What does it represent? 

For me, the ocean means unlimited expansion and power. It also connects me to others. The waves come in and they go out without fail. The wave that I see this moment, will be lapping the shores of another beach somewhere in the world tonight. I sometimes imagine that the wave would carry my well wishes to others across the waters, like in the movie, Message in a Bottle. The waves remind me that we are all one.

From my window, I also see birds soaring through the air.  Seagulls, parrots, pigeons and finches populate the magnolia and birch trees and various palm trees lining my neighborhood.  I was so inspired by the freedom represented by birds soaring over the ocean, that I commissioned a painting.  I took the artist out to a location dubbed Pelican Bay in Marina del Rey, CA so he could see and feel my vision for the painting.  Here is a photo of it. (It is on a multipaneled canvas to give it a 3-d look in person).

This picture inspires me to keep soaring. I have another picture that represents unlimited spirit soaring. Here it is.

Can you feel the wind flowing by and see the richness of the jewel-toned colors? I meditate on this picture each morning as I contemplate how I will soar that day and help others to do the same.

Do you know what symbols motivate you?

Try this:  When you look at your life, see if you find any patterns – collections of items like shells, crystals, books with a certain theme, clothing of a certain color or design.  Ask your friends to share what they think you collect. Assess what your environment reflects about your current mindset.  Don’t like it?  Change it!

First learn to visualize and meditate on your visualization.  When you see a clear picture of the sights and sounds that support the feeling you would like to embody, put those things into your environment. Start with your bathroom, your car, your workspace. Wherever you spend a lot of time or wherever you go to rejuvenate, collect your thoughts and plan your life is where you want to create some symbolism. As you look at your symbols, you’ll stay motivated to pursue your passion and accomplish your mission on this planet.

Let me know if you have thoughts or questions. Feel free to post pictures and videos on the wall of  Manifesting Mavens fan page at Facebook.

Dr. Neen

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience the results of efforts to help raise the tide. My heart was singing after providing a full-day self-esteem and financial literacy workshop  for 30 single moms, residing in a South Central Los Angeles shelter.

I did not accomplish this by myself. The workshop was a collaboration between, His Sheltering Arms, and the  S.M.I.L.E. (single mom international leadership empowerment) initiative of the Women’s Peace Campaign (WPC) . 

Sharine Love, Latrice Nichols, Dr. Neen, Jovita Jenkins, Eldonna Lewis Fernandez

Three WPC-S.M.I.L.E. volunteers joined me,  to share their expertise with the ladies. We were supported  by Wells Fargo,  which provided a branch manager (pictured  in red above) to conduct the financial literacy portion of  the workshop, as well as sponsor copies of our training materials which included copies of my inspirational book for all participants and attending staff. We received pies from Marie Calendars for the reception following the workshop and Sparkletts supplied bottled water throughout the day. And of course, my intern LaTanya was there to help us feel special, stay organized and provide great video and still pics.

What was especially heartwarming for me, was to have my dream become a reality.  I have always envisioned  successful single moms giving guidance to struggling single moms. The participants   heard other single moms tell their story of how they had walked in their shoes as victims of abuse, neglect, alcoholism, poverty, environmental challenges, and hopelessness. The self-esteem of each woman in the audience was lifted as she realized there was no difference  between the presenter and herself.

Once this bond was established, the women were able to listen to specifics on how to achieve better results in their lives.  It was a miraculous experience for me to  witness the women stepping into their power and claiming the good in life, they now realized they deserved.

What changed?

The women began to see how they’d already taken steps to become successful people, to see themselves as leaders, and to start acting like leaders. They shared their strategic plans, their attitudes changed about problem solving and their questions turned to ones of  leveraging their resources.

As each woman stood up during the workshop and shared how she benefitted from the day’s event, it was clear that  when we see  ourselves reflected in others, when we acknowledge the greatness in one another, we can see we are all in this together!

If you are a single mom who would like to learn how to share your story with other single moms, please visit www.MomsWithAmessage.com.

If you would like to acknowledge others for letting you be of service to them, please try Dr. Neen’s Gracitude Experiment.

Feel free to leave comments below or post on the wall of  Manifesting Mavens fan page on Facebook.

Dr. Neen

Next, I recorded ocean waves (I live near the beach). My goal was to hear the waves for 15 minutes and then journal.

I had to keep starting my goal over, because I’d fall asleep after 3 or 4 minutes! Finally, I was able to listen for the full 15 minutes. I gradually added in additional meditation practices to strengthen my visualization ability.

Eventually, I wrote a script and used it when I taught goal achievement workshops. My students asked for the meditation and I gave them the script so they could make their own tapes (yes, it was that long ago that we used casette players!) , but what they wanted was a recording.

I relented and created a meditation tape. Then they asked for music in the background (which I find distracting, but I give paying customers what they ask for!) I collaborated with Daniel Wheeler, a hypnotherapist and musician and the meditation cd was born.

You can try the following simple exercise to get started and maintain a daily practice.

The following exercise is for anyone who is divorced from their core, from another person or from their passion.

To prepare for this exercise, choose a word from the table of contents (TOC) of Think it, Do It! YOU Have the Power - 52 Life Lessons. The link will take you to the website where you can click on the free book sampler. The document has the TOC. Follow these instructions:

Meditation Activity Instructions

1. Choose a word from the list
2. Read the word out loud
3. Close your eyes and meditate on the word
4. Write down whatever comes to mind immediately after you open your eyes
5. Stretch or walk around
6. See if you feel like writing more
7. Review what you wrote and date it
8. Allow yourself to react to what you wrote
9. Record your reactions on a separate page with the date and time
10. Come back to what you wrote, later, and record your reactions again
11. Notice if the time of day affects your reaction
12. Focus on one word for the week

Courtesy of

www.DivorceRecoveryKit.com

If you would like to purchase the meditation cd, visit: www.VisionFocus.com/Products.html. It's a great way to open your heart and let it sing.

In performing the ritual at shelters, we give a copy of the inspirational mini guidebook, Think it, Do it! YOU Have the Power - 52 Life Lessons, to the ladies who share their dreams with us. When I sign the book, I acknowledge each of the ladies. I’ve discovered that the recipient usually has two reactions. The first is one of gratitude that I believe so much in her dreams. The second is one of shock that I too, am grateful that she shared her dream with me.

Why is she in shock? Because no one has ever let her experience the mutual feeling of partnership that occurs when unconditional givers and receivers combine. Her response is important because she has given me the opportunity to fulfill MY mission on this planet. If she didn’t graciously receive what I am offering, then I wouldn’t receive the mirrored blessing.

I am not talking about a have and have not situation. I am talking about all of us allowing each other to feel important, as well as experience what it feels like to be a giver. She is not walking around looking for a hand-out. She is stretching her hand out, seeking the hand that will form a partnership where we become mutually strong.

What do I learn in this process?

I learn that others value what I am offering. I learn what it feels like to love unconditionally. She shares what it feels like to receive unconditionally and then, she reflects her gratitude to me and I get to receive THAT gift of gratitude, unconditionally.

It’s a love fest! And it opens my heart so wide, I fall in!

Try out Dr. Neen’s Gracitude Experiment and let us know what happens for you and for the people you acknowledge.

Until next time, keep your spirit soaring!

Dr. Neen