One of the things I love the most about going raw is how it opens us up to more, specifically: more clarity, more insight, more depth, more abundance (in every sense of the word) and of course more energy, period.
When we take this opportunity the right way we can truly experience what I call a “magical” life on raw, meaning that we can move into a level of alignment and flow that we never had access to before, a level that brings exactly what we want to us quicker, easier and more wonderfully than before. “Magical” is the perfect word to describe it. It’s absolutely a high vibrational thing and within everyone’s grasp who says yes to living a high/all-raw lifestyle.
However, where people seem to be going wrong with this is in the belief that if something doesn’t happen quickly, easily or without a hitch, then “It isn’t meant to be”, or, “The Universe is protecting me, and it’s not right for me to have it.”
Warning: This is where I get particularly outspoken!
I first came across this phenomenon when a woman previously unknown to me went to sign up for a high-ticket training program on my web site. Her payment failed at the checkout. It wasn’t because she didn’t have the money; it was simply because she was trying to pay from overseas, and as it was a large sum of money her bank had taken precautionary measures and blocked the payment to prevent possible fraud. This happens all the time, so we simply emailed her and let her know to ring her bank and ask them to lift the block and her payment would go through. This she did, her payment went through, and she successfully entered the training and soon became one of the brightest stars in the group, impressing me with her commitment and dedication.
What was interesting about this story was that some time into the training she mentioned to me that when her payment had failed a few months previously, she had told herself, “It’s a sign… I shouldn’t be doing this training. The Universe is trying to stop me.” Needless to say, both of us was so glad that she hadn’t listened to that story, because a story is exactly what it is.
I share this particular example because throughout my coaching history I have never heard it as much “if it’s meant to be it will happen” as I’ve heard recently. And honestly, it depresses me, because the people who I am hearing it from are smart, positive, open-minded, spiritual people who all genuinely desire to be a good person and do good in the world and experience good things, but with this one single belief and mindset running, I dread to think how many opportunities and great things they are letting slip through their fingers because it hasn’t happened “picture perfect” right away, and so they’ve deemed it “not meant to be” or, “not the right time”.
The best example I’ve ever witnessed first-hand of the opposite of this was from my good friend Phillip Madeley. Phillip and I used to work together back in the early days of The Fresh Network. He was and still is one of the most gentle, funny, warm, genuine and spiritual guys you will ever meet. While working with me, he shared that his dream was to go and work for Gabriel Cousens at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Arizona. I knew this would be perfect for him in every way and gave him my full support in going for it. When the time came and Phillip started pursuing his vocation he encountered issue after issue. And not small issues either. In fact, it was me who said to him back then, “Are you sure you want to do this? Nothing seems to be really going right, does it? It doesn’t seem like it’s meant to be…”
To which Phillip replied, “I’m just being tested. I want this so much, I am not going to let anything stop me.”
I thank Phillip sincerely for that conversation because he showed me the power of tenacity and not buying into the story that “if it’s meant to be it will happen easily.” As you can tell, now I don’t believe that at all.
(By the way, Phillip not only went on to work at the Tree of Life for many years, but also found his soul mate there and got married! The USA is now his home.)
My experience has often mirrored Phillip’s, in that the things that have made the biggest difference in my life have been the things I’ve had to work hard to get, or have had to be patient for, or have generally required that little bit extra from me that I didn’t know I had.
I truly do think these times are “tests” (or whatever you wish to call them). I think the Universe/God/Spirit is actually saying, “I am going to put a roadblock in your way to see how much you want it, because your desire should be the deciding factor in whether you say yes or no to every opportunity. If you want it enough, you can make it happen, and I will support you, but you have to show me how much you want it and YOU have to go for it and be prepared to do what it takes. This will make you stronger, and more of the person that you can be.”
At the end of the day, none of us will ever know for sure what the “truth” is here, but what I invite you to consider is: Which of the two “stories” keeps us small, and which one makes us grow?
© 2011 Karen Knowler WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR ON YOUR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach publishes "Successfully Raw" - a free weekly eZine for raw food lovers everywhere. If you're ready to look good, feel great and create a raw life you love get your FREE tips, tools and recipes now at www.TheRawFoodCoach.com.
Excellent article and reminder, Karen. Thank you so much!
Ricki
Chandler,AZ
USA
Posted by: Ricki | October 07, 2011 at 04:20 PM
I've often debated this myself.. do I let go when "signs" seem to indicate it's not meant to be, or do I push through and make it happen anyway? In my experience.. definitely push through! Some of the most remarkable experiences I've had were a direct result of NOT backing down in the face of doubt when roadblocks come up! Although I'm not entirely sure if anyone (or anything) is testing us ;-) I love the final thought you offer.. "Which of the two “stories” keeps us small, and which one makes us grow?" It definitely put things into perspective for me! Great point!
Posted by: Mila Ilina | October 02, 2011 at 01:08 AM
Good one, Karen. Dig it!!
Posted by: Leila | September 30, 2011 at 10:57 PM