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What If? What If? What If? July 22, 2011

Posted by nrhatch in Magick & Mystery, Mindfulness.
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CindyBuddhaWhen I first heard the whisper of Spirit (the still silent voice within), I tuned in ~ and began exploring the spiritual realm.

Excited by the secrets and mysteries of the Universe, I attempted to share what I’d learned with others.

Rather than embracing the information, family and friends (and many casual acquaintances) expressed reservations, doubt, and skepticism . . . completely rejecting the message I wished to share.

No matter.

We do not always see eye to eye with those around us. Our unique experiences in life factor into how we perceive the world. That does not make them “right” and us “wrong,” or vice versa.  We view the world from different vantage points ~ we see the world behind our eyes.

People who are close to us have a vested interest in having us stay exactly as we are ~ if we listen to them, rather than embracing change, we stagnate.

We don’t need to justify our beliefs or defend our lifestyle choices to the skeptics in our lives. Only you know what makes sense for you.

Do that. Be that.

After all, if you don’t live your life, who will?

And, now, back to the regularly scheduled programming:

abstract-green-n-blueMore pragmatic than spiritual, my father attempted to refute my claims, using logic and reason.  He argued with me about my beliefs, ignored my observations, and rejected my experiences, while (I suspect) harboring considerable concern about my mental health and well-being.

His reaction didn’t surprise me.

My father relies on logic and reason, not inner wisdom, to help him solve problems ~ many do.  Of course, sometimes logic is just “an organized way of going wrong with confidence.”

The more I talked about Spirit Lighting The Way, the more resistant he became to that notion ~ not out of malice, but due to parental and paternal concern that, if I continued to follow Spirit, I would eventually fall off the edge of the cliff without a safety net.

At times, I admit, I shared his concerns.

Doubts surfaced. Fear took hold and spread its sinuous roots. Worry about money crept into my thoughts:

What if I’m wrong? What if he’s right? What if I never figure out what I really want to do with my life?

What if we run out of money? What if? What if? What if?

One night, while washing dishes, I began thinking that I should return to the practice of law until I figured out what I wanted to do next ~ juries loved me, I earned good money, and I enjoyed the intellectual challenge offered by each new case.

Intellectually, logically, rationally, it made sense to return to litigation.

Spiritually, it did not.

Returning to the profession would have provided financial security, while exacting a high price ~ the continual erosion of my peace of mind.

AbstraktNevertheless, I rationalized taking a step backwards: I’ll just go back for a short time. Just until I figure out what I really want to do with the rest of my life. I’ll just earn enough to set aside some savings . . .

Mid-thought, the still silent voice within piped up . . . 307.

Wait . . . what?

In response, Spirit repeated . . . 307.

That’s it ~ just 307.  Hmm . . .

Rolling the number around in my mind, I realized that the Universe wanted me to buy a lottery ticket, something that I had never done.

I didn’t even know where to buy a lottery ticket . . . but I knew someone who did.

“Hey, BFF, I need you to buy me a lottery ticket . . . ”

“The lottery already went off tonight.”

“Then it’s tomorrow night’s number,” I replied with certainty.

Sure enough. The next night’s winning number . . . 307.

The monetary pay-off was small, but the message was clear, to me at least: Stop worrying about the money.

As an added bonus, that winning lottery ticket finally got my dad’s attention ~ sometimes money speaks louder than words . . . even when those words are being whispered by Spirit.

complexAs I shared the story of our winning lottery ticket with him, his ears perked up.

Then he asked, “Well, how much did you win?”

“Dad, that’s not the point. The point is that Spirit does not want me to return to the practice of law solely for the money.”

“Sure. Sure. But how much did you win?'”

“Three hundred dollars and change.”

“Well, that’s not enough to pay the mortgage . . . ”

“I know, Dad. Spirituality is not a get-rich-quick scheme. The Universe just wants me to relax and stop worrying about the money.  Spirit wants me to let go of Ego’s fear and doubt long enough to let life unfold.”

250px-New_Orleans_City_of_Old_Romance_and_New_Opportunity_Crop_p_23_MoneybagsOf course . . . maybe I’m wrong.

What if spirituality IS a get-rich-quick scheme?

Hmm . .

What if? 

What if? 

What if?

When we know what we cannot know . . . we’ve seen a glimpse beyond the veil.

No rules. Just write!

Related posts:  Sidey’s Weekend Theme ~ What If?What If? (The Only Cin) * What if? (View from the Side) * If (Kate Shrewsday) * What If? (PTC) * What If? (Yellow House Cafe) * The Gift of SynchronicitySynchronicity & Mystery * A Beacon in the DarkAre You OK Right Now? * The Logic of Inconsistency

Comments

1. Lisa (Woman Wielding Words) - July 22, 2011

Yesterday, as we were out buying some necessities for my daughter’s upcoming adventure at camp, The Oprah Magazine caught my eye and I suddenly needed to buy it. The cover story was “Let Your Intuition Be Your Guide” and inside is a message very like yours. One passage that really struck me is this “The inner voice of social conditioning . . . doesn’t just speak in words; it shouts them. ‘Do it my way!’ Fang shrieks. ‘Do not screw this up!’ by contrast, inner wisdom is stillness itself. If you’re waiting for wisdom to outscream paranoia, get comfortable. It’s gonna be a long wait.” (Martha Beck)

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

The still silent voice within guides us without faltering . . . but it does so in winks, whispers, and nudges.

Sounds like it guided you to a powerful message yesterday.

Thanks, Lisa.

2. William D'Andrea - July 22, 2011

If this Spirit of yours is telling you to buy lottery tickets, or get involved with gambling, or other highly risky activities, beware:
“The Spirit you have seen may be the devil, and the devil has power to assume a pleasing shape.” (Shakespeare)

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

LOL! Nope . . . definitely NOT “the devil.” 😀

3. misswhiplash - July 22, 2011

You have your Spirit..I have my Faith.
Call it whatever name you like ..it works in the same way.. I know when I am worried, I pray. I do not go on bended knee. I could be anywhere and doing anything but I can still ask for guidance.
I call it Faith because that is what it is to me. I have 100% complete Faith. Always and I mean always there is an answer. Maybe not immediate but it is always there.
Your Spirit will guide you and always be with you.
It is not easy to explain such things to those who do not want to see and maybe it is best left alone.
The proof will always show

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

I agree. Whatever words we use, my experiences have made a “believer” of me.

There is more to this life than meets the eye. 😀

4. clarbojahn - July 22, 2011

Thanks for this post. It is heartening to hear your story and the leap of faith you made. You are very brave and have a lot of faith in the Holy Spirit. I think that kind of love is what He/She asks for. And when you’re ready God will take you by the hand and lead you home.
Jesus says all you need is a little willingness and Spirit will do the rest. (ACIM).
That’s me with a little willingness, very little. I hope it’s enough. There’s been times in my life when I had more. Now it’s incubating.
Namaste

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

Your comment reminded me of this poem, Spirit Prevails:

Ego hangs on tight
Preferring known to unknown
How boring is that?

Resist hanging on
Attachments become anchors
Let billow your sails

Relinquish your fears
Live amid uncertainty
Discover what’s next

Embrace all with joy
Relinquish with joy also
Learn to flow through life

The still silent voice
Guides you without faltering
Get out of its way

https://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/spirit-prevails/

5. SuziCate - July 22, 2011

I can’t begin to tell you how much I love this story. If we can all only learn to not base our lives SOLELY on monitary values. How often do we not listen to spirit BECAUSE it does not seem logical? Case closed! I’ve been distracted lately…I need to go tune in!

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

Thanks, Suzi. If money made us happy, we’d be the slap-hap-happiest folks since the Great Depression. No matter how much we have, it’s never enough to alleviate Ego’s fear.

When we tune in to Spirit, we get a much needed glimpse of reality as we restore our Peace of Mind. 😀

6. adeeyoyo - July 22, 2011

There is a voice within me that recognises truth and usually lets me know. I tread very warily if I don’t hear it, but am interested to find out more… Usually I am not convinced later either, so withdraw.

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

At times the knowingness is so profound that there is no room left for doubt ~ you become one with the source and just KNOW.

Other times, Spirit whispers so softly that you wonder if you heard anything at all. 😉

7. Debra - July 22, 2011

A very good post Nancy.

I agree with your thoughts…307 was a way to say: it is ok..what you need will be there.

Fear (ego) makes us distrust our inner voice. That small voice that whispers.

Also, buying one lottery ticket does not a gambler make. 🙂

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

This happened 13 years ago, shortly after I stopped practicing law in 1998. While I have not won “the lottery” again . . . my life is far richer now than then. 😀

You got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run

8. Carl D'Agostino - July 22, 2011

I will play 307 tonight. No one can dispute or argue about your own personal experience. I think the Spirit comes to us under two conditions: we have to believe it’s available and conduct ourselves to be available. Otherwise is is free.

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

I agree, but would add a third condition. Even if we don’t believe, and even if we are closed off to its call, Spirit manages to get our attention if it’s necessary. For example, when we’re “veering off course.” I say that because I was a “devout atheist” the first time Spirit got my attention:

https://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2010/07/14/thanks-god/

One night, while I fumed about an expert lying during a deposition, a still silent voice interrupted my agitated thoughts to whisper, Think About This, then proceeded to remind me of several other things about the practice of law that I did not enjoy:

https://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/the-spiritual-connection/

What an eye opening experience! 😯

9. SidevieW - July 22, 2011

the guide into the unkmown has many names. yet it is the mainstay for many

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

So true! Thanks for another great Weekend Theme, Sidey!

10. Piglet in Portugal - July 22, 2011

Hey Nancy it all comes back to one simple point – how much money do we need to be happy. Less is more and when we understand the philosophy of less is MORE, we appreciate the simple things in life! I am often tempted to go back to work; back on the treadmill and for what?

Be happy now!
🙂
PiP

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

Sacrificing happiness today to have a bigger bank account tomorrow is apt to backfire since expenses rise to meet income. 😀

Trading TIME for MONEY (to purchase food, clothing, shelter) adds to our happiness. Once life’s necessities are met, I’d rather have TIME to enjoy life, rather than MONEY for luxuries.

To me, the greatest luxury of all is TIME.

Piglet in Portugal - July 22, 2011

“Sacrificing happiness today to have a bigger bank account tomorrow is apt to backfire since expenses rise to meet income”

Tomorrow may never come! Live for today!
Well that’s what I am trying to convince myself…

Surrounding ourselves with expensive “trinkets” is a short term “fix” of happiness

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

I agree. Happiness is NEVER in things . . . it is in us. 😀

11. Tilly Bud - July 22, 2011

Spirit/faith/intuition…it has many names, but somehow it works for us, in the way that we need it too. Being true to yourself is what matters, as you have found.

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

Well put, Tilly. 😀

When we know WHO we are, we know HOW to live . . . even if others make different choices.

12. kateshrewsday - July 22, 2011

Nancy, your words are extraordinarily apt for me today. Thank you for this wonderful piece of writing. Listening and attuning is the way forward, I know….

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

Awesome! There is nothing better than the synchronicity of reading the words we need to hear . . . right here, right now.

Here’s to hearing what is offered. 😀

13. Cindy - July 22, 2011

307 … 3 + 7 + 10. 10/10 for this post 🙂

nrhatch - July 22, 2011

Thanks, Cin! Here’s to following our bliss . . . wherever it might lead. 😉

14. jannatwrites - July 22, 2011

I like the lottery ticket story. I can’t think of an instance where money should be the sole basis of a decision. More money brings more complications.

I’m glad you resisted the pressure so you could follow a path that made you happiest.

nrhatch - July 23, 2011

Me too! All the worries and fears that swirled around never materialized ~ after transitioning from the legal arena to non-profit work, I enjoyed the next 13 years far more than if I’d continued to practice law.

15. souldipper - July 23, 2011

Nancy, I shared this experience of letting go of a career that others felt was the golden goose. In fact, I did it twice. Both times, I knew what was really important to me was being shunted to the bottom of the priority list. My journey within has been based on a trust that I understand is not everyone’s cup of tea. I understand it doesn’t follow the world’s logic. But it does follow the magnificence of simplicity that brings peace.

nrhatch - July 23, 2011

Same here ~ for me, less is more. And I’ve “jumped ship” twice too!

Geronimo! 😀

16. eof737 - July 24, 2011

Beautiful piece… I’m with you on this subject and I understand what you went through with all the doubting Thomases. But what they don’t quite get, our well intentioned loved ones, is that when that calling/inner prompting begins, it doesn’t’ let go until we pay attention and start the work… Thanks for sharing part of your journey. 🙂

nrhatch - July 24, 2011

You’re right, E! It began as a subtle “what if? . . .” ~ what if I stopped practicing law? what if I tried something else?

If we shrug and go back to doing the same thing, the niggling sensation that something is NOT right grows in volume and intensity.

Eventually the thought of staying on the same path twists our stomachs into knots and causes torrential tears to flow.

At that point, we realize that we must change our path . . . or die a little more each day. We are so miserable that we realize we have nothing to lose by “jumping ship” because we’re already “drowning.”

17. Tinman - July 24, 2011

I’m glad you put aside your What Ifs at the time and went with your Spirit instead, it seems to have enriched your whole life.

nrhatch - July 24, 2011

Thanks, Tinman. I believe it has . . .

18. bluebee - July 24, 2011

‘Let it unfold’ – it’s good to have finally learned that lesson 🙂

nrhatch - July 24, 2011

I agree! When we let life unfold, we remain far more peaceful in the face of daily challenges.

Aah . . . that’s better.


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