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Photographs by Meadow Linn

Friday, March 23, 2012

Feel Your Dreams

A bubble I blew on a sunny afternoon a few days ago that feels dreamlike to me







This morning I spent an hour on the phone with Verizon Wireless to undo an erroneous charge.

Although this was not how I planned to start my day, it helped me realize something about my approach to my life. As I dialed Verizon, I asked myself, “What do I want?” Once my intention was clear, I was able to pursue it with determination. Yet, I wasn’t attached to the outcome, which kept me calm and focused. I wanted my account credited, but I knew I’d be okay if it didn’t happen. After talking to four different people, however, I eventually got it.

While on hold and listening to elevator music, I started to think about how I’m more effective at manifesting smaller desires (like the Verizon credit) than I am with my bigger dreams. For instance, since I was a little girl I’ve imagined getting married and having a family, but that dream has yet to come to fruition. Although it’s a very real dream, my intention is not as razor sharp as it was with Verizon. I’m also quite attached to the outcome, which can impede me from being objective and at peace with whatever happens.

As much as I’ve yearned to have a family, this dream has always felt distant. I say that I want to fall in love and I picture going to the park with future children, but it feels like make-believe. I’ve always thought it would happen someday, but believing and feeling are quite different. When I called Verizon today, I knew what it would feel like to get my desired result, which helped me manifest it. However, having never been in the kind of relationship I envision, I find it challenging to set my intention as keenly as it needs to be.

My cat Calliope meditating on her future dreams
I’ve known for years that one of the most effective ways to bring more love, abundance, success (whatever it is you desire) into your life is to truly feel what it feels like to be and have those things. For instance, if you want to be more prosperous, donate to charity, volunteer your time, and treat yourself to something special. In other words, do things that make you feel abundant, and abundance will begin to flood your life. Unfortunately, I’ve had difficulty feeling the relationship of my dreams. I’ve had an inkling for awhile that this was preventing me from manifesting love, but a blind date a few weeks ago changed that.

The man I met for the blind date far exceeded my expectations in every possible way. There are a few things in his life that don’t necessarily fit into my neat and tidy “wish list” for my perfect relationship, but part of my journey this year is releasing attachment to having one fixed vision of my life and instead allowing new versions of my dreams to be realized, which who knows…might lead to something even better than originally imagined!

Meeting this man finally allowed me to feel my dream. After multitudes of fizzled dates and short-lived relationships, I’d started to think that perhaps the kind of relationship I sought just wasn’t in the cards for me. A number of months ago, I began the process of reconfiguring my dream and even started considering alternative ways of having children. Meeting this attractive man, however, who’s strong and successful yet kind and thoughtful, made me believe that my future is possible. Perhaps this man came into my life for this express purpose, or perhaps our acquaintance will grow into something more. That story is yet to be written. Regardless, he’s changed my life in a powerful way.

Whatever your dreams—a refund on your cellular data plan, finding the love of your life, or something all together different—set your intention, release attachment to the outcome, and feel it with all your might. My mom calls this “act as if.” Act as if your future is already a reality and believe it or not, once you truly feel your dreams, they do indeed come true.

Squash growing in my garden last summer (on the left)

Courgettes à l’Estragon 
(Zucchini with Tarragon)

Food can be a potent ally when “acting as if.” If you want to be more abundant, for example, create a dinner party and fill the buffet with an abundance of dishes or dine on elegant and refined foods that represent a wealthy lifestyle. Or, if the wind is whipping and the rain is pounding, crank up the heat, put on your flip-flops and eat summer foods. Instantly, you’ll begin to feel the joy of summer’s long days and languid afternoons.

Last weekend, we were having an intense rainstorm, so I grabbed some zucchini and roasted it with tarragon and pretended it was midsummer and my garden was overflowing with summer squash. I made enough to have leftovers, but I ended up eating it all!

Serves 2-4

4 zucchini (1½ to 2 lbs.), cut into 2 in. sticks
2 Tbsp. French tarragon, rough chopped
2 shallots, sliced
4 tsp. olive oil
salt (such as Himalayan pink or coarse French sea salt)

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Wash and cut the zucchini and put on the baking sheet. Combine with the tarragon and shallots. Drizzle the olive oil over the zucchini and sprinkle with salt. Toss together to evenly distribute the olive oil. This is easiest done with your (clean) hands. Bake for approximately 1 hour.




6 comments:

  1. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!
    And the zucchini looks great too.

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  2. Firstly, I think that pic of your cat is very special!

    Ah yes...creating with intention....
    I always seem to have a problem with that one. ie what if I get what I intend and decide I don't want it. Of course, I know intellectually to just adjust the intentions and carry on, but part of me says 'but I may be stuck with this for the rest of my life. Lets just play it safe and be happy with whatever random events/things just show up in my life'. Yep, some of us have further to go than others - and you're well on your way, girl:)

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  3. I felt like I was reading a romance novel...I read as fast as I could waiting for the juicy ending and then you cooked something. Hahahah! I will be on pins and needles for the next chapter...

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  4. Well done the list thing works it is just our attachement to the out come and the order that can get in the way of creation.
    love Charlie

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  5. Another wonderful post from your heart, Meadow! And some great reminders as well, like, Acting As If. Finally, you clearly were able to follow through with your intentions much better than I when dealing with Verizon! :)
    Grateful for your presence!

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  6. Beautifully insightful, as always! PS speaking of zucchini...we feasted on zucchini pancakes again last night! If you remember, I froze quite a few bags of shredded zucchini last summer, so that we could enjoy them through the winter and spring :) I think of you every time I make them, and am grateful our paths crossed, if only in cyberspace <3

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