“Moment to moment, there are aspects of life that we like, and others we don't. There are always going to be people who disagree with you, people who do things differently, and things that don't work out. If you fight against this principle of life, you'll spend most of your life fighting battles.”       -- Richard Carlson, author of Slowing Down to the Speed of Life: How to Create a More Peaceful Life from the Inside-Out

Dear Friend:

What does the phrase “go with the flow” mean to you?

In general, do you find yourself forcing outcomes or decisions or do you tend to wait until your internal guidance system directs you to the best course of action?

I would call the latter “going with the flow.” And, however you describe “flow”—Universal life force, God, your intuition, spirit, consciousness, wisdom—most of us can look back on our lives and recognize times when we were really in synch with this. And, how things seem to magically happen when we just get out of the way and “allow” them to!

Another way to describe this feeling of being in flow is living with “intention.” You’ve probably heard this phrase a lot and many people have various definitions for what this means to them.

For me, when I’m living from intention, it simply means I’m living with purpose and that my life is in “flow.”

When Dr. Wayne Dyer, spiritual teacher and best-selling author of “The Power of Intention” was asked how he describes intention he said “It's the difference between motivation and inspiration. Motivation is when you get hold of an idea and don't let go of it until you make it a reality. Inspiration is the reverse—when an idea gets hold of you and you feel compelled to let that impulse or energy carry you along. You get to a point where you realize that you're no longer in charge, that there's a driving force inside you that can't be stopped. Look at the great athletes, musician, artists, and writers. They all tap into that source.” Hear more from Dr. Dyer on this topic in a recent article with Family Circle.

I encourage you to experiment with this concept over the summer. Pick up a small journal and record times when you notice yourself going with the flow and what the results are. How do you feel? What types of circumstances unfold? And, check out my latest Career Strategists’ newsletter on living intentionally this summer (I even challenge you to choose a summer ’08 theme—IF one speaks to you!).

Take good care and if you happen to be in Texas this month or next, join us for one of our upcoming regional workshops or events! I’d love to see you. I’ll be on a writing sabbatical in July and August and look forward to spending time with all of you who are signing up for the women’s Fall Self Renewal Retreat in September at The Crossings.

Warmly--Renee

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