Yeah!!! I've cleaned up the malware on my PC.

I'm so grateful that I've finally been able to clean off the spyware and other malware from my PC. It's taken me about a week to finally get to the point where I can use my computer with some sense of reliability and get to the sites I'm actually trying to get to via favorites or with a search engine.

My 2007 Law of Attraction Year in Review

It's that time of year when magazines, television shows, etc. do some type of "year in review" so I'm going to share my review of 2007 through the Law of Attraction.

Previous to 2007, I didn't fully know or understand the Law of Attraction. Sure many things went well for me, but I also worried about many things. Much of what I worried about never did happen. But something else to worry about seemed to show up. I would think to myself "boy the universe always does find a way to get me out of a problem." Then the next problem would come up and I'd worry again, just to be rescued at the last minute.

Today, what I worry about is greatly reduced. After months of practicing EFT, spending more time meditating, reading more and more about personal development and Law of Attraction, and practicing "right thinking", I'm in a better state of mind. Sure there is more growth, but I've cleared out more of the negativity this past year.

In 2007 I received many good things:

* I met many new people through work, social groups and blogging.
* I've met people in random situations (grocery check-out lines, bookstores, resturants) and in the conversations that developed, words of wisdom or good feelings, were exchanged that made the day a little brighter.
* I found a new place to live, close to work and later found out it was to be closer to where my children would eventually move.
* I received many free lunches and dinners.
* I was successful in all legal actions taken against me and I'm able to keep custody of my children.
* I received a couple of gift cards, just in time, that allowed me to buy things that wore out.
* I was given free massages.
* I've won a couple of contests and drawings.
* I played and won numerous scratch-off lottery tickets. More that I spent on tickets.
* I get to spend more time with my children helping them get their homework done.
* I've received numerous compliments about my quality of work from customers and management.

These items and circumstances represent the good things I've attracted into my life.

One trick I learned, in 2007, that really benefits me is to write in a Gratitude Journal. I've written much in my Gratitude Journal. Documenting the proof that I do attract more good into my life. When I read this journal, I get warm fuzzies again, just like when I originally experienced these items or circumstances coming into my life. The original experience raises my vibrations and rereading about the experience raises my vibrations again. I'm sure that by keeping this practice, and others, 2008 is an even better, more fulfilling and abundant year.

I'm wishing you much success and happiness for 2008.

Back to Basics: Building Belief

This week I'm focusing on the basics of Law of Attraction for Beginners: Building Belief.

Here is some informtion for review:

See my Definition of Law of Attraction

See my definition of How Law of Attraction Works: Quantum Physics

Today's new post is meant to address the times when we doubt and get frustrated with things not manifesting. This happens when we are attached to the desire, we set-up ressitance and block ourselves from manifesting.

The million dollar home, the black Mercedes, the 200' yacht, traveling around the world for a year, etc. are all great things I can have. But sometimes I hear that little ego voice telling me, "Yeah right! How are you going to get that?" Then doubt creeps in and I once again see the lack in my life. Crash goes the belief system.

So, back to basics. Take little steps to build up the belief system.

The Parking Space Exercise:

How to get that parking spot close to the movie theater, the mall entrance, the stadium, etc. Parking spaces are easy because we are not so attached to the manifestation.

Since there is no attachment to making this happen, your life doesn't come to an end. So, you don't get the close parking spot, big whoop, you walk an extra 30'.

Before you leave one location: home, the office, a firend's house and you know where you are going; the mall, the grocery store, the movie theater, etc. sit for a moment or two and visualize your whole drive, each stop light, each turn and driving up to the parking spot you want. See the spot open for you as you approach. Feel yourself being excited that you get to park so close to entrance. Be appreciative of this close parking spot and thankful for the safe drive to the mall, the store, wherever. (I visualize the whole trip so that I can manifest the whole trip safely.)

I love doing this. The grocery store I frequent near my home has parking stalls right in front of the store. No crossing traffic, I mean right there at the front of the store. I visualize doing this almost all of the time. I say "almost" because sometimes after I pick-up my kids and heading home, I get more involved in talking with them than I do manifesting a parking spot. But even then, I do get a spot up front more times than not. I believe, because I'm use to finding a space up front most of the time anyway, I have a positive expectation that'll I get one each time I go shopping. When I don't get one, I just park and say "It's a nice walk to the store with my kids."

Remember the basics. Do the little steps that build up your confidence and expectations that you can do this.

What do you do to build your belief that Law of Attraction works for you?

The Most Important Part of the Law Of Attraction (IMHO)

Appreciation and Gratitude

I became exposed to the Law of Attraction in December 2006 through the movie The Secret. But what really struck a cord with me and has made the most difference in my life since seeing The Secret is Appreciation and Gratitude.

Since applying appreciation to my daily life, wonderful things have started to come into my life. Other than the goodies that have come into my life (two massages, breakfast, lunch, movie tickets, gift cards to several places) I see the world with a whole new approach and with new eyes. I see things with more perspective when appreciating what I have and when I get something I am very thankful.

Why do I say the most important part of Law of Attraction is Appreciation and Gratitude? Because, appreciating what I have sets my mind in the presence of now and is a high vibration. When in the emotion of appreciation, my senses open up, I feel lighter and more connected to source. When I appreciate, when I ame truly thankful, I feel filled with grace.

Think about this for a moment. Do you enjoy doing something for someone who is grateful for your work/actions/deeds? Would you keep doing something for those who are ungrateful or do not appreciate what you do? (psychological issues aside) For me, I tend to continue putting energy into relationships where I feel appreciated. Where gratitude is shown for my efforts, deeds, gifts, etc. I desire to continue doing for others. When I am unappreciated, I will seek out a way to find gratitude to be given to me from another source.

Fortunately, the universe passes no judgements on us for lack of appreciation of what we receive. But appreciating what we have and thankful for what we get raises our vibrations. (Abraham places Appreciation in the number 1 slot in the Emotional Guidance Scale.) That is what the universe reacts to, our vibrations. So it makes sense to keep putting out the higher vibrations so the universe responds to those vibrations more than others.

For some, showing gratitude or being thankful for what we receive gets in the way of their current experience. They are on the lower end of the Emotional Guidance Scale and vibrating at lower levels. Fortunately, gratitude is a habit that can be learned and developed.

When I was young, my parents taught me social skills. I was taught to say "thank you." "Thank you" became a habit that frequently carried no real feeling of gratitude. Sure, every once in awhile I received a gift that WOW'd me, someone did a special thing that really brought up the emotion of appreciation. But for much of our lives we say "thanks" out of societal expectation of courtesy.

So, some might ask "What do I have to be thankful for?" Consider this example by contrast.

If you are reading this, then you have a computer or at least Internet access at school or public library; therefore you live in a country that is full of abundance. By contrast there are people in this world that do not have Internet access, nor a computer, nor a local library, heck, not even enough food to feed themselves. And you think about how much you don't have. In contrast you live in abundance. Think about this for a minute. Really, think about this for a minute. Look at the society you live in compared to some who do not have enough good food or clean water.

Click here and go to The Hunger Site. Click on the "Click Here to Give - it's FREE!" button.

You might be looking at your current situation and comparing to some other lifestyle you want to experience. It's good to remember to briefly observe other lifestyles for comparisons to keep some perspective. Now you have something to be thankful for, living in an advanced society.

"OK Dean, I live in an advanced society, and surrounded by abundance, but I could never manifest anything I want."

On the contrary. We manifest EVERY day. You wake, you are hungry and desire to eat something. You seek a way to satisfy your desire by finding food either in the kitchen, the grocery store, a restaurant, mom and dad's house, etc. You have a job that brings in money so you can exchange for food, shelter and clothing. Why do we poo poo this manifestation of our desires (to eat every day) because it is such a common and repetitive manifestation that we do not appreciate that food is so plentiful in most modern societies. We all work, earn money, each day because we desire to eat several times a day. What if you didn't work? Would you be thankful for when you do get a job that allows you to buy food once again. Are you thankful when a friend/family member/stranger feeds you? So be thankful each and every meal. Be thankful each time you get in your car, so you can go to work, go buy groceries, go to a restaurant. Be thankful for your education, whatever level you attained. Be thankful for (fill in the blank).

There are many exercises that help us build our skills and this is one that really I like. It uses something we might not fully utilize ever day, but we do use every day. Our senses. This exercise is high in value, raises vibrations, increases our awareness, and develops our appreciation.

When I walk out my front door and am more fully in the presence of nature, that is, unobstructed by the man made construction of a house/condo/apartment, etc. I allow myself to sense more of the beauty of the world. I take a moment and breath deeply of the morning air. Try it every day, take just a couple of deep breaths and smell the day. Notice the smells, exhaust of cars, fresh cut grass, woodsy smells from trees, scent of flowers, the smell of oil rising from the asphalt after a night of rain. Just sense these smells. Think, or say, "thank you for my sense of smell."

Open your eyes and look around w/ purpose to see the trees and their leaves, plants, grass, the sun's light on everything, the shadows created. Look at the various shades of greens and browns, cloud formations or the cloudless sky. Look at the cracks in the sidewalks, the colors of houses, the variety of car styles. Just appreciate your sense of sight. Get excited that you can see all the beauty. Think, or say, "thank you for my sense of sight."

Stop and listen to the environment. The birds chirping, hooting, cawing. Notice the car engines running smoothly or roughly, people washing the breakfast dishes, kids laughing on the way to school. Or, notice the silence and quiet of the morning. Think, or say, "thank you for my sense of hearing."

Really take this time to feel the temperature, the wind, the humidity. Use your senses. (OK, you can keep you tongue in your mouth, unless it's snowing.) Say a silent thank you for the beauty of the day you sense before you.

Now do all this again, about noon time. Notice the change in smells, sights, sounds, feel the difference of noon.

Do this once again at night.

Do this for one minute in the morning, noon and at night. That's three minutes a day. Out of 1440 minutes a day, you can spare three minutes for this exercise. Of course you can extend this longer which is more enjoyable.

So what does this have to do with appreciation? Simple.

It's very simple.

Appreciate the simple things in life. "Stop and smell the flowers." Literally.

"Step away from the ATM machine sir"

Have you ever received a check in the mail? You know it's a check because you can see through the window "Pay to the Order of:" You are so excited that you got money, good things are flowing to you. You open the envelope and your excitment crashes because you expected more but got less.

I want to share a post with you from Ed Mills at Evolving Times.

Ed Mills has a great writing style that is poignant and humorous. I hope you enjoy Catch it, Zap it, and Turn it Around as much as I did.

I'm Thankful For...

Getting my PC repaired on my own without having to reformat. :)

I Am Thankful For...

Here in sunny San Diego, the weather is wonderful. I ate my lunch outside, at an umbrella covered table and was struck by the beauty of the day. I realize how fortunate I am to live here in San Diego.

While eating I recited my gratitude for:

my eyes, to see the beauty of the day, the variety of colors, the birds flying and the sun.
my ears to hear the breeze rustling the leaves of the trees, the chirping of the birds, co-workers speaking at a nearby table.
my nose to smell subtle sents that waft through the air and from my food.
my skin to feel the wind blowing, the warmth of the sun.
my tongue to taste my food.

I delight in my body, it's senses and the delight of it all.

Today I'm thankful for...

I usually awake in the mornings about 6:30 without an alarm. Well, actually my alarm clock is the sounds of birds chirping. It's 5:30 am, and the dark of night is just starting to lessen her grip on the world. A crow or two start to caw. Then another type of bird chirps in. More birds are starting to wake and declaring to the world they are here. They seem to be waking each other. After 10 minutes it sounds like a symphony with all the different chirps, caws and occasional hoot. It's like they are calling forth the sun to rise.

I'm watching the light of day come, something I haven't watched in awhile. The more the light comes, the more sounds I hear.

I'm sitting on the front porch of my beautiful two story home, a cup of coffee and the tranquility of this dawn surrounds me as the world and I awaken to this new day.

I'm Thankful for...

Wow, not even an hour out of bed this morning and great things happen to me.

First, a very kind and courtious driver allowed me out of a driveway to enter the flow of traffic, eventhough traffic was extremely light and there was absolutly need for the driver to wait. It's a nice thing to experience on the way to work.

Then, returning to the car after buying my Marie Calander's frozen dinner for my lunch, turning on the radio I first hear a line from a Steely Dan song "I.G.Y."

"What a beautiful world this will be
What a glorious time to be free "

All this and I've been awake for about 40 minutes.

"What a glorious time to be free"

I Am Thankful For...

My kids who want to watch The Secret every night.

They found the story about Gratitude Rocks really interesting. They went out and collected a bunch of rocks, washed them up and went out selling them to people in the neighborhood. It gave me a great thrill to see them excited about the project and working together. I smiled as I watched them try explaining the process of gratitude.

They offered me a selection of rocks for me to choose one. I keep it with me all the time. It makes me smile each time I touch the rock. It triggers my memory of them.

A New Approach with Gratitiude

Recently I read an article by Patricia Carrington PhD entitled "Using the 'Future Thanks' Method to Create What You Want." This article shares the idea of being in gratitude as a way of manifesting desires.

Remember in the movie The Secret the woman who cleansed herself of breast cancer by say "thank you for my healing". Joe Vitale wrote about a phrase he learned "Thank you god for all the blessings that I have and all that I am receiving."

This appraoch puts one in the space of accepting that which already is, that which we are grateful for, plus it opens us up to being in the Now with our desires that are manifesting. We are creating the new now.

The first three paragraphs were written yesterday, Saturday May 5, and today I'm finishing this post. Throughout the entire day yesterday, but especially during lunch, I kept saying to myself 'Thank you for all the blessings in my life and the blessings I am receiving." "Thank you for all the good things that are happening to me."

During lunch I went for a walk around the canyon and nature preserve near work. Most of the walk I was drinking in the beauty of the day, soaking in the warm sun and clear sky, the cool breeze and feeling the nature around me. Most of the time I kept saying those phrases and other positive affirmations would surface and I spoke them as well.

Today, the entire day is such an excellent day. Environmentally it may just be because it's San Diego but I see it in a whole different view. It feels so nice to be into the Now, it is a bit of a high. This is great.

Now, I see every day as a totally beautiful day. Windy, overcast or rainy, I see every day as a perfect gift from the Universe to show me the beauty of everything. I love watching the birds fly, the lizards crawl, the clouds float on by, wow, I love living this way.

Thank you for all these wonderful expereinces.

Watch the Universe for Signs

One of the teachings of the Masters of Law of Attraction is to look for signs from the Universe.

What is a sign from the Universe? Sometimes it could be a book that someone tells you about, maybe it'll be 2-3 people who tell you about the same book within a week. A sign might be seeing the same type of store you want to open for your own business go up for sale and you should buy it, or start your own since the competition is lessening. Of course that store closure could mean the universe is making you aware that the market is not ready or doesn't need that type of business.

I look for signs everywhere. It's not that I obsess about looking for signs, I'm just being aware of my environment. I look at the clouds in the sky, the animals that move around me, the conversation of people talking near me. Sometimes it's loosing internet connection at home when I'm trying to buy something on the internet.

Let me tell you what happened yesterday at work.

I started my last 15 minute break at work. Went outside and decided to open my car windows to vent out the heat and freshen up the car during the rest of the day. I also remembered it is an "80's weekend" on radio station Jack 100.7 FM here in San Diego. I thought I'd catch an old song and trigger a good memory. Something interesting about this station, it has listeners call in an leave messages about what they think about the station.

So, I get in my car, turn the key to power the windows and radio, the radio started and I heard a listener's voice say "I love what you're doing, keep it up." Then a song from one of my favorate bands, Fleetwood Mac, started to play "Gypsy".

Boy, did I get a good feeling triggered. The Universe spoke very good things to me. It said "I love what you're doing, keep it up," and played me a great song.

Today I'm thankful for...

Yesterday I ordered pizza online to be delivered from a major pizza chain. When it was delivered I was a bit on the hungry side and didn't really complain that I got the wrong pizza and dipping sauce for the wings. Since I just moved in the area, I only wanted to let the pizza place know that the order was wrong. I wasn't expecting anything except a refund of the difference of what I paid and what I got. The person on the phone was so polite, apologetic and insistent that I come in for a full refund or a new delivery of the correct order I didn't argue. How nice.

I'm thankful for a free pizza and wings.

Today, I am thankful for...

1) I recently learned that my children and their mother will be moving closer to where I am currently living. Yeah! The kids will be closer to me again. Along with that, the schools they'll be attending are some of the highest rated schools in San Diego County.

2) The promotion at work has gone through, I'm now a Technical Support representative II.

3) The homeowner I'm renting from, Francis, is so willing to work with me and help me through my current transistional process.

I hope that you dear reader take an attitude of gratitude and be thankful for the good things in your life. Since I have started this practice of BEING thankful for the good things in my life, I'm seeing more good things in my life. Some of which you see here when I post them, others I just enjoy throughout the day.

A note: Being thankful is just that, a state of BEING. It's not a "thanks for this and thanks for that" just to get it out, as a courtesy. Genuine gratitude wells up from within, "from the bottom of my heart".

Peace, love and harmony

Dean

Today I'm thankful for...

I'm thankful for this beautiful morning, the birds chirpping that woke me up instead of an alarm clock.

How the Universe has provided for me.

I’m writing this for two reasons 1) as a reminder to me that the universe has provided and taken care of me and 2) as a story to share with you that the universe will take care of you.

Memorial Day weekend 2004, my 80 year old mother was in a car accident. The worse part was a broken knee. Needless to say, as soon as I found out, I left San Diego and headed up to Huntington Beach to care for her. Nothing unusual about a son going to take care of his mother. But this was just the beginning.

This incident took place about 3 weeks before my children’s mother was planning to leave the San Diego area and move to the San Fernando Valley area. I knew that she was planning this move and I even started planning to make my move out of San Diego to be closer to children. The distance from San Diego to Huntington Beach is about 110 miles. The distance from Huntington Beach to San Fernando Valley is about 55 miles. So, the plans I was making to move closer to where the children would be living was already taken care of for me.

Skip ahead to September 2005, my mother is now in a home and I was seeking employment. The day I received an offer for a position that was a great fit for me and my work history, was the day the children’s mother decided to tell me that she was thinking about moving from San Fernando Valley back to Lakeside.

I was to start my new job on October 3, 2005. On October 1, 2005, my mother passed away. Hmmm. The children and their mother moved back to Lakeside in late October 2005. Then on the Monday after Thanksgiving, my new employer, laid me off. So, my mother is gone, my employer has downsized me and nothing is holding me to Orange County, CA, so I moved back to San Diego.

Eventhough the events were a bit difficult and challending, many little stories within this timeframe, I was always close to my children. Ways opened up for me to remain close to my children.

I am grateful for the opportunities for me to be close to my children and be actively involved in their lives.

Another reason to be thankful today

My children's mother decided to worry about the living arrangements that my children and I are living in currently. I'm not going to bore you with details, just that she worries and over exaggerates and embelishes information. /shrug BTW, I'm looking forward to the new and better living arrangements to appear.

So, we ended up in mediation. In previous mediation sessions we have worked out an agreement. Her tactic, this time appeared to be, not to agree with anything and force the decision to be made by the mediator for a recommendation to the court for the solution. Well, the mediator listened, I made suggestions and she didn't budge. The mediator invited the children to be interviewed the next day. This was about a week ago.

In the mail today I received a copy of the mediator's recommendation. In short, I get to keep the kids on the current schedule we have arranged and the living arrangements are acceptable.

That's great news. I'm grateful that the kids will continue to see me and stay over night 3 nights a week. :)

I'm very happy.

I knew the universe really does see me as a good father and instrumental in the lives of our children.

I remember a quote I read in Spiritual Marketing by Joe Vitale, it is a saying that came from his healer Jonathon. It goes: "Thank you God for all the blessings I have and all the blessings I am receiving."

Today I'm thankful for...a promotion

I've been a temporary employee through a temp service with a major cable company in San Diego since January 2. After 90 days I'm to become a full-time employee with the cable company and get full benefits. Now, there are 3 levels of support techs in this department. As a contractor, I've been TECH I. To become a TECH II, I have to take a test and pass with 80% or higher. I studied the TECH II manual several weeks ago, and took a practice test last Saturday March 24 and got a 66%. I spent the weekend doing many things, but not enough time studing for the exam last Monday. I asked the Universe to guide me and help me pass the test to become a TECH II.

Today I have been offered the position as a full-time employee as a TECH II rep. I didn't even know I passed the test and here they are offering me the position. :)

I remember taking the test and easily answering many questions that I knew the answer for from experience. On questions I was hesitant or unsure of I asked "what answer should I choose?" and was inspired to answer some of the multiple choice questions. Evedentially it worked. :)

Today I'm thankful for...

A comfortable bed
Lot's of pillows and blankets
A good night sleep
EFT: Emotional Freedom Therapy (more on this later)

Gratitude: What a beautiful day.

It is amazing how applying principles taught by the masters of the Law of Attraction, such as Jack Canfield, Joe Vitale and Bob Doyle, really make life more fun and enjoyable.

An Attitude of Gratitude

I woke up today to birds chirping and a bright, sunny morning. I've said my thanks for today that it's beautiful.

I feel good about making progress in my work and excited about becomming a full-time employee with Time Warner Cable. Our building overlooks a canyon. Rabbits, coyotes, deer, snakes, birds and more live in the canyon. Now that it is Spring, there is more activity in the area. The whole area is more alive. What a blessing.