ebess

Originally published at Elizabeth Genco. You can comment here or there.

There’s a little-known yet widely-practiced Universal Law called The Law Of Sacrifice.

“Sacrifice” is a scary word - often a trigger word for people, in fact. (As in, it triggers fear, doubt, wigging out and other non-resourceful states.) But the truth is, you practice the Law Of Sacrifice all the time.

When you give the cashier at Starbucks your $4 for your triple-shot-foam-half-caf-mocha-latte-whateverthehellit’scalled, you are participating in the Law Of Sacrifice. (You can tell that I’m not one for coffee culture.)

When I go to Xena’s and sit down in Jenna’s chair for my regular cut n’ color, or open up one of Joanna’s newsletters and see one of her beautiful amulets and scoot on over to Paypal so I can call dibs on it before it’s gone (!) - again, that’s the Law Of Sacrifice in action.

Quite simply, the Law Of Sacrifice states that you have to give up something to get something. Money - i.e., paying for something you really want - is one such sacrifice. But it’s only one. (And it’s not even the most powerful, really.)

It’s New Year’s Eve, and if you’re like most creative people I know, you’ve probably thought at least a little about what you want to manifest in the coming year. (Me too.) And if you’re like most creative people I know, your list is loooong. (Me too! ) In order to bring those yummy, delicious things into your life, you’ll need to create some space for them.

Creating space - that is, letting things go - is the second half of stating a bold intention. After all, it’s hard for the Divine to bring you what you want if there’s no space for Her to put it!

Of course, She could make space for you - but that’s usually pretty uncomfortable. It’s better to be pro-active about this. So here’s a quick ritual to help you do just that.

All you’ll need for this ritual is a quiet space, clarity of mind, an open heart, a journal, and a pen. (You might want to dim the lights and light a candle or something. Whatever allows you to relax, turn down the chattering brain and get in touch with your true self.) And…

You’ll also need a clear, focused intention. Here’s what I mean…

Before you start this ritual, take a look at whatever visioning and planning notes you’ve made so far - i.e., that long list of things you’d like to manifest in the coming year. Select the number ONE thing. (Yes, the tippy-top priority. The answer to the question, “What ONE thing would I be wildly happy and grateful for creating in 2010?”) Bring that clear, focused intention to your sacred space.

In your space, take a moment or two to relax and create the clarity of mind that I mentioned earlier. Let all doubts, fears, and niggling thoughts just fall away. Bring your attention to your focused intention for 2010.

Imagine that it’s December 31, 2010 - one year from now. And that you have created exactly what you set out to create. Imagine yourself experiencing it, in the here and now.

Create the picture as vividly as you can. Once you have that picture firmly in your mind, and you are experiencing it in the here-and-now… ask yourself one question:

“What have I let go of in order to be here?”

Listen carefully for the message from your inner self and write down whatever comes to you. Resist the urge to judge your answer. Simply receive the message. After you have your answer, bid your future self adieu and return to the present.

Take a look at the answer you received. What do you need to let go of? Is it an object, such as clutter, “stuff” you bought for a past dream or intention, or leftovers from an “old” version of you? Is it a habit, or a manner of thinking about the world or yourself? If it’s the latter, I guarantee that you’re living with a manifestation of whatever it is here on the physical plane, too - some object in your physical space.

No matter what, it’s time to release it. Gather up whatever it is and make a date to get RID of it. (I highly recommend Freecycle, by the by.)

Heads up: completing this ritual may bring on the strong urge to clear out your space. This is great! Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once, so don’t get frustrated or in a snit about it. Just get started.

Here’s to manifesting everything you want in 2010!

ebess

Originally published at Elizabeth Genco. You can comment here or there.

The day after Christmas, I happily engaged in what can arguably be considered a new American holiday tradition: reading a Dan Brown novel in one sitting. My good friend Ron gave me a copy of The Lost Symbol back when he gifted me with The Red Book, and it’s been sitting on the stack ever since, taunting me.

I’ll admit that I wanted to like it, and I wasn’t disappointed. You can go all “You’re no William Faulkner!” on Dan Brown all you want, but he’s not trying to be Faulkner (as he admits himself right here) and I have to give him a lot of credit for crafting a fairly complex story/puzzle-line wherein I found myself deliberately suspending disbelief, oh, maybe one time.

I know some peeps’ jaws will drop at that - Wiersema, I’m lookin’ at you! - and that’s fair, but what can I say… I haven’t read Red Dragon and I will totally admit that I have a tendency to want to fall into a story trance, especially when I’m favorably predisposed, so it takes a lot to shake me out of it.

(Did I mention that I didn’t see the ending of The Sixth Sense coming either? *laugh*)

And it will come as no surprise that the Ancient Mysteries thing gets bonus points with me, as did the Divine Feminine/Sacred Marriage thing in the last go-round. Regardless of whether the guy set out to sell 80 frillion books or not, I don’t know anyone else who has done quite as much to shine a light on certain unfairly maligned spiritual traditions I could name. Nor could I find any glaring philosophical errors (as opposed to nitpicking, which I have no interest in), and believe me, I looked. I can see why Mitch really liked it.

Anyway. None of that is to say that the book is without its flaws, of course. For example, every 30 pages or so I found myself thinking of Star Trek, of all things. Why, you ask?

“My God!”
[...]
My God…
[...]
“My GOD NO!”

“You know what this means,” said Leland, after I shouted “My GOD MAN!” for the zillionth time, somewhere around page 350. (Yes, I talk back to authors in the margins of my books, too.)

“What’s that?”

“Drinking game.”

I’ve never been much of a drinker, but I have to admit, the idea amuses me. So without further ado, here it is…

The Lost Symbol Drinking Game (Respectable Lightweight’s version)
(Please allow 3 hours for this game.)

1. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite libation. (I suggest a nice Riesling, cider, or high-end scotch, or of course you can go with a nice tall glass of Paisano if you’re my mom.)

2. Settle in with Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol.

3. When you come across either the following, take a sip. (Hey, this is a family blog.)

• “What the hell?!”
• “My God!” (and its derivatives)

4. Optional: Shout out “My God Man!” in your best McCoy voice every time you come across the phrase “My God”

Please drink responsibly.