What if I had not made the choices that brought me to a point in my life where I now have the time and means to travel to be with my grandchildren on their birthdays and holidays? What if I was still tied to a job that paid me only enough to survive, but definitely not enough to thrive as I am today?
As you watch this brief slide show, think about my question, “Can you imagine what a shame it would be if I did NOT having this collage in my memory?” Please click here to watch A Day with Preslee and Bridger.
I’m sure you would agree that it would truly be a travesty if I had not been able to document this glorious day with these precious grandchildren. So was it luck that brought me to this place in my journey? Absolutely! That is, of course, if your definition of luck is the same as mine: “Preparation plus opportunity equals luck.”
I think back on my journey of the past six years and, oh, what a journey it has been over a path strewn with joys and sorrows; the births of long-awaited little ones and the untimely deaths of Alan’s mother and our oldest son; times of calm, contentment, and peace punctuated by periods of upheaval and challenge with a daughter’s divorce and the transition of our son who has Down syndrome from the security of public school to a new life as an adult.
My journey may not be too different from yours. My hope is that you have made room for the miracles that will always come when there is space in our existence for them to occur and awareness in our minds to acknowledge them. Let me share with you how I cleared the way for amazing things to happen in my life.
As I stepped away from the security of a teaching contract into the unknown of a new home-based enterprise, I realize now that I was opening myself to miracles simply by choosing a different way to live my life. I had always been extremely active in my children’s schools, in the community, in my church, in local non-profit organizations, and, as well as eliminating the J.O.B., I began letting go of commitments which were no longer fun or productive for me. (That was an interesting experience. I had thought of myself as somewhat indispensable in various positions and what I found was that, once you’re gone, it’s like pulling a stick out of the mud – the hole is quickly filled and few remember you were ever there.
My “housecleaning” continued as I began clearing away habits that were slowing me down. One of these habits was multi-tasking. Another habit was spending too much time on the telephone. A third habit was answering the phone when I was having a face-to-face conversation with someone in my home.
I also began a media fast and, although I had been a news junkie for years, I stopped watching or listening to the news and I quit reading newspapers and news magazines. It was so wonderful to live each day without the depressing stories of death, destruction, deprivation, devastation, and depravity. My world could then be centered on the uplifting and the positive.
With the relinquishing of all this, my life slowed down. I began to breathe deeply. I started to look around at the abundance that surrounds me everywhere. I initiated a goal of speaking less and really listening to people when they spoke to me. I embarked on a project of daily personal development. The void created by abandoning activities, habits, responsibilities, commitments that no longer served me began to be filled with the miracles of the awareness that comes with introspection, the confidence that results from living peacefully, the prosperity that shows up through service and appreciation.
I always love hearing your feedback, so please leave me a comment down below with questions, thoughts, or feedback. And I hope you’ll share this post with your Twitter and FB friends by clicking on the share buttons up by the title of this post. Thanks for spending time with me today.
Make yours an abundant day!
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15 Comments and Pings on Making Room for Abundance (Part 1 – Letting Go)
Ahhhh, I hear the calmness in your post. It’s too easy to get caught up in everything you think is important, only to find you are neglecting those that are important. I’ve experienced this also, I understand.
I’m so glad you have accomplished this goal of focus and priorities. Thanks so much for sharing your journey,
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Discover Your Purpose in Life =-.
What an awesome post! To me I see miracles happen all the time. In fact, I should probably write a book one day. All you need is faith and trust. You put that thought out there and it happens. I usually tell my clients that when they are doing something or asking the God or the Universe as some call it, to always ask to “see” it. It is right there in front of us all the time.
What great inspiration, thank you, Donna
Val, this post is full of so many great nuggets. To me the most important thing is to let go of the things that are not important, Thanks for helping me to remember to focus on the things that matter the most.
Scott
.-= Scott Scales´s last blog ..Is Social Media Silently Killing Your Business? =-.
I always value your comments, Val. Thanks for taking time to read my post.
Thank you Donna. You’re absolutely right that if you’re looking for the miracle, you’ll see the miracle.
Letting go is one of the best ways to re-tool or “fix” your paradigms about what’s important, isn’t it? It’s not easy to let go of responsibilities, commitments, stuff, grudges, or anything else that gets in the way, but it’s worth it.
Hi Val,
Great chatting with you recently. I love meeting and talking to other Teachers online as we are definitely a different breed….
Great story and thank you so much for being so transparent.
We can learn so much from your changes and willingness to make room in your life for miracles.
I really resonate with the comment of not answering the phone when you are already in conversation with someone else.
I answer the phone if I “want” to not because I “need” to. The way I see it, the telephone is there as a convenience to me and my family not the person on the other end.
Being the English Teacher that you are I trust that you don’t discover too many errors in my comments…. smile.
Have a wonderful Sunday and I look forward to speaking with you again this week.
Cheers
Steve
.-= Steve Hachey´s last blog ..Why Blog? What’s The Point? =-.
Val,
What an awesome post. To often we forget the past and the journey we take in life. Sounds like you have made an awesome change. As I read your post it stood out that it didn’t happen over night but it took a little time.
Bill
Val, What a refreshing post. It really points out that we must clear out before we can bring things into our lives. Sometimes the simple task as cleaning a closet as you are trying to bring closure to a part of your life can help. The “action” helps the mind find a closure. This was such a heart worming post. Thanks for sharing yourSELF with us.
Donna Merrill
.-= Donna Merrill´s last blog ..Overload? Take Time To Enjoy! =-.
I love your post Val.
we definitely need to have a good clear out
before we can have new things coming into our lives
you have explained this so well
Jean
.-= jean´s last blog ..‘The Secret To You’ =-.
There’s so many choices we are faced with on a daily basis. It’s really critical to be able put your priorities in order and get on board with ONLY those things that are taking you where you want to go. And it’s a whole lot healthier too! Thanks for voice of sanity, Val!
.-= David Merrill´s last blog ..Are You A “Star Blogger“? 5 Reasons Why You Want To Be! =-.
Hi Val,
Kudos for having the faith in yourself to pursue the things that bring you the greatest joy in your life.
Seems this is a common thread with nearly all of the tribe members. . .we are all on a path of discovery. Thanks for showing us in vivid detail what it can be like, and what the rewards can be if simply take the time to evaluate what is important in our lives, and then have the guts to pursue OUR path.
Joe
Awesome post Val! You’re a blessing to us all.
.-= Kevin Nowak´s last blog ..Hello world! =-.
Val,
I enjoyed your post and thanks for sharing a piece of your life with the slideshow. You’ve touched on so many great things that have allowed you to move forward in your life. Tools all of us can use to do the same.
I can remember when I started to let go of things that I thought I could never let go of. It was hard but at the same time very liberating. Once I did this the path to move forward became easier. Funny how those old things hold us back.
.-= Don Enck´s last blog ..So, You Want To Work From Home? =-.
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