Embrace Your Fantasy

Hello From The Editor

2008-07-14T23:56:00.003-05:00

Hi there!

I rarely write personal posts on this e-zine type blog thing, ~smile~, but tonight I am led to explain what my hopes are for this space.

I started this hoping to provide a space for inspirational articles, profiles and interviews of people who have chased their dreams and found success. I felt this was needed because I was always searching around the internet for uplifting stories while I chased my own dreams.

I would like to introduce myself more formally.

I am Te-Erika Patterson. I am a 29 year old single Mom of two beautiful sons whose names are Sai and Solomon. I have a BS in Journalism from the University of Florida and I am currently working on an MS in Marriage/Family/Couples Therapy. I am currently a freelance journalist.

With this e-zine I seek to provide the very things that I wish would be given to me on a more consistent basis: love, inspiration, support and guidance. That is why I write this. I really want you to learn how to love yourself and trust yourself.

It took me many, MANY years to come to the point where I appreciated who I am. I remember repeating to myself, "I hate myself," over and over again even when I was a pre teen. I think the lack of positivity from my parents attributed to me not knowing my value in life, but it's all good. Because of that upbringing I am more adamant about sharing love and light. It is my life's mission.

I'm kind of an introvert, well, you could probably call me anti social. I feel more comfortable when I'm alone or spending time with my sons than when I am in a social environment. I have finally learned to accept the fact that there is nothing wrong with that.

I've taken all kinds of risks to be able to secure my dreams. Many would call me foolish and unstable, but I believe my path has been blessed with each step. I am not a religious person, but I do believe in God. I also believe that who we are and where we are at this very moment, is exactly where we are supposed to be. Once I found peace with that statement it took away loads of pressure from my mind as I let go of my "goals" and focused on finding happiness where I am right now.

I have been a blogger for almost five years now. I don't blog for money, I blog for self expression and to capture my life journey for inspiration. I believe big things for my life and I am often growing and sharing over on my personal blog which may be a bit TOO personal and REAL for most people.

I'd like to share it with you though, in hopes that you won't judge me or be afraid of the path that I'm taking or the one you're taking. We all want success, happiness and love and we will all find it, if we don't stop walking.

I'd also like to switch up the content on this ezine. Because I was a Magazine Journalism major I tend to produce themed features which are a series of stories related to one topic. It is a little more time consuming since I can't just write a blog post when an idea hits, I have to plan several at a time along with interviews and youtube videos. That's a lot of work for one person but I try not to stay away from it for too long.

Maybe I'll try to start doing independent articles for success. That way, you guys won't be left in the shadows wondering what happened to this site while I continue to focus on my other projects like my upcoming book, my classes and securing emotional and financial stability for my family.

Regardless, I'm just like you. I'm not an expert at life but I am an expert at trying and trying again.

Please bookmark this site and share it with your friends. Let's grow together.

Many Blessings!

Te-Erika

Why Can't I Let Go of This Failed Relationship?

2008-06-19T15:03:00.002-05:00

When you have been an emotional and physical participant in a romantic relationship you become tied to that person, mentally, physically and spiritually. When the connection is broken, you don't want to let go for a variety of reasons.

1. We sometimes yearn for those things we can't have.

Even as small children we developed the habit of yearning for things that were forbidden to us. Those things seemed much more exciting than the things that were handed to us easily. This same habit follows us into adulthood and those naughty treasures become so appealing that we feel we have no choice for happiness unless we can have them.

Many women and men use this tactic to induce a measure of attraction in the object of their affection. They like to play hard to get which causes the other person to work harder to get close to them.

Allow me to warn you: THIS IS A GAME for the immature. A GROWN person listens to and respects the wishes of another. No head games are necessary in a healthy romantic relationship.

If you want it, and it wants you, then it is for you. If you are trying to hold on to it, and it is not trying to hold on to you, let it go.

2. We want control.

If we could control the number of hours in a day, we would probably shorten the days and prolong the nights so that we could have more rest. There are some things we can't control and one of them is the actions of others.

We can't force someone to love us, to be our friend or to treat us in the way we think we deserve to be treated. Why try? It's a moot activity because when the person alters their normal behaviour to give us what we want, they aren't doing it out of love for us, they are doing it out of fear.
Do you really want someone's love that is rooted in fear?

I hope you don't.

You want someone who will give you their devotion willingly, that way, it will last longer. Let go of the need to be in control of the relationship.

3. We can't imagine that we will ever experience the "high" of that relationship again.

The first smile. The first kiss. The first time the person gave us a thoughtful surprise. Ahh..those are all momentous occasions in any relationship. But...when the relationship proves to be a mismatch, we tend to cling on to those rare, but special memories, discounting the reason why the relationship did not work out in the end.

Will anyone ever hold me again?

Will anyone ever tell me they love me?

Will I ever have sex again with someone who actually cares?

Yes. Yes. And yes. You will.

But it will never come if you are constantly looking backward at what you now perceive to be your last chance at love. It wasn't your last chance. That relationship was merely a stepping stone, a guiding force into the proper relationship that will aid in your personal development.

Your future has in store for you, treasures that you can not imagine. You will experience that "high" again but first, you have to believe you will.

Youtube Video: Why Does A Break-Up Hurt So Badly?

2008-06-17T23:02:00.001-05:00

How To Move On After A Break-Up

2008-06-16T23:54:00.007-05:00

If you are in a situation where you are involved in a relationship and the person you are involved with wants to leave, you may feel like your heart is being ripped apart. You tried everything you could to stay together, to be more pleasing, to forgive and forget, and still your partner looks you in the face and says, "It's over."

That happened to me six years ago and it took me 6 years to really get over it. I'll share my story with you.

Six years ago I was pregnant with my second child from a man who did not want to be in a relationship with me. Not only did I feel like I was losing the love of my life I also felt that his leaving me meant that something was wrong with me. Why else would he want to walk away from the family he created?

I battled depression over the situation and I became engrossed in proving to him and myself that he had made a mistake. In fact, in hindsight, the majority of our relationship was built around me trying to prove to him that I was the best choice for his wife.

How silly it seems now, but back then I thought he was the hottest thing walking. I had never met a man so creative, so intelligent and so charming. He charmed the hearts of everyone he encountered but behind closed doors he consistently criticized me for not being like his other female friends.

"Why don't you dress like so and so?"

"Why don't you cook like so and so?"

"Why aren't you more well versed in politics like so and so?"

His comments sent me into a pit of self pity for years wondering if I could ever be good enough to win his love.

I shake my head at the thought now that I realize that a person who is unable to bring out the best in you by looking at you with love and appreciating who you really are, is more than likely doing the same thing to his/herself.

A person will give what they want to receive or what they expect to receive in return. If a person is constantly critisizing you then that means that they believe they deserve criticism in return. If a person gives love and encouragement then that means that they desire the same thing in return.

Even though I learned this, it took me many years to GET IT. And even when I GOT IT, it wasn't until I realized that what I had was not what I thought it was, that I was able to let it go.

I thought he was the most handsome man that I had ever met. I've met even more handsome men since then.
I thought he was the most ambitious man that I had ever met. I've met men who were more successful, more powerful and more creative than he was.
I thought that he was the only man who could make me cry during an intimate encounter. ~smile~ I was wrong.

Some people say that the best way to get over a relationship is to jump into another one. For years I disagreed due to the fact that I thought this replacement love would only yield the same results as the first one. Now that I have re evaluated my stance and studied more intensely the relationships around me, I can understand that there is an element of truth in this statement.

No, I'm not suggesting that you run out and find someone else to attach yourself to. I believe the reason why I can honestly say I'm over him, is the fact that I have met many more men who had the qualities that I admired in him, yet they treated me much better. Open your eyes and take your focus off of the one who walked away and you will begin to see the same thing too. Until you are able to recognize that you have the ability to become involved in another relationship, you will remain stuck in the pain from the last one.

The reason you may still be attached to the person who left you is because you don't believe that anyone else will arouse those feelings of passion, attraction and love.

Believe me when I tell you, once you are able to understand that your last relationship was NOT your LAST RELATIONSHIP, you can breathe easier knowing that you will have your turn one day.

Yes, I am still single but I have come to appreciate and respect this time in my life. I am no longer lonely and I have more joy now that I am not waiting for someone's approval to trigger my own self satisfaction. I had to learn the hard way but I am proud that I learned that lesson.

Allow me to be the first to say, there is nothing wrong with you.

The person you were with was simply not a good match for you and therefore had to be removed from your life so that you could receive someone who is a better fit. I'm sure this statement doesn't feel all that comforting when you are awake at night and all you want is a hug from someone who cares. During those times I would turn to those things that brought me comfort like writing or reading or talking with my friends.

It's okay to feel dissappointed over a failed relationship, but really no relationship that ends can be constituted as a failure because during that relationship you grew as a person, you learned how to better define what you do want from a potential life mate and you are now better equipped to recognize the ONE when you do meet him or her.

If there's nothing else that I want you to understand, please consider these three points:

1. There is NOTHING wrong with you.
2. Your last relationship was NOT your LAST RELATIONSHIP.
3. Since you have been freed from being with someone who did not return your same level of commitment and emotion you are now FREE to receive someone who will.

Please don't allow your past to hinder your future. What you are hoping for is right around the corner if you choose to recognize that your best life is never tied to someone who walked away. You never lose anything that belongs to you. When you think you have "lost" something or someone you have actually just made room for an upgrade to come into your life.

Believe that.

Trust it.

I promise you.

Your Fantasy: Moving On After A Break-Up

2008-06-15T21:31:00.004-05:00

Being a part of a romantic relationship is one of the most joyous forms of interaction in life. The intense attraction, the courtship, the excitement of realizing that the person you like actually likes you back are are unequaled in the WOW factor.

Unfortunately, as we all grow and learn, the people we love may not grow with us, or they grow in a direction that is not pleasing to us and either we have to move on or they decide to.

Immediately after a break up we experience a variety of emotions where we question ourselves and the path we are on in life. This week, we'll explore the best ways to make a succesful transition from a relationship hangover to being blissfully single.

Join me as we discover how to get over a bad break-up and how to smoothly skate on to a more joyous period of your life.

I'm right here with you. Everything will be just fine.

Yours In Love,

Te-Erika

Affirm Yourself: I Am A Relaxed, Happy Person

2008-06-05T00:24:00.002-05:00

Relaxation Affirmation Quotes

Sometimes the cure for restlessness is rest.
Colleen Wainwright, Communicatrix, 08-06-08

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it. ~Attributed to both Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris

For fast-acting relief, try slowing down. ~Lily Tomlin

How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterward. ~Spanish Proverb

Well-being is my natural state of being.

Reach for the feeling of well-being first, and everything else will fall into place.

Be selfish enough to follow your bliss, and you will tap in to the natural, Pure, Positive Essence of You.

“well-Being Cards”

As you start paying attention to the absolute correlation between the way you feel and what’s manifesting, then you understand that you hold the ke y to the letting it in.

If you could see an aerial view, and we can

All of these things that you have been asking for are lined up right outsid e your door. Lined up right there. Endless people and places and circumstances and events all lined up to accommodate you. All lined up. An d as you reach for the thought that feels a little bit better, some of them squirt in. As you reach for the thought that feels a little better, more of them will squirt in. As you reach

Right away in the first day, of finding the delicious relief that rage give s you over depression, something will manifest. You will see movement in your experience just with that incremental change.

And you can imagine each day that you reclaim your ground, and you begin saying things like ‘Well I’m not there yet, I’m not into positive emotion, but I sure fe el better than I did.’

And everything in your experience, every relationship will adjust to the ne w stance you have found vibrationally.

Abraham-Hicks, San Antonio, TZ 11/22/03

Three Ways To Relax During a Crisis

2008-06-02T09:37:00.002-05:00

Your Fantasy: Learning To Relax

2008-05-29T15:24:00.002-05:00

Sometimes life has a way of grabbing us by the throat and forcing us to focus on the things that seem to be going wrong. We can't seem to get a grip on life's circumstances because we feel powerless to change them into what we want them to be.

There's no other feeling in the world quite like being faced with a challenge and not having a clue what to do about it. When you're faced with such a situation it is a critical time to stop your train wreck of negative thoughts and learn how to relax.

It is during this relaxed state that the solution to your problem or circumstance will become clear. Worrying about your woe doesn not add anything to your life. It doesn't solve the problem, it only takes away from your life. Those days, weeks or months that you spend consistently focused on what you don't have are days that you will never get back. In essence, you lose a portion of your life by worrying. This week on Embrace Your Fantasy, I will share a few of my personal methods for relaxing my mind, body and spirit. I'll teach you about the importance of meditation, affirmations and I'll show you how you can learn to relax and allow the solution to present itself during every troubling circumstance.

Thanks for joining me.

Be Blessed.

Te-Erika

Michael Losier Explains It ALL

2007-12-07T12:51:00.000-06:00

Words by Kausalya

I thought the Law Of Attraction had failed me.

For years, I had been making "treasure maps" and spouting off positive affirmations like my life depended on it. By the time The Secret came out, I was already knee-deep in Louise Hay books, Cd's, and affirmation cards.

Please don't get me wrong. I adore Louise Hay. I'm certainly not saying that taking these steps toward positive thinking have not served me. The things I really want in life seem to be taking forever. This impatience has led to doubt. I had a feeling I was missing some key ingredient. Reading many of the posts on Embrace Your Fantasy dedicated to the Law of Attraction prompted me to take a second look at the Law of Attraction and the methods behind it. Soon after, I discovered author Michael Losier's Law of Attraction book on Cd.

Losier began by paying homage to many of the other authors who have tackled this vast topic before him like Esther and Jerry Hicks. What drew me to Losier's book was the simplicity of it. The path to inner peace and living my best life can often feel like an insurmountable task. I often get buried and bogged down in the details and miss the blessings which are often so simple. Why was my manifesting was taking so long? My affirmations were beginning to feel like a big lie. The repetition of the words left me with a constant feeling of anger and disappointment.

Losier keyed in on the very feelings I was experiencing. He said the Law of Attraction responds to our vibrations. The good news? "We can only send out one vibration at a time," he said. Then he began to discuss why certain affirmation methods do not work. I perked up immediately.

Losier explained that affirmations do not work unless there is an element of truth behind the words. In other words, you have to believe what you are saying. That belief triggers a vibration and causes the law to spin into action. It works the same whether you believe what you are saying or not.

I was always taught to say my affirmations in the present tense as if they were already true. For example, 'I love myself' should be said whether you love yourself in that moment or not. The idea was that repeating this over and over again would make you someday really believe it as your truth. Instead, the opposite was happening. The more I repeated this, the more I began to condemn myself for not fully believing it.

Losier has a quick solution to finding your truth in every affirmation. He says that by adding a few words to your affirmations you could change the vibration and begin believing your own words. Thus, spinning the Universe into positive action on your behalf.

For example:

I love myself.

More and more I am learning to love myself.

My career is successful and fulfilling.

I am in the process of creating a career that is successful and fulfilling.

I could literally feel the change in vibration. One sentence felt fake and judgmental while the other sentence felt freeing and etched in truth.

Losier says it's not all about the words, but it is all about your vibrations. "You get more of what you are vibrating." Adding truth to the affirmations helps reset the vibrations.

Other words Losier cautions against are 'don't, not, and no.' He says that these words can immediately lower your vibrations by giving you more of what you do not want. When you find yourself using these words you should stop and ask yourself this question: "What do I want?"

For example:

Negative: Don't hesitate to call.

Positive: Call me soon.

Losier says that our words even follow us into our personal journaling. He used a bad date as an example. You go out with someone who is rude, disrespectful and everything you despise in a partner. You come home and write about it. You write about all of the negative things that happened during the date. You write about how negatively you feel about this person and this situation. Your vibrations are negative. Losier says that the Law doesn't differentiate between the past, present, or the future. It just picks up the vibration and gives you more!

Losier suggests writing in a more affirmative manner by making a list describing the kind of person you would like to date in the future. In other words, allow this negative experience to spruce up your must-haves list.

It is comforting to know that I don't have to try and fool the Universe with lackluster affirmations. It is also encouraging to find a simple way of making my words vibrate with more love and joy.

I am in the process of living my best life and so are you.

For more information on Michael Losier go to:
http://www.lawofattractionbook.com/
________________________________________

How To Raise Your Vibrations

2007-11-14T10:20:00.000-06:00

Words by Te-Erika

It’s a great thing to learn how to deliberately create the best life by choosing to maintain positive emotions through any circumstance. But let’s be truthful, sometimes we may slip up and allow a negative thought to linger which ultimately lowers our vibration. We can choose to allow these vibrations to attract more negative energy or we can choose to raise them by following these tips.

Start a gratitude journal

Write down the following statement.

I am so happy and grateful now that…

Then follow that statement with a description of how you want your life to be. Be sure to write in the present tense as though your future self is writing in your journal.

I am so happy and grateful now that my true love is sitting beside me. He truly understands and appreciates me. He is my perfect companion and his presence in my life adds passion and adventure. He is so sexy!

Write a script

During some of the most trying times in our lives we often focus on what we don’t want to happen. By focusing on what we don’t want, our imagination draws more of that into our reality. When faced with any situation, try to imagine the best. Write a short story about how things could turn out in your favor.

I just applied for a new position in my company and I am excited as I wait for a response. I am sure that I will hear great news. I can already see how my contribution to this department will be appreciated and welcomed. My new boss will love me. My new co workers too. This new job will be the perfect way for me to excel as an executive and it will bring the perfect pay which means I can do more fun things with my family.

Make A Movie

The creative minds over at Mind Movies have crafted a new spin on the inspirational photo collage. They suggest making a Mind Movie by collecting pictures and creating a visual slide show, set to music that tells the story of how you want your life to be.

I also like to create videos to inspire others to be positive. Here is a video that I made that is set to Mary J. Blige’s new single, Just Fine.

Affirm Yourself

Make a list of positive affirmations for your dreams. If writing is not your specialty, try these wonderful affirmations by Florence Scovel Shinn.

I am now linked by an invisible, unbreakable magnetic cord with all that belongs to me by Divine Right!

Thy Kingdom is come, Thy will is done in me and my affairs.

I am poised and powerful, my greatest expectations are realized in a miraculous way.

I now exercize my fearless faith in three ways - by thinking, speaking and acting. I am unmoved by appearances, therefore appearances move.

I am in perfect harmony with the working of the law, for I know that Infinite Intelligence knows nothing of obstacles, time or space. It knows only completion.

I give thanks that I now receive the righteous desires of my heart. Mountains are removed, valleys exalted and every crooked place made straight. I am in the Kingdom of fulfillment.

Before I called I was answered and I now gather in my harvest in a remarkable way.

Do A 'Call For Testomonials '

Send an email out to your friends asking them to write a 2 or 3 sentence paragraph letting you know how your friendship has affected their lives. The results are mind blowing and may be kept and cherished for years to come as a reminder that we are a valued part of someone else’s growth.

Embrace The Fantasy

When I need a quick energy boost, I find a quiet place and I let my mind roam. I don’t focus on anything in particular I just allow my greatest desires to play out in my mind. At first I used to feel guilty for having these fantasies but now I use them as a mental playground, for relaxation and enjoyment.

Ask yourself, "What would be a miracle in my life right now?"

~visioning~

I can see it now...

My sons and I are exiting an airplane on our way to one of my conferences. There is a crowd waiting to meet me at the arrival gate. They are cheering with gifts and copies of my books for me to sign and bless. My sons are overjoyed that their Mom is making such a positive difference in the lives of so many people. They are proud that I took the risks that I took and the excitement on their faces show nothing but astonishment. They grip my hand tightly and watch as I smile and hurry through to our awaiting limo. All of my dreams have come true. My gift has made a way for provision. I am now doing what I love to do, connecting others with their dreams.

YouTube- My Favorite Law Of Attraction Videos

2007-11-12T23:12:00.000-06:00

Enhance Your Life With Deliberate Creation

2007-11-12T15:03:00.000-06:00

Words by Te-Erika

An understanding of how the law of attraction works is just the beginning of your significant life change.

When you attempt to use the principles behind the law of attraction to improve your circumstances you are then practicing Deliberate Creation or Co-Creation.

Some law of attraction teachers like Abraham-Hicks teach that you partner with the universe to create the circumstances in your life by aligning your emotions with what you want instead of allowing your fluctuating emotions to attract various situations haphazardly.

Since we know that the law of attraction states that like energy attracts like, or what we put our emotional energy into multiplies, we can then learn to train ourselves to maintain positive emotions. These positive emotions will signal the universe to attract more positive circumstances into our lives.

Can you really create your reality?

Well, we do it all the time. It is completely a matter of perception and expectation.

When you expect something to happen, you are on the look out for it and your mind’s eye zeroes in on your expectations causing you to see more of what you are looking for. In essence, every expectation that you have, you are subconsciously trying to be prove to be true.

Why not change your expectations and create a better reality?

If you choose to expect the best from life, your emotions will be more positive and your environment will react favorably to this positive energy that you are emitting. These emotions or vibrations are sent out into the universe with strong force, attracting equally strong vibrations which are then translated through situations and interactions in your environment.

To practice the process of Deliberate Creation you can try to use the following steps.

1) Ask for what you want and be specific.
2) Believe that you will have it.
3) Show that you believe that you will have it by taking faith-filled action toward your goals or desires.
4) Allow it to come to pass. Don’t force the fruition of your dream through action rooted in fear, anxiety or desperation.

In order to achieve the most favorable results you must behave as though you have already received the desire that is on your heart. When you do this you are creating an emotion of joyful expectancy and that is one of the highest vibrations that you can achieve.
The base principle behind Deliberate Creation is maintaining joyful expectancy through any situation. No negative circumstance is permanent, it is up to you to raise your vibrations through redirecting your thoughts and emotions which will in turn attract those things and circumstances that you desire.

Have you ever noticed how a happy person entering a room can uplift the entire mood of the gathering? In this same manner, your positive expectancy can change your entire life.

Exercise

Focus on something that you want to come to pass.

Ex: A better relationship.

Believe that you can have it and experience the joy of having it right now.

Fantasize about the successful completion of your dream. How does it feel for your dream to come true? What is the other person saying or doing that brings you complete joy? Maintain this joyful feeling. This is the signal to the universe that you want more of these feelings.

Interact with the person as though they have already demonstrated those actions. Show appreciation for them. Shower them with praise and affection.

These joyful vibrations will affect the vibration in any atmosphere, causing a ripple affect. If the person does not return your vibrations, they will be removed and a better match for your vibrations will be attracted. It’s automatic!

Everything that you need to experience joy, peace, health, wealth and happiness has already been promised to you. To enjoy more of these experiences simply believe that they are yours to have and act accordingly.

Waiting For The Signal

2007-11-08T00:03:00.000-06:00

Words by Te-Erika

The law of attraction teaches us that whatever we focus on is attracted into our lives. It doesn’t matter if you are focusing on your desires or your fears, what you focus on most is what you will receive.

The law of attraction isn’t something you can activate, it is merely a tool for understanding how your thoughts affect your life.

When you are at a restaurant and you want to summon the waiter, you send a signal by raising your hand or making eye contact. You focus on the waiter until you get his attention and then he comes to you to take care of your need.

Your action is your signal in that sense but your emotions are your signal when you understand how the law of attraction is applied.

When you are feeling fearful your emotions are signaling the universe that you want more of that feeling. The universe is programmed to give you more of what you want, in essence, more of what you focus on. By marinating in whatever emotion that you are experiencing you are saying, “I want more of this.”

If your desire is to attract more happy experiences into your life you should learn how to remain in a joyful state.

But how can you do that if everything around you seems to be crumbling?

Look around.

Is everything really crumbling or are there only certain elements of your life that seem to be out of place?

If you examine your current situation you may find that there are only a few areas that need improvement and the rest of your life is going fine.

If you want to create a signal to the universe that will attract more positive circumstances it is important to be grateful for the things that are going right.

Take a moment to take stock of the people and events in your life that bring you joy. Relive those moments from your past that led to a feeling of bliss. Focus on that feeling and allow it to overtake you.

Understand that you can not lose anything that God has planned for you. So even when a romantic partner walks away, you lose a job, your car breaks down or your finances are not plentiful, a better replacement is on the way if you choose to have faith that it is.

Send the signal for the perfect manifestation of your highest good into the universe by relishing your joyful moments and believing that they will be multiplied.

The Art of Allowing Your Wishes To Come True

2007-11-07T14:45:00.000-06:00

Words by Te-Erika

The Law of Attraction requires you to:

1) Know what you want.
2) Believe you will have it.
3) Be grateful for it in the moment, regardless of whether or not you see evidence of it in the physical.

There’s another important key to achieving your fantasy life that goes hand in hand with the previous steps. It is the art of allowing.

Most people think that in order to achieve their fantasy lives they must hustle and struggle and break down doors, you know, MAKE IT HAPPEN. The art of allowing teaches a much more simple way to taste the fruit of your dreams.

Be at peace.

The object of your desire is on its way. There’s no need to scheme to receive it, it is yours by divine right. Placing your hands on its delivery slows the process. By not allowing your dream to come to you, you run the risk of receiving what appears to be what you want, but is actually a cheap imitation. This imitation will not bring about the satisfaction, peace and joy that you envisioned.

Patience is the virtue behind the art of allowing. If you really say that you believe what you desire is on the way, if you truly believe, then you should have no problem waiting for it to appear. Your impatience and tendency to try to move things faster are direct indicators that you don’t really believe.

If you don’t really believe, you are not going to receive it anyway so you may as well take a step back and re focus until you do truly believe you deserve what you desire.

I am not saying that you should not take inspired action toward receiving your desire. I am saying that if the action that you are taking is based in fear or frustration and leads to anxiety then you are not using inspired action which won’t garner positive results so you are wasting your time.

Maintaining peace while you are waiting for the physical manifestation of your direct request to the universe is what brings your wish to you. Taking inspired action, action fueled by joy and belief in what you desire will bring your dream closer to you.

The art of allowing is your key to unlocking the door to your most wonderful expectations. Don’t fight for what you deserve, allow it.

Kanye West GOOD LIFE Instructional Video

2007-11-05T17:26:00.000-06:00

Words by Te-Erika

Kanye West produced a stand up on your feet anthem for his latest album Graduation. Good Life, featuring the hit sidekick T. Pain hits the perfect pitch for that joyful vibration you should maintain when you realize that living the GOOD LIFE is a choice.

Here's my personal spin on the Good Life theme, presented on my youtube channel. This video explains my method to achieving and maintaining the GOOD LIFE, based on the Law of Attraction.

Thanks 'Ye!

No Hocus Pocus- The Law of Attraction Simplified

2007-11-01T00:20:00.000-05:00

Words by Te-Erika

The Law of Attraction simply says that you attract into your life whatever you focus on most.

Some of the world’s most brilliant minds corroborate this belief:

"There is a difference between wishing for a thing and being ready to receive it." No one is ready for a thing until they believe they can acquire it. Before anything can come to us, we have to envision it and believe that it is ours. -Napoleon Hill

"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy." -Norman Vincent Peale

Faith is expectancy. You do not receive what you want; you do not receive what you pray for, not even what you say you have faith in. You will always receive what you actually expect.”
- Eric Butterworth

"The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears. It reaches the height of its cherished aspirations. It falls to the level of its unchastened desires - and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.”
- James Allen

You must understand that our focused thoughts lead to intense feelings which translate into energetic vibrations which are sent out into the universe. These vibrations are seeking others just like them and these matches are then drawn to us and expressed through more of the same feelings and complementary circumstances.

In English...

What are you focusing on?

How does it make you feel?

How long have you been feeling like this?

Have you noticed more of the same circumstances being attracted into your life which will confirm the original thought that you held?

Check It

When I focused on the fact that every man I met was a jerk, my repeated thought became a belief. My belief led to a subconscious mission to prove myself to be right. I sought out opportunities to test my theory. Man after man came into my life and I even went after a few.

I looked far and wide, examining each pair of beady eyes and numerous pole tent crotches. Aha! Every man I met WAS a jerk, didn’t value me for more than my looks and would disrespect me at the first opportunity that he found.

I was right about all men!

I focused on my belief. I found ways to test it. I affirmed it everyday and voila, I was RIGHT!

But what if I was right about men being jerks because I wanted to affirm my belief so badly that I subconsciously sought out these negative traits in every man that I met?

If you look long enough, you will find what you are searching for.

If you focus hard enough, you will achieve what you are focused on.

Why not take that same energy and focus on a positive goal?

Goal: To become a television personality.

Belief: I am a personable, humorous, outgoing individual and many people will enjoy my speaking style and on-camera presence. My gift will be appreciated and well-sought after.

Focus: I can focus on my goal by affirming myself daily, believing that I deserve what I desire and that I will have it.

Action: I will seek opportunities to hone my craft by creating my own television projects, auditioning for other projects and learning as much about the industry as I can from the ground up.

Affirm: Nothing can stop me from accomplishing my goal. I know my opportunity to shine is coming! I will keep trying until I find it!

If you look long enough, you will find what you are searching for.

Law Of Attraction Applied:

The thought= I want to be a television personality.

The feeling I experience when I truly believe this is an attainable goal= HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY!

Universal Reaction= The joyful vibration precedes me in every meeting, interview or action I take toward my goal. Others can feel my joyful vibration and they are affected positively by my genuine joy and confidence in myself. Those who are confident are attracted to me and believe in my dream, assisting me when necessary. Those who are not confident are attracted to me because they want my confidence to rub off on them.

My unwavering belief has sent out a warm hug (through vibration) to everyone I encounter and I will receive these hugs back in the form of doors being opened and opportunities presenting themselves to me.

I have prepared, believed and focused on my dream. I AM my dream. My dream is ME.

So you see, it takes a firm expectation that you will receive what you desire, which creates a sense of excitement and joyful vibrations that are contagious and attractive to anyone you come into contact with as you pursue your desire.

Maintain your belief that you have achieved what you desire. With gratitude for this achievement coupled with assertive action, you will receive all that you have dreamt of and more.

Bonus Simplified Explanation:

Your beliefs will ALWAYS be true, whether you want them to be true or not. If you change your beliefs you change your reality. You get what you expect. Get it?

That's the Law of Attraction without all the hocus pocus.

My Journey Through (and to) The Law of Attraction

2007-10-31T21:47:00.000-05:00

Words by Te-Erika

Right smack in the middle of one of the most profound, exciting journeys of my life, I had been feverishly recording all of my experiences on my blog. During that time of my life I was physically separated from everyone that I loved and my dependence was focused solely on God’s provision, companionship and direction.

During this intense alone time, I decided to set a few more self improvement goals for myself. As I teetered between stopping smoking and trying to become more positive about my life I laughed at the latter objective simply because it seemed impossible.

I had come to embrace my fears dutifully, wallowing in the despair that they brought. I relived the pain of my past over and over again, subconciously enjoying the pity that the sob stories elicited.

During a strange turn of events I was hired at a local newspaper in Houston as a reporter and during my 2nd week there my publisher gave me a book called The Game of Life & How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn. I assume she noticed my dedication to my own self development by the affirmations that I posted on my wall and the book The Greatest Salesman in the World that I carried with me at all times.

When I read the first page of The Game of Life, my entire life changed. The late Shinn, a noted metaphysician and spiritual teacher taught how to apply the principles she learned from the Bible to her everyday life, revealing that God is the supply and source of all that we desire and that His desire is that we live lives of complete faith in Him. She also wrote that life is a game of boomerangs and immediate karma that is enabled by our actions, therefore what we gave, we would receive.

I knew that in everything I did, I tried my best to honor people and praise them to success. I later learned that this trait was very much a characteristic of my INFP personality. The only problem that I had with releasing great karma was my inability to have faith that God had only great things in store for my life.

At the time I didn’t have a stable home. I chose my clothes from the trunk of my car every night while sleeping in boarding homes, hostels and shelters as I sought my professional and spiritual growth and moved from city to city.

I now believe that The Game of Life opened the gateway for a better understanding of the Law of Attraction which I was introduced to later in my journey.

The Law of Attraction simply states that like is attracted to like or you receive what you focus most on. Sounds innocent doesn’t it? The meat behind this universal law is that the things that we imagine and experience through deep seeded emotions are what we attract to ourselves. In other words, what we think about and meditate on is a precursor to what we will experience.

Before I began my solo journey to secure my professional and spiritual development, I imagined that I would have a hard time finding success. I imagined that I may have to be hungry and homeless to achieve success and guess what- I found just what I was looking for.

As I continued to write about my experiences and my spiritual evolution I noticed that I received signals from the people around me that indicated what emotional state they were in. It seemed kind of “whoo whoo” and cosmic to know that I could feel their emotions in the form of vibrations. These vibrations, to me, indicated whether they were happy, fearful, anxious or joyful. I could sense their true feeling regardless of whether or not they wanted me to know what they were.

Later my studies into the Law of Attraction pin pointed that we are all made of energy and that every thought we experience has a vibration attached to it. I couldn’t believe my eyes! So that’s why I could feel the troubles or joys of strangers!

I researched more about these vibrations and their relation to the Law of Attraction and I learned that even more than just our thoughts, the feelings created behind the thought are what really sends the vibration out which attracts even more of the same vibration.

In essence, it’s not about the thought, it’s about the emotion (vibration) that is tied to it. The more we dwell on a particular thought and produce a weighted emotion, the more we experience the same situations that produce more of that emotion.

My mind raced back to those times when I had immersed myself into my fears, only to experience more fearful circumstances. I decided that I had to learn not to stagnate in fear.

My Christian background taught me that God is holding me by my right hand and He is with me. If God is with me every step of the way, then even those seemingly disastrous circumstances have purpose and are not a permanent part of my life. If I know that God will bring me through the experience then how could I fear it?

I began to follow my feelings, which I later learned to be my intuition, in my decision making even more than before because I felt that God was speaking to me through my emotions. If this experience of life is about experiencing joy, satisfaction and happiness then why would I do anything that led me to experience the opposite of those emotions.

This new way of thought was difficult to embrace because the friends I had in my life were more practical in their decision making. They advised me to never follow my feelings but to secure stability by careful planning and strategic action. As ironic as this seems, their advice never “felt” right to me so I didn’t listen. I continued to ‘follow my peace’ as my old Pastor had taught me.

I wanted peace and happiness more than anything. I wanted success, yes. I wanted stability, yes. But I also wanted an existence that reflected the joy I envisioned for my life.

I didn’t find the material things that I envisioned for my life, but ultimately through my lack of those things I developed an unshakeable faith that has brought me complete joy even today. I read somewhere that unshakeable faith is only discovered through situations where you have nothing to rely on but your faith in God… and I have experienced plenty of those.

Even still, I am in a remarkable state of peace each time I receive the miracles that God or the Universe sends my way.

The Law of Attraction worked for me, but not in a greedy, materialistic way. By studying this law and other laws of the universe I learned that the most important path to peace and joy (the desire for these FEELINGS prompt us to take most actions) is the understanding in complete faith that your life is divinely guided. Peace comes by following your heart and doing the things that your intuition says are right, regardless of what others say.

Peace comes by expecting the best for your life in all areas and enjoying the feeling of the realization of your most wonderful fantasies, even BEFORE they have physically come to pass. By believing and rejoicing in your perfect desired end, you have the strength to walk over hot coals, knowing that the flames can not hurt you because you have been promised to overcome and live a victorious life. You send out joyful vibrations because you have faith, which attracts even more joyful circumstances.

For me the Law of Attraction is not about getting whatever I want. It IS about maintaining faith and joyful expectancy that my Creator has planned an abundant life for me. The consistent practice of these traits will propel you into your most consistent harmonious existence. You attract what you focus on most and my focus is on God’s most wonderful plan for my life and experiencing the joy of the promise everyday!

Everything you have ever done - every moment, every experience, every relationship - has brought you to this moment. You are perched on the leading edge of your life.
- Alan Cohen

The World of the Wondrous

2007-10-30T18:08:00.000-05:00

Words by Te-Erika

Even during seemingly dismal times as a youth in one of the most crime-stricken neighborhoods in Miami, Florida I allowed my mind to frolic in the alluring fantasy of the literary world. The books that I read like Sweet Valley High and the Fabulous Five painted life as a mixture of cute boys and convertibles, college parties and perfect grades, limitless goals and cool friends. All you had to do to achieve success was to decide which area you wanted to be successful in…and it was yours.

I made that premise my reality throughout my childhood. I decided that I wanted to be smart and well-liked and it came easily for me. I could do whatever I wanted in school because I believed that I was supposed to do and have all that I wanted. Because I believed…it was so.

Not only did I ask for the things I wanted in a way that made refusing them basically impossible, the things that I asked for were beneficial to the entire school as well; a newspaper, a pep rally, voting booths. I’ll never forget the look on my elementary school principal’s face every time I marched into his office and announced, “I have an idea.”

I was voted Most Popular and Best Personality. I was senior class president too. I won every award that I wanted to win and I honestly thought I deserved them so they were no big deal to me.

I lived in this fantasy world until shortly after I reached college. I wish that I have never stopped looking at life in the way that I thought it should be versus the way it appeared. My reality check consumed me and there I was thrust into this lifestyle that I had no experience in dealing with. THE REAL WORLD.

My fears led to more fearful experiences. My doubts led to more tragic circumstances. Before I knew it the world I lived in was a stark contrast to anything that I had ever read or envisioned for myself. The world I lived in had become laden with depression, abuse and a crippling fear of men and social situations.

This story of the shift in my perceived reality exemplifies the message behind the movie The Secret. The message behind the movie is a wonderful introduction into the world of metaphysics. It is a world where you’ll find an unbreakable connection to the Creator of the Universe as you recognize universal laws that have affected your life.

Just as my belief that I deserved awards, honors and admiration from my peers in my former years, created the space for those happy circumstances to occur in my life, the latter years were filled with despair, grief and self hatred because I had come to believe that all that my former successes were a farce and the pejorative words and opinions of others were then used to define my reality. My decision to leave the world of the wondrous and embrace the reality of the masses led to my setback.

The message behind the movie, The Secret, isn’t really about having a magic lamp and getting what you want. It’s so much more than just getting ‘things’. It’s about finding a delicate balance in your life, a balance that will lead you to the greatest fulfillment you have ever experienced. It’s about faith, peace, abundance and acceptance.

Who doesn’t want more of that? I know I do.

Follow me as I learn more about the laws presented in the movie and apply them to my experience.

Check out the first 20 minutes of The Secret, presented by youtube.

From the Editor- Your Fantasy: Understanding and Applying The Law of Attraction

2007-10-29T21:04:00.000-05:00

Dear Dreamers,

My nails are growing.

But that’s beside the point. My soul is growing too. For the past month I have read everything I could get my hands on concerning this phenomenon called The Secret and my life has really changed because of it. I read, meditate, research and compare the many perspectives on the information presented and I must say that I have not found any of it to contradict each other.

Each teacher of ‘The Secret,’ which is based on the Universal Law of Attraction, holds the same truths to be self evident. However, they all claim that they know the secret behind the secret and will give it to you for only $79.95 if you buy their CD/book/audiotape/e-book/manifestation kit/pendulum.

While many of these advertisements are laden with impressive testimonies of success I find it quite sad that those who are seeking help with improving their lives often hit a brick wall that is only penetrable if you have a hundred dollars or more laying around.

I decided that I will take some time to explain what the movie was about, where the concept came from behind the film, what Law of Attraction really means and how it affects our lives. Much more than just ‘positive thinking’ propaganda, the conscious use of The Law of Attraction has changed lives.

As I’ve studied intensely, sometimes 8 hours a day, taking e-courses, watching videos and immersing myself into this “new thought” which is not really new at all, I have seen positive results in my life, mainly because I have been focused on finding them.

Because I now truly believe, subconsciously, consciously, physically and spiritually; I can and now do attain, maintain and expand all of my positive goals, with speed, ease comfort and joy, I have experienced a shift in my expectations and am sincerely happy to report, I rarely have any down days and I have seen miracles in my life.

I’m serious, miracles. There’s something to this Law of Attraction thing and I’m going to explain what that ‘something’ is over the next week in easy to comprehend terms.

Please enjoy the information I will present as we explore Your Fantasy: Understanding and Applying the Law of Attraction.

In Love,

Te-Erika

Open The Door For Love

2007-10-15T22:29:00.000-05:00

Words by Te-Erika

There’s an old saying floating from earlobe to earlobe that says, “You can’t have love unless you first love yourself.”

I hate that old saying!

It always annoys me when I hear it. I do love myself dammit! I think I’m hot! I think I’m smart. I know I’m a good catch, now all I need is for someone ELSE to notice it besides me!

But after many years of heartache while I kept thinking, ‘No one loves me. No one wants to be with me.’ One day, I woke up.

I looked around and realized that there had in fact been many men who have loved me, but because they weren’t what I was looking for, I had completely disregarded their love.

These men were willing to spend time with me, whisper sweet things in my ear and give me the treatment that I desired but I couldn’t receive those things because I was very much focused on the specific way I wanted them to appear.

I wouldn’t budge when it came to the type of man that I allowed into my life. If he wasn’t a successful businessman, a bit nerdy and at the same time extremely creative and driven, he couldn’t even get my real name. Hello there, I’m Anastasia.

How many free meals did I pass up while waiting for my dream guy? How many nights of laughter did I miss out on? How many friendships could I have developed if I wasn’t so stuck on my particular vision?

While I am not an advocate of leading people on if you have no interest in them, I AM an advocate of receiving the blessings that flow into your life regardless of the giver.

Sometimes you can block the flow of blessings when you are not a grateful receiver. Just because Mr. Too Tall For Me wants to take me to the movies, doesn’t mean that I am tied to him forever. Just because Mr. Too Complacent wants to enjoy a quiet evening in front of the television doesn’t mean that we have to get married the next day.

Say to yourself: I don’t have to do anything that I don’t want to do. I define the level of my relationships clearly and consistently. I do not have to give more than I want to. If someone wants to show me love, all I owe them is a gracious Thank You.

If there are people in your life who want to show you love, why won’t you let them? Instead you sit and sulk wondering why love has passed you by.

You must understand that since you are attractive, witty and personable, others are bound to notice it too. Don’t hide that light from people just because you deem them unworthy. Go out, have fun, enjoy their company and adoration. Allow them to bask in the glow of your companionship which will benefit the both of you.

Love yourself enough to accept the love that is being offered to you on the many different levels that it presents itself. You deserve it, you desire it and, most importantly, by being open to receive it, you will fling the gates wide open for your fantasy love to appear and grow simply because you are open to receive it, in whatever form it comes.

The Art of Giving Perfect Love

2007-10-12T00:06:00.000-05:00

Words by Te-Erika

We experience many types of love throughout our lives:

Love based on common interests - Wow. She loves sports as much as I do.

Love based on attraction - Yowsa! I really love doing it with him.

Or maybe even love that grows as time goes by - I really didn’t like him at first but we’ve spent so much time together that I’ve become comfortable with who he is and who I am when I’m with him.

All of these love experiences add to a grand existence and may lead to the type of love we all dream about but are hesitant to believe really exists; Perfect Love.

Most romantics will associate the word love with emotions and attraction; we want that head over heels feeling of butterflies and shooting stars, but I consider love to be an expression of consistent, supportive action snugly intertwined with positive emotion.

Since I’ve experienced all kinds of love that have added to my life in both positive and negative ways, I decided to seek out a different kind of love, a Perfect Love.

PERFECT LOVE: There’s no real definition since the subject matter is subjective, however from my point of view Perfect Love exists when the giver allows care, concern and support to flow freely with no thought of receiving anything in return, regardless of the circumstance. It exists only to aid in the improvement of the receiver’s life, also adding joy and comfort.

Why is it important to learn to give Perfect Love? Wouldn’t you want to receive the same? If we operate under the law of reaping and sowing, we know that what we give, we will receive. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we had a companion who loved us in spite of and because of who we are, even during our most troubling times? If that is what we want, why would it be difficult to give the same to another person?

When involved in this type of love experience, on both ends, the receiver and the giver remain in a joyful state because each one has the happiness and satisfaction of the other as their main priority. When two people are truly focused on raising each other’s satisfaction levels without focusing on their own, the couple strikes a balance that is miraculous in nature, reveling in appreciation that someone else cares enough to hold their needs so close to their heart.

If giving Perfect Love is your desire, it is important to:

1. Look at yourself as a gift to the other person. Gifts always make us feel great and they add something to our lives that makes them better.
2. Be consistent. When you turn on your faucet, the water will flow. A Perfect Love is just like that, it is not halted by emotion or circumstances.
3. Never ask, “What do I get out of this?” Perfect Love wants nothing in return. Perfect Love sees the happiness of the receiver as their reward.

Giving Perfect Love is the most selfless decision that you can make. It takes a special person who is rooted in self love and who also fully appreciates the joy of giving. The reward for giving Perfect Love is internal satisfaction and that kind of satisfaction is matchless.

Why Haven't I Found True Love Yet?

2007-10-11T01:02:00.000-05:00

Words by Te-Erika

You’re (insert your age here) years old and everyone seems to be linked up but you. You look in the mirror and notice that you aren’t that different from everyone else. You’re smart, you’re funny and you’re available. Why hasn't love knocked on your door then?

The answer to these 3 questions may give you a clue.

1) Do I really believe it can happen for me?

Well…Do you? If there’s even an inkling of doubt then you may need to be a break for a little self assessment in your immediate future.

What is it about you that forces you to believe that true love doesn’t exist? Is it a lack of a role model for love? Just as unique and distinct your desires are, no one person is a model for how your life will end up. Make a decision that you are living your life for YOU and don’t judge yourself by the failures of others. If you do, you’ll only repeat their mistakes.

Your belief in attracting true love is directly affecting your ability to receive it. Change your thoughts. Repeated thoughts become beliefs. Instead of repeating, “No one will ever satisfy me,” try saying, “I will receive the love I deserve.” If you say it enough, you will believe it and the confidence you exude will attract the right person.

2) Am I as in love with myself as I’d like for my true love to be?

Who are you? Are you a man who is 4 feet tall? Do you smell like corn chips in the morning? Do you enjoy reading the television guide for fun? Do you think you’re weird because you’re into S&M and no one you know is?

Well, guess what? Those things that you may keep out of the public eye are probably what will attract your true love to you!

Be yourself. I’m serious. Love those crazy, zany things about you. I, for one, love nerdy men. Yes, I said it. I LOVE NERDS. Though most won’t believe me when I express my attraction to them, I am sincere.

Somewhere out there, there is a woman who is hungry to meet a man who giggles like a schoolgirl. She’ll think it’s hilarious! Somewhere out there, there is a man who is dreaming about meeting a woman who weighs 300 pounds and loves to cook. She reminds him of his Mom.

There’s a true love for you who will, as my friend Richanda used to say, “Love your dirty draws…” So appreciate yourself for what you bring to the world and as you begin to emit those vibes of gratitude, the world and your true love, will love you back.

3) Am I at a point in my life that my lifestyle reflects my desire to be in a long-term, committed relationship?

When you daydream about your fantasy life with your true love, what does it look like? What are you doing in your career? Where do you live? How do you treat each other?

Now take a look at your current circumstances. Does what you see reflect where you want to be? I’m not saying that you have to be the person in the fantasy right now, some true love experiences will be the guiding force to help you get there, but I am saying that where you are now should be somewhere in the vicinity of where you want to be.

Do you have a home for your future family to live in? Are you a capable and stable provider? Are you emotionally ready to support and encourage the true love you have been hoping for?

Are you still dating around, allowing various people to sample the fruit that should be reserved for your true love? End the parade of waste in your life and focus on becoming the type of person you see in your fantasy. Take a parenting class or sign up for cooking classes or maybe even get that degree that will allow you to build the business that you’ve been dreaming of.

Wait! Don't lose hope...

What can I do now?

Clean Your Slate
Remove all people and associations that would detract from the health of your future relationship.

Become The Person You Want To Love You
Do you want someone who is funny? Laugh more.
Do you want someone who is understanding? Be more patient with your friends and family.
Do you want someone who is educated? Get more education.
Do you want someone who is outgoing? Join a social group.

By actively becoming the type of person that you want in your life, you will find that you are consistently around people who have the same interests therefore tripling your chances of running into your true love.

Imagine This
Act as though you have already received what you have been waiting for. Buy double the amount of toothpaste. Set an extra plate for dinner. Reserve Friday nights for date night with your true love and go out and do things that you would like to do with that person.

Imagine what it will feel like to touch, to kiss, to hang out, to laugh. Use your imagination to carve out just what you’d like your life to be like and actively EXPECT it to come to pass. Rejoice every day until it does...and never fear, if you TRULY believe, your belief will force your wish into fruition.

Recognizing Love In Your Atmosphere

2007-10-10T00:25:00.000-05:00

Words by Te-Erika

It is possible that you have closed off your heart due to some failed attempt at love. You may have vowed never to risk the pain again causing you to run away from anything that even looks like it could potentially chip away at your stone heart.

Although you have stood your ground, back firmly pressed against the door, refusing to let love in, allow me to share a few signs that love has not escaped you.

1. You receive a package from a family member and you unwrap it finding that t-shirt that you had been admiring on the internet.
2. You receive a phone call and someone shares their good news with you.
3. Your car breaks down and your neighbor shows up to help you fix it.
4. You can’t seem to understand the directions to the new laptop you just bought and your friend stays on the phone with you until you figure it out.
5. You rant and rave about how hurt you are over your last relationship and someone listens, affirms you and gives you a hug.
6. A co-worker stops by your desk just to say hello and tease you about your new shoes.
7. You were fearful about sharing the newly set goals for your life but when you do, your friend smiles at you and tells you that you are well on your way to becoming a millionaire.
8. You order food from a familiar restaurant and when you receive your purchase the cashier has added extra sauce and napkins because he remembers that you always ask for them.

Love comes in many forms. Don’t allow the absence of your perceived love to negate the small signs that love really is all around you.

Teach Me How To Love with Musiq Soulchild

2007-10-09T22:36:00.000-05:00

Words by Te-Erika

The first verse of the lyrics of Musiq’s emotional R&B ballad Teach Me read:

I was told the true definition of a man was to never cry
Work til you die (Yeah)
Got to provide (Yeah)
Always be the rock for my fam
Protect them by all means
And give you the things that you need, baby
Our relationship is suffering
Tryna give you what I never had
You say I don’t know how to love you, babe
Well, I say show me the way
I keep my feelings deep inside
I shadow them with my pride
I’m trying desperately,
Baby, just work with me

Here’s a man who speaks on a subject that few men ever would; his internal battle with what society has told him he should be versus what he knows he needs to do in order to make his significant other happy.

His problem lies with the fact that he can not love her completely simply because he has never been shown how to love. Somewhere along his childhood he was raised instead of loved. He was conditioned instead of loved. He was taught instead of loved.

We must remember that as we attempt to guide our children into an honorable adulthood, discipline is important, strength is important, but LOVE, pure love, is the greatest lesson we will ever teach them.

When a child learns to love without fear, by experiencing fearless love, that child is armed with the most important tool necessary for success. Who can resist a gift given in love? Who can turn away from a service offered with love? Who would dare to turn their back on the warmth of a sincere smile and a heart that is willing to love unconditionally?

Many hustle to achieve success. Many struggle to achieve success. But those whose perfect love for what they desire guides them to success, experience the fullness of the combination of love and success, which is bliss.

From The Editor- Giving & Receiving Love

2007-10-08T00:21:00.000-05:00

Dear Dreamers,

Someone wise once wrote, “The greatest thing you'll every learn, is just to love and be loved in return....”

Deep inside our heart of hearts, our greatest fear and greatest desire is rooted in love. We walk into a room full of people we don’t know and our eyes scan the crowd hoping to find acceptance, approval, attraction, warmth.

Our fear of never finding these things may cause us to put up a shield that pretends that we don’t care about love, but we all do.

Our fears are rooted in insecurity when we magnify our idiosyncrasies, somehow mistaking them for flaws.

But what are flaws really when you think about the grand scheme of individuality? Our flaws (unique traits) are merely distinct markings that allow us to be recognized by those in the same family of love. By “family” I mean, those who have shared similar experiences or interests.

If you are a single mother and are afraid that no man will love you because you have failed at your first relationship, someone in your family of love may be a man who was raised by a single mom and wants to offer the same love and support that he wishes his mom had received.

If you were in an accident and as a result now carry a burn mark on your body, someone in your family of love may be someone who lost a relative in an accident and would embrace loving you because you are a survivor.

Giving and receiving love are two different sides of the same coin. Before you can receive love, you must first learn how to give love, perfectly and completely with no hidden motives.

Join us as we spend time exploring the things that hinder us from giving and receiving love. Be refreshed by our step by step guide to receiving the love you desire. Break free from fears of being hurt by daring to love fearlessly.

Grow with me.

Love with me.

In Love,

Te-Erika

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