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This week, there were three birthday celebrations in my family. I live far away from them so I called each member to wish them a happy birthday. Unfortunately, rather than three return phone calls, I received three text messages. I was sad about that because receiving a text message offers very little to being able to connect with each family member.

The more I thought about it, the more my mind tried to tell me that I’m a grown up now and that things change. My mind was rationalizing the uncomfortable feelings of not being close to my family members.

The thoughts inspired more and got me thinking more about where I live and who I connect with. I’m relatively new to Boulder, CO, and more of my communication with people here has been on a professional networking level.

However, I am quite lucky to share with you that in the short time I have lived here, I have manifested some really good people in my life. These people are my social network. They are the friends that I do fun things with, laugh with, and relax with.

This week’s events have motivated me to write about how to manifest more friends. This is an important topic as people get older and how technology pushes us toward less of a human connection. Many people are not feeling like they have friends and they are feeling quite lonely.

This blog post is only a part of many more to come. I don’t know how many to be exact, but this topic is just too important to leave out parts of what needs to be shared.

I ask of you to stay tuned for more of how to manifest more friends but start thinking about your current friends. Think about who they are and how they show up in your life. Think about what types of things you do together and how much you enjoy or not enjoy doing those things with them.

The next blog post for this series will be about the current friends we have manifested. We’ll explore what happened to bring our friends and us together, plus how happy we are with the friends we spend time with.

I feel so internally motivated to share as much as I can about this topic that I want to make sure nothing is being left out. Please send me a message or share a comment here with some of your ideas. This will ensure that all things important about how to manifest more friends is being explored and communicated.

Thanks!

Reid

Manifest Creations

It took me two nights of restlessness this week to understand what I was manifesting…

Anxious energy!

Last week I was inspired by a very innovative idea. After it came to me, I reflected on the manifestation of it. Memories of years past began to come together like they were pieces of a puzzle. I was whirled with so much energy, I didn’t know what to do with myself.

And it affected my sleep. Wed night, I went to bed at 11 pm and was WIDE awake by 2 am. I tossed and turned for an hour before getting up and sparing my girlfriend from a horrible night’s sleep.

I thought about reading. I thought about working online. My mind raced with “what do I do at 2 in the morning?”

It got to a point where I knew I physically needed to shift the energy…

So I rolled out the yoga mat and did naked yoga for about 45 minutes.

Why naked?

At the time, it was about not waking my girlfriend up (I would have to reenter the bedroom to get clothes.)  After reflecting on the metaphor for a few days, it was about showing up to vulnerabilities…

The new idea that came last week inspired so much energy that it manifested a lot of anxiety. There was an inner duality experience of “Yes, go for it! Be creative and bring something very awesome to the world” and “Whoa! You’re crazy. This is way beyond your level of playing field.”

In the past, the voice of fear has been the winner. I would succumb to my fears and doubts, which eliminated the how to manifest part of my dreams.

The naked yoga was very important to facing my fears. (But I don’t recommend doing it at 3 a.m.)  Opening up to vulnerabilities is an excellent way to manifest what makes you happy.

Yes, I want success. I also want happiness. How do I manifest this?

By being vulnerable.

It’s only as scary as your mind makes it.

My experience this week was a great reminder to do my very best in the times that I’m vulnerable.

And this idea… it may manifest into something very beneficial to many people. I must stay self aware in the times that I’m vulnerable and afraid.

The fear is the only thing that could hold me back.

And it’s the only thing that would hold you back too!

When you’re vulnerable, you know you’re in the midst of something very important. You may manifest a huge transformation or you may dig your toes into staying exactly where you are. Be courageous and feel out the vulnerabilities. Your manifestations will feel very rewarding!

Reid

Manifest Creations

This week, there was something said to me that really stood out. I was in Palo Alto, CA, working with a business. We were on site at their location, generating some film content so they can have some online videos.

I had sensed that this was out of the owner’s and manager’s comfort zones. They didn’t reject the idea but they stated many excuses to try not to go forward with the project. I listened, smiled, and shared my reasons why it would be valuable for them to proceed.

We finished the project and before I was out the door, I said “stay happy” to the owner. She then replied,

“We work to stay happy.”

Now the actual words don’t look or read as difficult as what the energy felt like from her response.

It was very intense and it has stuck with me since. “We work to stay happy.”

What does the energy of a statement like that manifest?

If I knew that the person who said that to me were genuinely happy, I would have not reacted. However, she is not.  From knowing her, I would guess that her statement really meant “I work hard to convince myself that I’m meaningful.”

Happiness is too much of value to be used in contexts that mean otherwise.

Happiness is a state of mind. It manifests as part of knowing who you are, liking that person, and continuing to like yourself despite what happens to you externally. Manifesting happiness is an inner experience.

What about doing things that make you happy? That counts too. If you do things that are fun for you, the activity is resonating with your essence- and it partially fulfills your purpose.

Yes, people can be happy with their work. They are the fortunate ones who are doing what they are purely passionate about.

You’ll have manifested happiness when your inner critic has become a compliment giver, your true self enjoys the things you do, and you’re honest with how you feel about things. Make it a priority to live this way and you will have manifested happiness.

Thank you for making the time to read this.

Reid

Manifest Creations

It’s a weird title, but the concept is even more weird.

“It is better to give than it is to receive.”

What comes to mind after having just read that statement?

For me, a flux of thoughts, paradoxes, energy, doubt, and inspiration comes up.

I have recognized that the “What’s in it for me?” reaction is the first to present itself.  Is that selfish?

I have also noticed that a part of me is saying “yes,” give more and more- and even more! Why would I want to give more?

At the times of genuinely giving, it is a tremendous feeling of joy. I have felt my purpose being fulfilled, a sense of accomplishment, and true happiness. It has been a natural way for me to connect with others. I try to give a lot by doing things for other people.

At the times I have genuinely given, it has manifested more for me to receive. I have experienced referrals in my profession. I have heard touching thank yous from friends. I have seen the look of love and comfort in my girlfriend’s eyes.

This all has been very touching and it is inspiration/motivation to give more.

The point is- I want to feel good inside. I want to manifest happiness at the level of my core. I want it to be real, authentic, buzzing, and ecstatic.

I know that I will reach these levels by giving more. I can only assume that the experience may be very similar for you.

Please give. Put a random act of kindness into your daily practice. Expect nothing in return. Give for the sake of giving. Give more of yourself. Manifest happiness by giving. Feel good about it.

I would appreciate your comments for further dialogue about this. Please comment and let’s do what we can to encourage our community to give more of themselves. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Reid

Manifest Creations

This week I have been putting a lot of thought into the direction I want to go professionally. Some call it visioning, planning, goal setting, setting intentions, etc. I call it all of the above.

Throughout this process, I have been noticing a voice inside my head come out from the depths of what may be subconscious (or even unconscious.)  The voice has not been nice. Some call this ‘my inner critic,’ some call it the voice of doubt. Regardless of what it’s called, it has become louder and more powerful.

What is the voice saying?

Your imagination can fill in the details, but as I just mentioned, doubt and self-criticism have been the names.

Now I don’t want to live my life reacting to this voice, so I dug deep and revisited a chapter of one of my favorite books- Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles” to look for some guidance. There is a chapter called “Believe in Yourself,” which is brief but profound. The chapter provides tips for what to look for and do, in regards to believing in yourself.

I compiled those tips into a process and am publishing it here- so the world and its people in it (this is you) can have a process to manifest more belief in yourself.

How to Manifest More Belief in Yourself:

1) Make a choice. (This can also be read ‘Make a Decision.) If you don’t, you’ll continue to go round and round in circles. Making a choice gets you moving in a forward direction. It feels good to start moving forward.

2) Act as if it is possible. The inner critic may be screaming at you- telling you you’re a fool for taking action on what you want because it is unknown, difficult, and “just not you.” Well, these are only true if you choose to believe them.

I used to think “acting” was lying to yourself. Remember the phrase “you gotta fake it till you make it?”  I was completely wrong. I have realized acting is a way of manifesting the experiences you want to have. Acting is preparing for the real deal.

3) Assume in favor of yourself. When that critic starts to talk you down, find the voice that talks you up. You have to be your own best friend in the process of manifesting more belief in yourself.

4) Respond to life through the eyes of opportunity. (This one is my favorite!) Very successful people have stated that when they focused on their strengths, and then applied those to all the areas of their lives, they manifested their dreams and goals. Well, you and I have to do something similar. We need to focus on our strengths and apply that mentality to other areas of our lives.

5) Eliminate “I can’t” from your vocabulary. Have you heard of Neuro-linguistic programming? It’s a way of using language to help reshape your mind for positive programming.  Pay crystal clear attention to the words you use, analyze the phrases, understand what energy or intention is the source of those words, and use the language that personally empowers you.

6) Keep the “I can” (or better yet- “I will,” but even better- “I am”) attitude. Once you commit to “I can,” you’ve got the openness and energy to manifest excellent opportunities to validate your belief in yourself.

One of the subtle things I have found to make this easier is to smile more. Smiling is more inviting and positive.

You’ll notice that not everyone is positive like that. Build your will power to use any other person’s (or even your own) criticism to motivate you stay positive and open.

Do you feel better after reading this? Awesome! (I feel that much better after writing it!)

Your time for more belief in yourself is now. Use these steps to help you manifest that. And if you feel good about the amount of belief in yourself, send this to someone who doesn’t. Let them know you care about them and you are supporting them in becoming a more empowered person. Thanks!

Reid

Founder, Manifest Creations

For an unknown reason, I have had my mind consumed with the concept of manifesting abundance this week. It has been kind of funny to observe the questions and thoughts my mind has generated. “What is manifesting abundance?, how do I manifest abundance if it is all expansive and always giving?, how is abundance even abundance?”

I have been unable to answer these questions and at this point of my life, I am unable to rationally understand what abundance is. However, upon putting the energy into the thought of abundance, a wonderful insight presented itself and it is my purpose to share it with you.

In order to experience the power of manifesting abundance, one must engage in the manifestation of openness first.

(I think I was walking down a street when that came to me!)

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

So what is openness?

Have you ever noticed yourself reluctant to share intimate information with someone you’ve been talking to? Or have you noticed that when you’re in a group setting, your arms are folded and you’re leaning your body away from where the energy of the group is? This is not openness. This is self protection.

A friend once told me that being vulnerable is the only way to be. I personally believe that being open is sharing your vulnerabilities. Being open is also the action of talking to others about certain things despite feeling uncomfortable.

Most manifestation teachers will say that to manifest abundance, you must be open to receiving.  And if you were to visualize what your body would look like when you received something, you would have a great understanding of what being open looks like.

So how does being open impact any manifestation of abundance?

Abundance is also known as an overflowing supply of what is available to you at a given time. We all have some good stories of how something showed up in our lives, which was what we wanted, but came in a way that was never expected.  It happened because you were open to any possibility.

What do you do to be more open?

Start with your body. Pay attention to the body postures. Keep your postures open. Unfold your arms, smile more, align your heart with the energy of your current experience.

Then, increase your consciousness. Pay attention to what you are saying. Analyze what your words are actually intending. This will have a direct impact on the thoughts that are coming from your mind.

The process can be simple or difficult. It is ultimately up to you. If you find yourself challenged with some of these shifts, keep telling yourself that you’re getting better.

Remember to treat yourself well. You’ll find that the process is more simple when you do.

Reid

Manifest Creations

p.s.  The intention and purpose of these blog posts are to empower you in your manifestations of happiness. It would mean a lot to me if you were to forward this to that one friend- who is having a difficult time. They may or may not be open to receiving it, which isn’t the point. The point is that they will understand you are making efforts to help them. Thanks!

Two very noticeable things happened to me this week. They both showed up in the form of stories.

Upon reflection of what I was facing this week, I realized that I had been putting myself under tremendous amounts of pressures of trying to be a dominant player in the workforce.

I’ve been wanting to position myself in my local community as the expert in some important Internet marketing techniques (that’s what I do to pay my bills) but the more I talked to people, the more I felt like I was being categorized as a “Techie,” and I know for a fact- I am not a good fit for that category.

Throughout this experience, I had been having a difficult time. In my mind, I was both resisting as much as possible the idea of being labeled a “Techie” and also forcing myself to learn as much technical knowledge about Search Engine Optimization. (The inner duality experience was daunting!)

Then my signs showed up…

As I stated earlier, they showed up in the forms of two separate stories, but both were on the same day.

The first came from a woman I met for the first time. She and I met at a small business networking event. She was a little “out there,” having studied with some very successful energetic healers. She told me one thing that really stuck with me…

“No matter how much thought, distraction, or any other thing that creates complications- you do have the answer inside of you.  When you clear yourself of what’s in the way, you will manifest the clarity and serenity of what your purpose is. You first need to let it go.”

Whew! I was speechless when I heard that. My mind really had no interest in the information, but my heart overpowered my mind and I listened.

Then, that same night, a friend and I were exercising at our local fitness center. We were catching up, having not seen each other in about three weeks. He told me about a story of when he proposed to his fiance- which happened last week…

“It was one of the most romantic times of my life. We were on the beach of Oahu and our connection was pretty amazing. We were getting some photos taken and all of a sudden a huge wave came up and swept our stuff away. I mean our backpacks had vanished!

I got pretty upset and started thinking how I had ruined the moment- the most romantic time of my life. My thoughts raced and I was anxious and angry with myself.

But I looked over at my brand new fiance and noticed how it didn’t matter to her. She continued to love me despite our possessions being swept away.  I then new in my heart I had to let go.

And guess what happened? After I let go, I looked down and there were our car keys, the key chain sticking part way into the sand!

You see, Reid. When you let go, your answers come to you. You manifest clarity and serenity of your purpose.”

Okay, that was weird. There’s that powerful message again.  Now I’m listening!

So these stories are here for me, and now also here for you. Do you believe that if you let go you will manifest clarity and serenity?

Even if you don’t, you will manifest some sense of inner peace. Any person would admit that hanging on to the stress and anxiety does not feel good. Inner transformation can happen by letting go.

Reid

p.s. thanks for reading this post. If you would like to comment and share some of your experiences, it would be nice to have a community discussion about letting go. If not, sharing this post with a friend could be beneficial too. Thanks!

This past week has been a very challenging one, emotionally. My stepfather entered an at least 6 week visit to the hospital. My brother moved to a different area of the country. Family communication has seemed short and fear based.

To top it off, I was hit with a 24 hour flu. I really believe the physical illness was a manifestation of my emotional pains. The truth is: I am scared for my stepfather. Life and vitality is at the forefront of his consciousness.

Opportunities to spend time with my brother will be minimal. He is creating a new life for himself and he will be less available.

Now that I’m physically healthier, I have spent some time thinking about what Life’s emotional pains manifest.  It’s not the most joyous topic, but spirituality is about truth, and truth is not always pretty.

Have you heard term “Feel the pain out?” Wise friends have told me this when I’ve had hardships in intimate relationships, experienced death of a family member, and other painful experiences.

This was sound advice because the more I felt things out, I also felt transformation happen sooner.

In regards to what life’s pains manifest, I want to share this with you:

Be true to yourself. What does that mean? It means: when life is difficult, give yourself the time and space to honor those challenges. Feel it out. It’s painful but in due time, you’ll experience transformation and have new insight on life.

Be true to yourself also means treat yourself well. Most of us are our own worst critics, but that really doesn’t get us anywhere. (Well, it may dig us a deeper hole.) Try “feeling” something nice for yourself. (There is an Inner Smile meditation that helps people be more kind and compassionate to themselves.)

Life’s pains will manifest whatever your focus is. Having a shift of consciousness geared towards growth and healing may be your answer to just that; experiencing the growth and healing that pain can sometimes offer.

Reid

Manifest Creations

p.s. If you thought of a loved one while reading this, please forward it to them. Chances are, your intuition is right- they could benefit from reading this.

Thank you

I came across a great list from Ed and Deb Shapiro, which offers a blueprint to deal with change. After viewing the list, two things came to mind: 1) print this list and put it somewhere that you’ll frequently look at. 2) This list not only helps people deal with change, it helps them be more present.

Being more present ensures that your mind stays healthy. You really do experience more joy in life when you are more present.

Hope you take my advice and print the list after you view it.

1. Accept what is! If you can change something, then do; if you can’t change anything, then release resistance and simply be with what is.

2. Take risks. Life is about not having answers, taking chances and risks, and making the most of every moment, all without knowing what is going to happen next.

3. Be your own best friend. It is easy to blame and shame yourself, but now is the time you deserve the most love and kindness of all.

4. Every day is a new beginning. Each time you take a step forward you have no idea what might happen. But nothing will happen if you continue to stay where you are.

5. Keep falling as long as you keep picking yourself up! Making mistakes is not the problem, but not learning from them and moving on is.

6. Nothing is permanent, so appreciate every moment, fully and completely, as it will never happen again.

7. Think with your heart instead of your head. When you come from your heart you come to your senses!

8. Meditate. Take time to just stop and breathe, to remember why you are here, and to find what is of real meaning to you.

9. Don’t take yourself too seriously. A good sense of humor prevents a hardening of your attitudes, and stops your opinions from getting too rigid!

10. Do something for someone else and make giving a part of your life, even if it is just a simple smile and a hug.

Don’t you feel a sense of pleasure after reading this list? It’s introspective and reflective.

Happy New Year to you and be the change you wish to see in others, as Ghandi stated it so well.

Reid

Manifest Creations