness and my courage on consciously being true and expressing my authentic spirit. I know that I feel more joy, more peace and more fulfilled. I know that, despite my health challenges, my current financial status, my oldest daughter being in prison, my mother’s Alzheimer’s, etc., my life is much brighter and my life experience much more fulfilling and joyous.
If I was born a cat but decide to act like a dog because I think they are more loved, respected and get to do more, I will probably never be a great dog, but I will be a miserable cat. And all the mice I could have caught as a cat, will multiply and infest the household.
Be an authentic you, and you are guaranteed to make a positive difference and fulfill your purpose, whether you get confirmation of it in your lifetime or not.
henk ,
i knew that ,who i really am , also what are my strengths ,and what do i excel in ,……. and so on from while i was a child . but unfortunately i have been living in a country ,which causes my frustrations to achieve who i really love to be, and iam 38 years old now .
i would very grateful of you again for significant artice .
best wishes
mohammad reza sedghi
I agree with Henry with regard to Sherry’s post. Sherry, I read the whole thing. You are such a great writer. I, too, want to hear more.
henk ,
i would be appreciated of you ,for signifcant article again,also for leading me to manifest my desirable life .
best wishes
mohammad reza sedghi
My most sincere heartfelt appreciation goes out to you for writting this article! i never really knew the right questions to ask myself in order to fulfill my most deepest desires. It really helped me in finally creating a starting point.
Thank you sooo much!!
You got it!!!! And I’m so glad you’re telling others…. In 2003 my father passed away it was sudden & we didn’t get to say our good byes. He died on Good Friday. Three days later I had an extremely vivid dream where my father came back to me to deliver a message. He put his hand on my cheek & I have never felt something so real. He told me “I have a very small window to talk to you so listen. I finally know what THE answer is & I’m giving it to you, never forget… it’s all about love! – that’s the key” Now this may seem simple but what really hit me is that I have never been one of those love, love, love people & neither was my father but what he was, was a seeker of truth. Love can infiltrate everything as can hate or even self loathing – pick the love path. My life has never been the same from 2003 – even though at the time I didn’t quite understand his “John Lennon” statement but what I did do was dive in fearlessly to find the true & my father was right. There is so much more I can say but I will leave you with this break thru your negative self talk, acknowledge your accomplishments & sit with self appreciation of those accomplishments for at least 24hrs – if you can’t do the 24hrs start w/ 30 seconds like I started, practice & build up & watch your life change. Thank you with much love & respect for your message.
Rose, thank you for your comments. After reading, I sat with paper and pen and wrote down my life’s accomplishments and yes, do feel better.
I’d also like to relate a dream I had; a few years after our dog died – we loved him but, he was a bit of a pest at times, he came to me in my dream. He was so happy to see me and conveyed a sense of love so strong and beautiful! Then, he scampered away because he had some wonderful doggy stuff to do – I woke up astonished by it and just cried. It was so real and unexpected. I realized the buffer zone I’ve created around myself to filter love through. My goal is to break through the filters and feel that love for Life and God’s creations always!
Your article really resonated with me. I’ve been studying new thought (the law of attraction) for quite some time now. Although things were manifesting in my life (good and not so good), I never realized how much love makes the difference in what shows up. Love for the flame is truly the key. Before really loving myself, I wondered why I had so many conflicting results, especially in my personal life. My personal life has changed drastically. I now attract men (people in general) who truly care for me. There are still some things I am working on at the deepest core of my being eventhough this part of my life has made a turn around. Thank God – The thing that matters most is that now I know the key, which is loving myself unconditionally no matter what!
This is my story….I am sticking to it.
With Love, U are on the right track.
Food for thought…
One said to another, “Will You make love to me?”
The other replied, “I am love.”
Greetings to all,
Many wonderful thoughts expressed here, and many sadnesses revealed. May I add some of my ideas–and that’s all they are. I don’t ask you to accept them; each of us believes what we want to believe, and that’s more than OK. I’m a bit older than most of you, 72; I started studying metaphysics, comparative religions, ESP, etc. etc. in 1970, and it has taken me all of those years to come to what I now believe. And that may change tomorrow. It is all just a trip, a journey on which we learn (sometimes through not learning) our particular life’s lessons.
What I see in many of the messages here is victim tendency. For a while I was a psychotherapist, and I learned a lot about thinking as a victim. It’s not very productive. Here’s something to consider: we almost all agree that when we die our spirit goes somewhere (all except those who don’t, of course). Many of us believe that before we’re born we reside in that same “place” we go to when we die. Some of us even believe that we planned our lives here before we were born on earth, in conjunction with others who would share in our little dramas. I don’t care if you believe that (I do, it’s my path) but how about pretending that you do? See your life as something you’ve created, starting with pre-birth, and extending to this very moment. Take responsibility for everything in your life. Forgive all those who you previously thought might have been responsible. Then give yourself freedom to think about what you like, what you don’t, and what you truly want, and find a way to express your passion. It can be done!!! I won’t hog anymore cyberspace; I hope you get the suggestion. Blessings to you all.
But what happens when you are 64 and have just realized what your real passion is, having done a lot in life so far, not because I loved it but because I was good at it- and I’ve been pretty successful- but now it is too late to do what I’d really wanted to do? How do I keep loving myself in spite of this?