Recovering a Sense of Power

"This week may find you dealing with unaccustomed bursts of energy and sharp peaks of anger, joy, and grief. You are coming into your power as the illusory hold of your previously accepted limits is shaken. You will be asked to consciously experiment with spiritual openmindedness."

In reading through the information on synchronicity this week, my thoughts drifted to a time 6 years ago when I worked through The Artist's Way. At that time, after a couple of years of working part-time jobs and leaving only part-time hours available for my dream, I decided to give up the part-time jobs, no matter what the cost, and work full-time on the career I desired -- self-employed as a freelance writer for textbook companies.

Julia says, "Sometimes an older artist will be moved to help out even aginst his or her own wishes." In reading that I remember that it was just at this time in my life, the time when I put all my energies toward my dream, that a mentor entered my life. I had been selected to work on a project for a company in New York. They thought it was necessary to fly all of their writers to New York to brief them on the project. This was not only incredibly expensive, but also not the norm. It was a free trip and I certainly had the time...and was hungry for the work, so I went.

The trip was exciting. I had never been to New York before. Giving the cabi, who didn't speak English well, the address was a challenge in itself. The meeting was boring. The information that was given could have easily been mailed. But, as luck, or fate, or God would have it, there was more than I anticipated riding on this event.

After the meeting, I discovered that one of the other writers, Jane, had a flight time close to mine. We both had about 2 hours to kill and decided we would get a cup of coffee and share a taxi to the airport. She seemed as if she was familiar with the territory, and was pleasant enough, so I was more than happy to let her take the lead. We talked, we laughed, we shared stories of our experiences in this business. Of course, mine were few. I was enthralled with her experiences. She was doing what I wanted to do. As we continued to talk, I'm not sure how, but she says now that I impressed her. Without ever seeing anything I had done, she felt that I must be quite talented. She gave me the name of an editor to call with another company. I was to give her name when I called and this editor would certainly hire me.

I didn't believe a word of it. I kept the name and phone number, but I didn't believe I would get a job from them right away. I figured they'd want samples of my work, at the very list. And would take a bit of time to mull it over.

After returning home, Jane and I kept in contact. We would share many hours in conversation over the phone. I learned so much about the business. When the project that brought me to New York was nearly over, Jane, once again, encouraged me to call the editor whose name she had given to me the day we had met.

Nervously, I dialed the number and asked for Vivian. This editor was overjoyed to hear from me. They were in the middle of a math project and needed another writer. I was immediately taken in on the project. Materials were sent out that week for me to get started.

I was in shock! No job had ever come THAT easily. I was surprised not only that Jane was impressed, without ever seeing my work, but that she had convinced Vivian that I was good...and that Vivian accepted Jane's word without seeing any proof.

Now, 6 years since then, I have worked on many projects for Vivian. I was advanced from writer to project manager in a very short time. I work for other companies, too, but whenever Vivian needs someone for a math project, I am always contacted.

I am living proof of Goethe's quote -- "Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it."

What is it you would like to do? What is your dream? Do it! Put as much energy as you can towards it. Clear out anything that does not support your dream. If your partner or family members or close friends say or do things that negatively impact your dream, tell them how you feel and ask them to stop. Don't let their criticism, or yours, get in your way. (For tips for dealing with criticism, see the Dealing With Criticism link.)

Weigh the costs. "Can my husband take over as primary caretaker of the children for a few months while I put more energy toward my dream? Wouldn't this be a fabulous way to teach my children to go after their dreams?" Or "I don't really enjoy the job that I'm in and it weighs down my spirits. Can I take a leap of faith? I'll save enough funds to live on for 6 months. Then I'll take the leap and see where it leads. I can always find another job if my dream doesn't work out. In any case, I will be better off. This job I have now doesn't serve me and drains on my health."

Whatever your situation, look for a window. Peer out the window in search of your dream. Open the window a crack to let in fresh air, new ideas, inspiratation, and energy. Take one step to meet your dream and watch for your dream to come to you. It will happen. Believe!

Find an image of a window that you like. Draw it, stamp, it, print out the one on this page (click on it first to enlarge it) or find one in a magazine. If the panes are not blank, cut out the window panes. Then think about your dreams. What do you see when you look through the window of your dreams? If you were to close the door on one part of your life right now, what window would you like to find? Fill in the panes of your window with images that reflect your dreams.