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ON A COLD JANUARY DAY IN 2007 WHEN THE TEMPERATURES DIPPED BELOW ZERO DEGREES, I LOOKED OUT MY WINDOW AND SAW MY FIRST EASTERN BLUEBIRD, the symbol of happiness and eternal spring. From that moment on I was hooked on attracting bluebirds to my backyard. I did my research and painstakingly created the perfect bluebird conditions for these bringers of joy. The heated birdbath is clean and the bluebird house, with its rooftop dining dish, meets the right specifications. I even purchased a special hanging monstrosity designed to repel unwanted guests from the cozy abode. Try as I may, there is not a bluebird in sight. What I so desire eludes me. Maybe it's because the number of these songbirds has declined due to uncommonly cold, harsh southern winters where they starved or were frozen to death. Maybe it's because I haven't prayed properly or with enough faith. Or maybe it's just not the right Divine Timing for the bluebird's appearance in my yard.
Don't Give Up On Your Demonstration
Sometimes in our own lives we feel like we have all the right conditions to attract what we desire to demonstrate. When we don't see the manifestation right away we lament "Why me?" "Is my prayer being answered?" "Does the Universe HEAR ME?" When we cultivate right conditions in our mind, the demonstration appears and good flocks to us. It's important to remember that your prayer will be answered according to your true belief. Don't be discouraged if Divine Timing is not the same as your earthly timing.
Too often, people give up or fail to see openings that are occurring in response to prayer. Before realizing the full demonstration, sometimes more growth needs to occur; then the next step is revealed to you. Losing faith or giving up will block the opportunity to take the next step in arriving at your goal.
It's a good idea to affirm:
"I allow the Divine Plan to unfold in my life and trust that doors are opening for me right now."
Everlasting Joy
As you allow Divine Guidance to show you the way, do so with a consciousness of joy no matter what the outer conditions look like. Joy is available to you at all times. Even in the face of pain and suffering, joy can be present. Not too long ago, I was experiencing sorrow at the suffering of a loved one. Yet through the pain, there was joy. "How can someone feel joy in the face of pain?" you may ask. Indeed, feeling joy in the presence of pain seems like a harsh contradiction. Yet to hold someone's hand and provide loving light and comfort is to let loose great waves of joy. To serve another person by giving is great love that begins a joy avalanche that keeps gaining momentum. Some people think that joy is about material gain, climbing the ladder of success or being in meditation retreats. But joy is within us all along. We don't have to go anywhere or strive for any one achievement to reveal that joy.
Ask yourself what is it you want to demonstrate in 2010? Can you allow it to unfold in Divine Timing? Can you let go and enjoy the path picking up lessons and growth along the way?
I invite you to take a moment, close your eyes and picture your intentions in your mind's eye. Then say with conviction,
"Joy is mine as I am Divinely Guided every step of the way." Now say it again with feeling, "Joy is mine as I am Divinely Guided every step of the way."
The Answer to Your Prayers
Certainly Spirit will reveal each step of the way in fulfilling your heart's desires. We can stop being hard on ourselves and maintain a gentle, quiet peace and expectancy and trust our Creator to light the way. By remembering that we are eternally connected to our Source, which is all good and all love, we can relax into knowing that our prayers are being answered in a wonderful and unexpected ways. Be aware of even small signs that your prayers are being answered and celebrate every opening that is presented to you.
Yet as I write these words, I slip away from my computer and head straight to the kitchen window to look for bluebirds. But I only see finches, chickadees and cardinals and I rejoice at their gracious beauty. Perhaps that is the opening that the beloved bluebirds - those majestic harbingers of happiness - are on the way. All in Divine Timing, I'm sure.
NEW Live Your Joy Tele-Conference Class 
Just in time for Valentine's Day. This half-day workshop is based on the popular book, How to Attract Your Soul Mate: The Secrets of Lasting Love. Through lecture and exercises, participants learn how to heal the wounds of the past, forgive, and reach greater states of consciousness.