I believe in magic, y’all.
I had a really amazing Sunday this week. I work on a hotline for sexual and domestic violence so I *had* to be tethered to one place for all of Sunday morning, between 6:30 am and 1 pm. I used it as an opportunity to read Martha Beck’s Steering by Starlight, which I received in the mail from Lianne Raymond as a giveway on her site*. Wow. Where have you been all my life, this book? It is, to date, the self-help book that resonates the most with my weird mix of beliefs, practical and mystical. If you believe in magic, the real kind, read this book. I read it all once, and I’m going to go back and read it again and do the actual exercises, but I’ve already noticed a change.
Story time. After reading SBS, I was inspired to put together an inspiration board for what I want my uncluttered room to look like. And then bam, within 24 hours I got two of the things on my collage, which I’ve been eyeing forever, for waaaaay less than they sell for. I have wanted one of these bookshelves for like, ever, but I haven’t been able to justify the pricetag. I included a photo from a west elm catalogue of their knockoff on my inspiration collage and then the next day I’m walking to work, and I walk past a store I love and they have two of them (the DWR Sapien ones, not even the cheaper west elm/cb2 ones!) out front for sale! I raced into the store and pulled out my wallet, only to find they were sold already. Instead of being really bummed though, I just thought, “Hm, oh well. It will work out.” Usually I would be really disappointed, but for whatever reason, I was calmly accepting. Then I got home from work that night and found an email from my friend who works at said store, saying, “Oh after you left, we found another one, call us tomorrow if you want it.” Et voila, it was mine for $50. I also got a rug that I’ve been coveting for months now, and thanks to a coupon I found when clearing out my paper clutter it was also a lot less than I was looking to pay for it. I will post photos of both my room and my inspiration board when I get a chance.
Just so it doesn’t seem like the magic is solely related to me buying stuff, I have had a slew of good news from friends. Jobs gotten, raises offered, insanely difficult exams passed, great ideas happening–it’s been really cool to see. I don’t know what’s going on because Mercury is still in retrograde, but everything is happening for people I love, which means its happening for me, too, because one of my greatest joys is seeing people I love get what they need.
I have been really inspired to sign up for both Italian lessons (in anticipation of my trip this year) and swimming lessons (to bone up on my stroke technique). I’m trying to follow Beck’s simple but fantastic advice to basically follow whatever feels like is opening you up. So if something makes you feel closed, move away from it, and if something makes you feel open, go for it. I’m not explaining it really well, but so far it’s working. My uncluttering is moving right along, I’m experimenting with all sorts of fun new vegan food (burdock root, who’s ever heard of that?), I’m getting better at being mindful, and just better at listening to my inner “stargazer” in general. I feel…more open.
The next thing I plan on doing is paying closer attention to my dreams.
*So obviously this does not fit in with my resolution to read less self help, but I don’t even care because it’s really that good.
