Hundreds of thousands of years ago, during a time of kingdoms, a legend was whispered amongst the bravest of explorers about a cluster of 12 islands called Innana located in the White Sea ~ an inlet of the Lebak Sea. It was said discovery of these islands would bring you riches. As far as it was known, there existed only one map ~ a mystical one that would direct no two explorers in the same way. This map, a legend of it’s own, had never been seen or touched.

In the village of Naphsha, many explorers hoping to find wealth of gold, gems and oils set course to find the Innana Islands without aid of the missing mystical map because in their arrogance they didn’t believe it was necessary. Any explorer worth his weight was familiar with the oceans and seas, and they would not dare ask for assistance. Each voyager would leave for months at a time, his ship filled with empty barrels and trunks to house treasures discovered, only to return to the village with their containers in the same state of emptiness.

A century passed with no discovery of the 12 and the legend deadened. The villagers declared it a hoax ~ a story to have entertained the young and foolish. But there was one young man who would not be swayed. His name was Ethphatah and there had been a stirring in the center of his being as far back as he could remember. He didn’t know the cause of this energy, but he knew it meant there was more for him. Upon turning 18, Ethphatah was determined to discover the Innana Islands, for he hadn’t learned of the story from an elder, but rather in a dream filled with a rose pink color. Go to the seaport and ask for John. He will give you what you need.

Without a word of goodbye to his family, Ethphatah slung his rucksack across his chest and headed west to the coast. Upon reaching the seaport, he walked past many dilapidated docks until he reached a man whittling a piece of driftwood. “Are you John?” he rushed out. “I am,” he answered, his eyes not leaving the carved medium. Ethphatah took in a deep breath and let the air leave his lungs in a low hush. “I believe you have something for me.” The man kept whittling. “How do you know?” Ethphatah, his fists on his sides, thought a moment and could only come up with one answer. “I know that I know that I know.”

For the first time, John looked up. “And so it is,” he said as he reached back and pulled out a leather bound scroll. “Take this and walk to the end of the dock where you will find your vessel named Isho’a.” Ethphatah held the scroll in his hands and before he could ask any more questions, John was gone.

The vessel was small, with only one sail, a rudder and propeller. Any of the other men in his village would have commanded a ship requiring at least 20 men, but Ethphatah’s faith in the good he knew would come shook away any fear of the unknown.

As the ship set sail, he rolled open the leather scroll expecting to find the mystical map to direct him on his journey, but all that appeared was a worn piece of parchment with the following inscription:

You have been guided to the map of the Innana Islands because you trusted the still small voice speaking from your heart space. Faith, Strength, Judgment, Love, Power, Imagination, Understanding, Will, Order, Zeal, Renunciation and Life await your visit. Your first island, which opens the door to the remaining 11, will be found when you ask of yourself the questions: Who Am I? What Am I? How do I discover my Absolute Truth?

Ethphatah closed his eyes, took several deep breaths and asked the questions from the scroll. In his mind, he envisioned an island filled with lush grass, trees barring coconuts, and pools of light blue water. The image was vivid and familiar, but how could it be when he’d never been there before. A voice answered, “Our eyes see what our soul has the ability to image and hold in mind”. As Ethphatah opened his eyes and stared down at the scroll, ink began to emerge onto the parchment. There were lines of latitude and longitude and a mass of land with the word Imagination written across. “This must be where I begin.”

He landed on the island several hours later and spent the next month exploring the shapes, forms, colors and visions of divine ideas. He affirmed daily I see limitless good in my life now and always. Ethphatah learned rather quickly that the island of Imagination was connected to the island of Faith by a wooden bridge. It seemed the gifts from both islands were necessary to receive at the same time and he found himself walking back and forth across the bridge several times a day. Over the next many months, Imagination and Faith led him to Zeal, Power, Will, Order, Strength, Understanding, Wisdom, Renunciation, Life and in the center of them all was Love.

With his journey complete, Ethphatah was blessed with harmony and balance. He had learned to remain centered in divine love for it unified everything else in his life. Ethphatah had become open, aware and willing, as well as grateful and joy filled for all he had. He returned to his village a young man rich with possibilities and abundance.

I want what I want and I want it to happen right now, please. How many of us express this thought daily? I know I do. There’s nothing selfish about wanting good things to show up in our lives, and when this happens, there’s nothing selfish about wanting it to continue. When we live in the consciousness of giving back before we receive, of expressing gratitude for all that WILL show up in our lives before it does, and of having the courage and power to step out on faith toward the direction of our divine goals, dreams and ideas when we’re uncertain as to the “how” it will all manifest, wonderful, dynamic and delicious people, events, ideas, opportunities, and experiences arise. What’s more, our good comes back tripled. Sometimes this divine all deserving good shows up immediately and sometimes it takes time ~ some will argue it takes longer than is acceptable. And here’s the rub, sometimes the very things we want and believe we deserve, in fact do not show up or the journey we think will occur makes a sharp left and the amazing gifts we receive come from an unexpected source and leads us into a new chapter that we never would have planned.

In order to begin receiving any good in our lives means we’ve accepted that we are deserving. Our hearts have become open and aware to all that is possible, and we give ourselves permission to dream big. And by big, I mean going back to our child imaginations where life was limitless and it wasn’t unheard of to know that we could be a Radio City Rockette, writer, sports announcer and international spy. While we might question the reasonability of these larger than life dreams, it’s important to dissect and look at what qualities, skills and unique talents make up the very ideas we want. Often the “title” associated with what we want isn’t the real want; it’s what we can do with the role, position or gifts it takes to achieve the dream.

As we continue knowing that we know that we know the manifestation of our good is emerging, challenging moments show up. This occurs after we’ve put in our order for the perfect apartment, partner, job, business, etc. When the very things we want and deserve don’t show up right away we grow impatient. Some grow intolerant if their dreams, or “mile markers” toward their dreams, don’t take form within a day or two of putting it out there. Others begin to question and doubt after six months. Now if a year anniversary shows up, forget it. We throw our hands up in the air and believe we didn’t deserve it to begin with or it wasn’t meant to be or I guess dreams are meant for other types of people. It’s during this time we need to stay present and focused on faith, imagination and trusting the ideas that came from our heart, which started this whole adventure. Those moments when you believe nothing is happening, everything is happening. There’s a lot of “behind the scenes” action going on that we’re not aware of and often times “mile markers” do show up but you don’t realize it’s happened. They come by way of “teachers” and can strengthen our resolve without us being conscious of the shift. This time of patience can be frustrating, but it’s important to keep our thoughts, words and actions in alignment with our divine dreams. If we don’t, if we become so discouraged that we believe we can control the direction better than trusting in the unknown, well, expect a longer wait. Use this time to delve into the power of imagination ~ create a vision board with powerful images and words that keep you centered on the very good that is showing up.

Right now there are many people reading these words and shaking their heads saying I’ve done all of it. I’ve trusted, stepped out on faith, imagined and affirmed forever and nothing is happening. If indeed you’ve been living your life in the way you wish it to become, then I ask you to consider testing your dream. Sometimes the very things we think we want, didn’t come from our hearts, but instead were ego driven. Ask yourself the following:

1. Does my dream enliven me? Do I feel energized by the thought of what will manifest that even on my most exhausted of days I feel like I could move a mountain?
2. Is my dream aligned with my core values?
3. Is my dream so big that I will need to center on faith and trust in the unknown?
4. Will my dream require me to grow into more of my true self?
5. Will my dream ultimately benefit others?

If the test proves without question that you are on the right path, then keep on keeping on.

2009 brought me an engagement, wedding and a direction toward public speaking. After each gift, I closed my eyes to express gratitude and immediately asked, what now? This doesn’t mean I wasn’t living in the moment or appreciating the good in my life. Every day I keep a gratitude journal where I acknowledge all of the thankful moments and people ~ even the teachers. However, I, like each and every one of you, arrived on this planet with a divine purpose. We are here to live joy and love filled existences and give back to the world by use of our divine gifts and talents. Know and anticipate your good!

Last night I gave myself several hours to replay the Project 2010 ~ Designing Your Year of Success weekend in my mind. Whenever I facilitate, participate and attend an event, especially if it’s multiple days, I like to give myself at least one day to let it all settle before I start to revisit the “A Ha!” moments and consistent themes that naturally emerged. As we brainstormed and expressed our ideas throughout the workshop, the words cooperation and collaboration kept emerging. More than one person acknowledged the global shift in action where many are releasing fear and seeing the benefits of working together. The idea that there isn’t enough to go around is being replaced. However, it’s not enough to just affirm the belief “that there is more than enough for everyone”, we have to become the very idea we want to create with our thoughts and actions. If we know that we know that there are more than enough career and business opportunities and the one that is meant to be ours can’t be taken away, we release panic and show ourselves in a stronger light. We’re filled with peace, possibility, and love. If we know that we know that there are more than enough single, men/women, we receive clarity and peace of mind and express confidence, happiness and love. The very energy we project out is the very energy we will receive in return.

Regardless of the event I am facilitating or hosting, I incorporate networking. Not everyone loves the word “networking” because they imagine the “Joey” character from Friends pointing his finger while tossing his head back to say, “How you doin’.” If it’s just the word that makes you uncomfortable call the act of being in a room with a group of people you don’t know “relationship building”. If you’re networking right that’s exactly what you are doing ~ you are stepping out to meet new people. At these types of events, I end up learning about new industries, trends and opportunities. As a Business & Creative Strategist, some of the best part of what I do is to connect people and assist in the creation of their ideas, goals and dreams. Individually we might not have all of the answers, skills or knowledge, but what we do have is a grand idea that with cooperation and collaboration can manifest into something greater than we ever imagined. While you might not need or want a business partner, taking the time to build a relationship could point you in the direction of a fabulous loan officer or web designer.

During the last day of the Project 2010 workshop, we sat in a circle and everyone received 15 minutes to have an idea brainstormed. For many of us, it’s not easy to reach out and ask for help because we were raised with the belief that we had to do it on our own. If it’s not hard, if there’s no struggle, than it’s probably not worth it. And, of course, as I mentioned earlier, we don’t often share our ideas because we live with the fear that there isn’t enough. These men and women not only shared what they wanted to create in their lives, but a few actually asked for help. The vibration rate in the room was raised as people contributed thoughts toward the dreams of others. One woman attending shared an idea she had for a special type of cookie and although she could visualize it and had the marketing concept, she wasn’t a baker. As divine order would have it, there was another woman in the circle who was not only a caterer, but also specialized in baking. She offered her assistance in product testing ideas.

I witnessed and felt the energy shift as a room full of people, who had been putting so much of themselves into three solid days of igniting, creating and developing ideas, were able to stay focused and present in order to collaborate and cooperate with new friends. This is the type of spirit you want to bottle up and sell on store shelves!

Many years ago while working at Brown University, my boss called me into her office for a chat. She said, “Michele, I’m putting a new policy into place beginning tomorrow morning.” “Okay,” I responded having no idea why I was the only person within the department in her office learning about new said policy. “Starting tomorrow, I don’t want interaction with you before 11:00 am,” she continued, “no one should be that happy or chatty first thing in the morning, and I find your bubbliness a distraction as I’m trying to get my day started.” I had been out of college for a year and still figuring out office politics. As I sat in silence, not sure if I should say anything, I wanted to laugh and quip, “Really? Your complaint about me is that I’m happy and bubbly? I can’t wait to read about it on my first career evaluation!” Two things happened within six months after that meeting: first, I followed my heart and moved to NYC where a consulting firm placed me at MTV and second: my boss ended up switching departments to one where she had very limited interaction with humans.

My boss was not the first person to question my happiness and energy level, nor the first person to feel uncomfortable with how I expressed my existence. There were numerous times growing up where I was very self-conscious of both the resonance and velocity of my words and laughter. I hated being in front of a microphone because I would hear the voices of “others” in my head telling me how loud I was and how the boom of my voice needed to be tempered. I made apologies to people ahead of speaking, whether in front of a group or one on one. It wasn’t until the last half of 2009 that I forced myself to use a microphone when guest speaking during events. I even purchased a microphone and stand for practice at home so I could get use to working with one. My fear was never about speaking in front of people; I’ve always loved being a part of something greater than myself. The block I hid behind was the belief I had accepted from “everyone” who stated and/or shared his or her issues with the sound and energy of my voice. What did I gain by holding onto their false beliefs? First and foremost, I didn’t have to step outside of my comfort zone. I could stay in positions or maintain relationships that were safe, and by pushing the “real me” deep down inside of myself would allow everyone else around me to feel happiness and not be threatened by my “over the top” enthusiasm.

What a crock! I had allowed, for far too long, the opinions of others, as well as their needs, to influence my decisions and impact the way I lived my life. What others think of us is none of our business, and the way people react to our choices and absolute truth isn’t our responsibility. And by the way, there will be those who direct blame outwardly for their woes and unhappiness and state with authority, “See what you’ve done. Do you realize you’re killing your family? I don’t know how you can be so selfish.” None of it has anything to do with you! We were put on this planet to achieve great things and live joy and love filled existences. We should be stepping out of our comfort zones often and not only dream big, but also believe in the manifestation of our divine ideas. Each of us has a right to be happy and to claim our happiness now.

Challenging people enter our lives to be blessed and to provide us with learning ~ these would be our “teachers”. We have the power of choice on how long they stay with us. Many times I hear people complain about the negative people in their world, but they do nothing to release them. They live to complain, and it becomes a negative habit they’ve instilled into unconsciously. When offered ideas for consideration on how to separate from those who don’t serve them by means of support and love, they decline. I don’t want to be mean. I’ve known them forever and can’t cut them out of my life. How will they survive if I’m not there for them? We aren’t responsible for the happiness of others any more than we are accountable for their actions and “fixing” them. I realize the hardest challenge many of us face when releasing people from our lives comes when they are loved ones. Sometimes we have to love our friends and family from afar ~ it not only allows us to heal and grow, but there’s limitless opportunities for them to develop into the very people they were meant to become.

We do have the freedom to choose who comes into our world and who leaves it. We do have the freedom to change our world and transform it into what is right and perfect for us. No person, thing, or event can keep us from our good. We are meant to shine.

During this last week, I’ve been reading “Open Your Mind to Receive”, by one of my favorite authors, Catherine Ponder. Her words strengthen my resolve that we are indeed powerful people by our actions, thoughts and word choices. When clients come to me struggling with an idea, goal or dream they’ve been trying to reach because an obstacle or block has shown up, the first thing I ask is are your actions, thoughts and words aligned with what you want. At first, most are taken aback and give me the “dog-tilt” look of confusion, but then their wheels start turning, I can feel them connecting the dots down a path of their muddled thoughts: My goal is to write a book. Writing is my passion and I feel most alive when I’m creating. But, no one will want to publish my book. “They” say the publishing market is suffering and it’s near impossible to find an agent, let alone attain publication. Not only are their thoughts unfocused, but also their actions and what they express aren’t aligned with manifesting their dream. They are centered on fear and hording instead of staying in the consciousness of their being more then enough and deserving the best. Although they might start their morning with the intention of joy and love toward themselves and others, one subway ride later they are complaining about the overcrowded 6 train and how everyone is rude.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that we all have days and moments which challenge us, and we question the “need” for certain teachers and opportunities to show up in our lives. But give it perspective. When we experience we live. It means you are doing and being. You’re not sitting in the waiting room of life wishing and hoping that something or someone falls into your lap. It means you’ve stepped out on faith and realize that it’s impossible to control or have all of the answers. In fact, it’s when we let go and trust our heart that the journey toward our divine dreams is the most effortless ~ it’s not to say that you’re not working hard and challenges don’t arise, but you are choosing to experience it and see it filled with love and possibility.

When I speak or work with people, I’m always fascinated by what resonates in their hearts. Lately, I’ve been challenging others to consider being what they want most. If you want love, then you need to be love. If you want clarity in your life, then you need to live peace and give yourself silence to listen. 2010 has brought with it a significant change in consciousness, and I experience a rush of energy when people share with exuberance their belief in expecting good, giving back and changing how they look, see and feel the world around them. It really is that simple. We have the power of free will, love, wisdom, understanding and imagination which is more than enough to manifest the very good we deserve in our lives. And we should begin every morning with the knowledge and zealous understanding that we do deserve the best and we are the very best in where we are at the moment.